1st gen Tundra/ travel trailer combo

I thought I would post the setup I ended up getting. After lots of research I ended up getting a Coachmen Apex Nano 208bhs. It checked all our boxes (bunk beds, dual axle, pop out, walk around queen Murphy bed)
I was definitely concerned with weight so I went with the lightest trailer that had everything I want. Just got back from our first trip and it went awesome. Tundra did great.
The trailer is 25 ft long total. It’s weight is listed as 3,950 before add ons. When I took delivery it came with dual propane tanks, solar and some extras. They actually added all that in for an empty weight of 4,209.
I’ve been prepping for a while so before I got the trailer I did the timing belt, water pump, new radiator and hoses, new brake master cylinder and new front brakes. I also put on Rancho 9,000 adjustable shocks in the rear. Those make a huge difference. I turn them all the way up when towing and it really stops the bouncing. I use an Andersen WHD and with 3 turns on the chains (you can go up to 4) I have a 3/4” drop at the rear wheel well. (Still a small amount of rake/ level)
I have a teconsha P3 brake controller and the braking is awesome. It actually stops better than the single axle 3,000 trailer I used to tow (less weight per axle, so more braking)
Going down the road it was very stable. Even side winds, semi trucks passing me and rough roads I could just one hand it with no sway. When a semi would pass I would get pulled toward it just a little but no swaying at all. I also only drove 60mph and even slower when needed. O/D off the whole time. On the hills I could always keep 50-60. The truck had to work for it but I was never wide open.
My truck does suffer from the soft pedal on the first pump. After changing the master cylinder it got a little better. I looked at my rear brakes and they look in good shape and clean, but I realized my parking brake was not adjusting them. (Threads are probably gummed up on the part that spins) so until I do a rear brake job, I simply jack up the rear. Then click the adjuster until the rears start to bite while spinning by hand. WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!!! Only takes 5 minutes and the pedal is firm and parking brake holds on any hill. Anyone suffering from soft pedal on the first push should try this. I think our trucks can handle this size trailer no problem as long as you have reasonable expectations. Don’t expect to go fast, make sure everything is working properly (especially brakes) and have a good WDH and make sure you are not over gross.

 

Nice setup. It looks like you have it pretty dialed in. Have you been to a CAT scale and do you plan to?

Have you checked your tongue weight?

 

Beautiful!

 

I do plan on doing the scale method next time I get the trailer out. Based on the squat my truck has when the trailer is on but no tension on the WDH chains I am guessing 450-500 pounds. I also only tow with 5-10 gallons of fresh water in it.

 

Ever figure out what your tongue weight is??

Also how do you guys like the camper? We’re looking to upgrade for a growing family to this model. Any dislikes?

gracias

 

I'm going to ask a potentially dumb question, but only because I've never heard this before.

Applying your parking break automatically adjusts down shoe contact with the drum? I'd never been told this, all these years I've been jacking up my truck and using a flathead to click the adjuster until the shoes start to make contact.

I rarely ever apply my parking brake, this would totally give me a reason to.

 

Yes, if everything is in working order. If some of the components are rusted/seized then it wont work the way it should. FWIW, I also do it manually for a better feel of proper adjustment.

 

I can't believe I went all my decades without knowing this. It seems like one of those facts that would be common knowledge.

One of the first things I learned how to do on a vehicle was rebuild drums and change shoes. Mostly because my Dad hated doing it. I need to yell at him about this.

Thankfully my truck is low mile and never been in the rust belt, so I'm hoping all is working well. I'm going to give this a shot next time I adjust the drums.

 

I used to adjust drum brakes by driving backwards briskly while repeatedly stomping on the brake pedal!

Don't forget to take up the slack in the parking brake cable and adjust the bell crank gaps, after that you'll have a firm parking brake.

 

Nice set up I will run mine over the scales in October when I go out as I'm curious on weight.
I had also planned on the rancho 9000 for the rear. Glad they're working out.

 

The most common problem is that the Bell Cranks seize, especially if you don't use the parking brake. Another finicky Toyota-ism. They're easy to replace.

 

I haven’t had time to weigh the tongue. But being mindful of how I load it and only putting 10 gallons of Water In it I am not overly concerned. Before I tighten the chains on my WDH hitch it still has plenty of room before the bump stops and after I tighten them it sits level. Still tows great and is really stable with the Andersen WDH and the Rancho 9000’s

As far as the trailer goes we love it. Seems to be pretty well thought out and built. The “bbq” that comes with it is trash but I just got a two burner cooktop to go in its place and use my simple gas Webber for my bbq. Overall I am really happy with the purchase and would buy it again. Check out forest river forums. They have an apex nano forum with some good info. If you do buy one I would not get the off road package. I almost got it but I’m glad I didn’t. These trailers are already pretty high and have lots of ground clearance. I Already have to run my hitch slightly raised. But I would get the off grid package. The vent fan, dual propane and solar panels are really nice.

Side note, looking at your profile pic, are you a SEAT pilot?

 

Sweet thanks for the info on the camper.

I wish I was a SEAT pilot but I’m not that cool…I took that pic on a drop last year. I’m just a little engine guy.

 

Oh awesome. I’m a heli-tanker pilot. Let me tell you we have nothing but respect for all you guys on the ground. We just try and help you out as best we can. Stay safe out there!

 

I appreciate the detail in your post. I am renting a smaller rig than what you have pictured in a few weeks and your confidence in your truck sets me even more at ease since this will be the first tow with my "new-to-me" truck. By the way, my 2005 appears to have the same specs and color. How long have you had your truck? Its very clean looking. I purchased my grey DC SR5 2WD with the aftermarket rims and later changed them with a set of OEM rims that I found locally on Craigslist.

 

New OEM wheels look a hell of a lot better, frankly. Nice truck.

 

I'm with you on that!

 

I’ve had mine for about 2 years. Mostly been going through and making sure all the brakes and maintenance have been squared away so I’m not stuck on the side of the road. Really enjoy the truck. Those stock wheels look much better on yours!

With a trailer smaller than mine you should have no problem. Just make sure your brakes are good (I really recommend jacking up the rear and manually adjusting them) don’t use O/D, use a brake controller and a WDH hitch.

I think in the near future I’m going to add a bigger transmission cooler. Most of the time it’s all good but when I am on a steep, long grade that drops me into 3rd the torque converter will not lock and it definitely can get warm. When I do I’ll post a write up. Let us know how your trip goes!

 

Long story short, the rental of the 23' 2021 Forest River Ozark 1680 BSK fell through the Monday before the planned pickup on Saturday. I scrambled and found a 25' 2019 Palomino Puma that was available. On paper, the rig was within the capabilities of the truck. After pickup with an empty truck and camper, the total weight on the Cat Scale was 10,140 lbs. I made one link adjustment on the spring bars on the weight distributing hitch which shifted about 100 lbs. to both the front axle and the tandems on the trailer after reweighing. After loading up with family, bikes, and all the needed essentials; the total weight was 10,980 lbs. I pulled the camper about 60 miles from the house on flat roads and was able to hold 65 comfortably. I was pleased with how "planted" the truck felt and maybe some of that credit is due the trailer. It followed right in line without any evidence of sway. The only thing I would do differently is not pull with the cruise control. When riding at 65 mph (~2,900 rpms), the cruise would kick the transmission down into 3rd which raised the rpms to just under 4,000 when climbing a slight grade. I stopped using the cruise from the point forward. Sometimes the truck would drop down to 60 mph up a slight grade while staying in 4th gear. I simply eased into the accelerator and I was happy holding a small grade at 60 mph without downshifting into 3rd. In my opinion, this truck is as capable as any half-ton of the mid-2000s and is just fine for my family's needs and the terrain. I know that I do not have a mountain climbing trailer pulling monstrosity, but I couldn't be happier with how secure the truck felt with my wife and kids, a full bed, and a well stocked camper.

 

Don't tow heavy loads in OD. Hard on the trans. Prevents torque converter lockup, which increases trans fluid heat. Also creates lots of unnecessary downshifts. And yes the cruise control sucks. Sucks more when towing. Tow with OD "off". Rough equivalent of Tow/Haul mode in newer trucks. Also towing at 65mph is a stretch for a half ton (or a 7/8 half ton) for a 5000# plus travel trailer. The brakes on these trucks are not great. Speed is the enemy of safety when towing.

 

+1 on what @KNABORES said.

And FYI, if you execute the shift from 4th to 3rd manually (by pressing the OD Off button), the torque converter remains locked in 3rd. If the transmission executes the 4th to 3rd shift automatically, the torque converter unlocks. So don't be bashful about using the OD Off button. When I tow my camper, I'm constantly using it as I transition from downhill/flat terrain to an upcoming incline.

 

I should have advised that my 2005 has the 5-speed transmission. Referencing 4th gear was misleading. I should have said that I was driving with the O/D off.

 

I’m not sure if what I said above applies to the later 5 speed tranny, but I presume it does since it’s a very similar tranny... but it’s total speculation on my part. Maybe someone else with a later model truck will chime in.

 

It's right there in your profile, I missed it! One of the additions I'm going to add to my next tow rig is the rear anti-sway bar. Think it will be a good addition to help with rear end stability when towing.

 

@Norcalyotaman pretty sure I saw you on 101 last week north SLO.

 

Wish that was me! Haven’t taken the trailer out for a bit. Next trip for me is to pull the trailer down to Disneyland in mid November. ProudTundran glad you had a good experience! Also glad I’m not the only one towing about the same trailer with similar results. Never know for sure if I might be full of S$&T or not. Everything sounds about right. Leave O/D off and take it easy. Slow down a bit on hills.
I finally pulled the trigger and bought a bigger transmission cooler yesterday. I went with the newer Hayden 699. Looks like overkill, doesn’t break the bank and has a thermostat so it won’t over cool the transmission. My transmission will get a little toasty when it has to drop to 3rd gear (it’s a 5 speed) and the torque converter is unlocked. I figure doing the bigger cooler before I go up the grapevine would be a good idea. I’ll post the install and results when I get it in.
Also when I have the chance I’ll do a write up on my ultra gauge setup. Had to change some codes but I got it to show trans pan temp, torque converter output temp, and whether or not the torque converter is locked.