Towing with three inch lift

Hi everyone,

I have a grand trip planned to drive across country (OR to PA) this summer. I bought a 2014 tundra 28k with a three inch lift. I love the truck but a friend mentioned the problems with towing with lifted trucks. This was after I bought the truck. Now I will only be towing a small 10-16 foot trailer or pop up. We haven't bought one yet but we are about to. I still have the option to return the truck but I do like it. Other than gas being a problem, does pulling 3.5k-5.k trailer pose serious risks to put safety and the integrity of the truck.

I worked for landscaping companies for years before becoming a teacher. I am proficient in towing many different weights with a wide variety of trucks.

Unfortunately, I feel like I screwed the pooch with this truck but maybe I am wrong. I hope so.

Thank you folks!

 

Correction* most of the trailers we are looking at are under 3k

 

I wouldn’t be too concerned about a lighter trailer like that with your truck especially if it has the 5.7L / factory tow package. Since it appears that you have about 35” tires, and I’d assume factory gearing, you’ll want to manually downshift on hills, and keep an eye on trans temps, but it should do just fine.

 

@landphil thank you dude!

 

Shouldn’t be a problem. A 3” level kit (looks like you might have a 3/1 or 3/2 front/rear kit) doesn’t create many issues - if any - when it comes to towing. If you have tall blocks between the springs and axle, a large drop hitch, or some other extreme leverage multiplier then you might have reason to reconsider. But IMO and IME you bought a very capable truck. I wouldn’t be concerned about towing those weights or even up closer the trucks rated capacity, even with those mild mods.

 

I have a 2018 cm with toytec aluma 2.5s at around 3” front and 1.5” in back. I’ve been towing my camper (4k lbs) and cargo haulers and flat bed trailers for 40k miles with zero issues. I’m on about 33” tires (275-70-18) and it rides better than stock. I just hit 68k and have had no issues on or off road.

 

Just be mindful of your gvwr as others have mentioned and you’ll be fine. The payload isn’t real high once you account for hitch weight and gear weight and occupants. You may lose some capacity with a lifted truck but yours should be fine. Just get a good idea of what your weights fully loaded are.

 

@blenton I will have to take it to a shop to make sure I don't have tall blocks. I'll look them up because I am Not sure I can identify them.
@TundraMax20 thanks buddy. I'll make sure I add it up

Dig your set up.

Thank you both.

 

As long as you’re set up properly, no issues.

Brakes? Make sure truck and trailer brakes are in good working order.
Brake controller? Yeah, you’ll want.need one.
Weight distributing hitch? The Equalizer and Fast Way E-2 are both very popular and well designed WDH’s with sway control. Get one, read the directions, and take the time to set it up correctly! When you have it right, you won’t have a truck with a sagging ass end.
Good tire on truck and trailer both will make a world of difference!
Already mentioned, drop gears when you tow. Try S5 on the flats, and S4 as soon as you start any climb. You won’t hurt your engine with more RPM, but you’ll smoke your trans if you’re lugging around all day.

Your rig should be fine. We tow a larger trailer!(~7K#) all the time with our lifted Tundra and it performs nicely. We’re also in OR, so quite familiar with the mountains!

Oh, yeah. Downshift going down the hills.

 

Take a picture of your suspension setup and post it here. We should be able to identify your lift components and advise further. Regearing would improve your tow experience if loss of power with large tires is an issue

 

Very nice truck,I dont think you will have any issues with that size of trailer.

 

Gearing will make a huge difference! Best overall mod out there. I cannot think of a single downside…

 

I have 3in lift with 35s, I just swap out to my stock wheels n tires when towing on longer trips. A good WDH will help a lot.

 

@six7zero what size tires and rims?

 

@Chad D. I took the truck to a local shop today. The mechanic told me to go with airbag suspension over a weight distribution. I think I could get both but does that seem correct?

 

If your trailer is under 5k, you don’t need a WD hitch. Close to 5k and it might help. Bags help at any weight. I personally have run bags for years and tow several different trailers of different weights and sizes. I still use a WD hitch with my travel trailer, but I’ve pulled it without and just aired up the bags.

 

Get an adjustable height hitch like a B&W so you can dial in each thing you end up towing too. I like sumo springs, similar to air bags, which take all the squat out of heavy hitch trailers/loads and are maintenance free. Don’t be the leveled/lifted truck pointed to the sky with a trailer haha.

 

I tow a 7000lb travel trailer with a 3" lift all the time, I did regear and do have airbags but set up Correctly it tows fine

 

I am about to be pulling the same with my truck on a 3" lift. What gearing did you switch out to?

I am going to do bags + compressor + WDH.

 

I have Nitro 488 and Firestone bags

 

You’ll be totally fine. I have a mild lift front and rear with tall tires and wouldn’t hesitate at a road trip.

Last year we did 2200 miles round trip with no issues.

I have a 1.5 ton rated trailer which weights about .5 ton empty and I’d do that trip again with the trailer fully loaded without thinking about it.

Honestly, the weak point would be the trailer tires in my opinion.