Towing package

Currently own 2002 Tundra.

Looking to upgrade 2014 or newer. Curious what current owners thoughts on towing, payload capacity?

I intend on pulling a 20' camper two axle, approx 6-7k lbs when loaded, water, gear ect, anywhere from 2 hour - 10 hours of driving, anything from mountain elevation. Rough roads, to flat freeway.

- anybody experience struggles pulling/ towing up
steep incline? Or towing in general?

- overheating

- braking issues

- any thoughts or suggestions on upgrades to help improve towing, horsepower, overall performance?

- Transmission or radiator cooling upgrades?

- recommendations on ratios, wheels?

I'm just looking for recommendations, I've had great experiences with Toyotas, my Tundra has been awesome but never utilized for towing. Looking for justification to steer clear of Chevy, Ford, Ram if a Tundra can handle same workload. Price is not necessarily the concern, I want a Tundra but I need a reliable truck that can handle the load and towing when put to the test.

Thanks in advance!

KW

 

I tow a jayco jay feather x213 with the 19 crew max sr5 off road. Except for various cosmetic mods my truck is pretty much stock and with the included tow package. My trailer is probably totalling 5500lbs with about another 1000lbs in the truck. And I have to say I don't even know the trailer is behind me for the most part. Acceleration is great, brake controller seems to work fine, fuel mileage not so great but not as horrible as I thought it would be. The trailer is the reason i switched from a tacoma to the tundra, I'm not a big fan of the made in mexico american trucks...

 

Thanks for the reply.

Jayco Jay Flight here.

That's what I'm curious about. I find it kinda strange that most Toyota, especially Tundra advertising avoid discussing payload, towing, horsepower like its competitors boast of.

 

After much research, the Tundras payload is the biggest factor. It can pull a 6k pound trailer no problem. The problem will be the payload and staying under that. Make sure to check your hitch weight on the travel trailer. And post in the tow section on this forum. A lot of knowledge over there.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

I'm only towing 2900 pounds, so I pretty much can pass people going up hills Lol

 

WHile I only have a 2010 - it should be remarkably similar experience up to 2018-19 (I think they removed the trans cooler in recent years...dont know why..)

I tow 7300 lbs (fully loaded water, beer, etc) with 2 adults and all our gear...so probably a little heavier...but close enough. ( I am within the limitations of payload and towing...etc.)

for the hills - 4th gear and 60-65 mph and this truck is churning 3000 RPM all day long. Doesnt care. just churns along yanking the 7300 all day long. In pa...it is mainly all mountains heading up to NY...long protracted hills, some leveling off, but mostly one hill after another. Just churns and churns at 65 all day doesnt get hot (trans or engine) just pulls and pulls.

heading to the beach - I might find S5...but rarely. There is always a bridge or a hill somewhere, and 4th just pulls and pulls, so I use it. rarely shifts in and out - so no heat generated in the tranny...it just pulls.

I have a tekonsha P3 controller for my trailer. works great. Coming down mountain passes - ill use the engine to assist in the braking. again - 4th gear usually. the RPM is fairly high and hods the gear enough to provide braking. obviously if needed - apply brakes. If it is a STEEP grade, I will use a lower gear and use the trailer brakes to help slow down...as opposed to tapping the brakes in the truck and smoking the truck brakes...a little assist from the trailer is a good thing at times.

I have a weight distribution hitch (find one you like - mine was a "gift" from an older unit...and work great. it is less adjustible - the head - but seems to be spot on for this weight and height) and use a sway control bar at times...sits pretty level.

Tows like a dream -

 

Good info, thank you!

 

We tow a 19ft Sportsman Bunkhouse, always with 1/2 tank of water and clothes/food for 4 people and have not had any problems. We use the built in trailer control and other than gas consumption being excess- which is expected The truck performs well.

 

Thank you!