Tongue weight Estimate

[chay1950]

My TV is a 2013 Tundra, 5.7L V8, towing package. GTWR is 10100 lbs.
I use a WDH rated at Max tongue weight of 1400 lbs and max gross trailer weight of 14000 lbs.

My trailer is a Springdale Summerland 2660RL.
Towable GVWR is 7645 lbs.
Hitch TWR 645 lbs

When the WDH is connected the axle weights are all below the max. The front of the truck goes from 36 1/2 in height w/o the WDH to 36 3/16 in w/ the WDH connected. That's a lowering of 5/16 in. The rear goes from 38 3/8 in to 36 in. So the truck is pretty level. The trailer is also level with the WDH connected.

That being said, can I assume that the tongue weight is within specs?

[SteveC7010]

My TV is a 2013 Tundra, 5.7L V8, towing package. GTWR is 10100 lbs.
I use a WDH rated at Max tongue weight of 1400 lbs and max gross trailer weight of 14000 lbs.

My trailer is a Springdale Summerland 2660RL.
Towable GVWR is 7645 lbs.
Hitch TWR 645 lbs

When the WDH is connected the axle weights are all below the max. The front of the truck goes from 36 1/2 in height w/o the WDH to 36 3/16 in w/ the WDH connected. That's a lowering of 5/16 in. The rear goes from 38 3/8 in to 36 in. So the truck is pretty level. The trailer is also level with the WDH connected.

That being said, can I assume that the tongue weight is within specs?



What are the specs on your Tundra's receiver hitch? (Not your WD Ball platform and weight bars, but the receiver on the truck.) Most of the Class IV's are rated 600# tongue/6,000# pull with WD.

[sourdough]

You missed some of the most important info;
Truck gvw, gawr, gcwr and payload.

With a trailer gvw of 7645 anticipate a tongue weight of 915-1000lbs. Back to payload and receiver rating.....

[goducks]

Sounds like you have it dialed in fairly good. How does it tow?

[jkohler70]

That comment about Class IV hitch limits seemed a little off so I checked the info Reese has on their website:

Class IV hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 14,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a 1400 lbs. maximum trailer tongue weight (TW).

[flybouy]

My TV is a 2013 Tundra, 5.7L V8, towing package. GTWR is 10100 lbs.
I use a WDH rated at Max tongue weight of 1400 lbs and max gross trailer weight of 14000 lbs.

My trailer is a Springdale Summerland 2660RL.
Towable GVWR is 7645 lbs.
Hitch TWR 645 lbs

When the WDH is connected the axle weights are all below the max. The front of the truck goes from 36 1/2 in height w/o the WDH to 36 3/16 in w/ the WDH connected. That's a lowering of 5/16 in. The rear goes from 38 3/8 in to 36 in. So the truck is pretty level. The trailer is also level with the WDH connected.

That being said, can I assume that the tongue weight is within specs?
Impossible to tell with Posted numbers. Take it to a scale and see what you have. That posted hitch wt. is without propane, battery, or any thing stored in the front compartment.

[JRTJH]

Sounds like you have it dialed in fairly good. How does it tow?

There's a significant difference in "dialed in" and "appropriately rated and dialed in".....

It "could be" (None of us can say with any certainty with the limited information available) that the hitch is adjusted appropriately, but the truck, trailer, receiver and/or hitch are not appropriately sized for the combination....

Sort of like saying I sighted in my rifle and I'm ready to go moose hunting.....

Without knowing if the "rifle" is a BB gun or a 30-06, it's impossible to say if the hunter has "properly sized equipment". Knowing that he can "hit the target" (dialed in) doesn't mean much if the equipment isn't up to the task at hand.....

[SteveC7010]

That comment about Class IV hitch limits seemed a little off so I checked the info Reese has on their website:

Class IV hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 14,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a 1400 lbs. maximum trailer tongue weight (TW).



That's true of some available aftermarket hitches, but the ones that come on most 1/2 ton pickups from the truck manufacturers are the lower end of Class IV.

I looked up a mid-range Class IV for the number I mentioned. There's valid info out there to support most any view point.

The OP needs to fill in the blank here by reading the sticker on his hitch. Other we're all just speculating and second-guessing each other.

[chay1950]

I have an EAZ-Lift Model 48069. Max Tongue Weight is 1400 lbs. Max Gross Trailer Weight is 14000 lbs.

[chay1950]

I've ordered a Sherline LM-5000 - Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 5000LB to get the actual tongue weight.

To answer another question on how it pulls. It seems rough to me. But, since this is my first trailer of this size I don't really know what to expect. Should it tow as smooth as the back bumper or will there be a little bump and kicking motion?

[SteveC7010]

I have an EAZ-Lift Model 48069. Max Tongue Weight is 1400 lbs. Max Gross Trailer Weight is 14000 lbs.



Please re-read my question. I asked for the specs on your receiver, not your WD hitch system.

[Wxman]

I think all understand your hitch rating of 14k/1.4K. However, the receiver part of the hitch, the part on your truck, also has a max rating. This is not the same as the vehicle tow rating. There will be a max tow rating and a max tongue weight for the receiver part of the hitch. In most cases there will be two different numbers, one without WD and one when WD is used. These numbers will be on a tag on the receiver hitch itself and are very likely repeated in the owners manual. The entire system is only as strong as the lowest rated part and we haven't seen the ratings of all the parts.

[Javi]

here ya' go... we need the rating for this...

[Javi]

Not this... :D

[chay1950]

There are no markings on the truck hitch. It is welded to the truck frame. The only thing I can find is in the owner's manual under TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) is 10100 Lbs. This with towing package.

[JRTJH]

I have an EAZ-Lift Model 48069. Max Tongue Weight is 1400 lbs. Max Gross Trailer Weight is 14000 lbs.

The question at hand isn't which hitch you have. The 48069 is probably OK... The concern is that 2" square tube under your truck (the receiver) and what the decal on it says is the maximum tongue weight/trailer weight that it can carry.

ADDED: The fact that it's welded to the truck frame indicates that it's probably not OEM. That leads to questions about what else came with the truck from the factory (the rest of the trailer towing package). If you have the original window sticker or can get the information from Toyota with your VIN, then you'd know. My "distant guess" is that some previous owner added a aftermarket receiver of "unknown quality" to the frame. I'd be concerned with the other components in the towing package and if they are present, OEM and rated by Toyota for that 10,100 tow rating.

[Northofu1]

It should tell you in the owners manual what the hitch is rated for. Class 4 OEM hitch rating for a 2017 GMC / Chevy 1500 truck is 1250 lbs max on the hitch.

Edit : The payload for my truck however is 2080 lbs.
Einstein's theory of relativity is easier to figure out LOL

[chay1950]

I talked to a Toyota dealership and the TV hitch is rated at 10100 Lbs. This is the Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) in the owners book.

[Ken / Claudia]

To answer your question, No bumps and kicks while in motion should be felt. But, I am not really sure what's happening unless you explain it. When does it bump and kick? If your truck does that than the trailer I would say maybe it's the road surface.

[GMcKenzie]

It should tell you in the owners manual what the hitch is rated for. Class 4 OEM hitch rating for a 2017 GMC / Chevy 1500 truck is 1250 lbs max on the hitch.

Edit : The payload for my truck however is 2080 lbs.
Einstein's theory of relativity is easier to figure out LOL

Payload includes all the stuff in the truck box. You must have the Max Trailering package (NHT) to get that payload number (mine is 2,015)

[notanlines]

Payload includes all the stuff in the truck box. You must have the Max Trailering package (NHT) to get that payload number (mine is 2,015)
You are correct, but you must include everyone/thing in the cab plus fuel....

[Phil Saran]

You are probably within the noted limits. My only question would be how does it stop?
I have a friend with a 5th wheel trailer and he used to tow with a Toyota Tundra it was ok until he went to Durango CO and burned out his brand new brake job because of the steep hills.


He came home and traded the truck in on a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel 4x4.


No complaints now.

[sourdough]

You are probably within the noted limits. My only question would be how does it stop?
I have a friend with a 5th wheel trailer and he used to tow with a Toyota Tundra it was ok until he went to Durango CO and burned out his brand new brake job because of the steep hills.


He came home and traded the truck in on a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel 4x4.


No complaints now.


This brings up an interesting point. I watched a couple of videos by some truck guys a couple of years ago testing brakes on the big 3 plus Nissan and Toyota. They were towing a loaded trailer down the mountain at Eisenhower tunnel? if I recall and checking brake fade, temps etc. The Japanese trucks had significantly higher temps at the brakes, really high as I recall, compared to the big 3. Nissan and Toyota are making strides in trying to improve their trucks so they can compete with the American brands but the OP sure might want to check that out.

[Wireman134]

My TV is a 2013 Tundra, 5.7L V8, towing package. GTWR is 10100 lbs.
I use a WDH rated at Max tongue weight of 1400 lbs and max gross trailer weight of 14000 lbs.

My trailer is a Springdale Summerland 2660RL.
Towable GVWR is 7645 lbs.
Hitch TWR 645 lbs

When the WDH is connected the axle weights are all below the max. The front of the truck goes from 36 1/2 in height w/o the WDH to 36 3/16 in w/ the WDH connected. That's a lowering of 5/16 in. The rear goes from 38 3/8 in to 36 in. So the truck is pretty level. The trailer is also level with the WDH connected.



That being said, can I assume that the tongue weight is within specs?

Take it to a Cat Scale. Weigh it with and without spring bars latched. Then weigh truck by it's self

[BrentB]

There are no markings on the truck hitch. It is welded to the truck frame. The only thing I can find is in the owner's manual under TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) is 10100 Lbs. This with towing package.
I bought my 2010 Tundra new with the tow package so the hitch receiver is from the factory. It is bolted to the frame. I too have never been able to find any indication what weights it is rated for. But Toyota says I can tow 10,500 lbs.

[66joej]

I bought my 2010 Tundra new with the tow package so the hitch receiver is from the factory. It is bolted to the frame. I too have never been able to find any indication what weights it is rated for. But Toyota says I can tow 10,500 lbs.

Not sure when Ford started this but on the F150 line they use the same receiver hitch on all models with trailer option whether it be Max Tow or not.
That is 600#/6000 trailer no weight distribution hitch and 1200#/12000 trailer with weight distribution hitch.

[JRTJH]

I bought my 2010 Tundra new .... I too have never been able to find any indication what weights it is rated for. But Toyota says I can tow 10,500 lbs.

There are two ratings (actually 4: two ball and two trailer) on your receiver. First is the maximum tongue weight and maximum trailer weight WITHOUT weight distribution. Next is the maximum tongue weight and maximum trailer weight WITH weight distribution.

Those two maximum (tongue and trailer) are significantly different with the application of a weight distribution hitch. That information is essential when towing and should be readily available in the owner's manual and/or on a decal on the receiver body. On Ford receivers, it's on a plate attached to the crossmember. This is a photo from the internet depicting the information for a receiver ratings. Your hitch has similar information located "somewhere"....

ADDED: As for chay1950's comments about his receiver being "welded" to the truck frame, I'd be very concerned with that receiver. I haven't seen a "factory OEM receiver" that is welded in place in the past 10 or 15 years (maybe even longer). All of them are currently bolted to the frame to preserve the frame strength and integrity.

[sourdough]

There are two ratings (actually 4: two ball and two trailer) on your receiver. First is the maximum tongue weight and maximum trailer weight WITHOUT weight distribution. Next is the maximum tongue weight and maximum trailer weight WITH weight distribution.

Those two maximum (tongue and trailer) are significantly different with the application of a weight distribution hitch. That information is essential when towing and should be readily available in the owner's manual and/or on a decal on the receiver body. On Ford receivers, it's on a plate attached to the crossmember. This is a photo from the internet depicting the information for a receiver ratings. Your hitch has similar information located "somewhere"....

ADDED: As for chay1950's comments about his receiver being "welded" to the truck frame, I'd be very concerned with that receiver. I haven't seen a "factory OEM receiver" that is welded in place in the past 10 or 15 years (maybe even longer). All of them are currently bolted to the frame to preserve the frame strength and integrity.



The only time I recall seeing a receiver "welded" to the frame of truck is when I had an aftermarket receiver installed on a Ford truck by a hitch shop. The rest have all been bolted.

[JRTJH]

The only time I recall seeing a receiver "welded" to the frame of truck is when I had an aftermarket receiver installed on a Ford truck by a hitch shop. The rest have all been bolted.

The last receiver I've owned that was welded to the frame was a 1972 Dodge W200. That was also an aftermarket receiver. I can't remember any others that were welded, but I do remember that none since my 1999 F250 have been welded, all of them were bolted to the frame.

That's the reason for my concern with chay1950's statement that his receiver is welded to his frame. If so, it's very likely that it is not a Toyota receiver and it may or may not be rated the same as the OEM receiver. If it's aftermarket, it could be a class 3 receiver (class 3 and 4 are both 2"x2") he might be towing his trailer with a class 3 receiver that's rated at 350 pounds tongue weight and 3500 pounds trailer weight or maybe 600 pounds tongue weight and 6000 pounds trailer weight. Either way, the point is that the welded receiver probably isn't OEM and may be significantly under-rated for what he is towing.

[Electric Bill]

The independent hitch welding shops around here, (San Diego County) they weld up receiver hitches usually with 2"×2" material going through a square hole in a end plate that fits your particular vehical. That in turn is the mounting bracket to be bolted to your truck frame. So, the independent shops still or at least nowadays are bolted on. The independent shops also advertise that they are certified hitch welders. I have never heard of welded to the frame either.
I have heard from a friend that said my pintle hitch that is both bolted and welded to the receiver mounting plate has to be bolted if its welded. You can have just the 4 bolts holding it on. If its welded you have to have the 4 bolts also. He said highway patrol can write you up for safety violation.
Point is; bolting things up, if done properly is stronger in some cases.