Towing travel trailer in the mountains

I live at the beach in NC and want to take my 30 ft travel trailer on trips to the mountains. The trailer weighs 6,198 dry. After loaded its close to 8k with all tanks empty, no generator, bikes. I tow with a 2017 tundra 5.7L crewmax. Towing here on flat land the rpm's are up and stays around 3k. Tow haul button is on. I don't know if I should attempt to take my family up in the smokey mountains with it revving so high already. I have a chance to get a ram 3500 for the same price as the tundra but like the Tundra better. Would this mess up the motor or trans? trailer tongue weight is 738, family of 4. I think payload is about sucked up too. Diesel or no?

 

WELCOME!

 

Welcome,

I'm in the exact same boat as you weight wise. 90% of my towing is in the flatlands of NC and SC. I take 2-3 trips per year to western NC and PA. I'm not going to hesitate to take my trailer to the the Smokeys or TN.
My setup includes:
-28' toy hauler, 8k loaded.
-Equalizer Hitch.
-Sumo Springs.
-Brake Controller.
-Load E tires.

My trip to PA takes me from 95 to 81, up and over the mountains in VA, through the Skyline Drive area. Steep grades both ways. Take it slower and you'll be fine. The majority of your trip to the Smokeys will still be on fairly flat interstates.

Now if I was planning to do more pulling through mountains, passes, or take longer trips more frequently, I would be in a 1 ton.

 

With a CrewMax, that heavy of a trailer, and a family of 4, and any extra gear, my guess is that you are going to be over on your payload rating.

Welcome to the site.