MY new TUNDRA

texasjohn · Apr 29, 2008

Patches, I'm wondering if you have any experience pulling a trailer under slippery conditions... either snow, ice, or mud.... how does the vehicle perform under these conditions? Of those posting, you seem to possibly have the most/heaviest trailering experience.

I only trailer occasionally, but when I do, it can be (max) 12 cows at 1100lbs each, plus 24 ft gooseneck. Thats outside the specs for this pickup... do you have an opinion about how it would handle the load? I know the safety guys will weigh in on this.... but sometimes you have to do what you have to do..and drive very carefully, aware of extra momentum, etc.

Patches · Apr 29, 2008

tj; I have towed in less than ideal conditions, but only if I get caught in weather.I will always put off towing until conditions improve. The truck does a good job on slippery roads(I think it would do better with a locker), but my loads are well within its' stated capacity. To answer your question in respect to your max loads;I've no doubt the Tundra would move the load, but it would be neither wise nor prudent to expect a 1/2 ton truck to safely tow somewhere around 17,000#. You're in the F-350/450 range of capability, and if I had to do it, I'd probably want a 550

escavader · Apr 29, 2008

Patches said:
One last comment before we put this to bed;The one glaring deficiency with this vehicle, and make no mistake, I do like the truck, is its' lack of a mechanical locking rear differential, even as an option Even though I had no problem getting around during the last, very snowy winter, I would really like having a locking diff. on board.The Auto-Limited-Slip feature relegates you to 1 wheel drive in the 2 wheel mode and 2 in the 4 wheel mode, as one axle is under braking should a wheel start to spin. Some are of the opinion this is a money saving decision, but I can't believe it's cheaper to employ the computer software, intergrating the anti-lock brakes/driveline sensors, etal, as opposed to an already existing technology of the locking diff I've contacted Eaton, manufacturer of OEM as well as after-market lockers, and they have nothing for the Tundra. To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement

I thought the traction control was pretty neat,back in FEBUARY.I took the truck over to give MOM a ride.She lives on a hilly back country road.We had just recieved freezing rain,and her town was skimping on the sand.As we crested a hill,i knew it was going to be slippery,even though i was taking it easy the truck started to go into a slide.Then i hear beep beep beep coming from the dash and the truck automatically corrected itself!! Ihave never owned a vehicle with this i think its neat.One other time i rounded a corner too fast ,on a dry road,but the corner was washboardy.Instead of the truck hopping in the corner ,this feature activated.It doesnt work in 4 wd though,i dont think.
ALAN

Charlesaf3 · Apr 29, 2008

Patches, I've had no problems with traction with mine (aside from inability to climb a sheet of ice covered hill that I couldn't even walk up) but I agree with you - I certainly would have ordered the locker if available.

texasjohn · Apr 30, 2008

OK, I think I got it... won't climb an ice mountain.. not a problem in Central Texas.... reasonably flat and seldom freezes, much less ice up. Will move heavy loads at your own peril... but I certainly can't justify a F350/450/550 for such a load once every 2 years. Thanks for the input...very interesting thread!

Patches · Apr 30, 2008

texasjohn said:
OK, I think I got it... won't climb an ice mountain.. not a problem in Central Texas.... reasonably flat and seldom freezes, much less ice up. Will move heavy loads at your own peril... but I certainly can't justify a F350/450/550 for such a load once every 2 years. Thanks for the input...very interesting thread!

I hope you don't think my response to your question was smart a-- as it certainly wasn't meant to be.We've all overloaded our trucks and or trailers at one time or another. The Tundra is a VERY capable 1/2 ton, with large axles, brakes and a great combination of torque, gears, and transmission.The truck has a GCWR of 17,400, and while I believe it could do the job, you'd have a serious "tail-waggin'-the-dog" scenario with your 17,000+/_ lb load behind a 5700lb pickup

Charlesaf3 · Apr 30, 2008

I think the tundra has the torque and hp to start that load, but I'd be really worried about the brakes to stop that load. They are good, but I wouldn't enjoy that personally.

No way you could split it?

texasjohn · Apr 30, 2008

Nope.... I was truly looking for an honest answer/opinion based on experience. I could not agree more with all you say... regarding load, etc... I had not heard the 17,400 GCWR...so that is new (and key) info for me. My question was genuinely regarding its likely capability for that once-in-a-great-while situation. My conclusion is that a long wheelbase Tundra with gooseneck would handle the load with understandable risk if-and-only-if driven with appropriate skill and caution. Thanks for the input.... a purchase is not on my immediate horizon.... but existing F350 problems are more than nagging at me. I'm thru putting $$ into it... next big repair, I'm gonna declare it dead.

texasjohn · Apr 30, 2008

Charlesaf3, turns out, I can and would split the load... I was exploring the boundaries of what the vehicle might be able to do.

Example, if I need to haul 13 cows.... I'd probably split the load into 7 and 6 cow loads. Four of my cows really, really fill an 8 foot trailer section.

There is the occasional situation where I'd need to haul 12 cows or equivalent mix of cattle.... auction barn is 40 miles away... If I have to make two trips, I would. But for the situation where by pushing it a little and taking it easy I could make only one trip, for the $$ savings and time savings, if weather was OK, then I would push it.

My typical load is maybe 4 (1000 lb)cows and 4 calves (500 lb) = 6000 lbs plus trailer and PU... within the rated capacities.

Trailer has brakes... and I understand your point about being shy of sufficient pickup emergency braking capacity under overload conditions.