Will my Tundra pull my camper? Or do I need to keep my F250?

We recently purchased a 2013 Tundra Crew Max 4x4 with factory HD towing package (apparently). If this thing would pull my camper, I could sell our F250. We have a 28ft bumper pull that is 6600lb dry, we only pull it a few times per year, but we go to Colorado and smokies. I know I would probably need to buy air bags, but before I do, just thought I would get opinion of others around will it even do it. I know they are tough, but I just didn’t want to tear the thing up. Thanks in advance

 

Should be OK



In all seriousness you’re nowhere near max capacity, people pull heavy trailers with the 2nd gen all the time. Try a test pull and you’ll probably find it does just fine.

 

I believe many DO pull similar travel trailers and even larger. Personally know a guy who used to pull a 30' mallard @ 1k tongue weight all over the rockies with his TRD Pro (and family of 4), but he was WAY over payload. Kept breaking his WD hitch

I currently pull a 23' Jayco at about 6000lbs loaded, with weight distribution and sway control. Rig pulls really well over mountain passes around Colorado, but I would not want to push size or weight much higher.

My instinct is that you will appreciate having the 3/4 ton for pulling such a rig, but maybe experiment and let us know what you find!

I would say weight distribution is MUST if you decide to go with the Tundra

 

I easily pull an older 7500lb 26ft bumper pull, zero problems with an 2013 Double Cab. All you’ll need is a WDH. Also when towing you need to be in manual transmission mode S4. And plan for 6-8mpg

 

Here's the specs on that truck. I'd say yes easily to towing that trailer.

2013 Toyota Tundra Specs, Trims & Colors | Cars.com

 

LMAO...I was about to say "Have you seen the commercial? " when I saw your post.

I actually said that to cop once when he told me I wouldn't be able to pull my sons tiny little Tacoma out of a ditch.

 

hello, I pull a similar trailer as well, 29 foot 6700 dry pounds. no issues, I do have airbags and also I use the Blue OX weight distribution hitch and that combo works great. Sometimes I wish for a heavier truck, especially in the mountains and the wind, but I can't justify a diesel for the ten times a year I pull the trailer.

 

This is exactly what I will be pulling!!! I have no problem installing the Firestone Air Bags if it will help. We will only be going into the mountains maybe once per year on vacation. The rest of the time, I will be here inte Ozarks and just some big hills from time. So basically, once loaded we will be at about 7700 lbs but even at that, I should be OK. I guess if you consider the passengers and my wifes luggage, I might be pushing 8k, but I still should be good. Thanks for the input.

 

Will I need to get 10 ply tires? Or will I be fine with the SL tires?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the payload/towing capacities put out by Toyota are based on factory SL tires.

10 ply are going to be heavier, slower to accelerate, tougher to slow down, rougher ride when unladen.

 

Agree, just wondered if when pulling such a load with SL tires would be dangerous or not.

 

We rock load range E KO2s, Mostly because we like to explore forest service trails and remote desert washes. But I am very haply to have a beefy, overkill tire for towing purposes as well. Hanging out on the side of the road is dangerous no matter what the reason.

Even with the larger/heavier (33"+) tires, 2ish" level, and the 6000lb brick behind us thru the Rockies, we still average just under 10mpg.

I'm not going to complain about the extra peace of mind.

 

I did upgrade my tires to ten ply, noticed no real significant performance drawbacks. I find them to have much less sidewall flex and they for sure made the truck feel more stable while pulling.

 

I've pulled my Escape 21, iirc 3500.empty 5000 max, all around the Southern half of country, the last 2 years.
No WDH, on a set of new take off Bridgestone tires I bought when I acquired the truck.

I was coming from a '99 F450, 4x4, 7.3 with a Bigfoot slide in camper, that I traversed more wild remote areas.

It's always "Can I tow so-and-so weight with what I got". Folks like cheat the system, lol, and then they'll brag about 'worked well, no problem'.

Never see em asking if it's safe.
I was taught to error on the side of safety, even if I was the only one at risk...much more so if I'm guiding 7 tons, with family inside, @65mph in traffic.

Ergo, the F450 with a camper made for HD 1/2 or 3/4 ton. I'd rather have more truck than load in emergency situations.

Acquiring the Tundra I went with beefed up tow/high demand pads, cryogenic treated rotors.
I bought air bags but never got around to installing them...yet, lol.

If was going to tow much over 5k, routinely and sometimes mountains, I'd definitely have WDH, weight distribution hitch.

Got an appointment Wed for tires, 2wd here:
MICHELIN DEFENDER LTX M/S2 275-60 20R

On these rims(I'm older 'n dirt and don't like things just because they're trendy, lol):

VISION
TACTICAL
20 X9.5 5-150.00 12 BKMTXX
Mat Black


These for trailer:
GOODYEAR
ENDURANCE
ST205 /75 R15 107N D1 BSW

 

Thanks for the replies. I think I am going to consider 10ply tires. 1st I am going to take a few runs with the camper just to make sure all seems good. THX AGAIN

 

Check out Roadmaster Active Suspension instead of airbags. Be safe with all that sail behind you!

 

I've heard good things.

I'm considering going this route for pulling our rig on trails I probably shouldn't be attempting. The weight distribution obviously needs to be removed before tackling more extreme undulations, and I'd still like to tame the squat in these situations.

My buddy has been rocking the Firestone bags, and maybe he inadvertently left too much pressure, but I thought my spine was going to shatter while riding in the back (not towing).

 

I run bags on my 60 series land cruiser. With 52 US gal of fuel and full size spare on steel carrier bumper I need them.
But they only use 5-8 psi when empty. 15-18 psi when truck is fully loaded. Have to let air out if unloaded, it would be
really hard and bouncy if left inflated with empty truck.

 

I was thinking of getting the Firestone airbags. So you are saying he does not like them? I was under the impression that when you are not towing, you can remove the air and the vehicle will ride like it did from factory?

 

I was just getting ready to purchase the Firestone Air Bags for my Tundra as I will be occasionally pulling my camper that is 6600 lbs dry. It is a pretty big object as it is 28 ft in length. If I were to let the air out of the air bags, the truck should ride like factory, correct? That is the impression that I am under.

 

I have Air Lift bags on my 15 SR5... what a big difference it makes... Nice smooth ride ... wish I would have done it years ago... I also went with an onboard compressor to change air pressure on the fly... The bags have an internal jounce to keep the bags from flattening and splitting when empty... They also will not go below 5lbs of pressure for reassurance of not bottoming out... You can not tell the difference when truck is empty with only 5lbs of air...

So by all means put bags on... night and day difference...

 

You will have to play with the air bags settings when empty. I've found I'm good with 3 psi. 20 psi when dragging the 8000 lbs. 5th wheel.

The E rated tires are slightly more choppy on pot hole patched roads empty, but run very nice when the RV attached. In addition, I like getting 80000 miles out of a set of tires.

 

NEVER run airbags with no air. It will ruin them. But you can run minimum air. I have BOSS airbags on my Land Cruiser.
Firestone airbags on my Tundra. At least I think they are Firestone as they sell Firestone compressor kits as well.
On my '07 Tundra Long Box when empty I run 5-8 lbs, just enough to keep them inflated. I loaded over 2 yds of wet
mulch and inflated to 50 psi ( overkill, could have been fine with 20-25 psi ) but it was first time.
So to answer your question, Yes if you lower the pressure the truck will run like factory empty truck.
I also went with the SOS rear lowering kit. I don't want my truck higher, I want it lower and it handles far better
with SUA in the rear as opposed to the SOA in the factory configuration, no rear rake and better feel.


Rear Air Spring Kit fits 2007-2017 Tundra | SOS Performance, Tundra Tacoma, Stoptech Big Brake Kit Rear Disc

 

Thanks for the reply. That will be my plan. How much do you pull with the air bags? Should I be able to pull at 28 ft ultralight camper that is 6600 lbs dry, " Comfortably " Would you recommend going to 10ply tires, or do you think I would be good with just the SL tires. I will only be pulling this thing 4-5 times per year and w/in a couple hours from the house.

 

Mine is about the same weight... but 33' long... As far as tires go... I run the Wildpeak AT3's... They are heavy duty load... couldn't tell you what ply... Pending my load as to what air I run in the bags... I also use WDH with sway control... I run comfortable on the interstate 70-75 mph ... Braking will be the next thing I upgrade...



I run these bags... https://www.airliftcompany.com/products/air-springs/loadlifter-5000-ultimate
This controller W/compressor ... https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/25980

Mounted the compressor above the spare tire on bottom side of the bed...

It's nice to be able to adjust pressure from inside of the truck... So when I get to campsite and unhook I can deflate for normal driving around without camper... Air back up when I tow... no need to find air somewhere to air them back up...

Hope this helps...

Edit to say... I do overload at times and put golf cart in the truck with camper... Still rides smooth

 

WTF.. I inserted picture as a thumbnail... Why does it post full size ??

 

They all do that now. Everyone has lots of phone data these days.

 

I assume my buddy likes them just fine, or he would have replaced them with an option more to his liking.

I imagine and hope there was just too much air in them for the load we weren't hauling when I experienced the jarring shock. The Tundras typically has very buttery (maybe too soft) springs in the back, so it was a surprise.

One can not run the bags with no air to protect the bags themselves, so logically there has to be SOME difference in suspension dampening from stock.

Wish I could find a local buddy with RAS on their Tundra to see if there is much difference driving around town with no load.

 

Are you running the Firestone Air-Bags? Where did you mount the gauge and the onboard air pump? Thanks