Towing a 9000# 34' Travel Trailer

I am looking at buying a 34' Airstream Travel Trailer that weighs in at around 9000 lbs. My first thought was that the Tundra should be able to pull it since my DC is rated at 10,000 lbs towing and has the tow package. THEN I looked at the tongue weight. The Airstream Travel Trailer has a tongue weight of 1,250 lbs and the max tongue weight for the Tundra is 1,000 lbs. I'm no stranger to pulling trailers with diesel trucks for work and pulling with my Tundra. I have a 19' Airstream now and a raft trailer but those are no sweat for the Tundra. I understand a 9000# trailer is a different ballgame and would be a little more complex than the 8000# trailer I used to pull for work with an F-450.

So my question is;

Is there a way to increase allowable max tongue weight on the Tundra? Airbags? Weight distributing hitch?

This would be a one way tow and not something I would pull a lot. I'm basically buying the 34' Airstream to park on a trailer pad and live out of during the fire season out west. The tow would be about 1700 miles so I want to make sure I can do it before I throw the money down. I know @ColoradoTJ is the man when it comes to towing questions. I'd like to hear some other thoughts as well.

 

That would be to much for me. That’s dry weight. You may possibly add another grand in weight or more once you get done. I dont like to push my trucks to limit like that. Plus, it looks like you’re at a higher altitude than sea level.
Just my opinion..

 

It would be dry weight. I’m towing it from point A to point B where it will live it’s life as a park model trailer.

 

If you’re moving it once, rent a diesel one-ton for the job. You’d save some fuel costs that way too.

 

There is nothing that will legally raise your tongue weight rating. You will be overloaded, add any occupants and gear, fuel etc. extremely overloaded! Even with airbags and weight distribution hitch your going to exceed the capacity of the truck. There is just no way around it. Don’t do it man. Maybe if you were just going to tow it a fewhundred miles which is unsafe I would say go slow just get it done. But that is a long trip. And while the engine can handle it, it’s hard on the drivetrain. Also imagine a panic stop with that big bitch!

 

Yeah, that has definitely crossed my mind...

 

Not to mention if something did happen to go sideways and someone was injured etc that overweight thing may ruin your day.

 

Good advice.

 

@veg hed problem solved
https://www.arlingtonheightscdjr.com/wholesale-new/Ram/2017-Ram-44a1ea430a0e0ae913244a272052c690.htm

 

Haha!!! Why are you tempting me?

I almost went with a Dodge diesel but the new DEF systems in the diesels scared me off. I've had trouble with them in our Chevy and Ford diesel work trucks. Plus you can't beat the dependability of a Toyota...

 

Yeah, this would be my 4th Airstream...And by far the biggest.

I haven't thought about a RV moving hotshot...I didn't even know those existed.

 

Thanks for the words of wisdoms, guys. I think you've told me what I already knew...Don't do it.

 

It’s in your best interest. Good luck.

 

I was looking at the cheapo 30ft Airstream @ $104k. Nice but $$$$

 

That, and wrecking a truck, trailer, or both is peanuts compared to other possibilities.

From what you see in the video, I'm thinking excessive speed was more the issue here, but it's a sobering reminder to err on the side of caution.

Caution - Language Alert!

 

Holy shit!

 

I would love some contacts. You could PM them to my if you want.

 

Almost all of the threads I see in here proves that Tundra is good for towing snowmobile or jet skis only...

There goes my plan for having a camper one day.....

 

Maybe not a big trailer but the Tundra tows pretty well...

 

Negative. Just pick something that has hitch weight under your truck's capability. That should put you in the 25' range, maybe 6000 lbs max.

Hitch weight is the killer here, not trailer gross weight, but it can be done within reason, and within it's limits.

 

Something My girlfriend having been thinking about is being car haulers so we might see the country and find the best land to build on, what I have read so far says you can clear about 90K but you really need a tractor instead of say a RAM5500, if you have any advice or tips plz let me know, thnx

 

Towing a travel trailer is all about weight and balance. As stated above, most people exceed max hitch weight before they max out max towing. You need to determine proper hitch height for the trailer, set your truck hitch for that height, then balance your load in both the truck and trailer to maintain it. Then you need to drive it as if it gets crossed up, it will roll you over and kick your ass, because it will.