New in Alabama

Hello all, freshly retired, moved out of Europe 1 week ago, planning on full-timing in USA. First thing first, to get the correct truck for towing. I got a 2018 SR5 double cab with the upgrade package. I love it already, next, shopping for a travel trailer (24ft, dry 4700lbs)

Cheers, Phil

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from Northern NY.

Regarding the travel trailer, you probably want to keep it in the 25'-28' range due to payload issues. Happy hunting

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Down here in Spanish Fort.

 

Congratulations Phil on your retirement. Same here as of June 2022. We are currently looking at a couple of TT in the same size. Not sure how soon you are looking, but there are 3-4 RV shows coming up in Alabama & TN.

Greetings from North Central Alabama! Enjoy!

 

Interesting, our buying time frame is Dec 15 to Jan 15, currently looking at a no slide version such as the Keystone Springdale 202rd.
Do you have more details about these RV shows?
Cheers

 

Here in CA (Central Alabama) Opelika

 

Welcome from the tip top (north central at the TN line).

 

We were hoping to buy one just as summer passed, but unpacking and other residential duties took a bit longer. We might be pulling the trigger in February 2023 just to get past the winter time. I don't really see us on the road for the holidays due to family.

https://www.gorving.com/get-started/rv-shows-events

 

Welcome from F.M.L.A. Ft. Morgan AL. Pulling a 6,000# loaded 23' Gulfstream Vintage Cruiser with a 21 SR5. Nice balance. You're doing it right looking at the size your mentioned. Good luck and hope to see you on the road.

 

Welcome from CA (Central Alabama). Hoover.

 

Welcome, good looking truck! Here is my 2013.

 

FMLA!

 

Thanks!
Are you using a weight distribution hitch or sway control?
How about your transmission, did you add a cooler or is it going fine as is?
I was shopping for a 2018 model to get the transmission cooler .
Cheers

 

I like yours too, painted mirrors look nice!

 

Thanks, we plan to start our journey at mid of January, wait and see if we can keep that pace

 

Welcome from MD!

 

I use a Fastway E2 round bar 8,000# WDH and a scangauge II closely watching both transmission temperature sensors. I use Tow/Haul in S4 with much of the time in S5. As soon if not sooner as the torque converter unlocks when I go up an incline I bring it back to S4. Going up Brown Mtn on I40 in North Carolina the sensor that is said to be the torque converter read as high as 240 but the pan topped out at 225. As soon as I got going down the other side things quickly cooled back down to the normal 212*F. My trailer is a wee bit more aerodynamic than some. I usually tow in the 62-65 range and on my trip south from Ohio managed a trip average by pencil and paper over 11 MPG. This included the home stretch on I65 doing a speed I'll never admit to on the internet.

 

Wow thanks for the detailed reply
I'm looking at the Andersen WDH as I read some good reviews, are you happy so far with the Fast way?

 

Very much so. I bought mine used for $225, downloaded a manual and set it up myself. Regardless which WDH hitch you get, learn to install it yourself and adjust it after you get your Tundra and trailer loaded. One aspect I really like is one of the adjustments is by adding or subtracting flat washers. I went to the bulk bins and selected a dozen or so washers with different thicknesses. On my hitch 6 was too many and 5 too light so I sorted through the washers and found thinners ones to get just right distance.

 

Welcome from SoCal, nice truck!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from AZ

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

I finally got a 2021 Freedom Express 20SE, light enough 4100 dry and max at 6000lbs.
It came with an EAZ-LIFT RECURVE R3 WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH and made our 3hr drive back home very smooth .
Using tow/haul mode in D, S5 or S4 gave me a 11mpg average, forget the 20mpg on our way there.
The 38 gal tank helps here!
So far I'm really impressed by the Tundra capabilities , I love that truck

 

I looked at the type of WDH you have recently and I was impressed. Your trailer weighs are very close to what I drag south and share living space with my wife and huge yellow lab. The only time I wish our trailer was bigger is when she goes grocery shopping at Sams.

 

The seller included that WDH into the sale, I was concerned by its 1200lb rating since unloaded tongue weight of the trailer is about 512lbs (risk of damaging or puting stress on the trailer frame) I asked a local RV repair dealership about downsizing the string bars to 1000 or 800 but the technician told me not to worry. Still not sure

 

There have been instances of Lippert frames bending at the tongue but I don't know if the WDH was sized correctly or not. Since my tongue weight is just less than 600# I called Fastway asking which size bar I should use. They said the 800# bar would do fine but cautioned about going any higher. With the heavier bars it becomes more difficult to find the sweet spot when adjusting. You also run the risk of bending the trailer frame if you drive over an area with an abrupt grade change.

 

Thanks, that is my biggest concern, I'll try to find a 800lb bar pair only at CAMCO or somewhere else.
Cheers