Looking to tow travel trailer or 5th wheel unlikely BUT looking for some feedback

Own 2016 Tundra w/DBL cab "TRD 4x4 5.7L Off Road pkg" with 65inch truck bed per the sticker on truck GVWR= 7100lbs our truck has the full towing package plus 38gal gas tank. Per the travel trailer magazine states the tow rating for this unit can pull up to 9,900 lbs.

Also interested in boondocking so would like to hear from anyone using SOLAR (solar unit an solar panels etc).

Appreciate any feed back ....

JimB

Thanks AzureNightmare - I've done some basic homework 5100 lbs is what the truck sticker states. However I'm going load up my Tundra with full 38gal of gas and verify with my wife and I in the truck while getting weighed. Just to see what I really have as weight for starters. I guess that will give me some idea but will pay special attention to weight-dist hitch an tow-hitch once i get to that point. As far as a travel trailer - good idea to factor in weight of dual propane tanks and multiple batteries beside the our own stuff we'll be adding. Looking a travel trailer with dry wt of 5413lbs. Obviously probably after we add our own things on RV it will go up considerable in wt.
Appreciate your thoughts...

 

You need to look at your payload, because you'll max that way before you hit your tow rating.

Sticker on your driver door will have your payload rating, and there will likely be a yellow sticker that further reduces it for accessories added by the dealership. Anything you've added to the truck then needs to be deducted, and then what's left is how much weight you have for passengers, gear, weight of your hitch, and the trailer tongue weight.

Don't ask a trailer dealer if your truck can pull it. They have no idea and want to upsell you as much as possible.

Don't go off advertised weights and ratings. They are always skewed to be as appealing as possible. All the trucks will advertise the highest rating possible on the truck even though 99.9% of the trucks sold aren't going to have those numbers. Same for trailers. The tongue weights listed are going to be dry weights. Add the propane tanks, batteries, and anything else in the trailer and that number goes up.

 

For full timing in an RV, get a 3/4 or 1 ton.

 

https://www.tundras.com/forums/towing-hauling.53/

Read a few threads about it in the subforum above. Short answer based off what I've seen is your taking a significant risk to your family as well as others when hauling in a setup like this.

 

It "may" work, but won't be safe for you or anyone else on the road

 

There are several <28' 5th wheels I'd totally be comfortable towing with my 2019 but I would NOT choose this truck for a full time rig. You will be disappointed.

 

Bad idea. Good truck but not for that.

 

Jim - you definitely need a 3/4 truck and preferably a diesel. The Tundra can tow a fair bit but once you get into 5th wheels, the Tundra is not a safe choice.

Plus, you will be in the right lane chugging up steep inclines as there are many great places to see that are not at sea level.

You will be able to enjoy your retirement with the right tow rig.

 

A small bumper pull travel trailer is the best choice for the Tundra (or any halfton, really).

 

I agree 5th wheel is not the way to go. Find a nice pull behind TT and you will be much happier. Or upgrade to a 3/4 ton. Your bed length is also larger than 65". The crewmax has the shortest at 67". You have either the 79" or 97". Never hurts to find a Cat scale to see exactly what your weight numbers are either. Good luck in your search, and happy retirement!

 

I wouldnt try a 5th wheel with these trucks...get a diesel

 

I know a guy who tows a 5th wheel with a Nissan Frontier. The trailer is the Escape 5.0TA. The trailer is a 2 piece fiberglass shell like a boat and never leaks. 3500 lbs. I think they are the best camping trailers on the planet. Based on the Trilliums of the 1970's, they should last 75 years, I have a 2020 Escape 19'.

2019 Escape 5.0 TA Fifth Wheel Tour (236) - YouTube

 

DUDE! Those are sweet! Any of those trailers would be great for a Tundra. I've never heard of them before, so thanks for clueing me in.

 

I have owned 7 trailers now, 2 tent trailers, 2 big box trailers too big to tow that sat at the lake, and 3 Fibreglass trailers. I had a 1977 Trillium, still highly sought after and a 2007 Escape 17B. Before we bought our current trailer we looked around and nothing matched the quality of Escape.

Pros of the Fibreglass trailers, their light and aerodynamic? Really easy to tow. There is no sway at all. Towing my 2007 Escape 17B behind my 4Runner, I would forget about it. There is only caulking around the vents and a few brackets, they virtually never leak. Many owners report little to no depreciation, some making money on their trailer over a 5 year period. I made money on my Trillium and 2007 Escape when I sold it. I got hosed on the leaky Forest River bad. Another, Fibreglass is infinitely repairable.

The cons, their small, but I spend most of my time outside when I camp and setup a dining tent. Other con, their factory direct from BC which is good if your in the States. Rough numbers, a new Escape is $35k CAD, which converts to about $26K US. Absolutely nothing compares for the price is the US market. If one goes up for sale used, they are usually listed on the Escapeforum.org and sell within days which is a pro I guess. The con, the wait list right now is 18 months for new.

Many people say a RV is not an investment, an Escape is.

Other brands, Casita, Oliver, Scamp, Boler, Trillium, Burro, and UHaul made them in the 80’s as rentals.

 

The Fibreglass trailers and Toyota’s

 

@arniesea here on the forum

 

Yeah, people aren’t full timing in those. I couldn’t full time in anything less than 35’.

 

Some fifth wheels can be pulled by the right Tundra. The Winnebago Mini 25RKS only has a hitch weight of 820lbs and a dry weight of 7200lbs. Work out your numbers and see if it would work for you.

https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/minnie-plus?GroupID=GROUP277

 

Yes people are full timing in these. I agree, I would need a little more room. There some that full time in the 17B I had, middle picture.

An owner close to me tows the Escape 5.0TA with an EcoDiesel and gets stellar fuel mileage. He said 12L/100km, about 18MPG I think.

 

I’ve had a 32’ bumper pull, a 35’ 5th wheel and currently a 24’ bumper pull. No way could I full time in the 24’ or 32’. Maaaaaaybe the 35’ 5th wheel but I wouldn’t be happy because it only had 1 12’ slide. I think I would be satisfied to in a 35’ triple slide. To each their own I guess.