What is a 'comfortable' towing rig for our trucks?

I'm working on a project, which would probably take more explanation that people here are interested in....but it is to built on a trailer with the idea of transporting it on 500-1000 mile long trips, 2-3 times a year, pulled by my tundra, with the goal of making my life EASIER.

I'm not looking for the max that I can tow, I'm looking for opinions on what type/size/capacity of trailer is EASY to tow....

For instance...what would be experience of towing a 6x12 on 3500lb single axles be like?

At what point to do need trailer brakes?

Any idea's welcome. I have lots of experience with many strange things....but very little with trailers and towing.

 

I have always found smaller single axle trailers a PITA to tow. Can’t see them well back there. For whatever reason, I’m always nervous on a long trip with a single axle as well. If you were to have a blowout or bearing failure on a single axle, it would be more dicey than a dual. Finally, I prefer trailer brakes. Especially for Highway driving. So my answer would be under 5k dual axle with brakes. That’s a general answer for a general question. Let us know what you want to tow as that can make a difference. Off road living quarters, side by side, bbq pit, concrete?

 

Not only that, but finicky with weight distribution too and all over the place if you're off.

 

I havent towed an enclosed trailer with the tundra yet, but i can imagine how unhappy the truck would be with the extra drag.

put a pop-up camper on a bigger trailer, keeps everything off the ground, and you have room to haul motorcycles.

 

idk why I thought I was gonna see a war wagon come to life lol

 

I would not want to tow very much weight with my truck WITHOUT trailer brakes. If I had to guess, anything over 1,500 lbs would be noticable when braking but I will be first to admit I've never had to tow anything with my Tundra.

 

I figure my trailer and tractor were pretty close to 5k lbs, and didnt have any trouble, even on the hilly roads around here. But i've never had trailer brakes.

 

Hard to really say without knowing what you’re gonna do with it. I would echo 1000% tandem axle trailers pull much smoother. If you get over 3-4K pounds, trailer brakes are great.

 

Man I love this setup! They sell these as toy haulers — usually with the storage part fore and the popup camper aft — and they’re pretty expensive. This could be a great compromise. How did you get the camper on there? Jack it up and slide the trailer under or what?

 

just an internet pic. But yea, i'd imagine that would be a way to do it. A rooftop tent might be a good option for mounting to a trailer, but i'd bet an old popup could be had cheaper.

 

We have a 17' Casita which weights about 3100lbs loaded. It has trailer brakes and we also use an

$55 CURT 17200 Trailer Anti-Sway Bar Control Kit , Black

anti-sway bar, no WDH. The highest tongue weight we've scaled was 440lbs. We've towed cross country and multiple 2-3k mile trips. This trailer behind the Tundra is barely noticeable, stopping for gas, food, etc is very easy. I agree a double axle will track and handle a blowout better. We've gone through the trial and error of proper loading to get the best experience, honestly this is something I've gone through with any trailer. I wouldn't consider towing this without trailer brakes, especially on city streets with lots of stop and go.

 

Thats a fu@ked up looking 1st gen!

 

Pulled it with my 2005 AC prior to moving to this truck. I honestly preferred the 05 as it was slimmer and shorter, but families.

 

I've towed a double jet ski trailer with a 2004 Yukon XL and never needed trailer brakes. However when I towed the boat (24 ft, ~5500 lbs plus trailer), the trailer had a mechanism that automatically applied the brakes as the weight shifted forward, pretty cool. If it didn't have that, I wouldn't have towed without a brake controller.

Fast forward a few years towing with a 2500 (much better experience, not sorry--avg 16 mpg towing 10k lbs ) we had brake controllers. No WD hitch though since the back ends never really sagged. Going to credit the HD package?

 

How did the 1st gen AC handle the sway with that single axle compared to the 15? We tow a 20’ single axle and even with the DC’s longer wheelbase, theres still sway out back.

@Aerindel I’ve towed boats at 6000lbs and truck handles it fine. Brakes are overworked with the trailer surge brakes but you’ll survive.

Also towed a 10x6 single axle utility for work. Weighed 5k with no brakes, not too comfortable.


I’d recommend a single 5k axle with electric brakes. That’ll be more than enough for a 12x6. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!

 

The 05 AC had a AAL in the rear pack so that may of helped, but with the anti-sway bar it still tracked very well. For us it was making sure we had enough tongue weight. I will say, the 15 seems to care less about how it's loaded, I contribute it to the added weight of the 2015 CM vs the 05 AC.

 

Yeah, that was my worry. No sway bars on my 06 but I might add a rear to see if it feels more planted while towing. Gonna have to make some quick discos for it I guess.

 

By sway bar I'm talking about on the trailer, not the truck.

I've used this one for the past few years:

$55 CURT 17200 Trailer Anti-Sway Bar Control Kit , Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HLO7QA

 

So, what is the 'mechanism' that makes many of you advise against single axles being 'squirrelly'?

What I want to haul is pretty simple, if unconventional.

A pop-up, Hussite war wagon, with about 1,000lbs of medieval armor, weapons, food ,etc in it.


Think a lightweight wooden box, designed to telescope in on its self so under tow, its only about 4' tall off the trailer deck.

Bed, a few shelves. No 'modern' camper amenities.

It's to replace my current camping set up, which is a 16x16' canvas tent, with a ton of other stuff that packs the back of my truck to max capacity in both weight and space.


Think a version of this, that can be taken on the hwy, and is made so the sides break down to half height. I have no problem building the structure itself, or even the welding of a trailer, but I am inexperienced in trailer dynamics.

It's more important that it's EASY to trail, than size, capacity or cost.

 

[QUOTE="Aerindel, post: 3164181,member: 25399”]
A pop-up, Hussite war wagon, with about 1,000lbs of medieval armor, weapons, food ,etc in it.[/quote]Reminds me of a few weeks ago at Shiloh Battlefield for the annual re-enactment. Folks with their Civil War stuff on trailers, cooking gear, tents, firearms….etc

 

Reminds me of a few weeks ago at Shiloh Battlefield for the annual re-enactment. Folks with their Civil War stuff on trailers, cooking gear, tents, firearms….etc[/QUOTE]

Yep. It's a similar hobby, just different time period. I've reached the limits of what I can pack in the tundra and I'm tired of setting up the whole tent everytime, I want something I can roll up in and have that be the camp without spending two hours putting in stakes and tent poles etc.

 

My smaller trailer is a 5x10 w/3500lb axle steel utility trailer. Welded up side supports with wood sidewalls, deck and metal swing gate. Empty is about 700lbs and it tows really nicely if loaded right. No brakes (but it'd be better with) but it should have some and I'll remedy that soon enough. I've put a lot of miles on this trailer and I wouldn't hesitate cross county with good bearing maintenance and good tires (with spare). The profile is great because it's much more aerodynamic.

Go small, light and quality (even consider aluminum frame if you can find one).

 

Also thought about doing this, figure the front of the camper being over the bed would help with aero, but if you get it close enough to make a difference, steep driveways might be a problem.


i like the pop top war wagon idea. Wanna spend an afternoon having a good time? Find a trailer with a front axle and try to back it into a spot.

brain fart as to what they're called.

 

My 2006 Tundra (with timbrens as it squats something crazy when loaded) tows a double axle 10k flatbed loaded with a 4k tractor no issues. No WDH either. Not terribly great mpg but super stable and have made 600 mile trips one way with it. Definitely requires trailer breaks. I have tried towing my 22' enclosed car hauler empty with it and it was scary just moving it across town.

 

Here is a video on trailer sway.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Dgxe584Ss&pp=ygUadHJhaWxlciBzd2F5IGRlbW9uc3RyYXRpb24=

 

I have a single axle utility trailer. Tows fine, truck doesn't notice, but it's only 48" wide overall, pain to back up as it's hard to see. I've towed my BIL's 5x10 utility trailer, no issues. My boat is a single axle, around 2200lbs loaded. Tows Great. My dad's boat is around 3800 lbs single axle. Tows it fine. All of these were towed without WD hitches with no issues. My dads boat has surge brakes, mine does not. I don't think mine needs them, and am glad his does, so around 3K lbs is probably where brakes become necessary.

I've towed double axle car trailers and utility trailers; they also towed fine with no WD hitch. My travel trailers I always use WD unless dropping off or picking up from storage unit that is 3 miles from the house.

There's nothing wrong with a single axle, they typically respond more to correct tongue weight and tend to bounce a bit more, typically because they're lighter. Make sure you're at 12-15% tongue weight and go with what you want. Would love to see a build when you start it. If you're concerned about weight, get aluminum. Cost a bit more but it's makes it easier to push around by hand.

 

I have an Anderson LST714. It's 7x14' tandum axle with electric brakes and weighs about 1500lb empty. I've dragged it empty and overloaded, an everything in between, and it's been great.

I've towed my BIL's 16' 10k trailer with surge brakes, and it towed fine, but I've had the surge brakes fail to engage and push me through an intersection, so definitely go with electric brakes and a brake controller. Single axles are fine, but more finicky to load placement, but you should always load front of center regardless of axle count.

If you're ony going to haul 2kish, then a single 3500lb or 5k axle would be fine.

 

My '04 Access Cab SR5 3.4 manual will tow my 18' boat (probably a little under 3000#) with single axle and no brakes. It's all it want to do to pull it on anything but a flat highway at 70 MPH. It's fine around town. Stopping is quite good. Anyone have a spare supercharger for this motor?