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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Trucks / April 2004Towing with my Tundra?
I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I should be tipping the scales at around 6300-6500lbs. Will this be a problem with my Tundra? Anyone out there towing similar loads that can share how the vehicle performs on hills, steep/wet launches, etc...? Also, should I have a transmission cooler installed? Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chuck I tow an 8500lb Travel Trailer with my 2002 Tundra 4x4 and have no problem... A friend of mine pulled his 14,500 Boat with his 2003 2x4 Tundra from Chattanooga Tn to Miami FL and back and maintained a 75 to 80 mph speed most of the way... I realize the weights are way above factory specs, but these Tundras can pull a lot of weight... Just be sure you use a real good "Equalizer Hitch"... and be sure you have good tires with adequate inflation... "YES" to the transmission cooler question, especially in the mountains!!! Good Luck, BO.... I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I should be tipping the scales at around 6300-6500lbs. Will this be a problem with my Tundra? Anyone out there towing similar loads that can share how the vehicle performs on hills, steep/wet launches, etc...? Also, should I have a transmission cooler installed? Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chuck Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it... > I tow an 8500lb Travel Trailer with my 2002 Tundra 4x4 and have no > problem... [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.601 / Virus Database: 382 - Release Date: 2/29/2004 I'm not in full agreement with Bo. You do have a V-8, right?...I think your 6500# will be a full load for the truck. I tow a 5500# travel trailer and don't feel that I have enough power to confidently merge into busy traffic. I've just installed S&S long-tube headers...they're great so far, and I'm looking forward to towing with them. https://ssl5.mysecureserver.com/bosstoolscom/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?i dProduct=558 You certainly need trailer brakes. The transmission cooler is essential. Never tow a load this heavy in overdrive with a Tundra. The transmission failures I've heard about are in the overdrive gear cluster. Do completely flush and renew the ATF every 30,000 miles when towing--if you have a 2000-2002 Tundra, synthetic Dexron ATF is highly recommended, along with an in-line transmission filter. If you have a 2003-2004, then you need Toyota Type T-IV ATF, or maybe synthetic Dexron ATF plus Lubegard black-bottle supplement. Ken > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about 4900lbs. > Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I should be tipping the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Chuck Thanks for the info. Yes, it is a '02 V8... and the trailer does have brakes... I will look into the headers as well. Great tip about the overdrive, too. Chuck > I'm not in full agreement with Bo. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > long-tube headers...they're great so far, and I'm looking forward to towing > with them. https://ssl5.mysecureserver.com/bosstoolscom/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?i dProduct=558 > You certainly need trailer brakes. The transmission cooler is essential. > Never tow a load this heavy in overdrive with a Tundra. The transmission [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > > > Chuck One other thing... How much does it cost to have those headers installed? > I'm not in full agreement with Bo. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > long-tube headers...they're great so far, and I'm looking forward to towing > with them. https://ssl5.mysecureserver.com/bosstoolscom/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?i dProduct=558 > You certainly need trailer brakes. The transmission cooler is essential. > Never tow a load this heavy in overdrive with a Tundra. The transmission [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > > > Chuck I installed the S&S headers myself in a couple of half-days. You'll have to ask around your local shops for prices. I'd suggest asking smaller independent shops. Use new factory gaskets at the heads. Ken > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Chuck I have the 4 runner with the 4.7 l engine and it has a problem towing a 2500 lbs pontoon boat. It tows it, but the gas milage is like 7-6 miles to a gallon. I would never consider anything around 5000 lbs. > > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > lbs pontoon boat. It tows it, but the gas milage is like 7-6 miles to a > gallon. I would never consider anything around 5000 lbs. Wow! That's awful. I have a Tacoma (6 cyl, 4x4, manual) and pull a horse trailer with it in the summer. The trailer weighs about 1500 lbs and the two horses close to 2000 lbs. Add in saddles, a cart, and a wheelchair and I'm easily topping 5000 lbs. My mileage per gallon really varies depending on my speed. If I stick to ~55 or 60 mph, I notice very little variation in my fuel consumption. It's a bit higher, but not by much. If I increase my speed to 65-70 mph, I can watch the gas gauge fall. Susan > > > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > > > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > It's a bit higher, but not by much. If I increase my speed to 65-70 mph, > I can watch the gas gauge fall. I also have an electric brake controller in my truck - and brakes on my trailer. Susan Thanks for the info, Susan. Our old boat was about 4300lbs totally loaded with gear and fuel and my Tundra pulled that with relative ease. I was seaking the expertise of this NG because I'm worried about the capacities and strain on the truck with the new boat. The information gathered her has been great... And if the Tundra can't handle it, I'll have to wait until '06 when I heard Toyota is making an even bigger truck... Chuck > > > > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > > > > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Susan > > > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > > > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Susan I do tend to go around 65-70, so maybe this is my gas mileage problem. > > > > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > > > > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > I do tend to go around 65-70, so maybe this is my gas mileage problem. With maximum speed limits of 100 kph (64 mph) on all our 4-lane highways, I stay in the slow lane and stick to 90-100 kph when I'm towing. Secondary highways (2-lane) have a speed limit of 80 kph (50 mph). If I have both horses in the trailer, I tend to stick to secondary highways when possible. Susan I towed 3000 lbs popup camper with a V8 4Runner and get atleast 13mpg. Average round trip (up and down hill) is about 15. Your 6-7 gas mileage is awful. Something is wrong with your trailer brake or bearing buddy. Better have a professional check. > > > > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about > > > > 4900lbs. Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > I do tend to go around 65-70, so maybe this is my gas mileage problem. > I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about 4900lbs. > Trailer is about 1100lbs. With gear, fuel and water, I should be tipping the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Chuck See rv.net forums for lots of discussion about towing with various kinds of trucks. Do a search on "Tundra". I tow a 5,000 lb fifth wheel with my V8 Tundra and am happy with the way it pulls and merges into traffic. I can climb most hills on freeways at respectable speeds (50-55mph) without stressing the truck in 2nd gear at 3,000-3500rpm. As far as accelerating into traffic, you're not going to win any drag races pulling any heavy trailer with any truck. You just have to wait for bigger gaps in traffic before pulling out I don't care what kind of rig you have. At 6300-6500 lbs, though, you're taking the Tundra to its limits. Toyota's recommended GCWR for the truck is 11,800 lbs. Going too far over that won't do your truck any good. >> I am in the process of purchasing a boat with a dry weith of about >4900lbs. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >Toyota's recommended GCWR for the truck is 11,800 lbs. Going too far >over that won't do your truck any good. WITH the towing package, you've got an absolute max of 7,000. Without the towing package, 5k is the limit. Either way, do not use overdrive when towing... take the gas mileage hit. Most reports of transmission failures are from people who have towed in OD. --- Rich http://richlockyer.tripod.com/ >WITH the towing package, you've got an absolute max of 7,000. Without >the towing package, 5k is the limit. >Either way, do not use overdrive when towing... take the gas mileage >hit. >Most reports of transmission failures are from people who have towed >in OD. Rich, Is this just with the Tundra V8 (which I am planning on buying) or does it apply to all pickups? Sandy >>Most reports of transmission failures are from people who have towed >>in OD. > Is this just with the Tundra V8 (which I am planning on buying) or does it > apply to all pickups? That would apply to any vehicle, and auto or manual. Overdrive (final ratio less than 1:1) gearing is not intended for towing. good luck! GTr Question about the overdrive towing? Is it "OK" to switch back to OD once the vehicle is at freeway speeds? Say on a long stretch of relatively flat highway? I've had the new boat out twice and so far it pulls beautifully. I was really impressed at how well the truck seems to handle this load so far. I live in Wisconsin and it is fairly hilly west of Milwaukee which is where I do a lot of trailering and I've pulled this boat up some very steep hills and I've been really impressed with it so far. I was worried about towing this boat on our annual trips to Missouri where we drive right through the Ozark Mountains, but now I'm not worried at all. I know that it will take it's toll on my truck after a few years of this but I'm just going to enjoy the ride until then (and maybe keep a savings fund for a new transmission :)). I also yanked the boat out of Lake Michigan on a very steep launch last week and she had no problems at all. My wife and I had "tons" of gear with us and the boat had over 250lbs of fuel and water in it. So I'm sure we were up near the 6500lb mark. Also, the brakes on this truck seem really incredible (my mileage is 40K). Although my trailer has gravity surge brakes on it, I've towed my Father-in-law's boat with his Chevy Tahoe and that thing was God awful with stopping. It was downright dangerous. His trailer has brakes as well. I've towed that boat with my Tundra and it was a world of difference in stopping and overall handling. The Tahoe is brand new, too. Anyway, I started this thread a long time ago and just wanted to update everyone on how it's going. I also wanted to thank everyone for all of the helpful information. -Chuck > >>Most reports of transmission failures are from people who have towed > >>in OD. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > good luck! > GTr > Question about the overdrive towing? Is it "OK" to switch back to OD once > the vehicle is at freeway speeds? Say on a long stretch of relatively flat > highway? It isn't "ok" but you're probably going to do it, and probably get away with it for some period of time. You'll have two problems: if you need to accelerate, you're going to have to downshift. With an AT, the surge on the downshift could transfer to the trailer. If you forget to downshift, you're going to end up putting needless stress on the transmission trying to accelerate in OD, and then experience a surge as it downshifts. Those surges are where the danger is; the attempting to accelerate in OD is where the wear is. I tow up to 4000# with my 89 V6 (3.slow) 4x4 5spd, in WI, and occasionally, on those long flat stretches on 151/41/90+94/etc, I do use 5th gear. But when I usually plan my acceleration, and I can downshift, let the vehicle slow, and match the revs with the clutch, preventing the surge that comes with an AT. Even though I do this, I know it isn't the best thing for the truck or for towing. Why do I do this? Because 100 miles in 5th gear saves gas over 100 miles in 4th gear. Should I do this? Probably not. It is a sign that I feel too comfortable towing that same route for so many years. lycka till! GTr All: Can't imagine how anyone can tow anything with a 4.7 litre V8 Tundra AT in OD. Using my brand new 2003 model, I towed my 3500# travel trailer (loaded to about 5000#) for 13000 miles and saw most of it at 50-55 mph. Headwinds dragged mpg down to 7. Trip average was 11 mpg. My old VW Vanagon seems powerful and fuel-efficient compared to the Tundra - but then I wouldn't be towing a travel trailer! On level roads with no head wind I can tow up to 60 mph in OD, but with any incline it downshifts. The owners manual is specific about using OD and letting the AT do the work. It suggests turning off OD only to effect engine braking in hilly terrain. I towed the trailer through Death Valley, west to east, and going up the 10% grade the AT selected 1st gear. I never felt like we wouldn't make it but the folks following us were not too happy. The Tundra is a great in-town pickup if you just like driving pickups, but it's crap for any real work. dalmok > > Question about the overdrive towing? Is it "OK" to switch back to OD once > > the vehicle is at freeway speeds? Say on a long stretch of relatively flat [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > lycka till! > GTr >>WITH the towing package, you've got an absolute max of 7,000. Without >>the towing package, 5k is the limit. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >Is this just with the Tundra V8 (which I am planning on buying) or does it >apply to all pickups? Tundra V8, but I would be very nervous of towing in OD with any truck... at the first sign of the trans "hunting" between OD and 3rd (or 4th) I'd pull it out of OD. That shifting causes the TC to lock and unlock and generates a lot of heat. --- Rich http://richlockyer.tripod.com/ . >>>Either way, do not use overdrive when towing... take the gas mileage >>>hit. Most reports of transmission failures are from people who have [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >and unlock and generates a lot of heat. > --- Rich Rich, I'll be towing a boat and trailer weighing just under 5,000 lbs. I had heard that on the Ford and Chevy pickups it's O.K. to tow in OD, but to get out of OD when, as you say, the trans starts "hunting." With the Tundra V8 and factory towing package, is it O.K. to do the same? or, are you saying not to use OD at all when towing? Sandy > . >>>> Either way, do not use overdrive when towing... take the gas [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > or, are you saying not to use OD at all when towing? > Sandy Gulp, how many times does it have to be repeated? NO towing in OD!! LOL ;-) ;o) 8-) |
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