2021 Tundra SR5 Towing Horses

I’ve read a few posts on here recently, and I’m looking for some general advice.

I’m thinking of buying a new SR5 (not sure of the payload as I haven’t picked one out yet), but I’m curious if the general consensus is that it will be able to handle hauling 2 horses with a small/light bumper pull trailer?

I know I need to crunch some numbers to be 100% sure, but I’m getting the feeling that some people would just recommend a full ton truck.

I’m expecting to be towing on the weekends and will mainly be staying local (no regular cross country trips).

I guess it comes down to whether the Tundra (in general) is suited to the task (maybe with some extras added i.e. WDH etc) or if I need to just consider a bigger truck.

I appreciate all the help and advice!

 

It really depends on the length and weight of your trailer (included loaded tongue weight, if known). Can you post some more details about it?

 

I’m working off of the following assumptions:

Trailer Dry Weight - 3000 lbs
Horses Combined Weight - 3000 lbs

The horses come in probably under that, but I figured it’s best to round up.

I plan on driving the Tundra until it dies, but obviously I want to make sure that it can handle a fairly simple 2 horse set up.

 

I would think a Tundra should be able to tow ~6000 lbs as long as you can keep your tongue weight below your payload capacity (remembering that you have to also account for all passengers and gear in the truck in that number).

SR5 should have a sightly higher payload that higher trims so it's probably your best bet within the Tundra family unless you can find (and live with) an SR.

 

That would be right in the Tundra zone.

 

Thanks to both of you. If I’m thinking about the longevity of the truck, would you also recommend air bags at some point?

 

I don't personally see the point of airbags but I know a lot of guys like and recommend them. I don't see the need if you're staying within the truck's capabilities. You will need a weight distribution hitch, though.

 

Airbags are great for eliminating the rear squat, but does nothing to alleviate the amount of weight on the rear axle. That would require a weight distributing hitch. But in all seriousness a dual axle two horse trailer, depending on how it is built, may not have massive tongue weight (with horses loaded) - in which case air bags would be fine. Best way is to check actual tongue weight and what the truck looks like, adjust from there. But nothing you describe so far concerns me with the Tundra.

 

I haul my wife’s horses all the time with zero issues.

We have a Featherlite 9407 (3k pounds empty) and are within weight limits.

 

Do you use a WDH and/or anything else when you tow the horses?

 

Not for our horse trailer or when I’m towing my tractor (similar weight). Just use the tow/haul button and use the S mode on the transmission that’s it.

I do use a weight distribution hitch on our travel trailer but we take that all over the country.

 

That should really add some horsepower