1794 realistic towing

I have a 2021 1794 and I’m curious what I can safely tow.

We currently tow a 2900lb rpod 190. Very easy to tow. Looking to upgrade though. Want some bunks, more seating and a dedicated “bedroom”.

we are looking at the grand design Imagine/transcend. Here’s the trailer weights for these (GVWR/UVW/hitch weight).

-transcend 261bh 7695/6078/618

-transcend 265bh 7995/6327/658

-imagine 2800BH 7995/6384/604

are these too much for a 1794? On paper the tundra should do it. But The hitch weight seems low, for what it will realistically end up being. Usually hitch weight is 10-15% of the GVWR of the rv.

Any higher than 700 hitch or so, and I’m maxing my payload of 1185 with 2 adults and 2 dogs. Throw the future kids in there and no way.

what can I really even tow in the approx 26’ rv trailer range with this tundra? Doesn’t seem like a lot…

 

Tundra's and most modern trucks are very limited by the payload capacity, even my Ram 2500 Cummins has a low payload IMO

The Tundra will tow all of those options just be mindful of stopping when your approaching the max GVWR

 

I have a Grand Design Imagine 2500RL. With a properly setup weight distribution hitch and the trailer loaded you will probably be 900+ pounds. Mine is setup correctly and is 963 on the hitch.

Remember, those weight listed are completely dry. By the time you add in 1,000 pounds of cargo, 2 30lb. Propane tanks, battery, and a hitch of 100 pounds you are up around 1,000 pounds.

My bone stock Platinum weighed 6,440 pounds with me in it. I only had 760 pounds of payload. I was 200 pounds over before bringing the wife and 2 kids.

With Grand designs, I would bank on closer to 15% tongue weight as they are a little heftier that others and seem to be a little nose heavy.

Not saying it can not be done, but if you plan on loading luggage, generators, the family it is going to be really really tough to come close to meeting the 7,200 payload of the truck unfortunately.....

 

I mean it’s looking like it cannot be done. I’m even looking at 5000 dry, which GVWR is around 7000, and the tongue would be about 850. That doesn't leave any room at all for the WDH, me my wife and dogs.

now I’m curious, what can I really even tow over 22’?

 

You came to the exact same conclusion as me. 100 pounds of camping goodies in the bed. Wife of 140 pounds, 2 kids that weighs combined 150 pounds. That is 390 pounds right there. That only leaves me about 300 pounds of hitch weight.

Before buying I weighed about 3 trailers from my co workers. All were 24 to 26 feet and I was over. Only thing I could tow was a smaller roof like yours.......

All this is only talking "legally". Not saying the Tundra can not pull it. It will pull it better than any other 1/2 ton out there due to its weight.


With PRICES being crazy in the used market, I hate to admit it, but I had a decision to make. We really wanted a travel trailer and made the decision to move into a 3/4 ton domestic. I have a 2500 HD now and with me in the truck have a legit 3,350 of payload and max towing does not even come to play.

Next year we want to take it and park it in a beach spot in Florida.

 

It really sucks I just bought this a few months ago and we love the interior. I’ve been a Toyota guy all my life. But we may be looking at upgrading. Not sure though. What price did you pay if you don’t mind sharing. KBB says my 1794 is worth 60k about.

I always see people getting domestic trucks for less than msrp. Is that doable? What about with leather and all the bells and whistles? The gmc Chevy and Ford sites are soooo confusing with all the packages.

 

Even domestics are getting pretty tight. I made the move this past November. This was right when prices were really starting to jump up. I sold my 19 Platinum with 51k mikes for $44k.

At that time, the 21's were just starting to come out and dealers were low on inventory due to model change. I ended up with a Chevy 2500 HD in LT trim. Mine had all star package, convenience II package, leather upgrade package. Sticker was $56k, I paid $48k for the truck. This is gas btw.

Even in November, there were only 3 black LT trims within 350 miles. I had to drive a little but it was worth it. The new GM HD's are really really thin right now.

 

BTW, we have had nothing but Toyota's forever. We just did not want to wait until 2022 or 2023 until new model came out. No guarantees it gets bump in payloads.

 

Tundra is pulling champion. Weight distribution hitch and spend couple bucks on airbags or sumosprings will do. I’m regularly pulling 10K plus for years. No issues at all.

 

I have no doubt the tundra can pull a big trailer. But I’m more worried about liability if I were to get In an accident and injure/kill someone. If you are over the payload/towing capacity you can really get nailed in court and see some
Harsh penalties.

 

So now I got a salesman telling me of a 650 hitch trailer, with a WDH, the tundra will only see 400. It distributes the rest back to the rv. How true is this? Seems sketchy…

 

Jealous of your payload capacity!

 

Just be sure to know too that 2019+ Tundras changed their transmission cooler design. Lots of threads and spirited debates on this topic - but if you do tow, might want to look into upgrading your transmission cooler.

 

One of the biggest reasons why I made the switch to the Ram 2500 is liability. If you ever were to get into an accident and it's been determined that you were at fault and the other party hires an attorney your insurance carrier will pony up some big money. I will tell you this towing with my RAM is a night and day difference. When I towed with the Tundra I always felt even the slightest wind and the front end would bounce quite a bit after the smallest bump on the road. I ended up going with a gasser to benefit from the extra payload as I don't plan on getting anything bigger than the camper I already own. Good luck with your decision

 

I couldn't agree more. I did the same with my F150. According to manual that truck should have towed my trailer fine. Thousands later in custom tuning and regearing the truck still felt like I was being throw around by the trailer. Buying a 65k diesel fixed that problem. SMH

 

Pardon me, yinz two. I believe @Piki just said, and I quote, "Tundra is pulling champion."




*disclaimer: Tundra is pulling champion only when equipped with aux trans cooler with greater than 3 square miles surface area.

 

That looks like a pretty big trailer for a halfton. No wonder you had issues with the Tundra.

 

Heck yeah it is 33ft to be exact. I was right at my payload limit maybe 20 lbs or so above. I wasn't able to put even a pair of shoes in the bed. Not anymore though the Ram has almost 3k in payload and almost 15k in towing capacity. I'm so happy I made the change not gonna lie though I was bummed when I let the Tundra go but can't look back now

 

Here is my old truck and trailer. All under payload and max towing capacity. That trailer told my truck who was boss. LOL

 

That's a big a$$ trailer poor F150 what are you towing with now?

 

Yes it was. I upgraded to an F250 for 5 years then sold both the truck and trailer back in December for the Tundra. Still undecided if I am getting a new trailer. Life got crazy the past few years and I wasn't using the trailer enough to justify the upkeep and payment.

 

I hear you life can get crazy

 

No it wasn't, I never even attempted to tow the trailer with the ATV's in it.

 

A couple of weekends ago we were on I10 headed west, and passed a guy in a Tundra towing a trailer that looked to be around 30'. We were behind a semi, and the poor guy in that Tundra was not having fun. Actually, he wound up half on the shoulder trying to keep it together from the turbulence as the semi went by. Wind will affect most anyone towing a trailer, but it looked like his hands were full compared to other truck/campers we saw traveling that day.

We thought we might get a trailer, so been reading up on them for a while now. I came to the decision 1) Have to get rid of the Tundra to get any of the trailers we like, and 2) when considering the cost of trailer + 3/4 ton truck to pull it + gas + site rent, one can spend a lot of nights in really nice B&B's and never have to clean the bathroom or wash the bedding. We decided to keep my Tundra, and bought land which we plan to build a future home on once we retire.

Whatever you choose, be safe out there.

 

Staying in a hotel defeats the purpose of camping, though.

 

Very true, it's nowhere near the same experience. Unless you're parked in one of those all gravel/concrete parks where 3 feet separates each trailer and the only green space is the dog park, then it kinda is. But at most state parks or if you venture to more remote destinations and/or private lands, hotels just can't compete.

We have a 3 room 14 man tent (for the 2 of us, lol ) we use on occasion when we wish to go camping.

 

Last Sept I sold my 2014 Platinum CM and bought an F250 Tremor 6.7 liter diesel. I wanted more cargo capacity and better mpgs and tons of torque and hp. I have (7) camping trips in so far with our Oliver Legacy Elite 2 and have no complaints. I could probably pull (3) of these TT with the Tremor.
Our Tundra was a very capable tow vehicle with the Andersen weight distribution hitch. Unfortunately poor fuel mileage and lack of cargo capacity required a bump up to the F250 Tremor.
Will I see the reliability of the Tundra?…honestly the jury is still out. Yes the diesel is a beast but more expensive to maintain and own, which I knew this going in. For long haul trips towing a travel trailer this how I am rolling now. And no weight distribution hitch needed is a real plus. OP good luck with your decision. If Toyota ever builds a 3/4 ton truck I will be ordering one, unfortunately I don’t see that ever happening. Buy what fits your needs.
Happy Camping!