New Tundra - New Trailer - and new to Towing

2020 Platinum CrewMax, 4wd, tow package, 38gal tank, moonroof, and running boards. Purchased to tow Lance 2465 travel trailer, we’re done hanging around the house!

Picking up the trailer next week and taking a short overnight shakedown trip. Never towed anything as big as the Lance (29’ 6” overall) before, a little apprehensive but planning on having fun.

If I did the math right, we’ll have small towing margin of 1000lbs. Tundra rated for 8800 and trailer GVW is 7800. Our Tundra as equipped has 1185 load capacity, less trailer tongue load of 665 leaves a mere 520 in the truck. This was a shock but should be ok if we’re careful.

Dealer is recommending a E2 Fastway 1000\10000 WDH.

Did we go too big on the trailer or too small on the truck?

 

The lance 2465 is less than 6000 pounds unloded.. Try to travel with the water tanks empty.. this will give you more cargo capacity in the trailer.. The hitch weight does take up a lot of truck load capacity.. dont forget the weight of the hitch inserted into the truck counts against the cargo capacity..

The WDH is going to be the most important piece.. downlod the instructions now, and understand how to set it up properly before you pick up the trailer... that way when the dealer installs it you can confirm proper setup..

Tundra has plenty of power, turn on tow haul mode, and keep the trans in S4... stay within the speed limit..

Another important component is the trailer brakes.. you may need to do a few stops to wear the pads in on the trailer... ask the dealer to test the brakes with you...

Have fun, take your time and drive safe.. You have a relly nice truck/trailer combo...

 

Break in your truck with the recommended mileage

Tow in S4 and use Tow Haul.

Give youself time to brake.

Don't go crazy on the speed.

As stated above, fill your tanks when you get there if park camping.

Use a WDH, they help immensely.

I've never seen a Lance in person but have looked at them in the past online....they look Sweet

 

Welcome aboard from The PSW.

 

Definitely get a WDH. It’s probably on the higher side for a tundra, but I’ve seen some tow larger trailers. At least you are aware and not just hooking it up and going thinking all is good.

 

I want to say reading Tundras.com has been a major factor in our decision to go with both the Tundra and the Lance.

Calling it close with the load factors is a concern. I studied getting Ford, Dodge, and GMC trucks but pricing, configuration, availability, and dealer experience were factors.

Of course this is my 7th Toyota truck, and that's not counting the Seinna van I bought for my dad and the very cool 6-cyl Supra I had back in the day.
One might think I like Toyota - never a major problem!

Travel trailer inventory is low and the Lance we found is a nicely optioned new 2020 model that was priced right, we wanted to jump on it. It all came together in a very busy week of reading, phone calls, and visiting dealerships.


Downloading the Fastway manuals now.

Thanks!

 

I had a lance 1685 a few years ago. It weighed less than yours, but my old tundra with a lift and 35” tires pulled it easily.

 

Be careful at the gas stations, and I'm not talking about the gas mileage... Lol

 

Shakedown voyage! Charbonneau Park Pasco Washington

 

You may want to add a transmission cooler for pulling that big trailer. The 2020s do not have one. Plenty of threads here on the subject and some folks here have successfully installed a trans cooler- the posts have details on the parts and install.

 

I am looking to do pretty much the same regarding towing a travel trailer. My truck has a max cargo rating of 1187 pounds. The trailer I like has a tongue weight of 800 lbs. (Rockwood 2608BS) But when I add the WDH weight, the tonneau cover, and the tool box in the bed, I'm over cargo capacity before me and the dog jump in the truck.....! I have seen folks pulling MUCH larger trailers with their Tundra's. Are they crazy? Or is there something I am not aware of regarding max cargo ratings?

Mauka, You're combo looks great!

 

I think they are crazy.

While towing, most half ton trucks are limited by the weight they can carry, not how much they can pull.

2 wheel drive on road models can tow more than 4 wheel drive off road models because they weigh less.

Need to be careful of every ounce of weight when towing.

You should remove that tonneau cover and tool box while towing.

 

I think a lot of people towing certain trailers with half-tons or SUVs are over their payload capacities without realizing it.

 

So here's the bad news. The hitch weight you listed is the dry hitch weight.

Here's the good news.















Congrats on your new trailer and safe travels.

 

That Fastway is on the low end of models.
This is what I have and am very pleased:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA3_hH60fzE

 

I've only had one so I can't compare. The Fastway E2 seems to do the job but I don't own stock, lol.

 

So apparently, based upon responses to my earlier post, my options are to go with a trailer that lacks the comforts I seek, or trade-in the Tundra that I really like for a truck with higher capacities.... Tough decisions....

 

The sad reality is that many tow over payload. You can add enhancements to help with the over payload situation but it doesn't legally change the payload of your truck. Personally I would rather be slightly over payload than buy a domestic truck and have to deal with the reliability issues.

Your call.

 

I can certainly understand that philosophy Dave. But what number does "slightly" represent? And I have seen the posts stating that being over payload capacity can result in your insurance company abandoning you, and potentially criminal prosecution if you are involved in a wreck. My truck has a cargo capacity of 1174 lbs. I estimate that I would be 400-500 lbs. over when fully loaded. Crazy? (Including WDH, passengers, etc.)

 

Comon sense must prevail. I've also heard both sides on the story that your insurance company won't cover you. Some say yes and others no. Check with your insurance company. Also many people suggesting your going to get sued if over. Some say no and some yes. Personally I've haven't heard of anyone getting sued. I think that the legal aspect of it would only kick in if you were grossly negligent. The simple fact is most people towing RV are over payload. You would think the courts would be full but talk to your lawyer.

The truth is that with your payload number if you put a quad in the back of your truck and put four adult males in the cab your over payload. Do you think you would get sued if you got into an accident?

 

Do you think the average soccer parent driving an SUV or minivan has even heard the term payload or would think to try to find out if you were over? And how would they? What would they do, subpoena your weigh scale tickets?

 

OP Mauka checking back from our shakedown trip, only one night but 300 miles pulling our Lance 2465. Mostly interstate but 60 miles on secondary and city roads. Tundra Platinum CrewMax has been handling it without drama.

If I had a do over, I’d look harder at 3/4ton pickups with more cargo capacity. But this is my 7th Toyota truck, which is testament to how good they have to me.

I purchased a Sherline hitch scale and plan to get both the Tundra, Lance, and combo weighed first chance. Currently the hitch weight for the dry Lance loaded with propane, tools, flares, dishes, linens, etc is 700lbs.

Tundra door sticker with factory and dealer options (running boards) subtracted out leaves 1140lbs of cargo. Subtract out the 700 trailer hitch weight and that only leaves 440lbs for passengers and gear. Not sure if fuel is included or not. Not much left!

Lance sticker indicates cargo carrying capacity is 720lbs with factory options installed. We added 330-400lbs of gear, leaving room for another 300lbs. Again not much!

Squat is level with 37” front and 37.25 rear with loaded trailer. No suspension bottoming so far.

Once I can get actual weights, I’ll know more. But I’m not discouraged and believe that being mindful of our load and distribution we can be safe. The good news is the Tundra Platinum trim and our Lance have almost all the options we need and want. Would like to install a tonneau but has to be a light one.

Thanks!

 

I understand your concerns. You will find that your Tundra will pull the Lance without issue and you will have the reliability from owning a Toyota.

Just thought I would add. If your going to tow on a regular basis I would suggest to get a ambient transmission cooler. There is a kit sold on the forum.

 

700# loaded on the hitch is not bad if you can limit the weight in your truck. I'm in a very similar situation with p/l of ~1100 and TT hitch weight loaded of ~650. With a full tank of petrol we can only load about 150 lbs of additional gear in the bed, so generator and fuel puts us at max.

Good news is the truck pulls it with seemingly little effort and very little sway with the Fastway E2 round bar set up.

Nice trailer..

 

My understanding is the weight of a full tank of fuel is included in your curb weight and therefore doesn't count against your payload.

 

Correct. Hell, if I had to subtract the weight of my fuel, I would just give up, lol.

 

So when I weighted my truck with a full tank of fuel on the scales it wasn't accurate? . Should it have been weighted with the tank near empty? .

 

The easiest way for me to understand payload was to take your truck to the scales and weigh it with a full tank of fuel. Subtract that weight from your GVWR (7,200 for me) and that's your payload. It should match the door sticker, less options.

 

You mean your actual curb weight is higher than what the manual says, either because of what was in the truck or mods?

 

No, sorry.