View Full Version : Truck passing with flying colors
DTJ9610
08-26-2011, 12:58 PM
I purchased my '08 Tundra in February and the '11 Laredo 303TG in March. Having spent the summer towing it mostly an hour to our campground and 1 trip about 650 mile (round) it's nice to report that the truck is handling it with flying colors. With the truck being used I can't say for certain what shape the brakes and tires were in. However, with this past oil change the reported that the brakes are still well into the green (according to that model of green/yellow/red they have) and the tires and shocks are all in great shape. The Tundra is turning out to be a great tuck. :thewave:
Looking forward to many, many, many more years of towing with it.
Festus2
08-26-2011, 01:30 PM
Great to hear that the Tundra is providing you with the towing ability that you expected and; for the short trips that you have taken, is passing your test "with flying colours". Hopefully, it will still meet your expectations when you go further afield and into some hillier or mountainous terrain.
Flyguy
08-27-2011, 01:07 PM
WOW!! another Tundra owner that is satisfied with his gasser. Please don't say it too loud cause the diesel boys will be all over you! I've pulled my RV from Dothan, AL to Kalamazoo, MI without a problem and all through the Smoky Mountains also without a problem both uphill and downhill. MPG ranges from a low of 10 to a high of 12 depending on terrain, ethanol contant of the fuel, towing speed, and the way you drive. I use the tow/haul switch and place the tranny in S-5 and tow at 55mph to 60mph. Hey I'm happy:applause:
jq1031
08-27-2011, 04:02 PM
I probably should not comment as I always seem to p..s someone off. From what I've read & heard about that half ton gasser it's a great truck! If down the road you're going to do the 6% grades that are not unusual in certain areas of our beautiful country you may be in for a little rethinking. Having said that, enjoy & be safe!
Flyguy
08-27-2011, 07:00 PM
Your correct, don't comment!
pkemmerlin
11-03-2011, 06:58 AM
Why is it some many people are quick to put down the Tundra for Towing? We have a 2008 Keystone Hornet 30 FKS and it pulls it like a dream! We even have pulled a trailer with a golf cart behind it. Before anyone says anything we have since learned that will void the warranty on the camper so we will no longer be doing that. But again the Tundra had no problems pulling it. We have ordered the Cougar HC 321 RES and I keep hearing the Tundra is going to struggle. The HC is only 600 pound heavier. Why?
Outbackmel
11-03-2011, 07:28 AM
Hey there, no one says Tundra is a bad choice. Depends on your specific requirement. I see you are over here in the eastern US. Those mountain terrains offer much different challenges. To each his own. Be safe and have fun."bouncey:
pkemmerlin
11-03-2011, 07:55 AM
I know we want be able to pull it through the mountains. The only place we camp is Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach.
hankpage
11-03-2011, 08:33 AM
Why is it some many people are quick to put down the Tundra for Towing? We have a 2008 Keystone Hornet 30 FKS and it pulls it like a dream! We even have pulled a trailer with a golf cart behind it. Before anyone says anything we have since learned that will void the warranty on the camper so we will no longer be doing that. But again the Tundra had no problems pulling it. We have ordered the Cougar HC 321 RES and I keep hearing the Tundra is going to struggle. The HC is only 600 pound heavier. Why?
JM2¢ ..... But towing a 35 foot 10,000 lb. trailer with any ½ ton truck is not safe. And I do think the Tundra is one of the best ½ tons out there.
pkemmerlin
11-03-2011, 09:04 AM
JM2¢ ..... But towing a 35 foot 10,000 lb. trailer with any ½ ton truck is not safe. And I do think the Tundra is one of the best ½ tons out there.
I'm not trying to be rude but just a ?. How did you come up with 10,000 pounds? I just hope we didn't miss something.
Specs for Model 321RES
Weight:
7565(lb)
SteveC7010
11-03-2011, 09:07 AM
JM2¢ ..... But towing a 35 foot 10,000 lb. trailer with any ½ ton truck is not safe. And I do think the Tundra is one of the best ½ tons out there.
Agree! We have had several conversations about payload limitations of 1/2 ton trucks in several other threads over the past couple of weeks. I won't repeat the same details over and over again.
But I will say that the tongue weight of a 10K# trailer uses up at least 90% of the truck's total payload capacity. Add the weight of the driver, one adult passenger, and even a little "stuff" in the bed of the truck and you are overloaded.
SteveC7010
11-03-2011, 09:14 AM
I'm not trying to be rude but just a ?. How did you come up with 10,000 pounds? I just hope we didn't miss something.
Specs for Model 321RES
Weight:
7565(lb)
The OP's Laredo is 7,475 dry weight with a load capacity of 1,525 which yeilds a GVWR of 9k#.
Your 321RES has a dry weight of 7,565 and a load capacity 2,249 which makes for 9,814 GVWR. If we don't quibble over 186 pounds, it's a 10K trailer.
pkemmerlin
11-03-2011, 09:24 AM
The OP's Laredo is 7,475 dry weight with a load capacity of 1,525 which yeilds a GVWR of 9k#.
Your 321RES has a dry weight of 7,565 and a load capacity 2,249 which makes for 9,814 GVWR. If we don't quibble over 186 pounds, it's a 10K trailer.
I just joined the forum this week. I have spent every minute I have reading the threads to gather more information. I'm asking these ?'s because I honestly don't know. We have the option of storing the camper at the camp ground and I'm trying to decide if that is the best thing to do. Thank you for the information.
JRTJH
11-03-2011, 09:47 AM
What you list is the empty weight. I don't know of anyone who hasn't added at least 500 or more pounds in cargo, not to mention propane, battery, hitch, etc.
actually here are the specs from the Keystone website:
Shipping weight 7751
Cargo capacity 2249 That's a total of 10,000 lbs
Hitch 900
Length 35'4"
Height 10'9"
That's a MIGHTY BIG trailer for any 1/2 ton truck regardless of manufacturer.
DTJ9610
11-04-2011, 06:39 AM
I had the luxury of jumping on a CAT scale on my trip down to Gettysburg from Buffalo. With food for the 5 days (family of 5) and all personal belongings (including bikes, blue tote, etc.) the whole rig weighed in at 15,200 (16k max).
Not saying I wouldn't upgrade to a bigger truck (saw a lovely used Chevy 3500 dually for $50k, It really was a thing a beauty), but for the funds I had at the time the Tundra is doing everything I need.
jq1031
11-04-2011, 07:38 AM
This is one subject that everyone has an opinion on. Sometimes it even gets a little heated as we all love our trucks, no matter what size, and one size definately does not fit all. I recently observed a new chevy dually pulling a pop up camper into a state park. To tell that guy he had the wrong tow vehicle most likely would have got a "mind your own business" responce. Here on this forum someone asks a question & if they don't like the responce, well, that goes with the territory. As the saying goes, if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Some of my posts have had negetive comebacks, but the things I've learned here from much of this diologue has enriched my knowledge of RV's, trucks & especially keeping safe on the highway. Knowledge is power, if I'm told something and don't pay any attention, at least I've been told. Keep up these spirited diologues as it's good for all of us!!:bdance::bdance:
JRTJH
11-04-2011, 08:03 AM
This is one subject that everyone has an opinion on. Sometimes it even gets a little heated as we all love our trucks, no matter what size, and one size definately does not fit all. I recently observed a new chevy dually pulling a pop up camper into a state park. To tell that guy he had the wrong tow vehicle most likely would have got a "mind your own business" responce. Here on this forum someone asks a question & if they don't like the responce, well, that goes with the territory. As the saying goes, if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Some of my posts have had negetive comebacks, but the things I've learned here from much of this diologue has enriched my knowledge of RV's, trucks & especially keeping safe on the highway. Knowledge is power, if I'm told something and don't pay any attention, at least I've been told. Keep up these spirited diologues as it's good for all of us!!:bdance::bdance:
Well said. While each of us probably thinks that "they are more correct"
(RIGHTER, in some areas of the country), There are many ways to "skin a cat" or if you're a feline lover, Many ways to scale a wall. We may never meet on the highway or in a campground, but if we do, I'd hope the "spirited conversation" from this website could be the focus of a friendship in bloom rather than the cause of an unhappy evening at the campground.
We've got one member who tows a rather large trailer (about the same size at the ones in this post) with a 3/4 ton Excursion. He related recently how his tail started wagging the dog and he ended the ordeal upside down with the trailer destroyed. When he got his replacement trailer, he started searching for a better hitch system to preclude the sway which caused his accident. I don't think any of us really believe we're capable enough to avoid all accident potential, but most of us put that fear of injury behind us as we barrel down the interstate with 7 to 15 tons of "stuff" in close formation. We usually think we're well prepared for whatever may happen and sometimes don't find out we're not until something awful occurs.
Dialogue here, as "spirited" as it may become (to use your words), if it helps prevent a family tragedy, are words worth saying. I welcome the conversations and, like you, no matter how "pointed" the conversation may become, if I learn something beneficial from it, then the outcome is good to digest, even if the message is "bitter to swallow"
pkemmerlin
11-04-2011, 09:16 AM
I was looking for advice not sarcasm and criticism. I want make the mistake of asking any more questions from this forum!
hankpage
11-04-2011, 09:42 AM
What you list is the empty weight. I don't know of anyone who hasn't added at least 500 or more pounds in cargo, not to mention propane, battery, hitch, etc.
actually here are the specs from the Keystone website:
Shipping weight 7751
Cargo capacity 2249 That's a total of 10,000 lbs
Hitch 900
Length 35'4"
Height 10'9"
That's a MIGHTY BIG trailer for any 1/2 ton truck regardless of manufacturer.
pkemmerlin wrote, I was looking for advice not sarcasm and criticism. I want make the mistake of asking any more questions from this forum!
pkemmerlin, As a moderator on this forum I am sorry that you feel this way. But I fail to see the sarcasm in any of the follow up posts made by our members. JRTJH went through the trouble of finding the specs for the trailer you had questions about and posted them to answer any questions you had about weights. I am hoping that if you reread these posts you will find that they offer advise from experience and not sarcasm. Hoping you remain an active member, Hank
JRTJH
11-04-2011, 10:19 AM
I was looking for advice not sarcasm and criticism. I want make the mistake of asking any more questions from this forum!
pkemmerlin,
I did NOT intend to be sarcastic toward you and none of my comments were intended to belittle you or cause you any grief. In fact, the comments I made come from 40+ years of RVing when I said that a 10,000 lb trailer is too big for ANY 1/2 ton truck. I speak from experience when I say that. I tow with a 1/2 ton truck, a Ford, and I'd never attempt a bumper pull trailer of that size, even behind a 3/4 ton truck, but would opt for a 1 ton dually with a bumper pull that big. You see, I owned a 34' Holdiay Rambler that had a GVW of 10,000 lbs and I towed it with a 99 Ford Superduty 3/4 ton diesel. That trailer swayed at "whim" and at times uncontrollably above 60MPH. I added a second sway control device, no help, then went to a sway control hitch, still in some conditions, the trailer controlled the truck rather than the other way around. I can say that my 3/4 ton superduty pulled that trailer extremely well under normal conditions, but I'd also tell you that it was no match for a trailer that big when things got out of control. I feel confident to say I would have destroyed the rig and/or injured myself and my family if I'd have been towing with a smaller, lighter truck. Of course, my 1/2 ton truck has more horsepower and nearly as much torque as that 99 superduty and more HP/torque than my 93 F250 deisel. It's not a question of whether today's 1/2 truck has the "guts" to pull a trailer that big down the highway, its simply a question of whether it has the weight/suspension to control it going down the highway. I venture to say that nearly everyone on this forum will tell you that a 10K trailer is too big for a 1/2 ton truck. If you notice, in my signature, I've owned pretty near every type of RV from trailers, campers, pop-ups, fifth wheels, motorhomes, and I've learned something about each of them. When I read comments from members on this forum (and other forums) I try to look past their "phrasing" of a concept and look at what they are trying to convey with the idea they are presenting. I'd urge you to look at what I've tried to convey to you with regard to any 1/2 ton truck and a 5 ton trailer.
I do believe that leemedic, who tows with a 3/4 ton Excursion diesel will verify that when he got into a sway situation with his rig, the trailer controlled the truck and nothing he did could have "saved the situation" His 3/4 weighs much more than your 1/2 ton, but the extra weight was no match for 5 tons of out of control trailer. All the comments presented to you, however you may choose to view them, come from experience at having done what you propose in your quesitons. When we say it's not a good idea, it's not sarcasm, it's advice.
If you think I've been "sarcastic" then I apologize to you, but, if my words, however you receive them, cause you to be more critical with regard to your tow vehicle/RV combination, and that criticality on your part causes you to rethink your decision, then, as jq1031 said, you may have learned something from the "spirited conversation" and that may help protect you and your family from an unnecessary incident on the highway.
I urge you to look past the perception of sarcasm and realize that nobody here intends to belittle you in any way, rather we all, however we might come across, want to answer the questions you present honestly and with our personal experiences as a basis for the views we present to you. We do this in order to help you make the right decisions so you enjoy RV'ing as much as we all enjoy it. Safely, wisely and completley. :thumbsup:
pkemmerlin
11-04-2011, 10:28 AM
I have made the decision to store the camper at the campground instead of pulling it. Thanks for all the help.
dksd39
11-04-2011, 10:48 AM
as a current 07 Tundra owner and someone that has towed using 250 and 350 trucks I can say this from experience....the Tundra will do as well as ANY truck under good conditions and will have no problem towing at and over its rating (I do it all the time). Like many here have mentioned the issue arises when conditions are bad...that said when conditions get bad even the largest most expensive TV might be equally destroyed but it will of course offers the driver a much larger opportunity of control. Franky I trust my Tundra and push it far harder than most would feel prudent but thats me...after 95k flawless miles most of it towing I expect it to continue just as it has for another 95k :)
Exsailor
11-04-2011, 12:04 PM
Ahhhh, there is nothing better that getting a bunch of guys stirred up talking about their trucks!
jq1031
11-04-2011, 12:07 PM
ahhhh, there is nothing better that getting a bunch of guys stirred up talking about their trucks!
lol........................
DTJ9610
11-04-2011, 12:35 PM
All this truck talk is making me miss my little 2dr Acura. That was a fun little speed deamon... :cool3:
However I don't miss the minivan that I upgrade to the Tundra from..
dksd39
11-04-2011, 12:37 PM
All this truck talk is making me miss my little 2dr Acura. That was a fun little speed deamon... :cool3:
However I don't miss the minivan that I upgrade to the Tundra from..
LOL...I sure miss my TDI VW :)
flybouy
11-04-2011, 02:08 PM
Speaking as a 1/2 ton owner towing a 303 TG ....
Am I unsafe? - towing at reasonable speeds ie. <65, not carriying 1/2 ton of firewood and beer in the bed, and using a good sway control I don't think so.
I have towed it up 12% grades without issue and down 12% grades without issue. I've seen posts about braking issues with this set up - I have to ask, doesn't your trailer have brakes? If you are depending on your TV to stop your rig you are dangerous to everyone.
I have been towing boats, campers, and utility trailers for 30 years and IMHO the experienced, well prepared driver will come out ahead of the guy who thinks the bigger/higher performance vehichle will gain them an advantage every time.
Personaly, I tow with the 1/2 ton because I don't want to have to wear a kidney belt the 99.9% of the time I use the truck as I am not a full timer but rather a week end warrior camper.
While the 3/4+ ton rigs are passing me at 80 mph and laughing at me going 60, I say a prayer for them that they don't have a tire failure or some other need to stop or change lanes quickly. I've seen many a 3/4 or 1 ton TV rig in a pile from overspeed just as I see many a 4 WD vehichle in the ditch in snow storms. Over confidence in the vehichles ability to overcome the driver's lack of experience or common sense will often end in disaster.
These are just my honest observations; I left the testosterone exhibiting in my past when I stopped volunteering to be the poster child for traffic court.
therink
11-04-2011, 02:16 PM
I'm not trying to be rude but just a ?. How did you come up with 10,000 pounds? I just hope we didn't miss something.
Specs for Model 321RES
Weight:
7565(lb)
Is that gvwr?
therink
11-04-2011, 02:18 PM
What you list is the empty weight. I don't know of anyone who hasn't added at least 500 or more pounds in cargo, not to mention propane, battery, hitch, etc.
actually here are the specs from the Keystone website:
Shipping weight 7751
Cargo capacity 2249 That's a total of 10,000 lbs
Hitch 900
Length 35'4"
Height 10'9"
That's a MIGHTY BIG trailer for any 1/2 ton truck regardless of manufacturer.
I will second this.
hankpage
11-04-2011, 03:35 PM
Over confidence in the vehichles ability to overcome the driver's lack of experience or common sense will often end in disaster.
I agree 100%. But you also have to agree that exceeding manufacturer's limits whether with a ½, ¾, or 1 ton TV will also often end in disaster and that particular trailer (which has a gross weight 1000 lbs more than yours) is most likely going to exceed the safety limits of the truck.
jq1031
11-04-2011, 04:43 PM
Us guys love our sports teams (Buffalo Bills & Sabres for me), we love our families, & we love our trucks. We don't like to be told that what we like is not right. Lets put this whole post behind us, learn from it & move on, enjoy our RV life style and be a smarter guy from this exchanged experience. Carolyn & I are leaving next Tuesday AM for a week going to Grayton Beach State Park (Florida Pan Handle) & while on the road my focus will be on tow vehicles & what they are pulling. Like you, I want to know as much as I can about my truck & what it's pulling & how it's reacting along the way.....AMEN TO THIS !!!:yawn:
Flyguy
11-06-2011, 08:15 AM
Why is it some many people are quick to put down the Tundra for Towing? We have a 2008 Keystone Hornet 30 FKS and it pulls it like a dream! We even have pulled a trailer with a golf cart behind it. Before anyone says anything we have since learned that will void the warranty on the camper so we will no longer be doing that. But again the Tundra had no problems pulling it. We have ordered the Cougar HC 321 RES and I keep hearing the Tundra is going to struggle. The HC is only 600 pound heavier. Why?
The Tundra can do more than any one who has never owned and towed with one would give it credit for. As a rule I like to stay within 80% of the Tundra's max tow capability and for the crew-max that would be about 8400lbs, it is rated for 10400lbs max. Your trailer has an empty weight of 7751 according to Keystone. I figure that you will load 1100lbs into the trailer (battery, LP, kitchen stuff, tools, etc. etc.) so that will bring you to about 8851lbs as a tow weight keep the holding tanks empty when towing and your Tundra will do it OK. Just make sure that your GCVWR of 16000lbs is not exceeded (that's total of Tundra and trailer weight). The Crew-Max gross weight is 7000lbs; if you load it to 7000lbs then all you have left for the trailer is 9000lbs. You'll be OK but you’re at about the max. You won't like the mileage though, figure on about 8 to 10 mpg's and anything more is a plus. I tow a FW now but did tow a Passport before, I tow in S-5 with the tow/haul switch on and when I hit the hills I drop it down to S-4. The Tundra's brakes are massive and are more like 3/4 ton then 1/2 ton so you won't have any trouble stopping that load make sure that your trailer's brakes are working and adjusted properly. Gear down when going down a mountain and you will be surprised at how little braking you will need, the Tundra's engine and tranny do a great job in controlling speed and speaking of which you should not tow any faster than 55 or 60 mph for safety and best mileage. When you go to gas up make sure that you take the gas pump on the end so as to have an easier time getting in and out and give yourself a wide berth when making turns. I came pretty close to hitting the trailer a couple of times and have learned. That's a long trailer (35 plus feet) so be careful. For this trailer with the Tundra I would buy a Hensley Arrow or the Pro-Pride 3P WDH, and one with a 1200lb rating (1000 as an alternate), you will need it with the wind side load on that trailer and that 900lb tongue weight. Good luck, happy camping and tow safe.
JimEli
11-06-2011, 07:31 PM
Let's take this beyond the "my Dad is bigger than your Dad" level. How about some facts.
Why is a ¾ ton always better than a ½ ton?
How is the maximum tow rating derived?
What are the critical issues when towing? Aerodyamics? Horse power? Torque? Wheel base? GVW? Tow rating?
Please back up your answers with verifiable information.
therink
11-06-2011, 07:49 PM
I've owned late model 1/2, 3/4 and 1 tons, with my latest in my sig. For starters, much more rigid heavier frame, heavier drive line, tranny, engine, radiator, oil and tranny coolers, larger brakes, heavier suspension/springs, Load Range E tires to name a few. All provide a tougher, more durable, more stable and safer platform for towing.
If you look at payload ratings between the three, there are large differences. Many 1/2 tons boast large tow ratings, but don't have the payload abilities to back them up.
Steve
Festus2
11-06-2011, 08:03 PM
Gentlemen:
Perhaps it is time to start a new thread as we now seem to be heading off in a new direction. DTJ9610, the original poster, submitted a post which indicated that he is pleased with the way his 2008 Tundra tows his 2011 Laredo 303TG. Since then, we have had numerous replies and responses - and some "spirited" discussions about towing with a 1/2 ton verses towing with a 3/4 ton tow vehicle.
What about a thread about the advantages and disadvantages of towing with a 1/2 T and with a 3/4 T? Obviously, there is a place for both in the towing world.
Would anyone care to start a new thread using the above or some other suitable title??
pkemmerlin
11-08-2011, 09:55 AM
Thank you Flyguy for all your help!
The Tundra can do more than any one who has never owned and towed with one would give it credit for. As a rule I like to stay within 80% of the Tundra's max tow capability and for the crew-max that would be about 8400lbs, it is rated for 10400lbs max. Your trailer has an empty weight of 7751 according to Keystone. I figure that you will load 1100lbs into the trailer (battery, LP, kitchen stuff, tools, etc. etc.) so that will bring you to about 8851lbs as a tow weight keep the holding tanks empty when towing and your Tundra will do it OK. Just make sure that your GCVWR of 16000lbs is not exceeded (that's total of Tundra and trailer weight). The Crew-Max gross weight is 7000lbs; if you load it to 7000lbs then all you have left for the trailer is 9000lbs. You'll be OK but you’re at about the max. You won't like the mileage though, figure on about 8 to 10 mpg's and anything more is a plus. I tow a FW now but did tow a Passport before, I tow in S-5 with the tow/haul switch on and when I hit the hills I drop it down to S-4. The Tundra's brakes are massive and are more like 3/4 ton then 1/2 ton so you won't have any trouble stopping that load make sure that your trailer's brakes are working and adjusted properly. Gear down when going down a mountain and you will be surprised at how little braking you will need, the Tundra's engine and tranny do a great job in controlling speed and speaking of which you should not tow any faster than 55 or 60 mph for safety and best mileage. When you go to gas up make sure that you take the gas pump on the end so as to have an easier time getting in and out and give yourself a wide berth when making turns. I came pretty close to hitting the trailer a couple of times and have learned. That's a long trailer (35 plus feet) so be careful. For this trailer with the Tundra I would buy a Hensley Arrow or the Pro-Pride 3P WDH, and one with a 1200lb rating (1000 as an alternate), you will need it with the wind side load on that trailer and that 900lb tongue weight. Good luck, happy camping and tow safe.
Flyguy
11-08-2011, 04:33 PM
PKEMMERLIN just so you know that you are not alone here are some pics of other Tundra owners pulling FW's;
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/1.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/10.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/11.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/12.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/2.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/3.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/4.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/5.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/6.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/7.jpg
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/8.JPG
http://www.eaa1358.com/Tundra/9.jpg
I would say that your Tundra could tow your trailer as per my last post.
vBulletin® v3.8.9, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.