Towing a 5th Wheel Camper

Anybody tow a large 30' or better tandem or triaxle 5th Wheel Camper with their Tundra? If so, how's it perform? I know it'll pull it, but I'm more concerned with stopping it! We currently have an older Class A motorhome, but thinking seriously about a fiver in the future.

 

Pulled a 33' Passport travel trailer with my Tundra. Even with the sway bar and tow package, lots of fish tailing on the interstate. A big rig goes by and my wife went white knuckle. She never would try to drive it with the TT. I understand you have better control with a fifth wheel. However, you better check the pin weight of the fifth wheel to your Tundra cargo capacity. If you max out your capacity, you'll wear out your tires, brakes, shocks, etc. If you go over, it could be dangerous. If it were me, I'd look at upgrading my MH instead of a fifth wheel. The bigger motor homes can pull the Tundra. Good luck!

 

Not to start an argument but there must have been something wrong with your setup. My tundra tows a 30 ft travel trailer like a boss. Very stable no sway. Pulls and stops great

 

Glad to hear yours has been successful. RV dealer installed the set up when I bought the TT so I figured it was done right. Some RV'rs in a forum told me my problem was because my pin weight maxed out my truck. They said a 33' is too big for a 1/2 ton.

 

I agree with the group. Not only the trailer weight, but a 5th wheel is a HUGE amount of drag being that tall. Kinda like a parachute behind a dragster to stop it. I would maybe look into a new MH or a dedicated older diesel as a tow rig if getting into a trailer that size. Good luck with all not matter which direction you take.

 

Tundra not the best for towing but it does a he'll of a good job if you work within its limits. My trailer loaded is about 7500 lbs so I'm 1600 lbs below my rating plenty of cargo capacity for generator and few other things in bed. Towed about 9000 mile last summer with my setup and can't wait for caming season

 

People do some dumb stuff. You see little 1/2 ton truck with giant trailer and ass end on the ground. They think it's safe...

 

For anyone considering pulling an RV with your Tundra, do your homework. Figure out your pin weight on your hitch WITH items in the RV. (You won't be heading out with an empty RV.) Add the weight of your passengers, luggage, full tank of gas, and anything else you put in the truck. Take that number and subtract it from your truck's cargo weight capacity. (This is NOT the same as towing capacity.) If you're in the plus, you have room to spare. If you're in the negative, you have problems. For those who already pull an RV, I hope you've been to a truck stop weigh station to find out exactly what you have on your front axle, rear axle, and RV. It was a wake up call for me. Made me wish Toyota made a 3/4 ton truck. Happy and safe RVing!

 

Good call Michael. All about homework and setting up your TRUCK and TRAILER properly. I have seen trailers leave a dealership with the WD hitch installed incorrectly. You can have just as many problems with to much tongue weight as not enough. Good call !!!

 

Agreed, I pull a 30 foot with 8 foot slide out every summer and its smooth as butter going down the road at 75 - 80 mph. This unit has a 6,000 lbs. dry weight / 700 lbs tongue weight.

I am also using the leveling tongue/hitch when I tow my 30 foot.

This was with my 2007 5.7 Tundra which I just traded this winter for a 2017 5.7 SR5 which I just added rear swaybar.

 

Good question - mine was a Keystone "Ultra Lite" 33' Passport. Felt like I was steering a sail boat on the interstate every time a breeze came up.

 

I have a 2016 starcraft autumn Ridge 278bh. 2016 cm platinum in ohio

 

Thanks for the replies folks. That's kinda what I expected, but wasn't sure if anyone had done it. I won't be attempting it myself. I'm in no hurry to replace our current RV, but have been looking around at the bigger fivers as an option. I guess if we decide to go that way, a Chevy 3500 dually will be in our future.

 

Does anyone know why Toyota doesn't make anything bigger than a half ton? Certainly is a market for them. And, certainly would have solved my problem.

 

My thoughts exactly. No matter the weight, I'd be for getting an older 1 ton if you want to pull a 5th wheel. If you pull even an 11,000 lb bumper pull trailer with one of our trucks (which is well above what you SHOULD pull with a Tundra), then hook it up to a 3/4 ton, you'll feel a hell of a lot better having it behind the 3/4 ton.

 

My camper has all the optional stuff so my dry weight sticker says like 5400 lbs I weighed it loaded down it was 7300 and change. I purchased the trailer based on tundras limits since I don't want a larger truck.

 

Course I also drive comercial vehicle by trade and been doing so for the last 17 years with over 2 mill accident free miles under my belt. This is on Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and both Dakota's roadways where winter driving can present huge challenge during winter months.

You would be amazed how many people pulling 30 foot plus campers have no clue on setting up thier rigs properly. Have 0 clue what gross or axle weight is or means and how important it is to have the weight distributed properly over the load.

My guess is if this guys camper is wagging or fish tailing down the highway like he explained in his post the majority of the weight is in the ass end of the trailer or the back of the truck, and not distributed properly.

Like I said in my first post a leveling hitch helps with that dramatically.

 

X2

 

If I didn't follow the same safety standards when off the job I wouldn't be carrying a clean CDL for 17 years like I have. It absolutely is completely all in the same, on or off the job, Tundra or Semi, it goes on my CDL/driving record with negative effects.

The posted speed limit in Minnesota and surrounding states is 70-75 mph. So I'm still not clear on what I should "know better" or what your "bullshit point" even is.

Eagerly awaiting another witty, informative post by you thou.

cough....cough....

 

This was never about "winning" for me. The OP asked a question to which I gave an answer, based off alot of experience pulling combination vehicles on and off the job. Both in 80,000 lbs. GVW commercial vehicles, and 10 years of pulling 30 foot campers with Toyota Tundras.

You then thought it a good idea to try and discredit what I posted based solely off your opinions, and then even thought it a good idea to tell me I'm "stupid" so you and all your internet "Bro's" as you say, can have a good laugh and thumb up each others posts.

I'm new here, about 2 weeks to be exact. If you sir are what is to come or be expected from posting on this website, I will go elsewhere. Then you and your "Bro's" can have fun ridiculing the next new guy on the site over what he posted.