Towing a Small Toy Hauler TT.

I've been on the lookout for a small THTT for months now. We have it down to 2 options. Both trailers are similar in numbers. The decision will be on which one we can actually find first. Toy haulers in the South are not as popular as other parts of the country for some reason. The payload of my turndra is not much.
-Grey Wolf 19RR
-Grey Wolf 18RR (new for 2021)

The numbers for the 19RR

• UVW=4871
• GVWR=7574
• Hitch weight=574
• CCC=3394

The number for the 18RR

• UVW=4463
• GVWR=7550
• Hitch Weight=550
• CCC=3087

I have a 2018 CM Limited 4x4.

• GVWR=7200
• GCWR=15200
• Payload=1185 (door sticker).

My concern is with payload,
passangers ~350 lbs
luggage about ~200 lbs
I'm almost at the limit already at 1100 lbs. I'm assuming the hitch weight above is for an empty trailer. I need to add some water, propane, battery and stuff in the trailer. I will be towing 2 dirtbikes totaling about 600 lbs.
My thinking is that the payload will be easily exceeded after all the stuff in the trailer is loaded.

I've been looking at 3/4 ton trucks in both gas and diesel. My Tundra is almost paid off and having a payment for another couple of years is what I don't like. But I want to be able to tow safely.
What is your expert opinion based on the numbers above?

 

I think @AzureNightmare was looking into toy haulers recently. Not sure if he found something that will work, though.

 

I went to CAT scale today and my numbers are,
STEER Axle =3380 lbs
DRIVE Axle = 2600 lbs
Total curb Weight = 5980 lbs with a full tank. I have the 38 Gal tank.

I stopped by a Chevy dealer on the way home from the CAT scale, they have a 2021 Chevy 2500HD "custom" for under $50k(employee discount for everyone sale).
I looked at the numbers on that and what a difference.
Payload = 3445 lbs
GVWR = 10650 lbs
GCWR = 24000 lbs

 

My struggle was unique because of what I am trying to fit in the trailer. There are plenty of Toyhaulers that can take dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, kayaks, etc. but I am trying to fit a RZR RS1, so it needs a bigger garage. There are lots of ultralight toy haulers that could haul smaller toys and the Tundra would pull them along.

Another thing to keep in mind is that toy hauler trailers are a bit of a different animal when it comes to tongue weight. They come with a higher than normal tongue weight because they are designed to have your toys loaded up in the back, so they don't see as dramatic of a spike in tongue weight when you add them. I'll poke around and see what I can find for a toy hauler that could haul some bikes and be hauled by the Tundra.

 

Well, after some quick searching, the market has certainly changed. It looks like some of the ones I had looked at aren't even produced anymore. I guess it depends on how comfy the trailer has to be. For a super light weight toy hauler you can go with something like the No Boundaries (No Bo) trailers from Forest River, but it's not going to be glamping. Anyway, here's a few links to some on Camping World. I would NOT buy from them after reading some reviews, but it gives you an idea of what some light weight toy haulers for dirt bikes can be.

https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetai...ne-springdale-1720th-toyhauler-20k-IDA1843059

https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetai...ystone-hideout-172tx-toyhauler-20k-IDA1858135

https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetai...ries-rogue-river-106-toyhauler-20k-IDA1790614

 

Having bought a 2nd quad for the Mrs. over the summer, I’m having serious thoughts of solving a similar situation in a different way. Here’s what’s going on in that part of my mind:

I’m thinking a 16-18 ft insulated cargo trailer, with a couple RV style windows and an RV style side door. A few cabinets up front and small countertop surface, an awning on the side, E-track on the floor to secure the quads, and either fold-down bunks on the walls, good old cots, or a combination of both. A propane or diesel heater, some LED lighting should top things off.

I’m more used to tent camping so I always cook outdoors while camping, don’t need or want running water, a TV, or any of that, so I think it will suit us fine. YMMV.

 

Converted cargo trailers are definitely a cost effective way to go so long as you are ok with what they are. Some people are, some aren't.

 

I am!

Plus it is a lot of fun to roll your own to me.

 

That’s bad ass. I had a 24’ V-nose trailer when I was road racing that was all done up to haul the bikes in and live in at the track.
I like really like a well done cargo trailer.

 

Thanks!
This one is 7x10 and great because you can sleep across and dont have to be front to back which seems to really open the whole thing up in the end.
Everything inside is on E-Track too so it is easy to push it all up and out of the way.

I am working on a 6x12 Aluminum Cargo next if I ever get the free time to get it going.

 

Thanks for the links. We looked at some similar ones but they just feel too small for us, the NOBO is definitely too small. We looked at the NOBO 19.1 and that is still small. We know about Camping World and won't be buying from them.

 

Those were really just to show the stuff the Tundra should be able to handle pretty well. When you start getting bigger and heavier it gets into 3/4 ton truck range or having a second vehicle follow with passengers and some gear to stay legal.

 

We looked at that but like it was said, still too much like camping. We have adventure touring bikes as well and we have explored the lower 48 for the past 10 years and have done a lot of camping and as we get older camping is not as attractive as it was 10 years ago. We have slowly been selling all of our camping gear.
We would also like to tow the adventure bikes a few times and those are 1100 lbs combined so the little ones will not do.

If I can make the numbers work, I will probably be looking to get a 3/4 ton truck, still pull one of the ones above and get some experience RVing as we have none. Then in 5 years we can upgrade RV to a larger one and hopefully not have to upgrade the truck. I love my Tundra but towing is not their strength. Probably go with Ford or GM.

 

If you can hold out for another year by getting something in the ability of your current truck, you might like whatever Toyota does to the 2022 Tundra. I totally understand not wanting to wait or settle for a smaller trailer though. Whichever way you choose to go be sure to keep us posted.

 

I hear you and sorry if I took this sideways with my tiny hauler but as I get older I find myself going the exact opposite direction and towards simple camping overall!

We each like what we like though and there is nothing wrong with that.

One way to maybe get what you want and keep the Tundra is with a 5th wheel hauler.
The Tundra can sure tow a lot more like that and often a nicely designed 5th wheel also has other advantages over a standard pull trailer too.

Good Luck!

 

Sadly, Light 5th wheels have pin weights in excess of 1000 lbs. That nukes the payload on any Tundra.

 

Keep in mind that Tundras are over-engineered, and over-built. Because of that, I would be comfortable going a little over the posted payload on the door jamb... maybe 1200 or 1300 pounds fully loaded with everything but the kitchen sink. But I would not go way over, say 1500 or 1800 pounds. At that point you are beyond the design limits of the vehicle. Also keep in mind that free advice is worth what you pay for it... just sayin’.

 

This is not something I would recommend. Stay within the rated limits. Accidents happen and if you are over weight it will be your fault. I like to shoot for setups within 80% of Max capacity. Extra weight is extra strain on the vehicle. It's longer stops and harder to control. There is a reason these trucks have max capacities.

 

Keep in mind that a Weight distribution hitch does wonders when it comes to towing.

 

That's a pretty sweet setup. Drier than tent camping, and even secure for your stuff. I have hear of people doing stuff like this during covid versus buying a TT. Now you just need a screen door or AC.

 

I use screens that Velcro into the door frames pretty tightly and a portable window AC unit that fits into a plywood insert in the back door turns that tiny box into Ice Station Zebra in about 10 minutes when I have needed it!

Plus the windows have screens and a roof vent is getting a Fantastic Fan whenever I get around to it.

Yes it beats sleeping on the ground every time for me for sure!
I can pull the couch up and slide it out to a full sized bed in 2 minutes and have a memory foam mattress as the cushion so it is pretty nice.

And it is really secure and a great Cargo Trailer still too!

 

Ezdog, I like your thinking. Great job!!

 

Just want to update for my thread. Started looking for a 3/4 ton truck since I started this post. Went and test drove the new F250 with the 7.3L and it was nice.
After searching many dealers with the options I wanted, there was really none out there. During all this time we were looking at TT-TH and the price was not really want we wanted to pay. Decided to not go with a new truck. My truck is almost paid off and then will start saving for a new 3/4 ton truck and then get the TH that we want. Hopefully all the craziness now will be gone and prices will go down.

Also, will be going with an enclosed trailer probably a 6x12 or 7x14 to just put the bikes in and drive to a destination. I travel a lot for work and have a ton of hotel points, hopefully those will last for another 2-3 yrs LOL.
Thanks for all the feedback, always learning here.

 

Just get a trailer that will allow for modified tongue length to get you at about 12% or so on the truck. Longer tongue makes less tw without changing up the trailer, pulls smoother and backs much easier. Just look at how easy to back a boat and how smooth they pull it is the tongue that makes that happen.

 

Some trailers are already at a 12% and still eat the payload. Lengthening the tongue won't help those.

 

Well yeah, obviously. So in that case, different trailer, or different truck/setup. You can drop the tank, and put small fuel cell, drop spare tire, remove seats, there are lots of options. Maybe not a perfect setup for everyone, but things can be modofied to function. Personally, I build what works and don't buy no heavy ass particle board crap toy hauler travel trailer for big money. Pretty, maybe so, heavy, for sure, expensive, yes, well made, definately not. For the cost of that crap one can stay in many hotels or cabins. Go ahead, calculate the price of trailer, insurance, maint, fuel to pull, all the extras like sewer hose, power cord, level blocks, chocks, and on and on. It takes a lot of extra crap that adds thousands to the cost. I know because I have all the crap. But my trailer and all the crap was paid for with less than 8k in cash and there is minimal maint. with only 1 very hd axle, solid construction, ez clean no carpet interior, no insurance cost because self financed. Etc. Plus my steel roof wont be destroyed by hail and my frame is all cold galvanized steel so it will not rust in my childs lifetime.

 

Any pics of that setup? Thx

 

Here's the problem with pushing your payload capacity to the limit. Vehicles gain weight as they age. The obvious weight comes from adding things like roadside emergency kits, CB radios, a few tools etc. Where the unseen weight come in is the dirt and mud collecting under the vehicle.
We started out on our first camping trip with a new truck and trailer. CAT scale was the first stop and I was 40# over on the truck. Simply moving a 38# portable Coleman grill from the bed to the rear of the camper solved my problems. If I had stopped at Walmart for some groceries and topped the fuel tank off I would have been overloaded again.
Pulling a trailer with the Tundra and doing it correctly can be a challenge. I'm lucky that my trailer came in a few hundred pounds under allowing me to move a few items. One must be careful using CAT scale weights on the trailer as you need to add your scale weight and your tongue weight and keep that number under the trailer's gross. After this trip I am investing in a good tongue weight scale witch BTW adds more weight!