I have a 2004 Tundra V/8 4.7L, Access Cab, AT four speed, AC, Limited, 4x4, factory tow pkg, with a camper shell that is 5987 lbs at the scale ready for camping. I pull a 17' travel trailer that weighs 2600 lbs. dry weight. Wet weight would be about 3600 lbs. My almost half ton pick up pulls okay except going up steep grades, then I crawl along like a loaded 18 wheeler. I want to put an aluminum bull bumper on the front but I am concerned about the weight of the bumper as the first generation Tundra had a ball joint factory recall problem. Years back I hit a deer and it mangled the front end of my Ford Falcon, so I don't want that headache again. I put deer whistles on the front of the Tundra but they don't pay any attention to it. They seem to think it is road traffic white noise. Should I get a BIGGER truck, maybe a second generation Tundra or Dodge 2500?
You really shouldn't have any problem with a TT that size. When you say a camper shell on the back do you mean just a cap or a truck camper? Big difference.
Don't be afraid to let the tranny drop a gear and rev high on the hills, it needs to, to get into the power band and it will do it happily all day long. I had the same engine/trans combo in my '04 4Runner and towed my 3500lbs HTT without a problem. It would accelerate easily up hills. Even pulled my current 26BHS (@6000lbs) with it for a season. Engine handled it ok too but you knew it was there.
Upgrading to a 2nd Gen Tundra would be a big step up as long as you go with the 5.7. Much bigger truck over all and a bullet proof, powerful engine. You'll never know that TT is back there, hills or not.
'07 Toyota Tundra Crewmax Limited
'06 Forest River Flagstaff 26BH(sold)
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 31BHPR
Hitched by Hensley, Viewed by McKesh
If you are looking for a reason to buy a new truck then here it is.
You should absolutely upgrade to a new truck. Some guy on RV.net said so.
However, your current rig sounds like a good match. Add your bumper, get the rig fully loaded weighed. If you are under your ratings you are good to go.
You have a gasser, the way it makes power is to rev, on hills let that little I force sing. No worries at all.
Even my big f350 sings at 4000-4500 rpm on big grades. No worries at all
Thanks!
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
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Most any full sized half ton would easily do the job. Your biggest problem will be payload on the truck (since you no longer have any warranty to be concerned with). Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
what rear gears do you have? I pull about 5800 lbs. and i have no issues passing the 18 wheelers, even in the Ozark mountains, with a similar size drivetrain, albeit with an extra gear in the trans.
02 Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4, prodigy and equalizer
07 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK
and no payments
The only reason why you think your truck is struggling is if you did not keep it over 3000rpm for those climbs. Any gas engine except the 8.1L and Ecoboost will need to spin that high to pull 10000 pounds up hills and mountains.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
APT wrote: The only reason why you think your truck is struggling is if you did not keep it over 3000rpm for those climbs. Any gas engine except the 8.1L and Ecoboost will need to spin that high to pull 10000 pounds up hills and mountains.
Bingo. The peak torque for the 4.7 is at 3400 rpms. That would be the sweet spot when climbing in Oregon. My old 5.4 was also around 3400 rpms and thats where it pulled the best going up the passes.
My '04 Tundra (same year & options as OP) pulls the Rocky Mountan passes just fine as long as the RPM's are up in the 3000-3500 range. Turn the OD off when pulling hills.
Fully loaded with water, food, gear, dog, & famiily, my truck is 6000# and the popup is 2500#. If I recall correctly, the OP (and my) truck is rated for a GCVR of around 11000#.
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 (V8, 4WD, TP, TRD)
2005 Fleetwod Allegance with axle flip
Honeywell 2000i Generator
Me, DW, DS, DD, Dog & Camping Kitty
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