Tundra & Cougar 278RLS

[tommyboy123]

Newbie to forum wife and I are looking at 278rls cougar xlite need to learn more from you all tow weight and safety have 2012 tundra v8 9600 towing capacity hope tt is not to heavy thanks all

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[theeyres]

What's the weight? It is pretty easy to go from there.

[tommyboy123]

Dry 6300 hitch 780 capacity 1560 length 31ft

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[tommyboy123]

Thanks for response tommyboy123

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[twstdpear]

With half-ton trucks, you usually run out of payload capacity before you run out of towing capacity. You also need a wheelbase on the truck that's suited to the length of trailer so that the tail doesn't wag the dog. In my limited experience, a 145" wheelbase is sufficient for trailers up to around 30', so you're probably fine there unless you have the regular cab.

Our Cougar Xlite 28RBS is right in the same ballpark as yours, but our tongue is much heavier (955 dry, 1050-1100 actual loaded for travel), and is overall slightly heavier 8200GVWR (dry plus cargo capacity). Our Tundra (2008, Dual Cab, 5.7L, "short" bed, 4x4) handled it extraordinarily well with a Equal-I-zer WDH. The truck was rated for 10300lbs tow capacity and 1430lbs cargo. The RPMs would wind up a bit if I tried to maintain speed on the interstate in the mountains, but that could probably be said for any gas-powered truck since their peak HP and torque are usually up in the 3500-4500 RPM range.

My one big problem with this combination was the payload. We had 650lbs of passengers and dogs on any given trip. So even with an empty bed in the Tundra, the 1430lbs payload capacity minus 650lbs of cargo (passengers) left us with only 780lbs payload to use for tongue weight, and recall I had an actual tongue weight of 1050-1100lbs. It handled it without any issue but we were technically over the capacity for payload. I recently traded up to a F-250 (6.7L diesel, crew cab, "short" bed, 4x4) because our boys weren't getting any smaller and it allows me to actually use the truck bed while towing.

Your circumstances will almost certainly be different than ours, plus your trailer is starting out with a tongue weight that's 200lb lighter, so you'll have to weigh your tongue and work out your own numbers to see how you're doing.

[Mike L123]

Newbie to forum wife and I are looking at 278rls cougar xlite need to learn more from you all tow weight and safety have 2012 tundra v8 9600 towing capacity hope tt is not to heavy thanks all

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IMHO this is a worthy combination. My brother has a nearly identical unit and we just pulled our respective rigs 1,760 miles from Canada to CA and he had absolutely no difficulties. You definitely gotta watch your clearances when backing up the RV and be sure to use the maneuvering position of your slider hitch. He averaged around 11MPG over the entire trip although his "up the mountain" mileage made him frown a lot.

As always, YMMV

Cheers!

Mike

[tommyboy123]

Thanks brother I really appreciate your input tommyboy123

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[tommyboy123]

Ok here is a dumb question what exactly does payload mean? Thanks

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[twstdpear]

Payload is basically any additional weight you'll be adding to a truck. It includes driver+passengers, cargo, non-stock add-ons (e.g., hitch shank+ball, roof racks, tonneau covers, etc..) and trailer tongue weight. All of that, except the tongue weight, also reduces your tow capacity as well which is where the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) comes into play.

I've heard that some manufacturers include 150lbs for the driver as part of the stock weight of the truck, but it doesn't appear that Toyota is one of them based on what I recall from the owners manual for my old truck.

Based on what I read above, you'll probably be close to the line. The only way to know for sure is to work up your own numbers. If you're over just on payload, there's a really good chance that nothing will ever come of it, but if you have an accident there's a potential you could have a run-in with your insurance company or the law if they start looking at it with a microscope. I imagine the chance of something like that increases the further you push things. That's the situation I was in, absolutely no problems but I was *way* over on payload, by something like 320lbs and that would only get worse with time, so I swapped up when I had an opportunity. My WDH probably re-distributed some of that back to the trailer, but it wasn't worth the risk to me. Plus, I got a new truck out of it. ;)

This might help since it includes a lot of definitions, info and a calculator: http://changingears.com/rv-sec-tow-vehicle-sizing.shtml

[KanTC]

Simply put, in reference to your truck, *payload* (or payload capacity) is the amount of weight (load/cargo) that
your vehicle can CARRY, as determined by the manufacturer.

Truck's GVWR - actual curb weight = available payload

Anything that you "add" or "attach" to your truck (the cab, the bed, the roof, the bumpers, etc) is considered part of the load/cargo.
Examples: any/all passengers, pets, bed-liner/cover, tool box, firewood, bicycles, trailer hitch, and loaded TONGUE WEIGHT (for a travel trailer).

Check the Certification Label (inside the driver's door?) for your truck's payload capacity.

See page 5
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/39799284/2012-Toyota-Tundra-Technical-Specifications.pdf

On edit --- Ooops, sorry, I didn't realize that twstdpear had already posted a reply. :o



Hope this helps,
Terri, the Chevy co-pilot :)

[Mike L123]

Thanks brother I really appreciate your input tommyboy123

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Here is a picture of my brothers rig. Not the best shot however you will get the general idea. I am definitely NOT one of the weight orientated type folks on this forum, nor do I wish to engage in any of the "warring of weights" exchanges that we frequently see. My thoughts are basically use your head, be safe and everything in moderation. Sometimes we dwell and become way too paranoid over "things" and "stuff". Again, YMMV.

Cheers!

Mike

[tommyboy123]

Thanks one and all for your help and knowledge im impressed with all your help hope to get it figured out and will be towing a cougar278rls soon

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[tommyboy123]

Thanks Mike looks good Mark

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