Opinions on this rig?

[ScottK]

We are looking to purchase a 267SR or similar TT. I have been pulling a 1950 for the past 4 years with a 4.7 V-8 4-runner (all over the midwest & western US) and while it wasn't the most ideal TV it worked fine. I was pushing the limits with that setup and I realize I may be pushing the limits with my new truck and trailer, but I thought I would run it by you guys to get some opinions on the new rig possibility. I think it will be fine, as long as I am careful about how much "extra" stuff I carry, but let me know what you think. Any specs that I am missing?

Here are all my specs. Nothing is actual, these are all specs I pulled together from various literature. I have already made a few upgrades to my TV to help with towing, shown below.

2012 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 5.7 V8 4x4 w/ Tow Package

TWR – Trailer Weight Rating..........................9000#
GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating...........15,300#
GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating...............7250#
GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating...................4000# Front & 4150# Rear w/ 275/65/18 30psi & 33psi
Tongue Weight............................................9-11% of Trailer Weight
Vehicle Capacity Weight (cargo & tongue)........1300#
Truck Curb Weight.......................................5645
Wheelbase......................................... ........ 145.6”
Upgraded Tires............................................LT 285/65/18 Bridgestone Revo 2 Tires (stock size was P275/65/18 )
Upgraded Suspension....................................Airlift Air adjust suspension w/ onboard compressor
Upgraded Handling.......................................Rear Sway Bar

Sunline 267SR

Dry Weight............................................ .....5730#
GVWR.............................................. ..........8600#
Hitch Weight............................................ ...750#

Towing system

Brake Controler......................................... ..Tekonsha Prodigy
Weight Distribution & Sway Control.................TBD

.

[264SRinPA]

I think your biggest problem will be the vehicle weight capacity. Your tongue weight will end up around 1000#. that only leaves 300# for passengers and gear in the truck. Our trailer is the same size as a 267SR and we're just under 1200# tongue weight. A w/d hitch will remove some weight off of the truck and the tire upgrade may help your rear axle rating if the tires were the limiting factor. You'll need to check the rating of the receiver as it might have a 1000# rating

[JohnB]

Hi Scott,

If you really want to know how good or bad this is going to be, find a truck scale and spend less then $10 and get a front and rear axle weight on the truck. Make sure you fill it with fuel and include all the people and absolute must have gear inside. ( the way you go camping)

If the numbers you list are close to real, you are going to have a problem holding up the loaded tongue weight of the camper. And this is with zero camping gear in the truck bed.

If you weigh the truck, then you have hard numbers. And the weight situation may be worse off or not. The camper loaded will not take much to approach 1,000# added weight to the truck. Odds are high you will be over the GVWR of the truck and possibly the rear axle rating.

You are that close that we can not estimate it a lot closer. Just passing this along so you know eyes wide open going into this.

As Mike stated you may be up against a truck receiver rating too. Toyota use to rate the receiver based on what the rear axle could hold up. I do not know on your year if this holds true or not. They may have put bigger ones on in recent years and up'ed the rear axle capacity. Another thing, it may be hard to find an aftermarket receiver rated any higher then the OEM one. Which means you cannot buy your way to a larger reciever unless you have a custom one made. But then you still may be up against the rear axle rating. It looks like you fixed the tire problem, but the springs and axle itself is still there.

When you get into the slide campers of the Sunlines, it gets real close quick on using a 1/2 ton truck to hold up the loaded TW of the camper. Some can do it, depends on if they have an increased payload option or they have a regular cab etc. I'm not saying a 1/2 ton will not do this, it is a case my case situation.

We do not know your towing situation on how much you use the camper or what Mountains areas you go to. If you tow 3, to 4,000 miles/ year and hit some mountains, long term odds are high you will find yourself wanting more truck.

Hope this helps and good luck on your search.

John

[ScottK]

Thanks John - I appreciate your insight. It's already on my "to do" list this week to stop by a nearby scale and get some real numbers. The more I look at this the tighter things look. I hadn't given the receiver much thought, but will take a closer look at the too. I'll update when I know more.

[campin'dude]

Hi Scott,
I have been towing a T-276SR (similar weight) with a 2002 F-150 SuperCrew 4WD 5.4L since 2007. I have the factory tow package and upgraded my differentials to 4:10 which bumped up my GCWR to 15K lbs. I have the 1200 lb Reese dual cam sway hitch and a Prodigy controller. I measured the tongue weight of our trailer and it was 875 lbs with the LP tanks full. I've never had the rig weighed but we are not ones to pack our trailer heavy... just the usual stuff (dishes, linens, outdoor accessories, etc.)

I am happy overall with the way the rig tows, handles and stops. The weight bars are adjusted with a fair amount of tension so that the rear of the truck only drops a little when hitched. Sure, I would love a little more truck at times (especially in the mountains here on the east coast) but for the 6-8 trips we do a year, it gets the job done nicely. The 5.7L in your Toyota has a lot more HP than my older 5.4L but I do see the torque ratings are similar. Plus, your 5 speed trans will help the performance.

IMHO, I think you'll be satisfied and safe with that setup.