Towing a 35 foot 7000lb trailer - Need Airbags?

So we’re looking at getting a new camper trailer. It weighs about 7000lbs and is 35 foot long. Probably another 400 of stuff in it. We also usually have the truck bed full, 3 bikes on the bed cover and 6 foot Kayak. Then on the roof there will be a 7 foot Kayak and a 13.5 kayak. Will I need air bags or can it hack it?

 

This has got to be a troll post...

 

Not a troll post, sorry if it sounds dumb.

 

Not calling you dumb. Not my intent at all. I apologize if I made you feel that way.

What you describe will be way over the Tundra's limits. Airbags do not add capacity or let you load more weight. All they do is level out the truck so it doesn't sag.

If you want to haul what you're describing, then you need a 1 ton. Possibly even a dually.

Could the Tundra drag that load around? Yes. It pulled the shuttle after all. Would it be safe, legal, or pleasant. Not a chance.

 

Current trailer is 4300lbs and it did just fine. It was starting to droop a little in the rear. Wish I had a pic in my phone. Probably only about 400lbs in the truck, not super heavy, just a lot of stuff. Maybe it sounds crazy... tow rating is 10,100 lbs.

 

With all the cargo, most likely.

Is the trailer 7000 lbs dry weight? Without any water and empty propane tanks. Depends on the down force weight on the hitch and the load in the bed and how it is distributed I would think. And from what I've been told and from what I've seen, if you put the weight on the trailer too far behind the CG of the trailer, it can create a hazardous situation.

Every pound on the truck reduces your towing capacity by the same poundage. This includes passengers, fuel, bed cargo, etc. According to my sticker, with the way my truck is configured and with factory installed accessories I only have around 9500 lbs towing capacity Four adults reduces that to about 8800. 38.6 gallons of fuel brings that down to around 8550.

But you probably know all this or have a better idea.

 

7000 ready to go but water tanks empty. Cargo area is in the front. I have heard to rear loading to reduce the tongue weight makes it drive super sketchy.

I guess I’ll just have to see, if it droops it needs bags.

 

Look at the sticker on your driver door jamb. It will list your payload. Then there should be a little yellow sticker that says to subtract X pounds from the payload for accessories added at the port. Upgraded floor mats, bed liner, side steps, etc. all come out of payload. You will run out of payload way before you ever hit the max tow rating. Tundras are usually right around 1100-1500 best case scenario.

Generally you want about 10% of your trailer weight to be the tongue weight. That'd be 700 lbs of your best case 1500 lb payload. You said there would be 400 lbs more added. Is that in the truck or in the trailer? Subtract the appropriate amount. All the stuff in the bed, the hitch you use to hook to the trailer, the kayak, the rack for the kayak, and all passengers weight gets subtracted as well.

 

Need a diffrent truck for what you are trying to tow

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tow-ratings-guide-how-to-be-safe.39211/

 

No way I’d want a 35’ tail to pin on my donkey.

The tow rating is great as you say, but the towing achilles heel on the Tundra is tongue weight and the fact that it counts against the payload capacity along with any cargo / passengers you have in the truck.

 

Your going to need a lot more truck to pull a 35' long TT on the rear bumper. Air bags are not going to help you when the wind blows or a semi passes you.

 

Don’t do it. At all. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should.

 

Sometimes you can get away with it, then your confidence will build, but that is when things will go wrong. 35 feet will have all kinds of towing dynamics that don't equate directly to a trucks stated load ratings. I wouldn't want to find out the unknowns........

 

May not be the safest thing ever but I have a 32’ 7000 lb trailer that I tow every now and then. If you dicide to go this route, like others said maybe not the best idea, use a weight distribution hitch and make sure that mother is adjusted as perfect as humanly possible. I came close to learning the hard way about having it adjusted right. A weight distribution hitch not only helps even out the load on the truck but also provides stability from wind gusts. I have a equalizer brand and it does great IMO.

 

Airbags just transfer more weight to the rear axle. If it’s already overloaded, it’ll be even more overloaded. You can add airbags, new suspension, E rated tires, but none of that will change your payload because you can’t change your axle, bearings, frame.

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

 

Great video.

 

We all know he's going to ignore the advice and do it anyways.

 

That truck will be way over the payload capacity.

I called my insurance company and asked what happens if I am in a wreck or a fender bender and a little over weight. Insurance will not pay and it just became my fault regardless of really who is at fault. Now them proving it might be harder to do but is doable......

My Tundra weighed 6,400 pounds bone stock with me in it so I had 800 pounds of payload for passengers, tongue weight, etc....

By the time I put a couple passengers, the 400 lb, stuff, bikes, kayaks, etc..... I would already be right at payload of 7,200 pounds. Technically speaking, I probably could not hook a 800 pound trailer behind it and be legal.

To the OP, you can do whatever you want but I pray to God ai do not pass you or near you on the interstate.

 

Don't be selfish and pull it. You are putting everyone on the road at risk of danger or death if it's not safe, including everyone in your vehicle.

It is likely waaaay over and against the road bylaws too. As others have said, don't max out or go over limits, they are in place for a reason ...safety.

Check your weights of everything and you should be able to figure out if it's safe to tow. Weigh everything inside and out of trailer and truck, including people, water, gas etc.

 

Your Tundra's payload will not be enough for that camper...

 

I once pulled a travel trailer with a 3/4 ton Duramax and level hitch...it owned the ass end of my truck. I hated it. 5th wheel pulls so much better.

I saw a 2nd Gen Tundra with a 30+ft 5th wheel at the gas station the other day...I was like WTF? It looked stressed sitting at the pump and I could hear the guy talking to another patron about how awesome the 5.7 is and how his Tundra could handle this rig no problem. Bullshit. I then saw it going down the highway and it was clearly overmatched.

Lots of good advice on this thread.

 

5th wheels will always pull better than a bumper pull.

 

Has anyone ever seen or used something like this?

 

looks like it could be tricky to back up.

 

That 5th wheel, extra trailer system, makes me appreciate tenting more and more.

 

Or just
Behind the bed of truck camping.

 

You are saying your truck tows 10,100lbs. Then you MUST have a 4x2 SR5 DC. This is the only optional Tundra that tows 10,100lbs. Is this correct?

 

I'm almost positive the Pennsylvania State Police will yank that off the road and twice on Sundays.