2006 Tundra Travel Trailer Towing?

Hi, I'm the very proud owner of a 2006 Tundra TRD, Access Cab, V-8, 4WD, Tow Package Truck. My son bought it new and I bought it from him 3 years ago. It only has 130K miles on it, like new condition......Ford truck salesman tried to buy it from me for his son LOL! I've had a couple of guys knock on the door trying to buy it from me.
I have gone through it with all new belts, hoses, fluids, timing belt etc etc.
It has a 7,100Lb tow rating but typical low cargo capacity of 1,330Lbs. I am looking at a new Winnebago Micro Minnie 1800BH Travel Trailer. It's 22Ft long, 5,000Lb loaded so I'm close to 30% less of my truck's tow capacity. The tongue weight listed is 374Lbs but realistically I'm figuring 500Lbs.
The towing capacity is no problem but the cargo carry capacity might. I am planning on a Equalizer Weight Distribution/Anti Sway hitch.
I know the legal CCC is 1,330 but when subtracting the tongue weight, cab occupants, "possibly" a fiberglass topper shell which would weigh 200Lbs and bed contents I would be rubbing 1330 real close and probably would be over a couple hundred pounds.
I am considering either air bags at 10-12Lbs, Hellwig Sway Bars and/or Road Active helper springs to help with a "enhancement" to my cargo capacity. I know technically (or legally) you can't increase posted cargo capacity but I think it's realistic to be able to increase it to probably 1500Lbs.
DOES it sound like I'm looking at a good tow with the trailer I have in mind?
Do any of these "bolt on" suspension helpers actually work to help with cargo capacity?
Any suggestions?
My truck is in mechanical and appearance condition and I would hate to have to switch to anything else. Tundra's are all I would ever own but they all suffer from the lower cargo capacities.

 

When I use my Tundra to tow my RZR, I’m just under 10k total vehicle weight (Cat Scaled), and I feel it. Any kind of head wind and it won’t hold 5th gear. I’m also on 33’s. I run my airbags at 35PSI.

With stock size tires, airbags and a weight distribution hitch you’d probably be ok.

Remember these trucks are basically V-8 Tacomas.

My little pop up is about the most I’d prefer to tow long distances. I can cruise 75-80 no problem with little wind drag.



Tacoma on the other hand

 

I would use the tow/haul mode for the trans. and keep it safe at 60 Mph. Fortunately the Micro Minnie is only 7ft wide and 10.5ft tall.
I see Hellwig sells a heavier duty helper spring set that they advertise can take payload up to 2,500 Lbs.

 

I would make sure your rear brakes are adjusted properly (a good check is that the parking brake should hold on a hill)

I don’t have any info on the equalizer tow hitch but I use an Anderson and am very pleased with it. Plus it is light and doesn’t add much tounge weight.

If towing in any hills or mountains I would look into getting a scan gauge or ultra gauge to monitor trans temps. If they start to run warm look at installing an additional trans cooler. I did and it made about a 20 degree difference on hills.

Also unless you are going downhill or flat with a tailwind do not use overdrive. Keep that torque converter locked in 4th for much cooler trans temps.

With that setup you should be fine. I tow a 25ft that’s 4,300 dry and do fine. But I also am very conservative and drive about 60 max. Maybe 65 open road with no one around. Good luck!

 

Thanks Norcalyoyaman, we think alike. 55-60 mph would be my style. The tow/haul mode is a must to keep 4th and the torque converter working.Early in life I drove semi's OTR including mountains without the benefit of a Jake brake, I already planned on adding another or larger trans cooler. The scan gauge is a great idea....thank you! My brakes do have some miles on them so I figured on doing all 4 before heading out.
I really think the Micro Minnie with a max of 5,000Lbs will be a great match-up. I have also heard great things about Anderson WDH and it sounds like a good consideration.

 

I think you’ll be very happy with the combo. As I recall the Minnie is also dual axle which I think really helps with stability and braking. I towed a smaller single axle trailer and I actually thought it was more difficult. It felt less stable and the truck had to work harder to stop it.

 

I've drug this 15k miles in the last two years with my 04 which has the 4 speed transmission. I think you will be happy with your Minnie. Don't worry too much, adjust your WDH and enjoy. Your extra gear will make accelerating more comfortable.