Returned my Tundra

[longwillyourun]

Disclaimer: Complete newb here, as will be evident in this long post. Recently purchased a Springdale 295BH (7k dry), 33' with WDH and thought a 2020 Tundra SR5 package I bought from Carvana was going to be fine without doing the proper payload capacity math. Went through the walkthrough hitched up at the dealer and drove off, no questions or concerns raised from the dealership. Drove it home empty, and felt fine, but realized that wasn't a real scenario. Called them back and they still thought I'd be fine for the 4-5 trips we do within 100-200mi of our house each year since many customers drive off with 1/2 ton trucks with trailers that size. (I think they didn't want to tell me to return my tow vehicle, or were afraid of me wanting to downsize the trailer..)

After reading a few threads on this site, I looked at the Tundra's payload capacity sticker and was shocked it was 1,270 since I was reading higher numbers online. After doing the math I got worried and returned the Tundra within the 7day return period and shelled out the cash for a Sierra 2500HD which will be swapped out in a couple weeks. I was considering a 1500 with max trailer package, but I was reading that for a 33' trailer you're better off with a 3/4 ton.

Pretty sure we are going to feel much safer out there, and wanted to thank folks for all the info here. But at the same time it is pretty scary there are so many overloaded trucks out there and that the advice at the rv dealerships isn't the best...

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by longwillyourun

Disclaimer: Complete newb here, as will be evident in this long post. Recently purchased a Springdale 295BH (7k dry), 33' with WDH and thought a 2020 Tundra SR5 package I bought from Carvana was going to be fine without doing the proper payload capacity math. Went through the walkthrough hitched up at the dealer and drove off, no questions or concerns raised from the dealership. Drove it home empty, and felt fine, but realized that wasn't a real scenario. Called them back and they still thought I'd be fine for the 4-5 trips we do within 100-200mi of our house each year since many customers drive off with 1/2 ton trucks with trailers that size. (I think they didn't want to tell me to return my tow vehicle, or were afraid of me wanting to downsize the trailer..)

After reading a few threads on this site, I looked at the Tundra's payload capacity sticker and was shocked it was 1,270 since I was reading higher numbers online. After doing the math I got worried and returned the Tundra within the 7day return period and shelled out the cash for a Sierra 2500HD which will be swapped out in a couple weeks. I was considering a 1500 with max trailer package, but I was reading that for a 33' trailer you're better off with a 3/4 ton.

Pretty sure we are going to feel much safer out there, and wanted to thank folks for all the info here. But at the same time it is pretty scary there are so many overloaded trucks out there and that the advice at the rv dealerships isn't the best...

Good for you….most people don’t get a “do over” … good thinking!

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Good on you for checking and fixing it. You are right, there are lots of overloaded people out there.

[sourdough]

Jon GOOD ON YOU my friend! I am so glad you did your due diligence and gave it real thought. IMO it's the reason we post those things about weight considerations (weight police) which are many times maligned.

I can assure you, without doubt, that the new HD truck will make a complete difference in your towing experience, confidence and that guy that's always in your head asking you if you have made a good decision. BTDT Wishing you happy travels and let us know how it goes.

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard! And good call of the truck swap. No doubt at all that you will tow much more safely with the 3/4 ton. You'll enjoy the drive a lot better.

[flybouy]

You made the right decision both for safety and comfort. When you get that replacement truck vheck the hitch settings and get it dialed in. Then circle back and give us your input on differences and if it meets your expectations.

[dutchmensport]

Welcome to the forums, and yes.... you did the right thing.

[longwillyourun]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I think fully loaded I may have been 500lbs over payload capacity and with the extra length in the wind would have been sketchy. Definitely consider myself luck to get that do over--really lucked out. Pretty excited to get out there and have some fun while minimizing my stress.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by longwillyourun

Thanks for the warm welcome! I think fully loaded I may have been 500lbs over payload capacity and with the extra length in the wind would have been sketchy. Definitely consider myself luck to get that do over--really lucked out. Pretty excited to get out there and have some fun while minimizing my stress.

Yes, IMO you are very lucky to have been able to move to the larger truck. One thing you would have had to deal with that hasn't been mentioned - brakes.

A big trailer on a too small truck can be a LOAD to try to bring down. You can feel it and try to take it into account as you travel, BUT, sometime you can't control what's about to happen. My wake up call (among others) was on Mobile Bay bridge when the lady in front of me (large following distance) decided to shut it down hard because she saw taillights far in the distance. I had the truck in full brake mode (good, adjusted brakes) but that trailer just kept pushing the truck. Ended up about a foot off her bumper and a foot from the guard rail looking into the bay. Not a moment I wanted to repeat so have taken multiple steps to hopefully prevent a recurrence including a bigger truck.

[Ken / Claudia]

Good job, lucky it worked out.
I purchased a 93 f150 and before the deal was done I asked salesman if it would carry a side in truck camper, "Oh yes, no problem".
So, I waited months to think about buying a camper and than looked up what it could carry or payload. Manual was really clear the F150 was not designed to carry a side in bed truck camper.
Those types of mistakes do happen when buying a vehicle. For me once was enough.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Good job, lucky it worked out.
I purchased a 93 f150 and before the deal was done I asked salesman if it would carry a side in truck camper, "Oh yes, no problem".
So, I waited months to think about buying a camper and than looked up what it could carry or payload. Manual was really clear the F150 was not designed to carry a side in bed truck camper.
Those types of mistakes do happen when buying a vehicle. For me once was enough.

Looks like an F150 would be no problem for a slide camper!
No step needed to enter!!!!

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Good job, lucky it worked out.
I purchased a 93 f150 and before the deal was done I asked salesman if it would carry a side in truck camper, "Oh yes, no problem".
So, I waited months to think about buying a camper and than looked up what it could carry or payload. Manual was really clear the F150 was not designed to carry a side in bed truck camper.
Those types of mistakes do happen when buying a vehicle. For me once was enough.

Attachment 34659

Attachment 34660
Looks like an F150 would be no problem for a slide camper! Especially withe the Ecoboost.
No step needed to enter!!!!

[SandyBurg]

Welcome! Congrats on both the camper and truck. As I have said before you can never have too much truck. It's always better to have more than you need. We started out with a one-ton and have upgraded to our current third fiver. We never had to worry if we had "enough" truck. You will be happy you have it. Especially when you start to take longer trips and adding in hills/mountains. Good luck. Just watch your tires on the trailer. They are the weak link.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Attachment 34659

Attachment 34660
Looks like an F150 would be no problem for a slide camper!
No step needed to enter!!!!

That's the new "Flexi-frame" for slide in campers. As earlier poster said makes getting in the camper a lot easier and look at all the money saved on steps.

[rwreuter]

You led of with what I believe is the problem in the majority of the RV industry.....the dry weight of the camper is..........

Dry weight is not the real situation, what is going to happen in real life while heading to and from a campsite.

Legislation should be passed that dealers are required to advertise/sell based on GCWR. Too many people who know little about towing take that dry weight hook line and sinker and are putting their family and other people at risk when towing beyond the legal capability of their vehicle.