kaiotee
North Carolina
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Joined: 06/20/2008
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Just joined this forum and could use some advice about choosing a 5th wheel travel trailer. We have a new 2009 Toyota Tundra, 5.7, V8 and are seriously considering a 29' Flagstaff. We've done some research and it sounds as if it will work but since this is all new to us, any informed opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated before we jump into it. Also how important is a generator and where & how would it be placed/hooked up? Anything else?
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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Welcome to rv.net.
You will get a lot of advise on this one. Most will tell you that you shouldn't pull a 5'er with your Tundra. Most have a hitch weight that will be more than the truck can safely handle. Your truck has the power to pull one,(towing capacity)it's shy on its ability to support the weight of the hitch.(payload)
However, there are a number of people that pull a 5'er with a 1/2 Ton. The trick is finding the right one, or should I say finding the right "light" one.
What is your truck's payload capacity? Keep the trailer's hitch weight under by about 20%. Don't forget to add the weight of the receiver hitch (can be around 200#) and the occupants & luggage in the truck.
What is your truck's towing capacity? Keep the trailer's GVWR under this by about 20% if possible.
What is your truck's CGVWR? Ideally, keep the combined weight of your truck and trailer under this by as much as possible.
Remember that the specs given for the trailer's hitch weight usually doesn't include options, propane, luggage inside, etc.
Another thing with the Tundra is its tendency for the rear end to drop when loaded. You should install air bags, etc. to prevent this.
Don't let the weight police on here prevent you from getting a 5'er, just be sure you get one that your truck can pull safely.
Which Flagstaff are you looking at?
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SH
Lynden, WA
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Joined: 09/27/2006
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Hello!
This is JMHO but...we tow a Springdale 279 which must be similar to the Flagstaff you are looking at. Towing with our previous truck 2500 Dodge CTD presented no problems. We regularly travel the Cascade mountains and truthfully...I wouldn't want to tow it with a 1/2 ton! It will probably do it but will be working at max all the time. Our new truck makes things really easy!
Depending on the type of camping and destinations you will frequent the Toyota/Flagstaff combination may be OK. I might consider a slightly smaller unit for the 1/2 ton truck.
We still do not have a generator...don't dry camp much! When we do purchase, I will spend the extra for one that is quiet! (Honda 2000, Yamaha 2400)
Stick around...there will be many others sharing suggestion!
Happy Camping!
2003 Springdale 279
2007 Chev 2500 LMM Duramax/Allison
1993 Heritage
1989 Sporty
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woody78shovel
So.East Missouri
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Joined: 05/02/2008
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We're pulling a 34 ft 08 aluminum frame Laredo with a 99 Z71 1/2 ton 5.7 Liter with airbags added does fine but only do short hauls no cross country
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Beware, there are all kind of nuts on this forum who will do things inherently unsafe. Please review all answers with the understanding that they may be worth exactly what you paid for them. Nothing!
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pritch272
Martinez, GA
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Joined: 03/18/2006
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amxpress has the correct approach- run the numbers and do the math, and be sure to not exceed the limits of the ratings for your tow vehicle. The main issue will probably be the pin weight. We have a trailer (32 ft 07 aluminum frame Laredo) with an advertised dry hitch pin weight of 1480 lbs which actually weighed 1820 lbs. Between the weight of the hitch (~200 lbs), 1820 lbs pin weight, the passengers and fuel in the truck, we were actually about 200 lbs over on our cargo (GVWR) carrying capacity, and that was with a Ford F250 7.3 Diesel. The back end squatted a bit, not a lot, but enough that I added air bags to level back up to keep from blinding oncoming vehicles at night.
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2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, Doran Pressure Pro and Metal Tire Valves, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower (Honda Clone), 4000/3500W Champion C46540
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Herculez
North Carolina
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Joined: 08/13/2006
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I think I will skip the Toyota question. I have a Toyota truck and like it.
Generator, we have. We use it a lot but have never dry camped. Get a built in one...first choice. Second choice, get a Honda portable ( EU 3000).
When hot, while traveling we will turn the Gen on and run both air conditioners. It is also nice when we stop for a break.
It makes set up easy when we get to camp ground. Just plug into the 50 amp service and turn the Gen off.
Britt
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tr4petty
East Tennessee
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You could probably get by with the Tundra pulling a 29 ft 5ver, but you're going to be stressing the truck to the MAX constantly. My advice would be to trade your Tundra for a Dodge, Chevy, GMC, or Ford 3/4 ton or 1 ton, preferably with a diesel engine. Then, you will have no worries.
TR4Petty
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Cheddarhead
Northern Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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I pulled with a 1/2 ton for two years and upgraded to a 3/4 diesel. It was a spectacular difference. The diesel gets almost 20 mpg when not towning and averages around 12 pulling and has the braun to handle the load. My gasser was lucky to get 18 empty and was under 10 pulling. I never felt safe pulling with my half ton and was always stressed when traveling even though I never went much over a hundred miles at a time with it. When you drove that rig, you drove it if you know what I mean. With the 3/4 ton, it is much easier on everything. The added power, mileage and sanity makes having a diesel worth the extra cost in my mind.
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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There are some fifth wheels that can be safely by a 1/2 ton, but without knowing what the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the fifth wheel is there is no way anyone here can tell you if it's going to work or not.
I'll tell you this, I towed an 8000 lbs fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton and it did okay until I got into the mountains - then it struggled.
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