Tundra towing mods

Just purchased a 28 foot travel trailer and plan to travel quite a bit. I was wondering what performance mods may help while towing? I have a 2020 Tundra Crewmax 4x4 TRD off road package. Has anyone added mods that specifically helped while towing? Thinking Bam muffler exhaust, DAP programming, extra fluid capacity diff cover, etc.....
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Transmission Cooler, you will need the lower transmission temps. Use search to read all that is written on transmission temps.

Air bags to support the additional hitch weight

on board air for air bags and keeping tires inflated to proper weight handling

 

How does a 2020 5.7 not have a tranny cooler? I think my 2013 4.6 even has one.

 

Check for the towing threads on this forum - short version is Toyota engineers did their tests with and without the cooler and didn't see enough of a difference so took it away for 2019. Pre-2019 all Tundras with a tow package had a transmission cooler.

 

Wut? LOL You don't remember that Toyotas don't have diff covers?

 

Fair enough...

 

I just bought a 2020 Crewmax 4x4 also and I towed a 20ft travel trailer it was about 3800 lbs I think maybe more. I didn't know that the 5.7L doesn't have a tow package... it comes with a brake controller which I used a couple times and really saved my ass. I am looking at buying a Imagine 22RBE or 22XLS travel trailer. When I do that I also want to put a 2-3" lift on it to fit 33s nicely and so far so I don't get the bro lean I am gonna have to raise the rear by adding leafs or replacing rear leaf pack and if it still sags then I would look at doing a airbag system to help truck ride level.

 

I recently purchased a 23" TT with dry weight around 4500lbs. The only mods I've done so far is invested in a weight distribution Hitch (as many folks on here recommend) a 28 footer will be quite a bit heavier but I will say I am impressed at how little it sagged. I also have a 2" lift in the back an running 34" tires.. But already used it an it towed well.. I'd like to possibly add bags or sumo spring eventually. But it's not really needed for me..

 

Your trailer jack is down.

 

Lol I was wondering if someone would catch that!! However I hadnt taken weight off the hitch yet becuase I wanted a quick snap with the weight on ... Good eye though..

 

Post what you towed...

 

what kind of Coleman is that?

 

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I have the WD hitch and other than the transmission cooler any comments on performance tune, exhaust or CAI that may help mountain driving and/or MPG’s?

 

Don’t need CAI or exhaust. Just put it in Tow/Haul and put it in S4 and let it climb.

 

Which model Geo Pro is that? We are looking at the 20BHS.

 

It's a 2021 Colman 1805RB

 

Have a way to monitor your transmission temperatures.

 

Has anyone mentioned a great mod is to upgrade to 10ply tires ?

I upgraded and noticed a huge improvement in stability when towing

The stock tires felt really floaty when towing

 

That is the 19FBS. As I have stated before it was nice and I liked it, however I would stick to a tandem axle. It rides smoother. The single axle on the geopro just tosses stuff around. Have you looked at the RPODs? They are nicer and the bed you can walk around it(which makes making bed easier) also if you drink you can get out of bed on your own side instead of crawling over someone to go to bathroom.

 

Towing performance mods for a gas engine: Dont put bigger tires on it.

 

Will the 275/70/18 negatively affect the towing ability compared to 275/65/18?
I'm planning on moving into an e rated for a 4000 dry trailer.

 

Any increase in tire size will decrease axle ratio . When towing you want the "lowest gear possible" which is the higher # . Tundras are 4.30 . All other half ton trucks are 3.92 max. Keep the tires stock sized imo .
I changed to a E rated 275/65/18 . Made a huge difference in stability when towing my TT.

 

I had 295/70-18 on my 17. I never towed with the stock tires. That being said I never felt that the truck was unstable. You will notice the truck shift more often an it's obviously more weight to move the bigger you go. I don't think a 275/70 is going to be a huge difference from stock...

 

If your only pulling 4-5K you won't notice it too much.

 

I have 10 ply 295’s. I tow a 8,200 pound 5th wheel. I guess it’s around 10,000 with all our stuff in it. Which is what it’s rated for. Hitch weight is 1,200. I have sumo springs (yellow) to keep the truck level. Upgraded brake rotors and pads to help stop that beast. And a Bully Dog GTX with a tow tune to help with the shifting points and firmness, and to monitor trans temp. My truck is a 17 TRD Pro double cab. I have the factory trans cooler. Problem with it is that it doesn’t have its own thermostat. So, if your engine coolant temp is below the threshold, your trans fluid isn’t getting cooled. I’ve had this happen to me a few times. I had to downshift to a lower gear so the engine revved up higher, thus heating the coolant and opening the thermostat and cooling the trans fluid. In the near future, I’ll be installing another in line trans cooler. The most important things I’ve noticed that negatively affect the way your trailer tows, is air pressure in all tires (truck and trailer) and weight being unevenly distributed in the trailer (I.e. too much tongue weight, too light in the tongue, or too much weight on one side of the trailer.) Rule of thumb, if the rig doesn’t look right or doesn’t feel right on the road, pull over and make some adjustments.

 

I found that Roadmaster Active Suspension is another solid upgrade if you are towing heavy. Give them a look if you ever want to upgrade from Sumo springs. I went this route instead of air bags because the install is way easier and would require me getting on board air.

You are spot on with tire pressure. Makes a huge difference and your setup looks great!

 

Are those the ones that get drilled into the lower spring and you can swing it away when you don’t need them?