Camper towing

2022 TRD OR pulling Imagine 2800BH 32’.

 

I tow a 8700 lb 29 foot North Trail with my 07 Tundra (5.7 motor with tow package). I put on Timbren springs to help out the squatting and it pulls fine. I would *NEVER* tow without a sway hitch.

 

question for people with a 22+, does your travel trailer have a back up camera, if so does it have a sperate screen?? sorry for the questions we are looking at buying one here in the next week or so

 

I think you're on to something. I wonder if he saw the pothole, swerved, overcorrected resulting in the crash. But as Marv would say...


https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/2ae6e41b-2cb0-4bfa-97e3-78bc40ba5044

 

Mine does not, but is prepped for a camera. If I were to install one, yes it is a separate screen. The camera transmits the video to the screen wirelessly.

I am not aware of any travel trailers that have cameras that can interface with the vehicle's built-in screen. They are all wireless systems with separate displays.

 

perfect thank you sir.

 

That's scary complete noob question but how do you even correct it when your trailer starts doing that? I'm guessing it's probably something to do with throttle and transferring the weight but willing to learn now than later.

 

The video spelled it out, but the short answer is you apply the trailer brakes manually via the brake controller on the dash without applying the truck's brakes. Doing so decelerates the trailer which pulls the ass end of the truck back in line.

 

The instinctual thing that happens is trying slowing down by hitting the brakes. It is better to grab the brake controller and slide it over to engage the trailer brakes like 4genRunner said. It is best to practice this while moving very slowly to make sure you know what the lever does and which way to slide it to engage the trailer brakes. I do this every time I connect the trailer to make sure the brakes are working.

 

Wow lots of Imagine 2800BH in here! I chickened out at the 2400BH for half ton towing… But, I also have some mountainous adventures planned and need to sneak into sites with 30’ max.

Absolutely love the Imagine though!

 

Here is my limited with my 34ft about 9200lb camper. Towed great

 

Sounds like a new motorsport category

https://youtu.be/kNTnrpL1Uw0

 

This is my 23-ft Flagstaff microlite; dry weight is 4,130 lbs. togue weight is 576 lbs. I use a WDH and sumo springs. The truck could tow much more but I think around 5000 lbs. is the sweet spot for these trucks. The 3rd gen may do a better job towing more weight but I'll defer to those that have experience to address that topic.

 

It's picking a trailer that the tow vehicle can handle in the worst case scenario. Pulling something out of the vehicle's limits because "the odds are in your favor" is still gambling.

 

never weighed whole set up. Never practiced slalom runs or anything. Only got minor sway with the hitch set up. But it has the bars for the hitch that does help a lot

 

What kind of gas mileage you get with that setup?

 

How do you find the Sumo Springs with your truck unloaded? Which colour of Sumo Springs do you have?

 

I tow with a 2012 regular cab short box with 22" Black Rhino wheels and low profile streets, and pull a 29' RV (34'9" overall) dry weight 7400 lbs. (always travel with 1/2 tank of fresh water because I often boondock). I use a load-levelling anti-sway device with two 1,500 lbs. torsion bars. In addition, I have a Subaru 3200 watt inverter in the box, firewood, equipment, etc. I've towed a lot of RVs over the years, including a 30' RV that I pulled for 7 years in Canada and the US with a 2003 4x4 Durango with the 4.7 L (lovely engine). With the Tundra in this configuration I've never felt that I was overloaded, whether on divided highways or county roads. Great truck.

 

We tow a Lance 2075 (GVWR 6200) with a 2023 Tundra Limited Hybrid connected with a ProPride 3P WDH. Smooth as can be.

 

Lance is a very nice RV, excellent materials and workmanship. And just the right size, too. Let me know if you ever come up Toronto, Canada way

 

When I'm towing I frequently practice locating and applying trailer brakes only so it gets ingrained as instinctual muscle memory.

It paid off on a return trip from Mammoth in my old '00 Tundra.

Calm clear day on the 395... open flat terrain coming into Ridgecrest, cruisin' along with one hand on the wheel and one on the center armrest...

It wasn't windy at all, and we got hit by a pretty violent microburst from my right that wiggled the fuck outta' me! I was very pleasantly surprised that my right hand immediately grabbed the wheel, and my left then went right to the trailer brake controller which was under the dash left of the wheel.

I grabbed trailer brakes only and (I think) I even stabbed the gas a little. (When in doubt, throttle out) We straightened out nicely and it was over in 2-3 seconds, and calm as can be again.

My wife had been reading and looked up and said "WTF was that?!"

Pretty scary, but also very comforting to know that all that practice let me instinctively do the right thing rather than just slamming on the brakes.

Now that I have the '19 with factory brake controller on the right side of the wheel I've had to un-learn and re-learn for the new location.

I strongly recommend practicing this for anyone who tows, so you can find trailer brakes without looking or thinking.

 

Absolutely fking right!! Make it become instinct! I straightened out a 30' Award I towed with a 2003 Durango, because one day it just suddenly got real wiggly from a side gust, I slid the brake controller lever along with some throttle (4.7L V8) and it pulled right in. Applying truck brakes would have led to a jackknife. Wise words, SD Surfer. Thanks for reminding all of us.

 

I was talking to a truck driver who does something similar when towing in the winter if he hits an icy patch.

 

A little brake on the back end, a little gas on the front end... It's like pulling on both ends of a squiggly rope, straightens it right out.

In theory my brain knew it... I was just glad that my body did it without needing my brain's help in the "Oh SHIT" moment when most of me really wanted to panic.

 

Oh, this was what the 8 days before that looked like.

 

Looks like an awesome trip...

Heading out your way next month for a few days, staying at Silver Strand to see some family:

 

Sweet looking setup!

That's not Silver Strand in the pic is it?

 

Neg, White Sands NM. One of a number of stops on the way home from picking it up 2 weeks ago in Austin.