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Frame twist

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by Saunt7902, Sep 14, 2018.

  1. Sep 14, 2018 at 3:44 PM
    #1
    Saunt7902

    Saunt7902 [OP] New Member

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    Hello, I just purchased my 2018 tundra 5.7 set towing my camper which is a little over 8500 lbs. The issue is I backed up my camper and my truck was at a slight angle to my trailer (was never an issue with any other vehicle not even my 2016 tundra) and had to open my tailgate to grab bar to release my weight distribution bars and my tailgate was literally twisted. Is this a frame issue. Went to toyota and they want me to hook up and come in and try to recreate this issue. Anyone know of issues like this?

    Screenshot_20180914-123652_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20180914-123632_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20180914-123606_Gallery.jpg
     
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  2. Sep 14, 2018 at 3:45 PM
    #2
    Saunt7902

    Saunt7902 [OP] New Member

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    Auto correct sorry 2018 tundra sr5
     
  3. Sep 14, 2018 at 3:55 PM
    #3
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

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  4. Sep 14, 2018 at 3:58 PM
    #4
    Grumpy Uncle

    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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  5. Sep 14, 2018 at 4:16 PM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Pretty common actually. Sorry I couldn’t find one with 1/2 tons. The twist test starts after the traction test.

     
  6. Sep 14, 2018 at 4:18 PM
    #6
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Is this a new camper?

    When backing my trailer into the spot on my property, i have to disconnect the bars. So much force.
     
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  7. Sep 14, 2018 at 4:33 PM
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    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

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    I wonder if the total chaos bed stiffeners or something like that would solve the tailgate opening issue.
     
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  8. Sep 14, 2018 at 4:41 PM
    #8
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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  9. Sep 16, 2018 at 3:46 AM
    #9
    astro-jason

    astro-jason New Member

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    What W.H.D. do you have? does the manufacturer recommend disconnecting the bars before backing? Looking at the picture almost looks like a 45degree angle and if the ground isn't level either thats a whole lot of pressure\lateral load. I would try it with the bars disconnected and see what happens.

    -Jason
     
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  10. Sep 16, 2018 at 4:24 AM
    #10
    computeruser6

    computeruser6 Gott Mit Uns

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    The frame aft of the engine is not fully boxed and aft of the cab it's rather flexible on Toyota trucks. All trucks use to be built in a similar manner or with open C-channels the entire length of the frame rail. All truck frames bend at least a little (even fully boxed ones), though the Tundra frame does flex more than all other 1/2 ton frames. It's really a part of how Toyota designed the Tundra. Whenever I go off-road I can see the frame flex some and it's never been a problem; you might just have a hard time opening the tailgate under suspension articulation/significant frame stress since the bed is designed to flex with the frame (otherwise it would crack).
     
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  11. Sep 20, 2018 at 7:14 AM
    #11
    Saunt7902

    Saunt7902 [OP] New Member

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    I would accept some of these answers except our Toyota tundra 2015 does not do this at all not even at a 90 angel. Any other thoughts?
     
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  12. Sep 20, 2018 at 7:20 AM
    #12
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Did you make sure your bed bolts are all torqued to spec?.
     
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  13. Sep 20, 2018 at 8:00 AM
    #13
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Welcome.
     
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  14. Sep 20, 2018 at 7:14 PM
    #14
    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

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    I am interested to see what dealer has to say, please post back when they have had a look.
     
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  15. Sep 20, 2018 at 7:47 PM
    #15
    speckmon

    speckmon Must. Have. Pow.

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    shit my frame twists on the reg and i don't even tow
     
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  16. Sep 20, 2018 at 8:11 PM
    #16
    trdprobped17

    trdprobped17 New Member

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    The only other time that I have heard something of this significance happening is with a 2009 CM SR5. The owner had them weld the entire tow hitch to the frame of the truck for better stability. Once while he was driving he had to make an emergency brake while towing a 40’ boat, and the trailer for some strange reason, rammed up into the hitch, which bent the bed frame and tow hitch.

    Is your tow hitch bolted on or welded on? If it’s bolted on, something may be loose.
     
  17. Sep 20, 2018 at 8:48 PM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    OK, looking at these pictures on a 30" screen vs a 3.5" screen helps a lot.

    I posted my reply in my quoted message in red.
     
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  18. Sep 20, 2018 at 9:12 PM
    #18
    trdprobped17

    trdprobped17 New Member

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    @ColoradoTJ That’s the point I was trying to make about the tow hitch assembly flexing on the frame of the truck, thus, twisting the bed.
     
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  19. Sep 20, 2018 at 9:20 PM
    #19
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    Hmm, I can't open my tailgate completely because it hits the light cover on the RV jack (and will break it) so fortunately I have never tested this, inadvertently at least. Anything I might need to access is in the cab or in the trailer when we go RV'ing.

    Are we also saying under conditions of trailer flex whether it's non-level ground between TV and trailer, and/or releasing one WDH bar with a high TW since OP mentioned 8500lb, do not open the tailgate because it is providing stability to the box frame? (not the underlying frame of the truck). I'm picturing an open shoe box that doesn't twist easy at the back end but if you cut out that end piece it's a lot easier to do it versus letting it flex naturally between the cab and the box.
     
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  20. Sep 20, 2018 at 9:30 PM
    #20
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I agree with you. It looks pretty torqued hard.

    My LDH is compatible with backing up, but have to disconnect due to the landscape I have to turn on.

    I have a pretty tight turn and my driveway is a 7% grade and makes for great sledding. Then I have to back it up into a mud hole at times.

    This is my TT after some monsoon rains. I had to go hook up to it and yank it out of the mud hole. I had a buddy that had a tree fall on his house and needed a place to stay. 8 weeks later, he is still in my camper. Lol. The water was a foot deep at the hitch when I hooked up and gave it hell. 917D27E6-E52B-4B41-AEBB-1ED71055E6A2.jpg
     
  21. Sep 20, 2018 at 9:36 PM
    #21
    art64

    art64 New Member

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    Frame twist is common to Tundra models since 2007. Toyota purposely made the rear frame flexible (triple tech Frame) to absorb some of the harness when the bed is loaded heavy. Ford is the first to make a video demonstrating the "bed bounce."

    I had this on my 2007 Tundra Reg Cab 4x2, and again on my 2010 Crewmax 4x4. Noticeable when the bed is empty or lightly loaded, you hit a bumpy road and the bed jiggles. Sometimes the tailgate would rattle as the frame jiggles. On my 2010 Crewmax I just installed a corner bed stiffener made by Total Chaos. It did stiffen the frame and the truck noticeably rides stiffer as i would feel the small bumps. But I don't see the jiggles anymore. And besides, Crewmax was purchased used and had some small cracks on the corner of the bed. This was from loading atv, bikes, coupled with strapping them down on the bed walls and the flex. Welds are cracking up.
     
  22. Sep 21, 2018 at 5:14 AM
    #22
    Blueknights75

    Blueknights75 040 IS THE FASTEST

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  23. Sep 21, 2018 at 5:49 AM
    #23
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    I thought you were supposed to take off the weight distribution bars when backing. On my 2010 Tundra, if I tried to back up with weight distribution bars the trailer wouldn’t turn fully and slide sideways. I had a 4000# TT.
     
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  24. Sep 21, 2018 at 5:52 AM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    On some LDH models, yes, it is required (usually the chain style ones except for Anderson).

    I have to remove mine since the angle of the TT and truck are so different, to get the bars off, I would need to lift the rear axle off the ground.
     
  25. Sep 21, 2018 at 10:28 AM
    #25
    trdprobped17

    trdprobped17 New Member

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    That’s incredible bro! It certainly requires a whole lot of power to get up your driveway with a trailer. Nice crib!
     
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  26. Sep 26, 2018 at 9:23 AM
    #26
    Saunt7902

    Saunt7902 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks guys but non of these are acceptable answers. No other truck that we hook this camper to twists 8n any form. Even at a 20 degree angle this truck twists and is binding the gate. Even while driving you can hear the gate bind so there is no way to drive without weight distribution bars because I cant take a simple curve much less a turn. They are sending in a higher tech to look at everything. They do know that there are unusual waves on the frame so maybe the frame is the issue. What I do know is when I pull in to get gas or do anything that consists of me having to get into the bed to retrieve anything stored for the trip, I should not have to disconnect my camper to access it. Any other thoughts?
     
  27. Sep 26, 2018 at 10:04 AM
    #27
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Part of the way this truck is held together is by the bed being bolted to the frame. Not saying this is the problem but you never answered my initial question. If you have the bed lined it is very possible that the installers loosen the bolts and never torqued them. This is what happened to me. Either way check them. 62 foot pounds
     
  28. Oct 3, 2018 at 12:34 PM
    #28
    Saunt7902

    Saunt7902 [OP] New Member

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    Ok update. Vann York called lead techs at Toyota. The unbolted all bed dolts and followed factory print out when it was put together to be sure then unbolted and rebolted all bed bolts. Did not work. So back to Toyota we go. The Toyota company is perplexed at the a.ount of flex. Will keep you utd.
     
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  29. Oct 3, 2018 at 1:23 PM
    #29
    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

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    Glad to see they are taking the flex seriously and working on solving it. Makes one wonder if the batch of steel used didn't cool properly causing uneven hardness in the metal used in the frame. It would be interesting if you could hook up to another 18' on the lot and replicate it. Thanks for keeping us posted.
     
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  30. Oct 21, 2018 at 6:24 AM
    #30
    Saunt7902

    Saunt7902 [OP] New Member

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    Just updating. Tuttle, the tech from Toyota in Texas is bringing an inspected 2018 tundra identical to mine to hook camper up to see if it flexes as well. My suspicion is that they may have made these trucks a little thinner and lighter steel.. all I know 8s we are with a camper home and a truck and no way to use either for anything they were purchased for and we are loosing time and memories with our family and this is the perfect weather and season for us to be making these trips ...I'm getting really upset now and to top it off...we leave in Jan and cant pull our home anywhere
     
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