What do you TOW with your Tundra?

I will take some practice for sure but I have a camera on the rear of the camper and I have already successfully backed it up about 15 feet. Just being aware of my situation so I don’t have to back up is key. When I get to my destination I’ll unhook the quad trailer and slap it on the quad’s hitch, park the camper and then the quad trailer, no biggie.

 

OMG that is gorgeous! I had an opportunity back in 1992 to buy a 1968 Camaro in dark green but I foolishly passed on it and got my Trans Am instead .

 

So it's your fault I can't buy a brand new 1969 Camaro today?

 

I have a friend who drives Hay Frames a lot and I am unable to back one like that at all,he of course does it fast and with his eyes closed!?

 

I drove my Dad's motorhome that was pulling a car on a dolly. I could only back it up a short distance.

 

And to think that price was right below $50k only a few years ago

 

Not to add fuel to the 5th wheel fire, but...
We are also looking at the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2405RL 5th wheel TT. According to the weight sticker on the trailer (specs in the brochure differ a bit) the GVWR is 7700 lbs with a cargo capacity of 1920 lbs. and a 1100 lb hitch pin weight and narrow 7 ft. towing width. I will soon be the owner of a new Tundra 4X4 Limited DC (6.5 ft. bed) with a cargo capacity of 1300 lbs according to the sticker (GVWR of 7100 lbs.).
Question: If we use, say, 1000 lbs of the trailers capacity loading camping gear, that would be about 6700 lbs or so overall trailer weight. 1100 lbs of pin weight is almost 17% of the overall weight of the trailer in this case. If the 10%-15% hitch weight rule of thumb holds for 5th wheels, couldn't you load more weight in the back of the trailer to ease hitch weight a bit to open up some more cargo capacity in the truck? FWIW it will only be the wife and me and some camping gear...
I'm a newb, sorry if this is a dumb question.

-Dave



Also, there's a guy on the Winne owners forum that seems to really like the 2405RL/Tundra combo...

 

1100 pound pin weight leaves you 200 lbs of passengers and gear in your truck if you want to stay under the payload capacity. Unless you and your wife are VERY small, you can't haul that trailer within payload. 5th wheels are so pin heavy they are best suited to 3/4 ton and up rigs. Doesn't mean the truck won't pull it or that others haven't, but you'll technically be overloaded.

 

First camping trip with the tundra towing my boat to Clear Lake. Fishing was awesome.

 

Yes your going to be over payload but I won't recommend loading the back to minimize the pin weight. The 5th wheel by design should be 20% of the gross weight to handle properly. I would PM the guys on the Minnie forum to see what enhancements they've made. Forum member here can get quite excited with over payloads but in reality just about any midsize trailer is going to put you over payload using a Tundra as a TV.

Nice truck and trailer BTW.


I'm also over payload with this 24' trailer that only weights 5.5K loaded and just the wife and myself.

 

Good advice here. Definitely don’t want the tail wagging the dog.

 

Just a few pictures of what my 2015 platinum pull around. Boat and the quad trailer have been left out of my picture reel but it does that too.

 

Thank you Ruggy- good info there about fiver pin weight that I hadn't seen before. No 5th wheel for me then.....

The guy in the pic running the Tundra and Winne trailer in my post above said he was running Firestone airbags, a TRD sway bar and an Anderson Ultimate hitch. Said it towed great.

Nice Coachmen TT there, which one is it? What would you say your typical hitch weight in that rig?
-Dave

 

Just to let you know I actually plan on going to a fifth wheel next year. Yes it will put me even more over payload but having a 1200-1300lbs in the bed of the truck over the rear axle will handle much better than 600-700lbs hanging off the rear of the truck. The 5th wheel advantages are no sway issues, easier back up, easier to hook up and maneuvering and a shorter overall set up with the same comparable trailer length. Thing to consider.


The Coachman is a 204RD with a dry weight of just over 4K. It's a very good couples TT. Tongue weight of around 500-600 when loaded.

 

I added a new 5th wheel hitch to my 19, went with the reese custom brackets/rails and the rail mount Anderson hitch. I wasn't sure about that hitch but the 40lbs of weight was the main factor, it's working out great so far.
By the way my wife and I installed the brackets and rails, I still have a stiff neck, lol.

 

I wouldn't mine seeing a picture of that set up. I'm also considering the Anderson but wasn't sure about cab clearance on the 6.5 box. PM me if you like.

 

Nice trailer! Any particular 5th wheels catch your eye?

 

Nothing yet but the Cougar line by Keystone has some lighter 5th wheels and Jayco has really upped their quality in the last few years. Cougar makes a some nice quality 5th wheels and trailers. I dont think I'll do Forest River again. Cheaper trailers made with just OK quality.

 

I was thinking $30k was too much for a new boat!

 

Interestingly, that's the opposite of what my parents in law said when they bought their Rockwood Mini Lite.

 

I use to have a Jayco about 8 years ago and it was just OK. When we were looking for a new rig about 5 years ago the Jayco's were crap. Trim falling off a very poor workmanship. The Jayco Eagles are a vast improvement.

 

Hmmm. This is not what I wanted to hear. The only trailer that meets my needs and is even remotely close to the length I want is this one https://www.jayco.com/tools/archive/2020-octane-super-lite/161/ but if the quality is crap then there's not much point.

 

When shopping one dealer told me they were seeing jayco toy haulers come in with the ramp door frames tearing off. Too many recent jayco horror stories

 

I guess I am just doomed to tent camping if I want to haul my toy.

 

My 5th wheel is 2012 Jayco eagle and other than the water connections all needing tighteningso far so good.

 

Head over to the Jacyco forum and see what issues people are complaining about. Complaints about trim and minor stuff can be expected. Most RVs are all built like crap but you have to find the one that's less stinky. Expect to do some finishing work after your purchase and realize that the warranty isnt worth the TP in the bathroom.

When I bought my Coachman the rear window wouldn't seal properly. I contacted the dealer that sold me the trailer and got absolutely nowhere. I contacted Coachman directly and they shipped me two frameless windows and absolutely no cost to me. This was an upgrade to the slider windows. I installed them myself. I'll probably end up with a Coachman Chaparal 5th because of that and a pin weight of 1.1K.

 

My handy man skills are next to nonexistent, but I'm also careful to not beat on campers. I know they are built on the cheap. I saw some that were all aluminum that are quite nice, but none are the desired length with enough room for the toy. Almost thinking about downsizing the toy to open up the options on the trailer.

It's just do damn fun though.

 

Own a TT and your handyman skill will improve.

 

Or a house...