Looking to purchase a travel trailer and wondering what I could comfortably tow?

Edit: Revised my expectations based on replies below to looking for a 6000lb 25ft or below travel trailer. My current picks are at the bottom of page 1.

For those who are already pulling a travel trailer, what has been your experience pulling with a 3rd gen tundra? I currently have a 2024 TRD pro. I am looking at this specific travel trailer.

Also, with a stabilizing bar for the trailer, do you feel like I would you still need air suspension bags?

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2024-Forest+River-Rockwood+Signature+Ultra+lite+8332SB-5029060317

Gross vehicle weight is 11,266lbs.
Dry Vehicle weight is 9,525

 

I am sure it would pull it, but my opinion is you need to get a Duramax if you want to pull that with no sweat.

 

Way to big! That probably has over 1000 pounds of tongue weight

 

Ya man, you’ll need a bigger rig for that

ford with the Godzilla gas or gm 6.6 for diesel

or search the travel trailer threads here for a more manageable 1/2 ton trailer

 

I just looked it up. Wasn’t sure of the hitch weight until now but it’s 1266lbs

 

From my experience, the tongue weight almost always ends up being more than advertised once you get the camper situated and loaded up with propane, etc. Just a heads up to beware. Tongue weight aside, I'd look for a smaller camper due to the overall weight and try to keep it around the 7k to 8k mark so you have a little wiggle room. Otherwise, you would be better off with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck. You overall towing experience will be much more enjoyable.

 

THAT is a hard NO, dawg...

Either get a smaller trailer, or as Roy Scheider once said... "You're gonna need a bigger [truck]"...

 

That's a big load for your truck! Even if you can keep it closer to 10,000 lbs by not filling it to the brim. Your tongue weight will use up all your payload and you would need to have between ~1,000 and ~1,300 lbs to keep it stable. A WDH hitch would be a must but even at that, you are going to be pointing to the sky with your headlights.

You could stick some airbags in there to help bring the rear up. And then deflate them when the trailer is off.

I think the Pro has a very dynamic and compliant suspension with the Fox setup and would certainly move when offroading but not so good for towing. Bags are probably the best way to deal with the rear sag.

You might want to look at a trailer that is a bit lighter to avoid the white knuckling that this one would certainly bring.

 

No way. Much too heavy. The Tundra is a light duty truck and not made to tow heavy trailers. Payload is low and that is the limiting factor. Lots of threads here on the issue.
We have a 24’ ultra-lite at around 5000lbs. I wouldn’t want to tow anything heavier with my 2018 Crewmax.

 

How about this one?

WEIGHTS
Hitch / Pin Weight 791
UVW 7,778
GVWR 9,495


https://www.granddesignrv.com/travel-trailers/imagine/3100rd

 

You’ll be over 1000# tongue weight when you add 2 full propane tanks and 2 batteries. Add water and you’ll be at 1200+. Look for a 24’ to 26’ trailer max. Otherwise, buy a bigger truck. Your gonna get pushed around if you go bigger. Can the tundra pull it. Yes. But its gonna get really sketchy.

 

Rockwood definitely too big. I towed the same model only in fifth wheel with 3/4 ton diesel. No problem. Not the Tundra. I tow a 5600 lb Grand Design with my 23 1794 TRD 4x4 hybrid. Does well. Still don't feel as secure as with my diesel, but don't travel as much as use to. I honestly believe the Grand Design 3100 RD is too big for a Tundra also. Great RV but will not feel secure on the road. Tow it yes.......stop it well??????????. Wind will blow you around more than a fifth wheel. Good luck with your RV.

 

OP, how about this one?

Imagine | 2660BS (granddesignrv.com)

A bit more modest than the one you asked about above but still looks pretty nice. Tundra will tow this one no problem.

 

The engine has the power, but as others have said those first two the OP posted are just way to heavy on tongue weight/payload once fully loaded up for a trip. I also have a TRD Pro and unfortunately the fox suspension really squats with even moderate load so you really MUST do a Weight Distributing Hitch and really I'd do airbags if I towed this small 24' long Toy Hauler again with any frequency.

The last Grand Design 2660BS MrKABC listed looks about more in line with what I would feel comfortable towing but my use case might be different than you.

I have towed a Grey Wold 18RR about 5k miles.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/grey-wolf/18RR/7871

This tiny toy hauler has an empty rated weight of around 4500 lbs and empty tongue weight of 550. As others have said that is not actual "in use" weights as on the scales we had about 7500lbs trailer weight with food, gear, water and two motorcycles and actual tongue weight was about 1k lbs. Also had the bed loaded with a tool box, big beer cooler, and some extra fuel, etc. On the scales I was 14,160 lbs gross without my buddy (200lbs) in the truck and if you pay close attention to rated payload you end up not really being able to technically stay under that number with any decently sized load at all....my door jamb sticker indicates I have 1355 lbs of actual rated payload so technically I have to tow even this tiny 24' long trailer naked, skipping breakfast and with no passengers or anything in the bed.

I initially hooked it up without a WDH and it was comical how much it squatted. We quickly bought a used WDH on FB marketplace with 1200 lb bars and played around with settings a bit and it towed quite nicely for most of the 5,000 mile trip up and over the Rockies, off road in Colorado and Utah, etc. We did have a windy day (with rain and snow) and really had to crank down on the sway control and use both hands on the wheel. Glad we didn't have a bigger trailer that day, as well as coming down 3500 ft elevation from Deep lake back to Gypsum where the brakes started smelling quite hot. I stopped and put her in 4wd low range as it wouldn't stay in first gear in high range down this *really* steep dirt road drop section that lasted for several miles.

The Tundra is quite an amazing all around truck, but still a half ton chassis/brakes and weight so just be careful not going too big as having a trailer weight significantly more than the truck you are using to pull can create some interesting moments on the more extreme side of use. We pulled this same trailer last time with his 2017 F250 diesel and surprisingly it didn't get any better MPG and felt about the same on a nice day on the interstate, but the HD diesel handled adverse conditions without any drama. Be honest with yourself on how you intend to load her up and where you want to be able to get to as far as remote spots. I really enjoyed having a smaller camper a bunch of times to get into remote spots and gas stations, etc. and never wished for more space in my use situation.

Before WD hitch


After WD hitch

 

If you really want your Pro to be a good choice for towing, you should remove the leveling kit to give it back some rake.

 

As far as air bags are concerned... I put them on my 15 DC and tow a 33' trailer ( I know, I'm pushing the limit)... I also have the onboard compressor so I can change PSI on the fly... The air bags made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world... I wished I'd of done it years ago... Handles and rides SOOO much better... I also use WDH W/Sway controll.... I have even put golf cart in truck while towing... I just take my time ...

 

Thanks for all the replies. We will definitely buy something smaller. The last thing I want to be is a danger to ourselves or anyone else on the road.

The wife just wants something that’s a good quality RV and can sleep around 4-6. Kids are getting to the point where they are leaving the house but she just likes to have the option of including kids/grandkids on trips.

I’ve considered a driving class C RV but I’d rather not have to pay the price those cost. I like the idea of having my truck with me wherever I go.

 

That is way too big for a half ton. You need an HD truck.

TRD Pro is the worst trim for towing. It simply wasn't designed for it.

Basic truths to towing:

• Advertised trailer weights and advertised pickup capacities are always hilariously optimistic. You can tow less and have less payload than they advertise, and the trailer is heavier than they advertise.
• You already use more payload than you think.
• You're going to be disappointed when you start looking into the actual numbers...unless you stick your head in the sand and lie to yourself.
• You can't get more payload.
• Airbags don't fix problems, they just hide them.
• You can run it overloaded for a while with "no problems" but you're still overloaded and stressing/doing damage.
• You're ball hitch/WDH come out of your payload rating. So does everything you add the the truck. Yup, tires too.

Half ton trucks are light duty. They are best suited to lightweight, sub 22 foot, no slide-out trailers.

General rule for easy/pleasant towing, take the tow rating of your truck and multiply it by 0.70-0.80 to get 70%-80%. Use that as the max limit of the GVW of trailers.

Don't tow over 60-65 MPH.

 

That's completely silly overloading.

 

Ok, I wonder sometimes if people are answering questions and they have never even towed trailers. The tundra can definitely haul travel trailers up to 7000 pounds. I would say around 25-26 feet adequately and safely. Sub 22 feet with no tip out???? I think you’re talking Tacoma on that one. Also, the reason for having a larger gray tank is for Boondocking. It’s the first one that’s going to fill up on you. And you can always get more freshwater. I have been driving trucks for over 30 years, professionally, and towing camping trailers with Tacoma’s and tundras now for 20 years. I own a 20 foot Geo pro, and I will be switching eventually to a 24 or 25 foot rockwood mini lite that weighs around 5500 pounds. The tundra is perfect for that trailer. I don’t think I would go much heavier or longer.

 

Kinda started off buying the wrong truck , a non pro with oem air bag auto leveling rear would be a much better starting point , especially if your going to try and push the limits

the lift and pro suspension are going to work against you quite a bit

 

I agree with the 25’ as being the ideal size for the Tundra.
With out the auto leveling found on the higher models, and the coils in the back, plus the TRD OR lack of rake, WDH is essential. I may do what someone else suggested and add some rake back or get air bags.
Really the ideal Tundra tow model is a stripped down SR5 4x2 with the tow package.
It will haul the hell out of this though, this engine and transmission just don’t care.

 

At the time, I purchased the truck without the thought of towing with it. I liked the color and the look of the TRD pro. I would probably make the same purchase if I had to do it again. I will just need to find something that works for the truck and I am ok with that. If it can comfortably tow a geo pro or mini light, we will probably go that route. The wife had just a little more grandiose plans than I had. I am good with something that makes the two of us comfortably traveling and sleeping in. It’s one of those things when you are married that you try to do, “compromise”. It’s good to know the max limits of what we can look for because that doesn’t give her the options of looking at things that are unrealistic.

 

totally get that, there is certainly something that can work for the pro, just need to size the trailer around the truck since you bought that first .

last thing you want is to white knuckle every time your out, talk about the war dept chiming in, lol, wait until the tail is wagging the dog , ha!

good luck and I’m sure you’ll find something

 

I personally like these two

https://www.gauthiersrv.com/2024-fo...ks-new-travel-trailer-scott-la-70583-i3913195

https://www.gauthiersrv.com/2023-fo...7s-new-travel-trailer-scott-la-70583-i3451632

 

Best suited doesn't mean it's the max suggestion. Driven and towed plenty, even using a CDL to put food on the table for years, same as you. Your inaccurate interpretation of my statement doesn't invalidate it.

 

Tundra best suited for a sub 22’ with no slide???Come on??? Thats just ridiculous. Everyone on this thread knows its plenty capable and can safely handle quite a bit more.

 

I need to also look at the Bigfoot models. I know they are one of the better built RV’s.