Myths - Towing Capacity & Payload - the best Half-ton truck for your Travel Trailer or RV
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- Опубликовано: 22 апр 2022
- Just some info for new RVers, and maybe some more experienced ones to help understand the myths associated with Maximum Tow Rating as it relates to inflated estimates of real world towing capability. And important factors like safety and range when towing.
Finally, you have brought a common sense approach to towing with a 1/2 ton. Based on my limited research, most of the truck manufacturers derate capacity. Thanks for this post. I tow an 8,000 lb travel trailer with an F150 5.0L V8 with a 36 gallon fuel tank. The 5.0 engine never runs hot and tows just fine. Yes, it winds up the rpm’s when merging but that is where the power band is.
Yeah that's the thing with naturally aspirated engines. The polar opposite to this would probably be the VW Touareg, a mid-size crossover which the Audi Q8 is based of, with the 4.0L twin-turbo diesel V8. It has 415 hp at 3500 RPM and 664 lb-ft of torque from 1250 to 3250 RPM. It just pulls and pulls, you are at peak torque all the time and once it reaches peak power it upshifts and you are at peak torque again. It goes 0-62 in 4.9 seconds and only stops at 155 mph. In Europe it's a very popular tow vehicle (more the diesel V6 version) which can legally tow up to 7716 lbs.
Interesting, I can't find or build the 5.0 with a 36 gallon fuel tank anymore, which version/year do you have?
@@kedrevs4037 Ford option code is 655. Not available with Powerboost or Heavy Duty Payload Package. Available only on 3.5 or 5.0 engines. Standard with Max Tow Package.
@@kedrevs4037 check max tow PACKAGE 8ft bed and extended not crew cab ... you can select 3.5 twin turbo
@@kedrevs4037 I have an 18 F150 STX Supercrew w/ 3.5., 6.5 ft bed, 10 speed and max tow package. It came with the 36 gallon tank.
Clear, complete and straight to the point. Thanks!
Best breakdown I've seen yet! Thanks!!
Nice video! That 38 gallon tank is a must for us Tundra owners. 👍
Yes it is
Thanks for the explanation. I own a single-axle open utility trailer which is all I will ever tow. All of my previous trucks were half-ton until I bought a RAM 2500 4x4 Hemi as a daily driver. If I need to haul more than a 3000 pound payload, I will have the material delivered. The truck will hold 5 adults and their nominal luggage. Works for me.
Outstanding overviews with insightful expertise, Thank you!
Thank you for the comments
I really like your videos. I have been following and listening for a while in preparation for retirement. I retired this year and currently looking at a TT. I have watched TFL video with the Gen 2.5 toyota hauling the 8000+ trailer and it pretty much matches what you have been saying. I upgraded my 2015 Tundra V6 to a '21 V8 4x4 for the very same reasons you outlined here. I appreciate your insight and thoughtful research. Maybe one day, our Tundras will meet on the road. Merry Christmas!
Wow, thank you for the kind words and safe travels.
Love how you developed your video!! Awesome jobs sir
Thank you, I really appreciate that.
Spot on……i have learned more watching this gentleman’s video…than in any other video
Wow, thank you
Great Video with lots of useful information. I have done much research on towing and agree with most of what you said.
For those that say, "I tow a trailer that is heavier than the towing specs of my truck and it handles it just fine, I have a friendly warning for you. If you are in an accident while towing, and someone is injured, and Law enforcement /lawyers get involved, you can be sued if you are towing more than your vehicle is rated to handle.
Thank you. I have heard of this scenario, but don't know of anyone held responsible as a matter of legality or civil law. I'm not saying that I can't imagine it, just only hear about it in conjecture.
Great video. I camped at a nice campsite a few years ago and my unscientific study showed me that nearly 30% of trucks in the campground were F-250's. That was a large majority of the trucks there.
I sure do love those new GMCs though
Great video thank you. I tow a 7,700 pound travel trailer with my 2007 Dodge Durango with the 4.7 V-8. She tows pretty good and doesn't over heat even when climbing a grade.
I'm saying you don't. Sorry but that lil Durango has no chance
@@jasonbruney8842Yeah doesn’t make sense.
We had an '07 Aspen (sister to Durango)back in the day. Came with 5.7 Hemi, it would have towed that amount, but it would be more than I was comfortable with.
Good video. I tow a fifth wheel 10k with a nissan titan xd diesel. I've done it all over the northern states in mountain areas and had no issues with it. The fuel tank has been upgraded to a 45 gal
that's what I would do with that Nissan fuel tank. Love the Titan XD.
Once again great video keep up the good work be blessed
Thank you sir.
You’re welcome my friend hope you and your family are well God bless🙏
Great video. I tow a 27ft 7k lbs travel trailer with my 2015 Toyota Tundra. The only complaint I have is the 2015 only had the 26 gal fuel tank so I do in fact pull over every 2 hours to gas up. I probably would have bought the same setup anyway since the Tundra is so reliable but it is very annoying. I don’t tow cross country or anything, but definitely glad you mentioned it so others can learn before buying
I have a 2010 Tundra. Fantastic vehicle and I am considering using it to tow a keystone "half ton" 5th wheel. All the numbers I've found relating to.the model of my truck say it will handle it. However, the one concern I have is the tundra braking system. Is there a way to improve that?
When I got my 2011 f150, I searched all over for the larger gas tank. I had a 2010 with the 36 gal tank. I couldn’t find one. The last 8 years I towed my 3k dry trailer around with the 3.5 turbo, no problems at all. I pick up my new trailer Saturday. 4.4k dry. I hope the f150 still tows nicely.
First Time Listening To You - Great Stuff 👍🏼. FYI - I Have a 2014 Tundra with a 8 foot bed With Air Bags and Big Nitto Tires and I Tow a 31’ 5th Wheel Cougar and it Pulls / Stops with No Problem. I also Have Brake Control installed and a Breeze and Joy !!! NO White Knuckles . 5 th Wheel is a Different Towing then a Bumper Pull Camper. Thank You & Enjoy Your Notes / Imfo. 👍🏼☮️
Sounds like a great setup, best designed half tons for towing and modifying ever.
Yup, I just bought another Tundra for more towing of our 20 foot trailer with extra large slide out. We love our setup, the 1794 2020 4x4 crewmax is a nice truck. I'm doing the 3 inch lift, air bag's and transmission cooler 😎 just because we love off road desert heat... lol.
So important and Thank's again for warning RV owners to stay below trucks towing capacity. The high winds and high mountain roads are best and joyful when your not over loaded! I hate seeing RVs scattered all over the roadway, it's truly a sickening site.
Got 18 tacoma, 19 travel trailer rated half the listed pull and tongue weight. Terrible, won't stay outa turd gear, rubber leafspring stoppers 3\8" off frame.
Excellent video that considers much more than so many RUclips videos that trash pulling with 1/2 tons for anything more than a pop up trailer (such as "Big Truck RV").
I personally own a 2010 Tundra and have been RVing since 1986 and this easily has been the most capable vehicle when all aspects, including reliability are factored in (this includes over a 1 ton I owned).
Looking at axle weight rating is important, so is hitch weight, so is how the trailer is balanced which is often forgotten (our 7800 lb Cougar has a wider stance in the tandem axles).
Our Tundra also has much heavier brakes (more comparable to 3/4 tons).
My only complaint would be the 26 gallon gas tank since we haul our trailer long distances (where we get about 9.5 mpg). But we make up for this with a few 5 gallon gas containers with electric pumps that makes adding the gas easy, and since I have the bladder the size of a walnut, I need to stop every few hours anyway.
I also agree with your points about the newer Tundra, the Titan, and most importantly the turbo charger long term reliability. I have been a pilot since 1989 and a multi engine pilot since 1993 and the running the turbos on high performance planes shortened the life and we were discouraged from doing so when not needed.
Great, informative post. Remember when it comes time to upgrade that tundra,
Man you’re right on with the pop up comment on that Big truck RV fella.
Good video with good info. Basically, with a half-ton pickup, you run out of payload long before you run out of tow capacity. It's a numbers game. The payload on the sticker is technically the "curb" payload or empty payload (no passengers or cargo) with a full fuel tank (as you generally allude to). I figured this out using a CAT Scale. Numbers were right on the money. BUT! In reality, this isn't very realistic; no one drives a 100% empty truck since the driver is in the truck and his/her weight counts againstthe listed max payload number. There is an "effective" payload that is more realistic, or the available payload remaining after you load up with passengers + stuff you want to carry when you go camping + the hitch with spring bars in the bed. The only way to find this number is with a CAT Scale. The GVWR - Scaled Weight = Effective Payload. In many cases, it isn't very much. Also, the receiver hitch on the truck is typically rated (tow rating/max tongue weight) at 10,000#/1000#. Even comparing RAWR with the weighed Rear Axle Weight is pretty close to Effective Payload. To estimate your tongue weight, multiply the trailer GVWR by 13%. This gives you a ballpark number. I found this pretty close after 40 years towing trailers. Of course, you can control your tongue weight by balancing your load, too, and not having a full fresh water tank, which are typically in the front of the trailer.
Good, informative video. 👍
Read the fine print. Toe capacity is void once you exceed payload
Great video like your logical explanation...Thanks 😊
Appreciate it, thank you.
Well done with this video😎🤘🏽
Great video!
I have been towing my Imagine 17MKE Trailer with the new Tundra Limited 2022.
Very Happy with gaz milage, doing around 12 miles a gallon (imperial gallon) pulling around 6500 pounds.
I had a Titan HD 2019 and gaz per gallons was around 10 per mile at the time.
The Titan Hd is a way bigger truck and it feel way more solid on the road .Great payload but milage it's not comparable with the new Tundra .
Great advices! agree...always stay under towing and payload limits.
Safer for everyone.
Thank you, safe travels
Loved my 08 Titan thing never failed me once 200 K sold it to a family member things still going purchased a 21 tundra TRD pro have to agree didn’t go pro 4X one of the reasons also was fuel tank capacity love the 38 gallons on the tundra
I think I’m gonna get a 2021 or 2022 Titan xd instead of a 2020 or 2021 tundra due to gas mileage, 6.5’ bed, and Titan has a hood crash rating whereas the tundra has poor. I’m a Toyota fanboy but this is just how it is for me haha
@@americandude3825 I got 21 Titan, V8 without new electronic garage start stop or cylinder deactivation. 2200 lb payload, 6.5ft bed. 100k waranty, what's not to like. Towing trailer is like is not even there.
Nicely done!
You took the long way around but ended up in essentially the same place as me regarding the max weight a 1/2 Ton Truck should tow.
Depending on things, I'm in the 6500lbs to 7000lbs range.
There are exceptions to everything and people do have "unicorn" trucks with bigger capabilities but in general, thats where I'm at.
We decided that we wanted a bigger Travel Trailer. It weighs in at 10k, I tow with a RAM 2500 gas.
That comes with a different set of challenges but i knew what i signed up for.
Great comment, thanks for sharing.
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Appreciate it thank you
A simple rule of thumb to stay safe and not break stuff is to make 75% of your tow rating the max, be aware of your payload (but don't worry about maxing that because it's nearly impossible not to) and keep your trailer length (on a 1/2 ton) to 26 feet for a box shaped travel trailer (you can go longer with an Airstream or a flatbed).
Appreciate the input
I agree I had a 2012 f150 Ecoboost and around 30k Miles started having problems with the intercooler timing chain and transmission that thing ate spark plugs like candy then around 90k started having problems with turbo's that was the last straw for me decided to trade it in for a used 2017 tundra with 32k on it I now have 78k on it the previous owner ordered it with the 38 gallon tank so far no problem's I love it tundra tows way better than the Ecoboost
Appreciate the info.
Nice looking campsite you were at.
I really have to put in my 2 cent5here. I have a 2019 Lance 2375 and tow it all around d the country. The first three years I towed with a 2014 Tundra with the 5.7. It was a great truck but I didn't like running at a high rpm alot of the time, especially on hills. I was always shifing manually and on longleaf this can get retiring. Also iwas nkt happy with the brakes. I upgraded to drilled and slotted rotors and heavyduty pads. It was an improvement for sure but not completely satisfactory. It also got really bad mile4when not towing. A year ago I really wanted to get one of the 2022 Tundras but you couldn't get one any. I wa Ted a new truck for our Spring 2022 leaving mid March from New Hampshire to Nevada. I custom ordered a new F150 Ecoboost with MAX towing package around Thanksgiving and it arrived mid February. The difference in towing was and is dramatic. The e tra torque combined with the 10 speed transmission. The stock brakes are far superior to the Tundra. I never manual shift anymore. On the highway I use cruise control trol which I could never do in the Tundra. It came with 8 ply tires which surprised me. I should have noticed that when I placed the order. I recently upgraded to a 10 light truck tire and the difference is astounding. The turbo psi gauge never gets above 50 percent and most of the time barely moves. It has been a true pleasure. The payload capacity is 1898 lbs. I would not recommend exceeding the payload capacity due to possible frame, axle and wheel capacity. Happy travels.
Great info, thank you for sharing that.
Great vid I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 and I wanna put a lance 650 slide in camper in there but nervous to pull the trigger bc I’d be 400 over payload
Thank you for the informative video.
We tow with a ram 1500. With a 7700 lb travel trailer. Use a weigh safe hitch and air bags. She handles great and pulls fine.
The cost of a 3/4 ton truck is exponentially more expensive.
That can buy me an awful lot if fuel.
My only complaint is our fuel tank is too small.
My 2021 Ram 1500 Limited came with a 34g fuel tank. It'd be nice if they did that again
I have no experience towing with a gasoline truck, but this is a splendid video for learning. I tow a 45' 5th wheel with an F-450, and honestly, it pulls like a dream. The 6.7L diesel seems to handle the load w/o objection - even in the west at an elevation pushing past 11,000 feet. I meet people at parks towing with Ford's "Godzilla" gasoline or RAM's gasoline, and they tell me it sounds like the motor is going to explode, claiming mountain passes. For me, diesel is worth the cost.
Well I’ll bet they’re maxed out or near the limit for towing? Maybe even exceeding the payload capacity😂 If you’re going up the mountain they have to know their truck is making less power. Especially when the fuel mix is turning lean in relation to sea level fuel ratios
I guess my pack mule is way below your league then.
I 100% agree with you on not running down the the road at or near your max weights & towing capacity!! Buy a bigger truck!!! It’s like a 150lbs person carrying a 250lbs person on their back vs a 250lbs person carrying a 150lbs person on their back. Both can do it but the smaller person is going to get tired and fall down quicker 😂
Very good analogy
Not everyone has $60K laying around to blow on a HD truck, thanks to taxes.
I rather supercharge my tundra abs it’s going to last longer and power off the line
I have a 2012 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 with Extended Cab and 5.0 Engine. I've used to tow an 18 foot Dutchmen Travel Trailer for about 11 years with it and got about 16MPG. Now, I tow a 33 foot Cherokee Travel Trailer and I still get 14-16 MPG. I also tow my boat and launch it a few times every week. My boat is 5900 lb. dry, but my 55 gallon gas tank is always full, so that increases the weight significantly. I get about 16 MPG with the boat. So, I've really had no issues with doing this.
Glad the 5.0 is getting it done for you.
I love the Titans they are a pretty solid truck. Nissan really made a decent Pick up after no refresh for a decade lol.
I used to own an old Suburban that was ordered from the factory with a max tow package build.
They were known as a heavy half ton. They were basically a 3/4 ton rated half ton truck.
I could tow 14,000 lbs with it if I wanted to.
It had a 454 engine , a thicker radiator core for increased cooling capacity. It had external transmission and engine oil coolers.
It had overload leaf springs on the rear that did not touch until loaded down heavy.
It had oversized brakes and oversized anti sway bars as well as heavier duty shocks.
It also came with higher load range tires and wider heavier steel wheels.
Vehicles used to be able to be ordered with factory upfitting and now they have moved away from special ordering.
They don't profit as much.
Regulation chasing us all to HD trucks in the future
i plan on buying a f150 with the capable abilities of 13,200 toing cap....however my trailer has a empty weight of 5996 lbs....loaded up to 7000 lbs....and that i max i would tow with the ford. i currently run an Armada towing the same trailer, but we are limited on areas to tow due to axle rating and tow cap....its just smart towing and researching the trailer and truck capacity and staying as the man said here, keep it well below max rate
One thing to think about is altitude. The ecoboosts really make a difference towing at higher altitudes. I’ve had the 5.0 F150 and the 3.5 eco boost.
I’m getting an eco boost… so which direction is it at altitude - good or bad? My assumption was that the eco boost would struggle
Great video
Thank you
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I have an older silverado with a 34 gallon tank and it does really well towing. It was a fleet truck single cab and depending on the load behind me I really don't know it is back there. I am looking to retire soon and we are thinking about different RV's and maybe up grading the truck but then I am not really sure witch way to go but this has been very helpful.
Thank you. Fuel tank needs really depend on how far you like to travel in a day. New Silverado’s only have a 24g tank, But if you don’t travel more than 200 to 400 miles a day, It’s not a terribly big deal.
My 2017 Titan Sv (nonxd) rear axle is 4000lbs!
I tow a 4600lb dry tt, 24 foot with 2014 ford f 150 5.0 7700lb towing cap. Wind is the only issue towing 8000km to AZ and back each year. Heavy tongue 900 lbs, no sway with reese steady flex. But in wind, 14mpg cnd to 8 or 9😱
I never had anything freeze, but don't know that we had to keep things at 65F. Lance was great, but moved to Airstream.
2014 F-150 with the 5.0l v8, the truck is 2 wheel drive, has a 3.55 rear end, and has the front end lifted 2.5” to level the truck. I run Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs 275/65R18 load range c on the truck, and I swapped my trailer to load range d’s. Trailer is about 7800lbs when we load for a trip. It’s a Heartland Pioneer BH270. Truck tows surprisingly well and I average around 15mpg. My only complaint is I purchased the truck before the trailer and did not opt for one with the larger fuel tank, so I can agree there. The larger tank does make sense, however I wasn’t considering a trailer I did not have when purchasing the vehicle so I can hardly be angry. Other than that, I cannot speak for the newer F-150’s, but as for the year and model I have I find it tows very good. For anyone who may be wondering.
5.0 has always been a solid towing performer
This just helped my nerves a ton man. I have a 2014 f150 3.55 and have to transport my 37ft bullet 330bhs to the marina. Very skeptical of how it’s gonna go. So hearing that yours tows fairly nice it makes me feel much better about tomorrow!
It’s at 7600 lbs
How in the world do you get 15 mpg while towing that trailer? Did I read that wrong? I have the same truck, year, motor and axle, I get 15.4 mpg not pulling anything.
@@397coney7 swear to you. I average 15.6 mpg on the daily. I usually keep my average pulled up, but I switched over to the instant mpg when pulling out of curiosity. At 65mph on the highway, when keeping a steady pace I was getting about 15mpg. I’m sure if I were to drive around town more than on the highway the average would be worse. But yeah, I was getting a steady 15mpg. I’ve yet to bring it longer distance than say 100 miles at a time, so that’s all I can speak for. I’m sure longer distance would be different.
I have a 33ft 10,000 pound camper my tundra tows it 240 miles round trip regularly. Some airbags a back sway bar and some bigger breaks and I can tow like a diesel. Best purchase iv made
What year tundra, does it matter?
@@joehill3271it doesn’t really matter. But mine is a 2016 TRD pro.
Thanks for this video. on line looking for ppls that drive a Tundra pulling a trailer. Not too many of them. My Tundra is a 2017 SR5 pulling a Grand Design 2250 6995 Lb. bought the trailer then found the truck to pull it. might be a bit of an over kill but i feel safe driving with the wife in tow.
It should do great with that setup for a long time
Nice setup. I have a 2wd 2015 SR5 Double cab 5.7L that I use to tow my 2020 Heartland Wilderness 2300DB. The trailer at max load is 7400 lbs, but realistically I don’t load it to the max. It’s a great setup except I have the 26 gal fuel tank so I am pulling over every 2 hours. I feel very safe when towing my trailer
Nice video. Its worth mentioning that the 2014-2019 Ram Eco diesel had a high bearing failure rate. Ours was in the final 6 months warranty and we sold it back to the dealer. If it fails out of warranty, $18,000. We replaced it with a '23 3.0 LZ0 Duramax diesel. Regarding the range, you can purchase a 43 gallon Titan fuel tank for $1370. Its a direct replacement for the factory unit. We tow a Lance 1475s. We may move to a 1975 or AS 23 someday.
Great info, thank you. That LZO is tempting.
Unless I missed it a factor that was not mentioned but has an impact is available options on gear ratios. This can make a significant difference
I agree completely, and if I didn't discuss it, thank you for bringing it up. May have to do a video just on that some time.
My rule of thumb, pre 2010, was to choose a TT with a GVW of no more than the TV's Tare weight + 500#. Recently, I have increased the TV side to Tare + 1000#. Considering the 2023 Tundra, the Tundra can easily and safely tow a TT of 6500#, say a 20ft to 24ft TT. If I had the discontinued Nissan XD diesel, the TT could go to 9000#.
I don’t like a lot about the new Tundra when it comes to towing. V6 turbo gas, 3.31 rear axle, but especially the 3860 lbs rear axle. If the Titan XD came with a 35 gallon fuel tank, I would have one in my driveway
Ok, Thank so much
Hope you found it useful
So, I think, my truck (GVWR=7,000lbs) can tow an RV/Trailer with a maximum load of 8,000lbs.
Good video! You share a lot of information and experience to help inexperienced people like me decide on future purchases. Do you have any experience with the second gen sequoia when it comes to towing or gas tank sizes? And your right about gas tank size. I pulled a single axel enclosed Uhaul trailer with my Kia Sedona from TX to NC and my gas mileage was cut in half it sucked how many times I had to fill up! 😭
Never towed with Sequoia. But their tank size is 26 gallons. If towing something low-profile ( maybe a Casita, Oliver, Popup, or single axle Airtstream, I think you'll be fine. A boxier shaped travel trailer coming in at 6K or above GVWR and I think you'll be getting 7.5 to 8.5 mpgs and stopping every two to 2.5 hours to refuel.
@@kedrevs4037 appreciate the reply!
I have a second gen. Bullet proof.
Only towed a 12 foot enclosed uhaul once and a trailer once or twice.
Uhaul was from North Carolina to Virginia. About three hours.
Mine is the 5.7L rear wheel drive.
Did fine for what I needed. Owners manual said my trim level can tow 10k like the tundra but I haven’t done anything near that.
My normal gas mileage is 14.5-17.5 and hauling what I did about 8-10 probably.
Gas tank should be bigger but of course it’s not.
I’d buy a Toyota before I’d buy anything else except a Titan xd fdue to towing. Unless I HAD to tow something I needed a diesel for.
Did you know that the RST without a low diff, you have a payload of 1,978 lbs? Axle is still the same at 3800…. I live in snow country in the mountains and figured I would be screwed without a low diff, but honestly with the locking rear diff I’ve not get it stuck or needed it yet for 4x4 stuff. I guess I have SXS’s and dirt bikes for off road,… Just a thought.
I had a 2020 Silverado and now a 2023 Silverado with 6.2L and Max Tow package. Conv Tow capacity is 13,200. I tow a 35ft Fountain boat at about 12,000lbs. I made two trips of about 200 miles with the 2020. Towed the boat no problem. On the hwy at 72MPH it was only cranking 1750 RPMs. I tow the boat to a from the boat ramp about 8 miles away 12 times a year at about 55 MPH. The truck handles the tow on hilly roads etc just fine. However, if i was towing long distances on a regular basis I would definitely get a 3/4 ton with a Dura Max Diesel.
BTW the aerodynamics of a boat makes a huge difference. I actually got better MPG pulling my boat down the Highway vs a 2 place snowmobile trailer which was like pulling a parachute down the highway
@@bp6461 yes it does, as does tail wind vs head wind
Great video - what mpg are you getting with the lance and the tundra ? My average is between 7-9
8-9.5 depending on speed, head wind, always do better west to east than east to west.
Seems logical.
Hello, thank you for the very informative video. We have a 34' Grand Design with a dry weight of 7,895 lbs a GVWR of 9,995 lbs and a hitch weight of 795 lbs. We are planning on taking shorter week-long trips with it, maybe going a couple states over, but nothing super long or cross-country. Do you think we could we get away with a V8 Tundra or Nissan XD? Or should we definitely go with an HD truck? Thank you!
I’d have no issue with the Titan XD. The Tundra will do it, but the rear axle and frame of that Titan is built for that kind of load.
I tow at 5000lb 24 foot tt with 2014 f150 5.0 3.55 , 36 gal fuel tank 4th and 5th gear,canada to AZ each year, just hates wind. 12mpg imperial all day long
Wish you could still get 5.0 with 36g tank, but Ford will only offer that 36g tank with the 3.5 now.
I always play it safe. 14 F150 5.0 7700lb towing capacity. I tow a 5000lb loaded 24 foot tt
Tows great with a HD WDH with sway control. Never feel unsafe. Fuel economy around 11 mpg towing. But
.. it hates a head wind.
HAha, They all hate headwind. That's whi "love" the question; "What is you're towing mpgs?" Way too many variables from one trip to the next.
I had a Tundra/Lance combo. I miss it……
11:50-13:00 finally someone who gets it. It’s so obvious but people just don’t understand when you’re forcing an engine to work as hard as it possibly can constantly it’s not going to last.
There’s a reason Toyota’s are known to be so reliable. Toyota de-tunes them so they won’t win any races but they’ll last freakin forever.
Yep, drivetrain performance comes at the expense of reliability, you have to decide what's most important
Curious what camp ground you're at, it's looks beautiful.
Red Rock RV park, Island Park ID
I have a platinum tundra as well. I am curious on what type of fuel do you pump in that?
87 no matter where I am. If I am somewhere out west that considers 85 or 86 regular, I still go to at least 87 or higher octane.
I love when I’m camping and I can hear an f150 ecoboost coming from far away because their fan is running to cool that v6 down because the rpm’s do get high enough to make boost to tow up hills on dirt roads.
That ecoboost will also have much less issue in high altitudes than a naturally aspirated motor.
I have a 2023 f150 with ecoboost, I have never had an issue on hills and I could fly up them at 100 mph if I had no care for the consequences.
These ecoboosts start making huge toq around 2-2.5k rpms... the v8s need to be 2x that to get in their torque range.
@@Tgrable84 so 4,000 to 6,000 for a v8… OK
@@patrick32584 have you heard how loud a v8 is at those rpms. If you think electric fans are loud....
@@Tgrable84 I own a v8 and don’t need anywhere near 4k rpm to make torque.
@@patrick32584 ruclips.net/video/T5XoM7pvqFM/видео.html
Your Tundra’s Payload of 1185 lbs is figured by the manufacture by your options as your specific truck sits ready to drive that means “wet weight “ all fluids including fuel whether it’s a 20 gallon tank or 50gallon that’s all figured in. So when your truck has a full tank of fuel ready to drive you cannot add more than 1185lbs of people, gear, or whatever you put in or “on” your pickup including aftermarket bumpers, winches, oversized wheels tires etc… these all play into your Payload capacity. that is why a f250 top trim level 4door might only have a Payload of 1900lbs whereas a f250 2door base model will have a Payload of 4000lbs. Same frame same suspension same engine same brakes etc…
I would agree with you if the manufacturer could provide evidence, but they don’t, it’s arbitrary
Great video! I was hung up on payload for the longest time! My brother who is a highly intelligent engineer told me to think about parameters, not absolute math, because too many equations are not defined. This you clearly demonstrated in your video, Thanks. My brother tows a 27' trailer approx 7000lbs with his 2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8. He has encouraged me to move to a larger trailer. I have a 2014 Toyota Tundra with the 5.7L V8. I tow a 19' trailer approx 3500lbs. I would like to upgrade to a trailer that runs around 5500lbs. Your video has given me some great things to think about. I am not sure where I heard it, but I remember someone saying a good rule of thumb is always to be around a 1/3 of the manufactures tow rating. Do you feel his is a good rule of thumb? Seems to me that most people feel ok running closer to 2/3.
The thing that I always heard was 75% of max towing capacity. At 5,500 lbs, you should be just fine.
Ive pulled 6000lb travel trailer in a 5.7 tundra for years. Its fine on flatland, and will pull it in the mountains, but your gonna see alot 4000-5000rpms on the tach doing it.
I tow a 21ft with a v6 Tacoma which has a tow rating of 6500lbs. My truck will tow ok on highways backroads and even steep mountain roads and still keep the rpm’s usually under 3-3.5k. On the freeway it’s a totally different story. When I’m in 5th gear and and hit those rolling hills it falls on its face and looses all power. I have to try and hit 70 and get a running start at the hills and then downshift when I get into the hill and still struggles. I have semis blowing past me like I’m sitting still. I think my torque converter is on its way out now too cause I’ve been hearing and feeling some weird stuff going on in that area. Even though I’m well within my tow rating I feel like tow ratings are greatly exaggerated. My mom has a Silverado rated for about 8,000 lbs but I can make that thing squat just by pushing on the bumper with my hand it’s so soft. My Tacoma I could jump on it with my full weight and wouldn’t hardly budge. I don’t see that Silverado towing no 8,000lbs.
@@thomasdean5651 Thanks
@@kedrevs4037 Thanks
I have tow a Grand Design 245RL that weighs dry, 6500 lbs with a hitch rating off 670 with a 2021 Tundra and it pulls effortlessly.
If you talk on forums, I would need a 250 or 2500
4,000 miles in it now.
Ain't that the truth, many on forums don't use common sense.
22 F150 PowerBoost towing a 7500 gvwr trailer at 6000 loaded per CAT. 10k miles towing w Anderson WDH. Comfort for me is the 6k weight and 60mph. Turbos NOT on all the time. Also, plug the 30A trailer into the truck for boondocking; idles ~4x hour 4min to keep AC on.
If your towing 6k lbs, I would think the turbos are on most all the time. But kudos if your able to do that without them.
I busted out laughing when I heard you say 12-13 mpg towing a 4000lb trailer at 70mph. I personally know several people that have Tundra's and get that mpg empty.
Lot's of people get those numbers, all city, wrong suspension, wrong tires, At 70 empty, Iget 17.5 to 18.5 depending on how many hills are on my path.
Great info - expect one factor . I have worked in the automotive industry for over a decade and would NEVER recommend that Nissan XD to anyone , we’ve replaced countless turbos and engines on the Nissans . I’ve even seen a long back order on the parts due to nationwide similar issues . Other wise phenomenal information. 3/4 tons are best bang for the buck .
Appreciate comment. Titan does not have a turbo, and thr 5.6 has been extraordinarily reliable.
@@kedrevs4037 diesel version . I should have clarified - has not even close to the reliability issues.
Thanks for the video. I am new to towing and just bought a Lance 1985 that has a GVWR of 7000 lbs. I am going to tow it with my 2020 Ram Rebel that has 11k towing and 1406 payload according to the Ram website after entering the truck VIN. Any tips or advice? I am a little nervous as I plan to tow from Colorado to Washington later in the year. Happy travels.
I forgot to mention my truck is 5.7 v8 hemi 3.92 gear ratio with 33 gallon gas tank. Thanks for your time.
Weight distributing hitch, leave the truck running for a while before you shut it off or get gas (no fluid pumping to the transmission cooler if the engine is off.) keep an eye on temps while pulling big grades. You’ll be fine.
Sounds like a sound setup. Making sure you have a properly set weight distribution hitch is my best advice. Stay at a comfortable speed for you, I think that is the biggest part of towing.
@@kedrevs4037 thank you for your reply.
I read somewhere that Ford, Chevy and Dodge over estimate what their trucks can/should tow, while Toyota under estimates what the Tundra can/should tow.
They all have fudge factors, standard engineering. Toyota seems to fudge more
How large is your travel trailer? I have a well equipped f150 and considering a 24ft trailer that is actually 30ft overall between 6 and 7k lbs. Is that too large or is that something many 1/2 ton owners do?
that is right in the half ton range
What are ypur thoughts on the 2010 5.7 sequioa for towing a medium travel trailer? I have a 2012 tundra and love it, but i have 5 kids, so i need more space
I can’t say much about it other than the 5.7 is a proven towing champ. Not sure about Sequoia gearing, but if I had 5 little ones, it’d be on my short list.
I have a 2016 Sequoia, and from what I can tell, it has the same drivetrain as the same year Tundra - a 6 speed transmission and a 4.30 rear axle. Main difference is a shorter wheel base and independent rear suspension.
I find that these arguments are for people like me, who once upon a time bought a TT that was simply to big for the half ton that I owned. It’s not about power. Most all 1/2 ton trucks today most certainly have the power to pull 12 or 13 thousand pounds. Problem is when that weight comes in the form of a 33 foot billboard that’s catching every wind imaginable lol. A wise man once told me that I would never complain that I had to much truck🤷♂️
I agree, but everything is a compromise to some degree. Even “too much truck” can be problematic for some.
Subscribed! So I am new to towing and truck ownership. Just bought a 2023 Ram 1500 two days ago to tow a small A-Frame. We quickly realized that our 2010 Wrangler was really groaning to pull just 2500 pounds. But now I am going INSANE trying to figure out the true towing capacity of our new truck, so we can get a little bit bigger trailer and safely tow. I know that's opposite of what your video says (buy a trailer first, and then buy a truck that can tow it). Can you tell me where you think I need to be weight-wise as I am shopping for an RV? I've got an 8 Cylinder 5.7L Hemi VVT with eTorque, RWD, crew cab, 3.21 axle ratio. The Stellantis Tow Chart seems to indicate that I have a Max Trailer Weight rating of 8260lbs. You say in one of your replies below that I should stay under 75% of that, which would be about 6200lbs. The Ram's sticker says the truck's GVWR is 6900lbs, Payload cap is 1649. That Lance 1995 you mention appears to have a Gross Dry Weight of 4950 Lbs. Do you think I could pull that with my truck? Thank you for any advice at all! 🤠
For the trailer you are referring too (Lance 1995) it has an empty hitch weight of 500 lbs. Fill up with some water, gear, food, clothes and you may be looking at closer to 600 lbs of hitch weight. So after that you will have 1000lbs of capacity left in your truck for people and gear. If you are bringing a full load of people in your truck, you may be over the limit. If not, you should be fine.
@@spankroy Thank you, Matt.
I towed a Lance 1995 across contry several times. Don't think you'll have any issues with that setup.
When you have an accident and get sued those weights will become a big factor. Another factor is trailer sway on the highway and passenger tires on your truck while towing can kill you because they are not made to resist sway. A class E tire has much stiffer sidewall construction and a 10 ply tread that resist sway a lot better . But with my experience with a F150 rear axle flexing causing the rear brakes to contact the Emergency brake drum causing my rims to build heat to the point of burning my hand while towing with only 900# on the tongue and the terrifying sway when raining and simi trucks pass me at 60 mph I invested in a Gas F250 . All my towing problems went away. Absolutely no sway with the Class E tires and the 7000# truck and it was purpose built to deal with heavy loads . Now I can up grade to a larger trailer . I always stared gazingly at F250s and see others staring at my F250 with envy . I definitely understand . My wife doesnt want to ride in anything else .
F250s are great for towing, but 900lbs of tongue weight in an F150 is silly with that scrawny rear axle, not possible to not be over rear gross axle weight.
But please cite Any civil suit or law suit that involved a driver getting held liable based on vehicle weight.
Additionally, if you have 17” or 18” wheels, you should get E rayed tires. But if you have 20” wheels, the sidewall is so short, it makes no difference. Especially in an F150 that isn’t designed for that load.
I have an F150 5.0 with E rated tires and an 8000 lb travel trailer. It toes the trailer well but stability and sway definitely make you uncomfortable. I also have one of the classic OBS Ford F250s with the venerable 7.3 powerstroke which has apparently half the horsepower of the F150, but it pulls the trailer with ease and it far more stable even at higher speeds.
My 2019 RAM Rebel has a GAWR rear at 4100.
I tow a 234 Forest River travel Trailer that weighs in around 6500 loaded with my 2014 Tundra Limited 4x4 w /dual TRD exhaust. I went to Tennessee in the smokies from Virginia and got around 9.2 MPG. I thought it would do a bit better than that. I usually get around 15-16 average and 19-20 on the highway without a load. What kind mileage are you getting out of your Tundra?
Depends how n which direction ( heading east always better than west), speed (mostly 70-75), wind, and terrain. More hilly the worst. The thing that hasn’t meant much is altitude. I actually markedly better in western time zone states than I do east of The Mississippi.
Than being said, My experience says that VA, TN, WV, GA, NC, and SC midlands is where my MPGs are the worst. I would be thrilled with 9.2MPGs in that section of tge country. Also found weight has less to do with it than shape. Get above 70, and wind resistance is really strong. Best out west is approaching 11 heading east at about 70MPH. Worst on eastern half of country is 7.8MPGs into strong headwind. Average with a box trailer like your FR is right around 9 MPGs for trip at 70-75. For the Airstream that I have now, about 9.6.
@@kedrevs4037 Okay... I was doing around 60-65 average and got that mileage as an average going East and West. Going West into Tennessee was around 8.5 mpg. My tires are 275 with an aspect ratio of 5mm more or 60 series versus the 55 stock series tires, so that may throw off my average mileage calculation a bit. Also, this trailer is the ribbed style aluminum siding versus the clean straight fiberglass style. That equates to more surface area and more drag than the fiberglass travel trailers. For now, I'm just trying out different rental trailers on RVshare before I pull the trigger on purchasing one. I like the Airstream trailers, but I enjoy the slide outs to open up the living space more. Thanks for the info.
Coming from the heavy duty commercial truck world where the GVWR of the truck is the sum of the GAWR of its axles I find the weight rating system of pickup trucks a mystery. The OEM I was involved with (Kenworth) is totally transparent about components which determine ratings.
Oh, and the internet bad manners arguments over 200 lbs of payload are hilarious.
Gas F-350 and a gen 2 long bed Tundra owner. I tow with both.
Thank you for a sharing an informed perspective.
I purchased a new Ford F-150 with the 5.0 engine. I thought it would be better, more reliable, long term for towing. I have the extended rang tank. It’s great on long trips. FYI, do yourself a favor and research the Diesel engine in the Ram 1500. It has lists of issues. I owned one nice truck great mileage. But, at 70k miles the high pressure fuel pump failed and destroyed my fuel system. It cost $10K dollars to repair.
Ouch, that hurts. I had the 5.7 back in 2012, but never owned the diesel. But I like the combination with a 35 gallon fuel tank.
There’s also a recall out for the ecodiesel now for the high pressure pump. So that’s been fixed. Got 222k KM on mine. Love it, I deleted it and it tows so awesome.
Yeah the ram diesel is garbage.
Well, i can't afford a new truck, but this info applies to any year truck, in relation to what you are towing. My question is : where is that campground in the Intro ?
That is Red Rock Rv park in Island Park, Idaho. It’s 20 minutes outside of Yellowstone national Park. Don’t tell anyone bit straight up that road on the other side of the fence and in front of those mountains is Lake Henry. The #1 still-water trout fishing lake in the country. And the land at the end of that road on the southern shore of Lake Henry is all BLM land. Shhhhh! Don’ttell anyone!
It's not just about how much you can tow. It's also, maybe more importantly, how much you can tow AND STOP.
Agreed
Makes perfect sense, unless it’s a full moon, on a Monday with a westward wind of 25 mph or more!
Great video. I’m new in the towing world and have a QUESTION:
I have a 2017 Silverado 5.3 V8 4x4 double cab. I’m going to buy a Pioneer Heartland BH280 which is 7k lb. Would my truck pull that thing with 5 people in the truck and all their camping gear?
I have a Decked drawer system already installed which adds another 500 lb with all the gear in it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I think it will pull it fine, the question is always stopping. If that is 7k lbs gross weight, probably not too much of an issue with proper wdh and sway control, but not enough info on weights to give a real answer.
@@kedrevs4037 properly tuned brakes on the RV will make braking a non issue. I had to do an emergency stop pulling my TT and under extreme braking the trailer brakes actually helped stop the truck faster.
Take away for half tons is to buy a low option 2WD model to maximize payload capacity for towing.
Definitely increase the number
I have a 2014 F150 FX4 3.5 EB. Can I pull a 2016 Palomini 177 ORVBH with toys on the deck? What about tounge weight?
I don't know the specs on that Palomini, but the size generall sounds favorable.for a half ton.
I knew that the Titan would come in at some point. I will say that, although Nissan cars are chintzy, their pickups are well constructed beasts. With regular routine maintenance it isn't unusual to get 300k. The running gear and trans OF OLDER UNITS, say 2016 or before, if not abjectly abused, will solidly deliver 200k.
Their weakness is the electrics, and possibly servicing things like ac, or seats. Takes uninstalling practically the entire interior.
Titans are being discontinued, put to rest, no bueno
Word up. The titans are overlooked by most. They are nearly Toyota like in reliability and the 5.6 is a terrific engine. Love my Xd 😊 It is so stable and secure feeling.
So would you recommend staying at least 80% lower than the tow rating for any given vehicle or would you even go down as low as 70%. EXAMPLE: vehicle says it can tow 6500 #s And my trailer is 5700 #s loaded, that would be 87% of the tow rating.
MY rec is too make sure you returned at least stock weight to the front axle and be under your rear GAWR.
The real test is to drive one with a trailer like yours and as you note, are you comfortable with it. I have a 28 foot single slide travel trailer and tow at around 6800 lbs and about 800 lb tongue weight with a Speaking to my 2021 Ram 1500 Built to Serve 5.7 Hemi had a 1280 payload and a 12K max tow. I had the 3.21 rear end but my 2015 with the 3.92 and 5.7 had roughly the same tow ratings. So, I tow roughly what you are towing. Surprisingly, the 3.21 rear end was equivalent to the 3.92 rear end on the 2015. Mileage about the same, performance about the same. The main difference was that the 3.21 had the engine obviously doing more work than rear end on the 2015. I ended up trading my 1500 BTS for a 6.4 Hemi 2500 Ram.
Essentially, I wasn't comfortable with my rig even though it was within specs. I was always right at payload. The 2500 is perfect. So, if you are young and occasionally don't mind the trailer taking over for a few seconds in big wind gusts or truck wakes, a 1500 will do it legally. But if not, a 2500 will do it all day and you can be relaxed in the driver's seat and the truck is always in charge.
As a general recommendation, I personally wouldn't go over 6K maybe 6500 and pull with a 1500 of any sort that has some amenities (amenities equaling reduced payload)...
I'm not young, but don't think anyone is comfortable when the trailer takes over.
With a trailer, you’re not pulling it, you’re rolling it. However you have to be able to safely stop.
I own a 19’ Tundra 1794 and i occasionally tow but nowhere near its rated capacity.
Been a great truck, I’m keeping it till the wheels fall off!
Subscribed 👍
Great post
Yeah Toyotas are reliable for the most part. I have a 06 Tacoma I bought new and it’s been good with mostly just maintenance but the paint is all falling off because Toyota paint sucks and the torque converter is starting to go bad at 156,000 so it’s time to dump it. So I guess I could say I drove it till the paint fell off.
My F150 with the Max tow package has a rear GAWR of 4150 lbs. Towed a 30 foot enclosed trailer that weighed 8500 lbs. The 3.5 liter turbo with a 10 speed tranny was amazing. Kept it out of overdrive by locking out gears 8, 9, and 10 which are the weaker overdrive clutch packs. Turbos were hardly working just two or so pounds of boost most of the time. If you dont get crazy with the throttle you can keep it under 10 pounds of boost up hills at about 3,500 rpm. Gauge maxes out at 20lbs but i have only had it up to 17lbs of boost once. My old 6.0 liter chevy worked a lot harder it was naturally aspirated and the only way to get power out of it was to wind it up well over 5,000 rpm to make it up long mountain passes. I don't think thats the best for an engine.
Great info there, thank you for sharing
Maybe you did not mention it, but I'd think the most important SAE standard would be how well a vehicle STOPS under full-rated tow capacity. Also, recently had a 3.0 CDJR ecodiesel. It was awesome including towing until it passed 100k miles and then major repair after major repair. Never again.
It is just a standard to stop in under 80 ft going from 20-0. All pass that standard
I have a 2020 F150 XLT 5.0 crew cab long bed 4x4 with a 36 gallon tank so that is an option. GVWR is 7050 and payload rating is 1713
not anymore on the 5.0 coyote
What about the transmission fluid temperature in a 2023 4x4 5.7 L 10 speed Silverado?
Trans temps are a concern when towing a lot especially up and down hills. 5.7 Silverado?
I drive a 2004 Chevy Aveo, I have never towed before and looking to buy a runaway camper coolcamp 4x8. My car says the towing capacity is 1000lbs, am I good to go?
I would check out Andy Thomson's towing recommendations
I pull a 38ft 8300 lbs travel trailer with a 2022 Ram with a 5.7 liter 3.92 rear end wirh no sweat. Now winds north of 12-15 mph I have to slow her down to about 55-60 mph
One of the things that rarely gets talked about is headwinds when towing. TFL does reviews and I'd like to know which direction and how strong the winds are.
There's a big difference between towing a 7000lb trailer that falls off the hitch-ball and hangs from the chains when the coiled emergency brake cable over stretches and fails to engage the trailer brakes vs a pickup bed loaded with weight. Trailers push from behind, especially downhill. Bed weight does too, but that bed weight is always within the bed. A trailer's weight shifts and you need the safety of larger trucks (for larger TT's) in case it does ever come off the hitch. Fill the bed with water, and 'now' you've got more trouble hauling than towing.
Who drives with a bed full of water?
@@kedrevs4037 LOL - A few people have, but I really meant to say something like a tank of liquid that some folks haul for work. Water, bug killer, septic cleaner at campground, gas during quarantine, pick your poison. 🙂
Biggest Problem people have is configuring 15 percent and payload and speed while towing..
would it be leagal to tow a 2 wheel drive explorer on a 2 wheel dolly by the rear wheels
Can honestly say I have never pondered that question.