2013 Tundra new to us, for towing

Hello all,
I have been invited to introduce myself so here we go:

I have been checking this site often, for the past months, as we searched for a tow-along camper and an older truck for towing. I have found many of this forum's comments are positive and helpful. Now that we have our Tundra truck, I hope I can get some help, plus in exchange, I hope to add info about what I am learning, as I go along, toward choosing a camper, so others on the forum will get some benefit, too.

We plan to explore the national parks and elsewhere in south and southwest US over the next few winters when we leave cold (brrrr) Maine in the winter. We will be using a Tundra and towing a smallish camper.

We have had Toyota vehicles for a number of years and we like their higher mileage reliability. Since we had to buy a used truck, I chose to sacrifice some towing and cargo capacity for the reliability of a Tundra. We have purchased a 2013 (2nd gen) Tundra. So we are now looking for a smaller, but not tiny camper that we can safely tow as we travel and explore.

The 2013 Tundra, with 140,000 miles, we purchased has a towing package and has approx 8600 lb. capacity. However, it also came with the mount, in the bed, for a 5th wheel.(!)

Having the mount for a 5th wheel in the bed, as well as the typical tow hitch, caused me to do some research about older, used, (and small) 5th wheel (20+/- feet) trailers with lower pin and total weight, because I read 5th wheels are easier to tow and control in wind, etc.

So, I will be asking advice in the appropriate forums

So, thanks to all of you who are contributing to this knowledge base. I will do my best to contribute.
Dave

 

Welcome from Colorado

 

Welcome from SoCal!

 

Welcome from TEXAS

 

Welcome from Ohio.

 

Welcome to the party!!!

 

Welcome from SoCal.

 

Welcome from southern NJ.

 

Welcome from WI

 

Welcome from Western Massachusetts

 

Welcome from Southern Maine, I also purchased a 2013. Love it!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from NCal

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome but I honestly don’t think Tundras have the payload capacity to pull a 5th wheel. We have a 22ft travel trailer that weighs 4900 lbs dry. My Tundra handles that with no problem.

 

Hey there from Virginia!

 

Yes, I wonder too about capacity. However, I am surprised to read about some of the lower weights of the small 5th wheels I have researched. The supposed benefits of a 5th wheel tow are interesting; less sway when passed by large trucks, etc. What has been your experience when big rigs pass you or you are driving in high winds?

 

I have anti sway hitch and with the Tundra winds don’t seem to be much of an issue. I had an ecoboost from work and the suck from big rigs was pretty substantial. With the Tundra I hardly notice. I do drive pretty slow though. I never tow over 60-65mph

 

thank you for your comment.

 

sorry, what is ecoboost?

 

thanks
Going to Towing!

 

Welcome from Alberta

Love towing with my Tundra!

Although I sold my 26.5’ 5th wheel for a smaller bumper pull.

 

Welcome from NC!