Travel trailer tow capacity.

Hello I have a 05 tundra 4x4 trd with roughly 250k miles and I’m looking at getting a travel trailer. My main concern is with the truck having higher miles would it be ok to tow? The trailer I’m looking at is 22ft 3022lbs with a GVWR of 7400 lbs. I won’t be taking it any where super crazy maybe 3 hours away from home at most to take the family out camping and use it for hunting in fall. Also would like to know what other equipment I would need to safely tow. I believe it has a 2in lift with aftermarket market leaf springs. Any advice would great TIA

 

Welcome to the forum!

If your truck has been properly maintained and is in good working order, it should still be able to tow.

As for the tow capacity of an '05, it will depend on the engine you have, cab configuration, etc. I don't know what your trucks ratings are or how well the first gens handle towing at or little over payload/towing, so I'll leave that for the 1GT gurus to clarify. I would suggest you start here for general towing safety info, though. https://www.tundras.com/threads/tow-ratings-guide-how-to-be-safe.39211/

 

It is the double cab with the 4.7 I have serviced all the gear boxes within the last 4K miles but still need to service the transmission fluid when I checked it it wasn’t super dark so just planned on doing a drain and refill on it.

 

How about timing belt, spark plugs, lower ball joints, etc.?

@shifty` @Sunnier @bmf4069 @Tundra2 @FirstGenVol you and the other 1st Gen Sherpas wanna guide a new member? (Didn't want to try and tag everyone)

 

I don't think the miles are an issue at all so long as you're up to date on all the maintenance that should be done on a vehicle with 250k miles. For towing, brakes and suspension would be at the top of my list. Does the trailer have brakes?

 

Good thing about the 05 is you have the 5spd trans with the better planetary gear. As long as it shifts ok I wouldn't worry about it. And don't worry about mileage. These trucks just don't care about mileage with just simple maintenance done.

Godzilla and firsgen are correct, make sure your maintenance is done. You said it has a 2" lift. What kind? If it's a puck style spacer I'd ditch that asap. It'll mess with your suspension geometry, which will be worse when you take weight off the front adding a trailer.

Also, check here for some good info.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

I’m not totally sure tbh I just bought the truck last fall and it all the lift and suspension work were done by the previous owner. I think I have the paper work somewhere I will double check it

 

Timing was done 20k ago. spark plugs and ball joints I’m not sure of

 

It’s a 2016 SALEM CRUISE LITE 181BHXL it’s a local dealer here where I live but doesn’t specify on their site if it does or not.

 

A trailer that size and weight, I would almost bet money it has brakes.

 

If you just bought the truck, before you take another step, please read this thread if you haven't already: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

That GVWR is too much for the Tundra. Your limit should be somewhere in the 6500lbs range - and even that, in my experience towing with 1st gens, is too much.

That being said, it looks like the dry weight of that trailer is fine at 3300lbs, so it's really a matter of how much shit you load it with. This gives you the ability to keep it at a more comfortable weight for your situation if you don't load too much in it for your trips. Lifts suck for towing and shitty lifts suck in general. If you have a shitty lift and prioritize towing, I would recommend removing it.

Weight distribution hitch and a nice brake controller (try etrailer.com) should get you started regardless of what trailer you choose. I've always felt like these 1st gens don't like more than about 5500 lbs. Finding the smallest/lightest trailer you can that will work for your fam is ideal - they're also easier to resell when you realize you don't use it much and want to unload it. I'd recommend used so you can capitalize on someone who made the same decision you are a few years earlier and not have to buy new. Don't base your purchase decision off of the folks that you hear say they tow 8k with theirs, or they did a trip once with 7k and it was no problem. Read manual for your truck and the trailer.

 

Hi there! I see others have already given you great advice I don't need to duplicate. I'll add weight to a couple things, though.

Get under the truck and look at the top of the shocks in front. If there's a small metal block looking thing at the top, between the shock and the attachment to the truck, that is what we're all recommending you remove. Post a pic if you're not sure.

If you do have lift that was achieved by installing blocks, you'll lose that lift/ clearance when the blocks comes out and, if you're running larger than stock tires, you might have to replace those too. But if you're planning to tow, or drive off-road, this is the time to figure this out, before you add payments for a TT.

2. IMO you should replace the lower ball joints unless you know they've been replaced with OEM within the last 90k miles. The only worse scenario I can picture than your LBJ failing at speed, would be that happening while hauling a TT down a steep grade at speed.

3. I agree with the guy that told you, the trailer you're posting about is too heavy for your truck. Maybe not "technically", but realistically. Picture pulling it up a steep 2-lane grade... you'll be fine with a running start, but picture catching up to some dumbass in an overloaded Forester s/he lives out of, and you can't keep speed and pass because a bunch of modern diesel V8's are blowing past in the other lane at 90+.

Even worse, even the best brakes on these 1st gens aren't great, so you'll need to rely a lot on trailer brakes and using your truck's engine to maintain manageable speed downhill. Add wind and impatient drivers all around, and maybe your passengers not understanding why you're driving "so slow" while everyone is honking and flipping you off-- if you have even one harrowing experience like this, you'll wish you'd bought a different trailer.

I'm not trying to (am willing to) be a killjoy, but figure this is a real answer to the question you asked.

 

If it has a lift, then does that also mean that it also has oversized tires? Even 1"-2" over stock height tire is going to sap your power and put more strain on the tranny. Base model stock height tire was a just a smallish 245/70/16.