Towing questions

[mrballcb]

Hi all!

I have a 2008 Tundra, 5.7L, with stock tow package (i.e. has the receiver and 7 pin connector), non TRD, stock suspension and wheels. I'm getting a small used 18' camper trailer, dry weight is something like 2800 pounds.

I have four questions:
1. The truck came with the receiver, but didn't come with an actual hitch. Just go get one of the $20 hitches at AutoZone or PepBoys?
2. I'm shooting for 16" ball height, the top of my receiver is 19" from the ground, so a 2 inch drop is called for?
3. Going down a 6% grade, unloaded, I can drop it to 4th using the little lever on the shifter and it would hold the speed down below 65 mph. Is it ok to do this pulling this light trailer behind me? Or should I just use the brakes?
4. What's it take to add a brake controller?

From perusing the forums here, I have discerned the following:
1. 2800 pounds will be almost like trailer is not even there.
2. Braking unit not necessary for this low weight.
3. Sway bars not necessary for this low weight.
4. Mileage from L.A. to/from Joshua tree was 17.85 mpg not towing anything, will probably drop to around 15 towing this low weight.

Correct me if any of that looks wrong.

P.S. I also have the bum radio issue. When the truck has been off for a while (longer than 2 hours), when you start it up, the volume button doesn't work until you give a sharp rap on the top of the unit. Never went to the dealer to complain, my bad for not doing so.

P.P.S. I don't have the stiff 1-2 shift, however for the first 2 miles (downhill even), it will not shift from 5-6 until the transmission temp gets up to the first dot. Once it's warmed up, it shifts normally. Someone else said "open loop" (rich fuel to save sensors and values) was the culprit, should that affect the transmission shifting too? I guess I can see it if part of the shifting equation is fuel flow rate.

Have a good day!

[Impelled]

All sounds about right....including the 2" ball drop...maybe a three? Dunno, you'll have to measure. All the auto stores have the hitch insert and ball (usually separate items) When towing my boat, I never manually shift....I will use the Tow/Haul when hooked up to the boat. I've never had a problem...even in Ky or Tenn mountains. On a major downgrade....you could use 4th to hold it back.

You're right....the truck won't even know its back there!

[RONE]

Looks like you've done your homework!! Just be sure you don't forget you're towing something, as the 5.7 isn't even going to flinch at that weight.

[DocDzl]

Any trailer over 1500 lbs should (already) be equipped with trailer brakes, and you should get a brake controller installed. Also, don't discount having to get a sway control of some kind, since the sway originates with the trailer and not with the tow vehicle.

[mrballcb]

So I picked up the trailer and towed it home, about 100 miles. No issues. Observations:

1. Downhill: Impressed with the intelligent transmission control! When going downhill, the speed would start to pick up. Lightly touch the brake to hold the speed. The the transmission would drop from 5th to 4th and hold the speed going down a 6% grade. At a couple of places it would actually be slowing down. Expect it to be a little different when packed and have family, but still, it was impressive.

2. Uphill: accelerates easily going uphill. Didn't have to get on it at all. I read one poster saying around 2500 RPM was a sweet spot for mileage, so I kept myself to 2500 RPM during acceleration. Only hit 3000 RPM once on a steep on-ramp, and it was still not working hard.

3. Brakes: Stopped easily. Didn't feel like I had to bear down on the brakes at all. I do still plan on getting a brake controller, it will just wait until I do something with some hills and/or longer than a couple hundred miles.

4. Temps: transmission temperature never moved. Oil temperature never moved. Exactly what I expected.

5. LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT 7 PIN POWER PLUG!

6. Everybody said "You won't know it's back there". I felt it more than I thought I would, but I think the comment was aimed more at the drivetrain than anything else. I never felt uneasy though, the truck felt solid.

I'm gonna go get some of those cheap mirror extenders since I don't have the towing mirrors. It was livable with the regular mirrors, but I wouldn't want to do that for any longer than I had to.

Thanks for the feedback guys. It has not fallen on deaf ears. I know the things I want to do and the things I need to do. It's all a matter of money at this point.

Have a great day!

[mrballcb]

Dumb question, but when reading the manual, it said to go into Tow/Haul mode *AND* to manually limit the transmission to 5th. I don't quite understand why Tow/Haul mode doesn't just exclude the overdrive gear in the first place. Is there some scenario that I'm not seeing where you would want it to go into 6th when in Tow/Haul mode?

[RONE]

Originally Posted by mrballcb

Dumb question, but when reading the manual, it said to go into Tow/Haul mode *AND* to manually limit the transmission to 5th. I don't quite understand why Tow/Haul mode doesn't just exclude the overdrive gear in the first place. Is there some scenario that I'm not seeing where you would want it to go into 6th when in Tow/Haul mode?

Don't encourage companies to remove more control from us.

[lh4x4]

I tow a 8.5' X 20 enclosed car hauler that has been converted to camping and hauling three motorcycles. It has two axles that are rated for 7,000 lbs gross weight. I do use trailer brakes, load equalizing hitch and two sway bars. That is a little over done but it is great in cross winds and when a semi passes.

As far as towing the Tundra does a great job. I hardly know its there other than there is a big black wall in the rear view mirror. I have the optional 10,300 lg towing package.

I towed with a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram before and as much as I like Rams, the Tundra is better.




The size and weight of your trailer should work out just great. But read the owner manual and see what is recommended for the trailer weight that you have. It may state trailer brakes and sway bar. If so do it. If your are ever in an accident towing, the lawyers for the other side will check what equipment you had and what Toyota says you should have. It is a growing area for lawyers to claim more % of liability on a towing vehicle even if the other guy was at fault.

[MikeVJ]

I just purchased a 2007 Tundra DC SR5 4x4 (5.7L V8) with the Toyota towing package installed. I see from many parts/accessories sites there are both a Class III and Class IV hitch available from Toyota.

How can I tell which hitch my truck is wearing? I looked underneath for any markings - no luck.

Is there an easy way to tell the difference? I'm assuming Toyota set it up with the Class III (cheaper) - but there are lots of sites which quote specs for 10K+ lbs for tow ratings. You only get that rating from a Class IV, right?

[RONE]

Originally Posted by MikeVJ

I just purchased a 2007 Tundra DC SR5 4x4 (5.7L V8) with the Toyota towing package installed. I see from many parts/accessories sites there are both a Class III and Class IV hitch available from Toyota.

How can I tell which hitch my truck is wearing? I looked underneath for any markings - no luck.

Is there an easy way to tell the difference? I'm assuming Toyota set it up with the Class III (cheaper) - but there are lots of sites which quote specs for 10K+ lbs for tow ratings. You only get that rating from a Class IV, right?

Do you have the tow package? You can use your VIN number to find out if you don't know. You'll have to search for a VIN reader, or something like that, but they are available for Tundras (basically just tells you what the different letter/numbers mean).

Also, you can look for a transmission cooler mounted up front. I'm pretty sure those only came on the tow package-equipped Tundras.

Lastly, as far as I know, Toyota only offered one factory hitch and that is the one that came with the tow package. If yours isn't OEM Toyota, then there's no saying what it is.

[MikeVJ]

Yes, Rone - I have the towing package. (I read somewhere that all SR5 DC have the Towing Package). The Toyota website lists the hitch, tans cooler, 150 amp alternator and 4 pin/7 pin connectors, and the e-brake prewiring.

But I can't find anywhere it specifies if the receiver (in the package) is Class III or Class IV.

Does anyone know for sure (have documentation)?

Thanks.

[michaelrdouglas]

I Hauled A Chev Diesel Home For A Friend On A Flatbed Trailer... I Had A Ford Harleydavison Truck Try And Pass Me... He Was Doing Some Crying When He Hardly Made It Buy Me Towing A Truck... U Wont Need To Drive Any Different Then U Would Normally With Such A Light Trailer... If It Has Tow Haul Use It But U Wouldnt Have Too... It Will Haul It Fine...

[Bamataco]

4. Mileage from L.A. to/from Joshua tree was 17.85 mpg not towing anything, will probably drop to around 15 towing this low weight.

This is going to be very hard to predict. Because of climate conditions. If it's windy out there will be much more resistance on the trailer and your mileage will drop quite a bit.