Towing a 32'6" camper

Hey everyone,
I have a 2015 Tundra 1794 edition (V8 5.7) and I'm currently looking into travel trailers. Looking for some insight on towing a camper. The one in question is a 32'6" Coachmen Catalina Legacy edition with a 728lb hitch weight and a total of 9,500lb GVWR (6,532 UVW). I would have a weight distribution hitch and the trailer has breaks as well. Anyone tow anything like this, if so how does it tow???

Thanks
T

 

Welcome…..you will get many different points of view on this. But there is no chance I would tow that size trailer with a half ton. Plenty of threads on here with similar questions and almost always gets contentious.

 

Where are these breaks on the trailer? Superficial breaks in things like trim or more serious and potentially dangerous like frame, axles, tongue etc?

 

That’s a lot of trailer for a Tundra.

 

Here’s a visual aid for those who still don’t get it..

 

What’s your payload? And where do you plan on towing this? Weather and elevation make a huge difference

 

I am towing a 32' total length, 28' box travel trailer weighing 8k lbs. fully loaded for camp (scales confirmed).

I couldn't go any larger (length or weight) with this truck, be within limits, and still feel comfortable or safe. I'd encourage you to stop looking at that length (and all that comes with more space) and reset your expectations to what is available in the 30' or less length.

Just my .02

 

Spell correction: trailer has brakes, not breaks...

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am getting such mixed reviews on this. Seems like the truck can pull it, i just want it to be a comfortable tow...

I would be towing mostly around New England. the 32'6" is total length.

 

If comfort is what you’re looking for, this will not be it. You will white knuckle this every time.

The question is often “what can I tow?” and not “what should I tow?” and more specifically “what should I legally tow?”

If something were to happen with a tundra towing that size trailer, a lawyer could have a field day and take the operator to the cleaners……

 

bumper pull meaning non-5th wheel?

 

With my 2018 Limited 4x4 Crew I towed my 31.5ft (GVWR 7K, 600 hitch weight) RV from Miami to Fayetteville NC when I retired from the Coast Guard. Prior to the Tundra I had a Titan XD with the diesel. The XD barely knew the RV was back there. The Tundra did know.

I had a very good WDH and airbags, even though I didn't use the bags. Traveling on I95 the entire way, I felt more than comfortable with the ability of the Tundra. I've towed significantly more, with bigger trucks, so my experiences may have added to my comfort level. Granted, I95 through this route is flat. If there were any major hills, mountains to climb, or windy conditions, I'd have to rethink that particular combo. With what you're looking at, and being from the North East, I'd strongly recommend reconsidering your options.

 

Yes.

 

Correct.

"Rerired" beat me to it!

 

I tow a 32' Grand Design 2670MK using a 2017 Limited DC with an Equalizer 4pt, 10,000 lb WDH (would go 14,000 if I had to do it again). Stated hitch weight is 690 lbs but actual is +1,000 lbs. Trailer GVWR is 8495 lbs and I am running it at 7800 lbs. Tundra is at GVWR of 7100 lbs and rear axle is at 3920 lbs vs GAWR of 4150 lbs. Whole rig is 13,720 lbs vs Tundra GCWR of 15,360 lbs. Your trailer is the same length but a little heavier. My payload is 1350 lb and I would guess yours is less.

I put load rated E tires on the Tundra (aired at 75 lbs) and added the Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS). I don't carry anything in the Tundra except myself, the wife and the two dogs. All that said, my ride is good (towed 8,000 miles) but you can feel the occasional truck suck and heavy wind which I believe to be normal. No problems with power or braking - tow with trans in S4, always use Tow/Haul, speed at 65 mph max, keep trailer brakes well adjusted and downshift on steep downhill grades.

 

I pull a 26' tongue to tail with a 23' box weighing ~ 3 tons loaded. The actual 1253# payload is used up. So much so that I have empty space in the truck bed. I tow with stressfree confidence. After all it is supposed to be a pleasure trip. The 5.7 has more than enough power for any hill or short entrance ramp I encounter. I enjoy the buffer which may be called upon when unforeseen things go sideways on the highway. I have no idea how much more I could drag behind my Tundra or for how long before it would become work instead of fun. That's just me. One of many opinions on the internet.

 

For a half ton I would try to stay under 30’. I think 24’-28’ would be the ball park I would try to stay in. The last thing you want is to not enjoy hooking up the trailer and going camping with the family. I honestly think with the +28’ campers you are running the risk of not enjoying it.

not sure how committed you are to the tundra, but don’t be afraid to step into a 3/4 or 1 ton. There are plenty of us on this forum that had to make that jump. Food for thought

 

I tow a 30’ trailer that’s 5700lb unloaded with 600 on the tongue and a decent WDH. My DC tows it ok after I put on the sway bar, but I wouldn’t want much bigger trailer. It’s not the weight, it’s more wind I think, but in a gusty area, I can feel it on the truck. I towed some steel that was about 8000lbs and it wasn’t near the drama of the lighter camper.

overall, I think it would depend on how often you’ll be towing and where. I’d at least recommend the sway bar if you don’t already have it, made a big difference and helps a lot. Get a WDH. Take your time and avoid windy tows.

YMMV

 

Great input all around, thanks again everyone.

I just paid off my tundra, and my 13yo daughter wants it as her first vehicle when she starts driving. With that said I am not looking to upgrade my truck just yet.

I feel as though the camper is too much for my truck, but I have seen many people out there towing such trailers with similar trucks. This is why i reached out to the group for additional support. Although I am comfortable towing anything, I don't want to push my limits.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

Also being in New England, you won't regret backing off at least on the weight, if not also length. The White and Green Mountains aren't exactly easy at the upper end of tow capacity. Plenty of power in the rest of the area, though.

 

A few other considerations besides just the length. The aerodynamics of the trailer plays a big part in how well it will tow in windy conditions. Not only the obvious front and rear streamlining but the sides as well. Think Airstreams curved sidewalls. There isn't a compound curved surface to be found on my traveling outhouse and it's noticeable. Problem is that aerodynamic trailers are more expensive to produce.

Also consider where and how often you will use the trailer. We bought ours with the intention of traveling south 1,000 miles for the winter. This is a quandary since it's a long distance to tow and smaller is better but staying in a smaller camper for months at a time can be trying on some relationships. Think the movie "The Shining".

 

I think 24' is the sweet spot for a Tundra and I wouldn't go over 27'. My buddy had a 2009 Sierra 1500 with the 6.0L V8 and a 29' Bullet. I'm sure he was over his payload/GVWR but he figured he was fine because he put airbags on; not sure about his GCWR or his axle ratings. He ended up getting into some heavy winds while towing, rolled the truck and trailer and wrote them both off. Now he has a 2500 and a 25' fifth wheel.

 

I have a 2015 tundra like yours and am looking at picking up a Grand design Image same model In Wyoming thank you for sharing your post and up grades

 

This last spring, did a trip from central Ohio south to Florida, west across Texas through New Mexico and Arizona to Zion NP in Utah and back - 4500 miles. Was careful in west Texas making sure to travel in the morning to early afternoon when the wind would come up. Traveling with a tail or head wind not really an issue - crosswind is the concern and tried to only travel when it was less than 25mph. Headwind when traveling west dropped mileage to 7 mpg. Mountains no issue - Tundra did a great job. Good Luck!

 

I drive a 2017 limited crewmax. So far I have added a 2nd stage chip, cold air intake and performance throttle body spacer, bilstein 5100 rear shocks, rear TRD sway bar, and roadmaster active suspension upgrade. I also upgraded the tires to Cooper Evolution to give me a wee bit better tire load capacity. I wanted to stay street looking without getting into a full blown truck tire. I am pulling a 2019 Grand Design Imagine 290Rl. She's 34 feet overall and 7400lbs dry. Camping ready with the truck I weigh in at 15,366lbs. I always use T/H and can cruise nicely at 95-105km/h in S5, S4 on the hills. I just got back from a 3000km/1875mile trip with no issues at all. Averaged between 9 and 12 MPG with some moderate to heavy hills for several hours on a couple of days. Unit shown here before the upgrades. It sits nice and level now with the mods and plenty of horsepower to get up to speed respectfully quick. Something this big likely isnt for everyone. You need to stay where your comfortable as a driver. And its nearly always breezy right after I hookup.........

 

That is a big rig and you are getting good mileage! My mileage appears to depend on the direction and speed of the wind. I have the Load E rated Michelin Defenders on the Tundra and I put Goodyear Endurance on the Imagine although I never had any issues with original Westlakes. Both are Load E Rated tires but the GY's have a higher speed rating. I think they are beefier. The new tires on both the Tundra and Imagine helped to reduce any sway I was getting.

Am headed up your way in September - staying in the UP at Tahquamenon Falls SP, Aune Osborne CG and Straits SP. Have you done the drive from Tahquamenon Falls to Munising? Want to do this without the trailer and go the scenic route through Grand Marais - maybe incorporating the Hurricane and Grand Marais Truck Trails. Do you have any suggestions on the best route?

 

We've stayed at Tahquamenon Falls a few years back - I remember the bugs were really bad, Aune Osborne park would definitely be the place to be if you like freighters. We've also stayed at Straits SP quite a few years ago and it was nice. Best route from TF would likely be back down and across 28. The ride from Grand Marais to Munising is pretty nice too and make sure you take one of the boat tours out of Munising.