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I don't think the transmission on a Toyota will be an issue. Toyota wisely uses much deeper gears in the rear axle which takes a lot of the work off of the transmission. The US makers could definitely take some ques from Toyota on this as the US makers just change the axle ratio and let the damage to the transmission be your problem. Standard V8 ratio for a Tundra is 4:10 with optional 4:30. A Ford F150, for an example, comes with a 3.55 or if an economy truck, a 3.31 axle. Their idea of a deep axle ratio is a 3.73. Dodge kinda has the right idea with an available 4.10 but it comes with the bloated oversize tires and 20" wheels which pretty much cancels any advantages. If this is a trailer that you will be towing a lot, a half ton is not the right tool. You need to move up to a 3/4 or maybe a 1 ton truck. A half ton isn't going to live long with a steady diet of that much load- it just isn't built for it. Occassional use, a half ton will work. Steady diet of that kind won't work and it'll eat you alive in maintenance. Chose wisely, grasshopper.
Hi I'm considering towing a 8800 lbs loaded travel trailer with a 2013 tundra is it safe?
Way too little info.
You will need to be sure your actual trailer weight (not dry weight) does not exceed the tow rating for your truck. Is 8800 lbs the dry weight of the trailer, gross weight rating of the trailer, or actual weight of the trailer and all it's contents when towed (including supplies, liquids, accessories, etc). The actual weight is best, but unless you pack it and take it to a weigh station, generally using the gross weight is a good estimate as it is the max fully loaded weight of the trailer. (Assuming you do not overload the trailer).
When you have that, you need the exact model of your truck. Toyota publishes tow rating based on model of truck (cab style, bed length, tow equip pkg, engine). Knowing this will give the max tow capacity.
Even here, you must be careful about the total gross car rating of the truck. Toyota also publishes this. It is the total combined weight of everything, truck and trailer, which cannot be exceeded. This figure is also typically less than GVWR plus tow rating, which in practical terms means if you fully load the truck, the total combined rating won't allow you to tow up to the full rated tow capacity as the total vehicle weight with the trailer will be overweight.
(Example: Take a Tundra regular cap, standard bed with tow package and V8. Rated tow capacity is 9200. Rated total car capacity is 9920. Which means if you tow the full 9200 lbs, the truck can only safely carry a payload of 720 lbs of contents inside of it, even though by itself it has a payload capacity of 1720.
With the right model,the right motor, the right hitch,the right gears and the right driver, it's possible. Add 4 people and a fully loaded bed..........well..........
If you do it a lot, I'd want a properly set up 3/4 ton.
I don't think the transmission on a Toyota will be an issue. Toyota wisely uses much deeper gears in the rear axle which takes a lot of the work off of the transmission. The US makers could definitely take some ques from Toyota on this as the US makers just change the axle ratio and let the damage to the transmission be your problem. Standard V8 ratio for a Tundra is 4:10 with optional 4:30. A Ford F150, for an example, comes with a 3.55 or if an economy truck, a 3.31 axle. Their idea of a deep axle ratio is a 3.73. Dodge kinda has the right idea with an available 4.10 but it comes with the bloated oversize tires and 20" wheels which pretty much cancels any advantages. If this is a trailer that you will be towing a lot, a half ton is not the right tool. You need to move up to a 3/4 or maybe a 1 ton truck. A half ton isn't going to live long with a steady diet of that much load- it just isn't built for it. Occassional use, a half ton will work. Steady diet of that kind won't work and it'll eat you alive in maintenance. Chose wisely, grasshopper.
Let's clear up this deeper gear claim. The Tundra needs a deeper gear, because it's transmission ratio are different with first gear being 3.33:1 with a final drive of .59:1 overdriven. The Ford F150 uses a 4.17 first gear, and a final drive of .69:1, so a taller gear can be used. Toyota has no deep special secret and are not smarter, but just different.
Ford's towing capacity is 11,300 lbs, and Toyota's is 10,400 lbs.
Let's clear up this deeper gear claim. The Tundra needs a deeper gear, because it's transmission ratio are different with first gear being 3.33:1 with a final drive of .59:1 overdriven. The Ford F150 uses a 4.17 first gear, and a final drive of .69:1, so a taller gear can be used. Toyota has no deep special secret and are not smarter, but just different.
Ford's towing capacity is 11,300 lbs, and Toyota's is 10,400 lbs.
Yes.and fords tow rating comes straight out of their ass... Toyota is the ONLY manufacturer to use the SAE testing procedures. Ford already renegged once on using the established guidelines, now they say again that IN THE FUTURE they will try to comply.
Ive personally pulled over 9000 lbs with a Tundra for hundreds of thousands of miles allover North America. 5-9k lbs is no problem on any terrain for it.
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