Towing help

So I bought my 2012 Tundra recently, traded in my 08 FJ , but I needed something reliable that would tow. I'm buying a travel trailer and I wanted to throw my setup out there to ask if there are anything that may be of concern. I've never towed an RV before. In state only, not cross country planned.

2012 Tundra 5.7L SR5 Double Cab 6.5 ft bed.
GVWR 7100 lb
Payload 1380 lb
GCWR (Has towing pkg) - 16000lb (9700lb tow capacity)

Tires
Kelley Edge AT 275/65R18
Load Index 2756 lbs

Camper is a 30ft travel trailer
GVWR 9665 lbs
Dry Weight 6164 lbs
Hitch Weight 772 lbs

I'm also using a Husky Centerline Weight Distribution hitch.

Anything seem awry, or am I missing something? Should I add a transmission cooler?

Thanks for any info!

 

The 2012 should have a tranny cooler in front of the radiator IIRC.

 

Find a smaller trailer or a bigger truck. The size is asking for trouble, yes people do it. Many also end up turning into toothpicks in a ditch.

 

So many threads about payload and hitch weight and trailer length and towing capacity.

That is a LONG and HEAVY (almost at your towing capacity) trailer and with almost 800 pounds of tongue weight you don't have much before you are out of payload.

You are literally pushing it with all of the variables with a Tundra.

SPP

 

IMO if you wanted to tow something like that you should've gone with a 2500+. You're right on the cusp of maxing out the tundra and that can't be good for any part of that truck in the long run.

 

Remember that everything in and on the truck comes out of that 13xx lbs of payload: you and all passengers, your tires if they're heavier than stock, all gear in the cab and bed, your WDH itself and the trailer hitch weight. Also, if that 800 lb hitch weight wasn't measured by you with the trailer loaded, it's an under estimate. The brochure numbers don't include propane, battery, water or any gear in the trailer.

A 24 foot trailer is a better choice for a Tundra.

 

^ nothing that hasn't already been well put, but...

I have a buddy who tows a mallard which pushes the limits in the fashion you suggest.

Complains terribly that the Tundra sucks because it doesn't handle the load well... Up and down some trails I would never attempt with such gear.

...but the tundra takes it all in stride and somehow hasn't left the owner (and family) in a bind.

The Tundra will put up with quite a bit of abuse, but that doesnt mean that you should do so.

...Get a truck designed to tow the trailer you have decided upon.

 

Or, better yet, get a smaller trailer that's better suited to the Tundra!

 

Well that seems pretty logical

 

2012 was around the time Toyota transitioned from the separate trans cooler on the front right side to one integrated into the top of the air conditioner condenser.

Greg

 

Hey tundra pulled a space shuttle so that rinky dink trailer should be no problemo!

Cant really say more than everyone else already has.

I’d only feel comfortable short distances with that trailer and I wouldn’t go over 55. You’re gonna feel it no matter what. Can you pull it? Yes. Can you stop it and handle it if a situation comes up? Maybe not

 

You would be very wise to have your family in a seperate vehicle. Even more wise to take whatever financial loss necessary to change your plans.

 

Just to reinforce what others have said, I pulled a 30' trailer with similar specs to yours (with kids, gear, bikes, etc, etc.) for years and to be honest, I wouldn't do that with a Tundra. I was using an E350 van with a 1-ton chassis and I felt like it was just adequate. In my opinion, I'd want a 3/4 ton truck minimum for that size trailer, although I know there are many that get away with it all the time. If you do go ahead and use that combination of truck/trailer, I would highly suggest a hitch like the Hensley Arrow. They are expensive but they prevent sway from starting in the first place rather than trying to dampen it after it starts. With that hitch, I never felt the trailer exert a lateral force on the TV, which is what starts the whole trailer swaying. If I was to trailer something like that again, that hitch would be the first thing I purchased.

 

What model TT did you get? Trailer design plays a lot in to how well it behaves on the road. So many are the generic slab sided bricks and even worse are the "Off Road" models with lug tires and increased ground clearance. Those seem like they would be white knuckled beasts. Airstreams would be at the far end of the aerodynamic spectrum.
My Gulfstream VC 23RSS is slab sided but does offer a little less wind resistance due to the curved front and rear rooflines. Fine tuning of my "sway control" is accomplished by moving a case of water inside the trailer when traveling. I'll watch the mirrors looking for the slightest sway when a truck passes and if I see it that case of water moved to the front cures that. Good trailer tires property inflated makes a big difference. Another tip before I step down off my soapbox is to not try to pack more food than you need. Stock up once you arrive to you destination. That includes potable water. Since I only have a 28 gallon fresh water tank I prefer to fill mine before we leave since I balance for that and I believe sloshing may not be good for the structural integrity of my cheap tank. But then my max trailer weight is 3,100 pounds less than my maximum towing weight.

 

30 foot tongue to bumper or 30 foot box?

 

There's a nice looking rig just pulled in to the campground. I'll graciously hand over the Nicest Tundra award to him when I get a chance to talk. Thinking it's a long Jayco he's pulling. I promise not to play Payload Police.

 

So the trailer is a 2016 Forest River 27DBUD. I'm looking into purchasing a ProPride hitch system. I swear I got this truck in order to save money, lol. It's 29' 6" from stem to stern and I'm only taking it locally.