Buying Travel Trailer - What Do I Need?

Hey Everyone-

I’m a complete noob so go easy on me. I have a 2023 Tundra Platinum and will be buying a 25ft Travel Trailer soon. I’ve never hauled anything before so I want to make sure I have everything before going to pick it up.

What exactly do I need in order to pull this? It comes with a weight distribution hitch but I’m assuming I need a ball mount, hitch ball, trailer tongue, safety chains and wiring harness. Any help is appreciated!

 

Sounds about right. Did your truck come with a towing package?

First thing you should do after you get the trailer is take it to a reputable hitch shop and get them to set up the WDH properly. RV dealers aren't known for doing that well.

 

Wiring should be plug and play. Don't forget special TP for your new trailer!

 

If you have never towed anything before, tow your new trailer to an empty parking lot or a quiet street & practice backing it up. I put my hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, use my mirrors, & the direction I want my trailer to go is the direction I turn the wheel. If you will have a spotter helping you when you get to your camp site, I know some people rely on cell phones for communication but I also have a set of 2 way radios on hand in case the cell reception is no good.
When you tow your trailer down the highway be cognoscenti of the wind. In windy conditions travel trailers act like sails.
We also keep the tools necessary to perform a ‘NASCAR’ type tire change when on the highway, so you might want to practice a tire change on your trailer in your driveway before you head out. It can be super dangerous to change a drivers side trailer tire on a busy highway. We also carry 2 spare trailer tires on rims instead of 1.
We keep the sewer hose in a separate plastic container that has a locking lid. We also carry an assortment of bungee cords, duct tape, an expandable water hose & a small tool kit.

 

^^^^this post covers a new trailer puller perfectly. Practice with the trailer somewhere with lots of room and nobody around and have necessary tools for roadside repairs. Specifically spare tire and hub assembly. Pay close attention to tire pressure and hub temperature at every stop and you will catch issues before they are emergencies

 

The travel trailer I want to buy is about 2 1/2 hours away. If I’ve never towed anything, is that too far away for me to pickup and drive home for my first time? I’m assuming it would be minimal backing up and really just driving around 50-60 mph for most of the trip.

 

Does your truck have towing mirrors? As asked above... Does the truck have a towing package?

You should be alright with the 2.5 hr drive... Just take it easy over in the slow lane... Remember when turning corners to swing out some before turning... Trailer is going to turn sharper than the truck... Keep it from curbing the tires (or running over the curb completely)...

 

As Keith said, take your corners wide. If you have towing mirrors, set them up so you can see the trailer tires when you turn and watch the mirror on the inside of the turn to make sure you're clear of any obstacles.

Be prepared for the big gust of wind when a semi passes you.

 

I don’t believe I have the towing package, just a standard Platinum.

 

All 3rd gen tundras have the tow package except for the SR’s. That means you have a built in brake controller, which is great but you will need to set it up which includes knowing what type of brakes your trailer has. Most common is electric but you should ask the seller.
You will then need to set the gain on your brake controller which requires a little playing with.
Probably worth watching a quick video on YouTube, there’s a great one tailored to the 3rd gen tundra trailering system and brake controller.
https://youtu.be/oBGsprOcE7o?si=M05SG7AICKCs7c-y

 

Here’s a detailed video on setting the trailer brake controller on the 3rd gen Tundra
https://youtu.be/Z8VDuqlGkjM?si=banZ8XaEx8QVQfXY

 

No one has mentioned levelling pads or wheel chocks.

 

Make sure your WDH is the proper weight for your trailer. Is this purchase new from a dealer? If so, look closely to make sure they aren't trying to sell you one that's oversized for your load. An oversized WDH can bend trailer frames.