Toyota 1/2 ton

[Gdeedon]

I’m ready to retire. I want to buy a 30’ Fifth wheel to pull with my Tundra, which is a half ton with a 5.7 liter V-8 motor. Will it tow ok over the mountains out west? It’s a good truck with low miles. I don’t want to trade.
I’ve never owned a 5th wheel trailer. So any info would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[Arch Hoagland]

Let me be the first to say....No, it will not do well in the mountains nor on flatland.

[MtCamper]

You could get by with an older low profile 20-24' fifth wheel. Any bigger the answer is an unqualified NO! If you try you will have a miserable trip. The very lightest fifth wheel I can find has a dry pin weight of 1100#. Your Tundra can handle 1500-2000 payload. You'll be overloaded before you get out of the driveway. Why not try a 20-26' bumper pull? Much better fit for your Toyo and way more to choose from.

[RoadrunnerII]

Your Toyota is a great truck! Towing a 5th even a so called half ton towable is a trick. You can do it but if you weigh it you are going to be over the truck payload ie gross vehicle weight of truck recommended by manufacturer.
It's the pin weight of the 5th and the lower payload of any dressed up truck that kicks it
If your truck is bare bones... Cloth bench seat single cab long box with Lt tires not p series you can do it.
Not very many of the above spec truck.
Travel trailers are better suited to half tons

Even 3/4 ton trucks can be over loaded in pin weight unless ordered specifically with upgraded springs

In the mountains do you feel the brakes on your half ton will take the abuse of the big downhill grades?
Go look at your discs and pads
Now look at a 3/4or 1 ton
Now look at your driveshaft


Just my 1/2 cent I wouldn't do it

RoadrunnerII

[tuffr2]

Let me be the 2nd to say 'No'. I will go a bit further and ask 'what the heck are you thinking'? Most 5th wheels will be to much for a little 1/2 ton truck. The weight of a 5th wheel sitting on your little truck with the weak rear axle and tires is not a good match.

What is the payload on the drivers side door jam. The 'cargo and occupant' weight is what the truck can carry. I will guess this number will be 1,500 lbs. A 30' 5th wheel will likely have a 1,600 - 1,800lb pin weight.

Don't be fooled by 5th wheels advertised to be 1/2 ton towable unless you have a 1/2 ton truck on steroids like the Nissan Titan XD or a F-150 with a HDPP (Heavy Duty Payload Package). Both of these trucks have a heavier duty frame, longer wheelbase, heavier weight rear axle and 'E' rated tires. All these items allow the truck to carry more weight.

You also have a 5.5' bed or so on your Tundra. That bed is too short to turn a 5th wheel. The 5th wheel will hit the cab and dent the corner of the cab and break the back window. It is important to have a bed long enough to be able to back a 5th wheel into a camp site. You want to be able to get almost 90 degrees.

A 1/2 ton truck is best used to tow small(ish) travel trailers with a max length of 28' and under 7,000lbs. IMHO. There are nice travel trailers that fit this category but they are not a 30' 5th wheel.

I towed a 26.5' 5,500lb no slide travel trailer with a F-150 that was rock solid towing experience. I also towed a 38' 16,000lb 4 slide 5th wheel with a F-450. It was also a rock solid towing experience.

Cougar, Rockwood/Flagstaff twins make som nice 5th wheels but you will need at least a 3/4 ton gas truck. Or a 1 ton diesel truck is better

[carybosse]

I would add, what year model on the Tundra?

I think the earlier Tundras are even less capable. I believe from what I have read here, more recent Tundra models may be a bit better for towing anything, but a 5th Wheel would seem to be an issue, except maybe for one of the lightest versions made.

[BayRunner]

Originally Posted by carybosse

I would add, what year model on the Tundra?

I think the earlier Tundras are even less capable. I believe from what I have read here, more recent Tundra models may be a bit better for towing anything, but a 5th Wheel would seem to be an issue, except maybe for one of the lightest versions made.

The 3rd Gen Tundra provides a little more power and torque, especially in higher elevations due to the turbo. However, forget the brand, but a 5th wheel should NOT be towed by any half ton. Just because you can does not mean you should.

[Old-Biscuit]

5th wheels and 1/2 ton rated trucks should not be stated in same sentence

[tuffr2]

It really does not matter what year the Tundra is because it is not enough truck to tow a 30' 5th wheel.

[Dave Pelletier]

...what they said.


Dave

[Chargerman]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

5th wheels and 1/2 ton rated trucks should not be stated in same sentence

Not totally accurate. There are some small 5th wheel trailers that are well within a 1/2 ton trucks capacities and capabilities

[carybosse]

Originally Posted by BayRunner

The 3rd Gen Tundra provides a little more power and torque, especially in higher elevations due to the turbo. However, forget the brand, but a 5th wheel should NOT be towed by any half ton. Just because you can does not mean you should.

There are some 5th wheels that might not overwhelm a half ton. However, I have heard of guys with 5th wheels behind a Chevy Colorado. That 5th wheel is probably a good match for a half ton.

I have never towed a 5th wheel, so the issues of bed length are a different issue to consider.

[tuffr2]

There are no 30' 5th wheels that can be towed with a Toyota Tundra. There are however some 5th wheels that can be towed with some 1/2 ton trucks. The Winnebago 24RD is one. But it is a lot smaller than a 30' 5th wheel.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

5th wheels and 1/2 ton rated trucks should not be stated in same sentence

DOUBLE DITTO. Look for a travel trailer under 8000# GVWR

And it will suffer in the mountains.


Ken