Obligatory First Timer Thread

New Tundra owner (first truck), planning a summer road trip and want to make sure I’m not off on what the rig can do safely.

2017 CrewMax TRD Off-road w/ Tow Package, looking to tow a 23’ (+ hitch) travel trailer with a dry weight of 4445, tongue of 545 (according to specs, not tested).

Looks like I will be close to payload with the family, full fuel tank and tongue weight and realize I will likely (easily?) be over 5k once gear is accounted for.

How critical would a weight distribution hitch be for this setup, or could I get by with a standard hitch? Owners manual says to use one for anything over 5k; curious what you guys recommend.

 

I would always recommend a wdh for a travel trailer simply for sway control

 

23' is pretty long and if you are like most campers, you'll be at 7-8k lbs loaded.

Get a WDH.

 

Thank you guys, appreciate it. Realize this is somewhat of a dumb question at this point, especially after looking at actual payload and realizing I’ll have no flex for storage in the rig after fam, gas and tongue weight.

Anything else I should make sure to get to ensure a smooth trip?

 

Is an Anderson hitch a wdh? Any thoughts on those? I am planning to tow a 17’ Casita travel trailer and am told by them that the tongue weight is at 500.

 

I have an Andersen “no-sway” wdh hitch. They also make regular hitches. So if you want weight distributing make sure you get the correct one. Reach out to Andersen, they’re quite helpful.

 

Thanks man, I’ll check those out. I have been told by another Casita owner (has a F150) that he doesn’t use any sway control device for towing his Casita trailer, so maybe I’ll try it w/o first once I get it.

 

My research has shown that the Anderson hitch does not distribute as much of the load relative to other weight distribution hitches. But for a 16' trailer that should not be a problem. Besade that, I have heard all great things about Anderson.

 

Mine can transfer enough weight to settle the front over half an inch lower than with nothing attached. That’s significant, however I haven’t been to the scales yet.
On the Andersen setup is extremely important as you use a nut to tighten the chains, if you install the brackets in the wrong spot, you won’t be able to tighten the nut enough as you’ll run out of bolt length. I had to remove a chain link due to the aframe design on my new trailer.

 

You would know better than I would! Sounds like it works well for you.

 

Ended up going with an Eaz-Lift Elite on a recommendation. Hoping the tongue weight rating of 800 lbs. is enough... trailer dry hitch weight is 545 lbs. according to the manufacturer.

Unloaded Vehicle Weight: 4,445 lbs.
Cargo Capacity: 1,455 lbs.
Gross Vehicle Weight: 5,900 lbs. (which is 2,100 under the overall weight capacity of the hitch)

 

Found out once the hitch arrived that it’s actually rated at 800 lbs. by itself and 1000 lbs. with the bars... so no worries there.