Advice On Travel Trailer Towing

[Buck Spear]

I have a 2008 Tundra 4x4 DC SR5 TRD towing a 8500lb Jayco 32RLS Travel Trailer. There are a few issues I can't seem to find the answers for from my dealer regarding trailer towing:
1. When towing the trailer in tow mode - All other pickups I've owned the truck will not shift into overdrive when driving in the tow mode. With the Tundra it seems it will shift into 6th (high) gear regardless of what mode I'm in - is this normal? This may be fine in a perfect world but I find the xmission will hunt between 5th & 6th (on cruise control) unless you get your speed exactly right. Would it be best if I towed the trailer using the sequential shift mode only shifting into 6th when the conditions were right. This would also allow me to down-shift on hills to try and keep the RPM at the max torque of 3600rpm?
2. The operators manual mentions trailers can be towed without using the tow mode which can improve fuel mileage. However, the manual is quite vague explaining the proper conditions under which this should be done. Considering the weight of my trailer, I have tried going out of the tow mode only when up to speed on the highway and have found a marginal increase in the fuel mileage as they claim.
Any of you more experienced Tundra hands out there have any advice you could send me.

[Chase Reynolds]

I was wondering the same thing with my Tundra. I pulled a trailer and it went into 6. I dont think it would hurt anything because if it put any strain on your motor, it would downshift. If you feel that it could persist to be a problem then I would go to the local Toyota dealership and ask them for advice.

[Al Thames]

I am thinking about buying a tundra to tow my 10000 lb. boat. Is anyone towing this much? Are Tundra,s under rated like fords and chevys. My local dealers wont comment on any thing other than the factory specs. The 5.7 puts out enough power and torque to tow 15000lbs. Will the Trany hold up? Can anyone help me out, I really like these trucks.

[Jason Lancaster]

Al - The Tundra is rated to pull about 10k lbs based on it's ability to safely control a load. Tow ratings have more to do with how much weight a truck can stop safely than anything else. I wouldn't be surprised if the Tundra could pull 15k lbs without a problem...but when you went to stop it, even with a trailer brake, you'd be in trouble. A lot of people think that since trailer brakes can stop a trailer all by themselves, the tow rating is based on pulling - not true. Even a self-sufficient trailer brake system still puts a tremendous load on a vehicle's suspension and frame (especially during a panic stop). If you were to pull substantially more than the recommended trailer weight, you could lose control of your truck and trailer during an emergency.

I'm no attorney, but guess what happens to people that get in an accident pulling more than the recommended trailer weight? Insurance companies don't always cover accidents caused by negligent owners, not to mention the fact that the people that get hit suddenly decide "a lawsuit is the only fair way to deal with this problem."

Bottom line - Vehicle tow ratings are determined based on a truck's ability to safely stop and control a load, not on how much a truck can pull. The 10k lbs boat you've got is within the truck's capabilities. If you were cautious and you weren't driving too fast (I wouldn't go faster than 55mph), you could probably pull 10-20% more than factory rating, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it (although I have seen it done).

[Al Thames]

Thanks for the advise.

[Chase Reynolds]

My Tundra is rated to pull 10800 lbs. I haven't pulled that much yet but thats what the book says it will hold. The tranny may not hold up to much more than that but im sure you will be fine.

[Jason Lancaster]

To your first question, it's normal for your Tundra to shift into top gear while towing. Once the load is moving, the truck is only pulling against air resistance, so the top gear is fine. The sequential shift mode is over-ridden by the engine computer as it sees fit, so it won't matter if you drive in that mode or not as the computer will decide when to go into 6.

As far as downshifting, the tow logic should be working with you to slow down your truck. I'm going from memory here, but one tap of the brakes will downshift the truck for you. I doubt you'll be able to keep the truck in a specific RPM range for very long, but it will definitely work to improve braking and control down hill.

I think you're wise to drive in tow mode 100% of the time. As you said, when you're on the highway (and all you're pulling is air resistance) it's OK to be out of tow mode. Once you get into any hills, stop and go, etc., you want the more aggressive transmission management that is engaged with tow mode to facilitate stopping and going. The manual is vague, but in terms of longevity and usability tow mode is best...it's just not quite as fuel efficient.

[chris]

buy a weight distributing hitch with sway bars, they are worth every dime when towing anything bigger then a single axle. i assume your truck has small engine and may be 2 wheel drive so this style hitch will drastically help with trailer control. make sure your electronic brakes are working good also if the trailer has them.

[chris]

what are you thinking about having the dealer mount? your truck should have came with hitch... look at other forum for brake controller advice, same questions are being answered. Here my rule at 3000 pounds or any size bulk (i.e. RV) use a weight distribution hitch with sway bars. Its not about the power to tow (you got that!) its about stopping and even more important control while trailering. most people don't realize the force on a trailer when a semi passes going other way or if a big wind is blowing, you need to be able and are required to by law control your trailer. Those sway bars help control, and weight distribution hitch helps spread weight of load out on your truck not just on hitch. if you have never used 1 don't be afraid, they are about $350 and VERY easy to use and require no additional hardware installed on your truck. hope this helps....

[Chase Reynolds]

You shouldn't to buy new brakes maybe you should just get a tranny cooler if yours didnt come with one.