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cobblestone1820 · 07-12-2014, 07:12 AM

Hello. This is my first day on here. I am 66 years of age and live in eastern Ohio. I have a 2004 Toyota Tundra, 4.7 4wd 4 speed automatic with the towing pkg. It has a towing capacity of 7,100 lbs. We are looking at a 2012 Star Craft Autumn Ridge 278BH with a dry weight of 4880 lbs. We would not be going far 70 miles maximum with no real steep hills to climb. There are a couple times where I may have to stop at a traffic light and start from a dead stop on a fairly steep grade, but it levels out almost immediately after the light. We would be towing it with no water on board. Do you all think we would have any problems with this ? Thank You all in advance..... Mike

Jmooney · 07-12-2014, 07:40 AM

I think you will be fine.

My.02

nevercominhome · 07-12-2014, 08:16 AM

Welcome to the JOF! And it sounds like to me you will be ok as well as long as you don't overload the trailer and/or your Toyota. And do you have or will you be getting some sort of weight distribution hitch for towing?

cobblestone1820 · 07-12-2014, 08:19 AM

Yes I have a weight distributing hitch that I was using on my other TT.

cekkk · 07-12-2014, 12:18 PM

I'm not familiar with Toyota trucks. Does their towing package include a brake controller? You need one. And a WD hitch. I don't put much stock in distances. You're either safe or you are not safe. Most accidents still happen near home. But your weights all sound reasonable. Just don't overload the pickup with people and gear, and you may find a CAT scale with a fully loaded trailer and truck will give you more information on what your truck is dealing with. Happy camping!

cobblestone1820 · 07-12-2014, 04:12 PM

Yes I do have a WD hitch and I purchased the best brake controller of the ones that he sells from my local RV supplier. I was using a distance factor, not for safety, but for the towing vehicle over heating like I have read about others on long trips. Thank You.

robkelly · 07-12-2014, 06:14 PM

Welcome! I agree with the others that you should be fine with that TV/TT combination. Be sure to engage your Tow Mode when you have the trailer hooked up - I too have a Tundra, and while the truck handles the trailer okay without using Tow Mode, it's significantly better with it, especially from a stop and when hitting hills.

cekkk · 07-12-2014, 06:15 PM

Then you should be in good shape, Cobblestone. I've not heard of modern vehicles overheating for several years unless there are good reasons. If those problems do exist they'd probably show up pretty soon. Now, an overloaded transmission is another story. Before installing a larger cooler our truck's transmission heated up twice on long pulls at over 8000'. Luckily, I was able to get it back to normal operating temperature before damage.

I do recall back in the "old days" vacationers whose cars were used primarily in the city would sometimes run into overheating problems when suddenly being driven for hours at highway speeds in hot weather.

cobblestone1820 · 07-13-2014, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelly

Welcome! I agree with the others that you should be fine with that TV/TT combination. Be sure to engage your Tow Mode when you have the trailer hooked up - I too have a Tundra, and while the truck handles the trailer okay without using Tow Mode, it's significantly better with it, especially from a stop and when hitting hills.

How do you engage tow mode? I dont see a tow mode setting on my truck?

cobblestone1820 · 07-13-2014, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelly

Welcome! I agree with the others that you should be fine with that TV/TT combination. Be sure to engage your Tow Mode when you have the trailer hooked up - I too have a Tundra, and while the truck handles the trailer okay without using Tow Mode, it's significantly better with it, especially from a stop and when hitting hills.

How do I engage tow mode on the Tundra? I dont see a setting anywhere.

cobblestone1820 · 07-13-2014, 08:35 AM

Thank you for your reply. How do I engage the towing mode ? I do not see where you would put it into towing mode ?

glsimms · 07-13-2014, 08:45 AM

cobblestone..... I'm not familiar with the Tundras, but most of the newer truck models have a "Tow Mode" button that you press. On your 2004 Tundra, it may not have one.

But if your truck has the factory tow package, it is probably set up to tow already.

I found a link for you where someone bought a 22' trailer and was wondering if his truck would pull it. It is the same year and model as yours.

Here it is:

http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tun...6l-tundra.html

cobblestone1820 · 07-13-2014, 10:29 AM

Do you think I should push the button to take it out of O/D while towing?

cekkk · 07-13-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobblestone1820

Do you think I should push the button to take it out of O/D while towing?

There are different schools of thought on that issue. I believe if you have enough truck for the load that you can leave it in OD as long as it doesn't start "searching" for a gear. If it's shifting back and forth, take it out of OD. I'd also take it out of OD on hills, both up and down, as you can use the engine braking to assist with brakes.

You're doing the right thing here asking for answers before you learn on your own - the hard way!

cobblestone1820 · 07-13-2014, 12:28 PM

Thanks again for all the quick answers. I often feel guilty for asking so many questions, but how else does a person know?
While I'm at it, is it fairly easy to install a power tongue jack? Any particular brand that is the most popular? Thanks----Mike

**norty1** · 07-13-2014, 12:44 PM

This forum is friendly to questions. Never to many if you are wanting opinions.

glsimms · 07-13-2014, 01:11 PM

I got a Barker power jack and had it installed in less than 30 minutes..... Main reason is, it has a 2 year warranty, just like Jayco!!

E-Z Peezee.......

cobblestone1820 · 07-13-2014, 01:12 PM

Thanks, I will have to check the Barker brand out.

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