Towing Questions!!!

Eric19787 · 05-03-2021, 02:28 PM

Hello. I have put a deposit down On a 2021 Jayco SLX 8 284 BHS. I have a 2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 double cab. I’m supposed to pick up my camper Friday....being a new owner I have one question. Will my truck handle this camper? The camper has a dry weight of 6275 and a gross of 7500. I’m starting to second guess my potential purchase!! The camper is a tad over 33’.... I don’t know if I’m screwing up to be honest!

DocBrown · 05-03-2021, 02:38 PM

Ignore dry weight. It's a mythical number. You'll be closer to the GVWR when packed and ready to camp.

You have to look at a couple of things. Check your owners manual for the towing capacity. But that's just part of it. Check the payload sticker in your driver door. That's your real limit. Being that the GVWR of the trailer is 7500#, you could be looking at a tongue weight of nearly 1000#. The weight of the WDH (weight distribution hitch) is going to be 75# conservatively. So that 1075# goes against your payload. What's left is for your family, dog, and anything you carry in the truck.

Murff · 05-03-2021, 02:44 PM

As Chuck states, it all boils down to your payload. A quick Google search states you could hav a payload of from 1450 to 1745 pounds. If you are at the top, you may be okay, depending on how much stuff you haul and weight of the passngers in your Tundra.

Murff

Route 66 Traveler · 05-03-2021, 02:59 PM

My truck is a 2007 Tundra 5.7 Double Cab, 2WD, with the Tow Package, my trailer is 30’, gross weight is 7700 lbs. When I scaled it fully loaded for a 2 week trip it was right at 7000lb, with 65 gallons of water on board. Hitch weights and truck gross were under limits as well. I use Tow Haul, cruise usually at 62-65mph, and average 9.5-11mpg depending on wind and hills. With my e-2 Fastway WDH setup I have no sway and semis pass without hardly a notice. Best truck I have ever owned and at 14 years old with 140k miles it pulls just like it was new. Just my experience with my setup.

Eric19787 · 05-03-2021, 03:07 PM

Here is what I have according to the sticker in the door. Going by this it looks like I’m going to be at almost Max. Looks like my Tundra isn’t big enough at 1380lbs

RogerR · 05-03-2021, 03:10 PM

Your tundra is 10 or 11 years old. Make sure all your steering gear, brakes, tires and tranny are well serviced and up to date. Drive conservatively your first few outings. Check the max speed on trailer tires as they are often limited to 65 if Chinese. Stay safe on the road.

DocBrown · 05-03-2021, 03:21 PM

That's really on the low end! I would have thought it would be closer to 1500#.

crockettlarry · 05-04-2021, 09:57 AM

It'll be fine. I have a friend who tows a similar size trailer with a 2008 Tundra, I believe. With his wife and two girls, I'm sure they are loaded to the gills.

cekkk · 05-04-2021, 11:16 AM

According to jayco's Specs, you might be lucky enough to end up with a tongue weight of about 950 lb loaded. That seems low to me. Even so, that leaves a little over 400 pounds for you, the family and additional cargo in the truck. I would load up the truck with family and or a suitable number of sandbags or concrete blocks and head for the CAT scales. There are lots of posts that will explain how to properly weigh your setup. Safe travels to you and the family.

CAG · 05-04-2021, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric19787

Hello. I have put a deposit down On a 2021 Jayco SLX 8 284 BHS. I have a 2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 double cab. I’m supposed to pick up my camper Friday....being a new owner I have one question. Will my truck handle this camper? The camper has a dry weight of 6275 and a gross of 7500. I’m starting to second guess my potential purchase!! The camper is a tad over 33’.... I don’t know if I’m screwing up to be honest!

I have lost track of the number of times this question has come up in the last few months. You will get some decent info here and you will get mostly bad info from dealers. The best thing to do is Google "can I tow this trailer" or similar and there are numerous sites with calculators that you simply plug the numbers for your truck, and the RV to get an idea.

One of many: https://www.exploreusa.com/tow-guides

morleyz · 05-04-2021, 11:51 AM

You'll be very tight on payload and when you're that tight, you also need to start looking at axle ratings, tire ratings, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if your tongue weight comes out more like 1200.

I'm in the camp of you probably CAN tow the trailer, but should you? I towed my older White Hawk (weighed in around 7200lbs loaded) with a short wheel base Yukon. Short trips in good weather it was fine and I never felt like I wasn't totally in control. That being said, I didn't know what I didn't know.
When the gas tank literally fell out of our Yukon, we upgraded to an F-250. The night and day difference between the stability and ability to stop was eye opening on what I was doing wrong with the Yukon.

You may also like: