Payload and towing

Thanks no trailer no sale yet. We also want to travel and visit states that are tax friendly to pensions and social security TN, FL, AL, Carolinas. We are looking to re-locate once my husband retires from the USPS. I already retired there.

 

Well I figured I would chime in here as well. Op, Nice selection on the travel trailer. Grand Design makes a nice unit. Also I see you’re in the same setup as myself, girlfriend and two dogs.

Couple of things I would also consider when choosing your travel trailer. I see that you chose a unit that has your appliances on the slide. Although it opens up the interior space of the trailer, it also leads to potential problems down the road for you. All those hoses, and electrical opening and closing all the time will eventually cause you problems. I would suggest looking for a unit where the kitchen appliance weren’t on the slide.

The other thing if your ever planning on staying at any national or state parks your rig will be to big to fit in most places. Something to consider if your going that route.

You should consider looking at the Winnebago Minnie as well, since Winnebago Industries now owns the Grand Design Brand. You will see similarities between the two brands now.

As other have mentioned the current selection is way to big for the Tundra to tow and stop safely. If you want something that big consider changing your tow vehicle. Remember this something your going to be using daily and your lives depend on it. Might as well do it as a safe as possible. I know others are towing the same large rigs, but personally I wouldn’t do it. Those stickers on the truck for weight capacity is designed with our safety in mind. Also in my state, the state police will routinely pull people over with rv trailers and check their weight. If your over, it’s fines and repair orders to get it corrected. Sometimes even not allowing you to travel on.

In our scenario since we love the outdoors we been looking between the grand design, Winnebago Minnie, and Coachman Nano. Here’s the floor plan we’re considering Minnie 2500FL

Either way good luck and keep us posted.

 

One other thing you should note, when looking at the travel trailers. Look at them when the slides are in. A lot of times when the units are on the move from location to location. If you ever need to spend the night and the sides can’t be open. You will see on your selection there’s no way to access the kitchen area of your trailer. On the Minnie I posted you can access all areas when the slide is in. Just food for thought

 

It's a pretty sweet trailer. If you stick with it please please please for the safety of yourselves and a better towing experience...stick with the ProPride hitch for sure....and get a bigger truck than the Tundra. Our trucks are awesome, but that size trailer is too much for them on a regular basis I'd say. In a pinch, I'd tow something like that, once. Regularly though....no way. Happy and safe travels!

 

I would like to thank everyone for their inputs. My husband is obstinate and feels we will be alright towing this trailer. I plugged in the inputs on our Tundra's towing stats, and using ColoradoTJ formula we have 18#s left. Not going with the ProPride at this moment too costly and dealer is installing an E-4 hitch. Hubby is going to have installed a TRD rear sway bar, Michellin e rated tires don't recall the name, P3 brake controller and shocks if need be. I read that installing air bags interferes with the functioning of the WDH. True or not I don't know. This is going to be my husband's call on trailer and Tundra. I said all I can say to him. I am just like the New Orleans Saints.....I can't win .

 

I really thought this thread was productive, stayed on topic, and the general consensus was similar. After all of that I don't understand why someone would make the final decision to push the Tundra, or any vehicle for that matter, to it's maximum rated capacity and design.

I understand some people's situations are different (short trips, seasonal sites), but it sounds like you'll be hauling this long distances regularly. This is not a tow package that I want on the roads that I'm travelling with my family.

 

Air bags shouldn't interfere with the hitch performing its WDH functions from what I understand. The airbags don't distribute any weight to the front axle, they simply stiffen the rear suspension to take out the sag. From my understanding, you setup your WDH properly, then you can add some air to the bags to level the truck out. With bags only while the truck may be level, all the weight is still on the rear axle and not distributed to the front as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNIWCQlRdaw


I will agree with OBXTundra, this is one of the better towing question threads where it stayed on topic, nobody tried to "bash" for lack of a better term the OP for their thoughts on the trailer choices, they are simply asking for advice and it was provided well. Let's continue that and not "bash" the OP or her husband for simply asking for advice and then making a decision, even if it is not what we would do or consider an appropriate choice. We all have free will to do as we please yeah?

I understand the choice is your husband's alone, but being at 100% (18lbs to the MAX capacity rating is 100% in my mind) will not be a pleasant towing experience. Also being that close to MAX capacities....I can almost guarantee that once you have all of your gear in it and take it to a CAT scale it will be over the GCVWR.

It sounds like the only thing that will convince him this is not a good match is actually doing it once or twice, having to white knuckle it, and realizing the trailer is too much for the truck and realize that a larger truck is needed.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or issues you have in the future or need help in. Godspeed

 

That’s serious travel with grades and changes things, I’d go lighter or get a more capable truck. It’ll honestly feel different minimizing white knuckle moments. I’ve pulled my friend’s 5th wheel with a Cummins RAM 2500 and it’s a nice controlled ride.

If I wasn’t just flat landing to the local campground, I’d have a different setup. Your husband will regret it if he goes forward, it’s also very tiring driving like that.

 

You never know what can happen when pulling something that big and heavy..

 

Those both could easily been caused by inattention or excess speed.

 

I agree with you DH

 

@ColoradoTJ , The driver said just a big box filled with garage type shit, Didn't surprise me, people always wanna take there whole home on the road..

 

yep, made me cringe to.

 

DON'T DO IT!! I understand your situation, my wife & I with our 2 dogs and our baby girl are in the same situation as you are "Crazy to dive into making memories by traveling and get out our busy lifes!! We all want big rvs! who wouldn't?! but I have come to understand one thing as the head of the house "MY FAMILY'S SAFETY" is first and last priority. "If I would have a nissan frontier, I would camp in a tent" Luckily I have the best in performance "half ton truck" The toyota TUNDRA will give us peace of mind down the road if we give the Tundra the right TT to make her happy. HAVE YOU CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS AND FLOOR PLANS? LIGHT WEIGHT TRAILERS? I HAVE SHRINK IT DOWN TO 7 DIFFERENT OPTIONS:

1- Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring 3350BH
2- Prime Time Tracer Breeze 31BHD
3- Coachmen Apex 300BHS
4- Heartland Wilderness 3150DS
5- Forest River Vibe Extreme Lite 306BHS
6- Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 27DBS
7- Keystone RV Outback Ultra Lite 250URS

If none of these still a fit for my truck, I would either upgrade my truck to a 3/4 or like I said sleep in a tent =)

I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE'S INPUT ABOUT MY OPTIONS, WHICH ONE WILL YOU PERSONALLY GO WITH??

 

The pic cracks me up: "Theater Seating (Mandatory)". I can't wait to retire.

 

This +1

 

I have a Grand Design Transcend that I tow - https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2019/travel-trailer/transcend
Specs: UVW: 6,710 lbs| Hitch Weight: 633 lbs| Length: 32'

I have not yet had any issues towing it, aside from struggling a bit on some of the mountain passes. The brakes on it are great and I've got a good E2 weight distribution hitch. I've not once felt any safety issues while towing it.

 

Apologies if this sounds dramatic, but 18# of margin is not enough. This plan is unsafe.

 

Nice rig, the key thing is the dry weight you posted for the Transcend. The Op's selection is just way to heavy.

So How do you like the Transcend? Any known problems or must have to get on them?

 

This is our first one and we've had for one season so far, but I've had no issues at all with it. I need/want to get a second battery and the mattress really sucked. We added a nice extra thick memory foam pad to it which really helped out. As we're new to owning one, i'm not really sure what to expect....i guess thats a good and bad thing.

 

thats all you need!

 

My father in law used my truck with a load leveler hitch and brake controller. to tow his 24ft toy hauler to Nashville and drove through the hills of TN and back to WI and he didn't have any problems and there were 2 harleys in the garage. It was just under 10k lb. The trucks can handle it. If you are white knuckling the steering wheel your probably over think it. I also drove with the trailer and still was able to pass people.thy should have no problem with there setup.

 

OP....Any update? You get the trailer? Mods to the truck done? I’m sure we’d all love pictures of the rig! Safe travels

 

Hey guys what to run this by everyone here. Waiting for sat to look and probably pick up my camper. I have 6 inch lift with 295/65/20 tire. Please read the specs and give input please. Will been going into the mountains probably more than the coast. Good?