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Old 06-05-2012, 06:53 AM   #1
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Class A to TT

Great forum guys!!
We sold our '99 Brave class A and will be getting a TT. 30 to 34 foot range. UVW will be in the 64-6700 lb range. We have a 2012 Toyota Tundra double cab 4 x 4 4.6 engine w/tow pkg. max towing cap of the truck is 8000 lbs. I'd love to bring my Harley (additional 800 lbs) in the bed of the truck to since I'll be able to ride in the South. What's the best brake controller and anti-sway weight distribution combo to use for that size and weight with this truck?
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Old 06-05-2012, 07:06 AM   #2
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Welcome to the forum bigguy1...
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Old 06-05-2012, 07:08 AM   #3
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Welcome, I can not help with the TT question but there should be answers for you here.
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Old 06-05-2012, 06:33 PM   #4
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For brake controllers the Tekonsha/Prodigy P3 controller seems to be highly recommended on these and other forums. I have one these and can personally recommend it.

For the weight distribution / sway control combo it seems that a dual cam setup, such as a Reese Dual Cam, is also recommended on forums. I cannot personally recommend this, as I have a cheaper (more traditional?) weight distributing setup with a friction sway control device. I dislike my setup, especially the friction sway control, and plan to spend the $$$ to upgrade to a dual cam setup at some point in the future.

I hope this helps!
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Old 06-05-2012, 08:00 PM   #5
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Best brake controller by far is the MaxBrake. Best WD-Sway hitch is the Hensley Arrow.

Dumping a 800# scooter in the bed plus the tongue weight of a 6500# trailer is going to overload your little Tundra.

I do not know if you can find a 30' plus trailer in the loaded weight range of 6500#.

And lastly, I would not attempt to tow anything over about 26 to 28' with a 1/2 ton truck...never mind the tow ratings.

Seriously, I think you need to either set your sites a bit lower on the trailer or get a bigger truck.

Ken
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Old 06-05-2012, 08:23 PM   #6
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Best brake controller by far is the MaxBrake. Best WD-Sway hitch is the Hensley Arrow.

Dumping a 800# scooter in the bed plus the tongue weight of a 6500# trailer is going to overload your little Tundra.

I do not know if you can find a 30' plus trailer in the loaded weight range of 6500#.

And lastly, I would not attempt to tow anything over about 26 to 28' with a 1/2 ton truck...never mind the tow ratings.

Seriously, I think you need to either set your sites a bit lower on the trailer or get a bigger truck.

Ken
There are ~30' TTs out there in that weight range. Not many, but they can be found with enough research. My 29' Crossroads Slingshot, for example, comes in at 4200#, 4700# loaded with my gear (as shown by a trip to the scales). I believe the 32' version of the Slingshot still comes in under the 6500# mark.

Can you comment further on the reasons why you would not tow anything longer than a 26 to 28' with a 1/2 ton truck, even if it is well within the tow ratings for the truck?
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Old 06-05-2012, 09:18 PM   #7
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Welcome bigguy!
You will probably run out of payload with that TT. 12% tongue weight of 6500 lbs is 780 lbs - plus you, the little lady?, dog?, Harley (800lbs), the hitch itself, firewood, tools, etc.
Find the payload capacity of the truck and work back from that. Max tow ratings are usually figured with a full tank of fuel and a 150 lb driver - nothing else in the truck.
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Old 06-06-2012, 06:36 AM   #8
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Let's do some math:: 6400 lb UNloaded trailer, the wife and dogs (yup dogs, we have 4 of 'em, 2 about 60 lbs ea. and 2 poms total 22 lbs that's why we need the room of a 30 34 footer), rounded off equals 400 lbs. Towing weight is usually calculated w/ full gas tank & driver (150 lbs) so subtract 400 lbs for wife, dogs and misc. So 8k max towing cap, -400. = 7600. We've found a Coachman Spirit of America 29 RKS that weighs in at 6365 with full propane tanks, we will NOT be hauling any water so lets say tops maybe 1000 lbs. in gear. Tongue weight is listed at 812 lbs. This looks good on paper unless I missed something, right?
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:28 AM   #9
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You will not enjoy towing a trailer that size with an engine that small. TRUST ME!!!
I know because I tried with that same setup. It only took one camping trip for me to realize that I needed a larger truck to tow my 29’ trailer with a Dry Weight of 6,800 lbs (GVWR 8,750 lbs).
Will it tow it? Yes.
Will your truck have longevity? NO!
I traded my Tundra DC 4.6L for a Tundra Crewmax with a 5.7L 4x4. Tow rating is 10,200 lbs. What a difference in power! However, payload is something that I have to continually pay close attention too. I try to store most items in the rear of the trailer to compensate for a heavy tongue weight or for any additional cargo in the truck bed.

Sorry, but the motorcycle will have to stay home. The truck cannot handle it.
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:35 AM   #10
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Even a light weight 30' trailer is a huge sail that the wind will be pushing around. You will wind up with the tail wagging the dog.

Sure it will pull it according to the numbers, but it will be a struggle and it will wear you down on the road. Short trips it will work, no mountains, it will work....but all day trip sna other than flat land.....not for me.

I ahve been there with a small tow vehicle and I know what to expect. I would never do that again.

If you get the 30' plus trialer and use the 4.6L Tundra, I can pretty much bet that you will be looking for a larger truck within a year.

Ken
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Old 06-06-2012, 11:45 AM   #11
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Tail wagging the dog es no bueno... and I can bet your little lady won't want to sit through that. I Know I didn't. Thank goodness it was just a friends truck and my truck pulled my trailer just fine.
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Old 06-06-2012, 06:50 PM   #12
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Appreciate all the replies. I'd given up taking the bike after reading the initial replies and doing the math.. Trouble is the 3 dealers my wife and I have talked to previously ALL told us it wouldn't be a problem. Guess it wouldn't be their problem, just ours after we spent the $$$. Thanks again guys. Now to convince the wife it's a no go.
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Old 06-06-2012, 08:43 PM   #13
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Unfortunately some dealers will tell you anything to make a sale and not think twice about you and your family's safety.

I'm sure there are also some salesmen who have very limited towing experience, if any, and will tell you what they THINK your truck can handle.

I commend you for asking the question, AND accepting the answers from the experienced campers before making that purchase. A very wise decision.

Good luck in finding that right truck / trailer combination.
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Old 06-06-2012, 09:43 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigguy1 View Post
Appreciate all the replies. I'd given up taking the bike after reading the initial replies and doing the math.. Trouble is the 3 dealers my wife and I have talked to previously ALL told us it wouldn't be a problem. Guess it wouldn't be their problem, just ours after we spent the $$$. Thanks again guys. Now to convince the wife it's a no go.

The number ONE rule of RV shopping....
1. Never believe anything an RV sales person tells you.
Number 2 rule:
2. RV sales people lie.

Seriously, most of the RV sales people have never pulled a real RV trailer and could not to the math to calculate the numbers.

You need to study the ratings, learn the terms and do the math for yourself.

The Tundra is a fine truck and can pull a trailer, but you need to be reasonable in what you expect from the truck.

Been there and done that with the small tow vehicle.

Ken
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