LC200, Sequoia, GX460, Tundra? (1 Viewer)

[jrho]

The Montrose is one of their regular 20' ones, did a little review here: Montrose enclosed trailer review

Have since added a HF solar panel system to keep the race car's battery topped off.

Looks like Lexus recommends weight distribution systems for trailers over 5k, may need to look at one now. The Tundra had no problem with this trailer at 650lbs. tongue weight and no WD or sway. Lot longer wheelbase of course...

 

[TeCKis300]

Yes, you'll want a WD hitch. Something like a lightweight Anderson WD hitch should do the trick. Or any WD really.

My LX is very stable with an Equalizer hitch and 1000lb tongue weight.

 

[Virgilus11]

I have a 2012 Tundra double cab that I use for work and 16 GX for weekends. Before I bought the GX ,I considered the L200 and the 4Runner also. Decided that the GX is the perfect size and use the money that I save on L200 to improve on the GX.
Towing the same trailer with the same load (4500 lbs), the Tundra may have a little bit more power but the GX is so smooth that I decided to install an auxiliary transmission cooler ( with a fan ) and now very rarely use the Tundra for towing. While towing the same load , the gas is about 10% better on the GX. If towing more then 5-6Ks the Tundra would be the right tool.
I found the Tundra lot more noisier (road, tires and wind). Much bigger and cumbersome in almost any situation, where the GX is narrower and more nimble.
Yes, the Tundra have little bit more power but no matter how many layer of leather you wrap inside , is not a GX going down the road.
If I have to chose only one , the GX would be my choice.
At the end, I believe that keeping the Tundra for heavier work and getting a smaller truck for the rest, was the right choice for me.

Good luck

 

[5ForFighting]

TeCKis300:

Do you worry about being over payload? My 2013 has a GVWR of 7,385 lbs. My LC + me + a full tank of gas is 6,260 lbs. That leaves 1,125 lbs. for tongue weight and everything else (wife, kids, weight of hitch itself, etc.)

If I go by payload sticker (1,295 lbs.), subtract 1,000 lbs. for your tongue weight and 100 lbs. for the hitch itself, I'd be left with 195 lbs. before exceeding the payload rating.

Not to mention that the manual says the max hitch weight is 850 lbs.

Disclaimer: I've towed a TT weighing about 4,700 lbs. DRY, so likely 5,700 + lbs. with our junk in it for over 20,000 miles all over the western US, so I know that our cruisers are physically able to do it. I have recently been warned that should I continue to go over GWVR and/or payload rating, and we get into a wreck, I would be found negligent for going over the manufacturer's specs.

Just curious how you're rationalizing your Airstream and, specifically, the hitch weight.

I just bought a new TT (ORV | Creekside 21DBS) which will weigh around 7,000 lbs. loaded and with a tongue weight between 770-910 lbs. depending on 11% vs. 13% loading. I'm finding myself in a can vs. should quandry.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[5ForFighting]

BTW, I went to look at a 2018 CrewCab Tundra 4x4 and it's GVWR was LOWER (!!!) than the LC.

 

[TonyP]

Curb Weight vs GVWR. Mind you GVWR is a partially a product of the stock suspension.

'18 Tundra 4x4 CrewMax

Curb Weight: 5680
GVWR: 7200
Tow Cap: 8800 (10100 in 2WD form)
--------------------------------------------
'18 Land Barge Cruiser

Curb Weight: 5815
GVWR: 7385
Tow Cap: 8100

 

[5ForFighting]

7,200 - 5680 = 1,520 lbs. for fuel + passengers + anything else, including the weight of the hitch and the tongue weight of the trailer being towed.

In my case:

24 gallons of fuel = 200 lbs. (24 x 8.3)
5 passengers = 580 lbs. (kids are still light)
Hitch = 100 lbs.

That leaves 640 lbs. for the tongue weight. Meaning that if you load the trailer in such a way that the tongue weight is 11% of the gross weight, in order not to exceed this Tundra's GVWR the trailer can't weigh more than 5,819 lbs. wet (640/0.11).

And a low, percentage wise, tongue weight leads to lots of sway. Ideally you'd want to be more like 13% +, which would mean the trailer could only weigh 4,923 lbs.

It's not about the weight of the trailer and curb weight of vehicle (GCWR), it's about what the LC is rated to carry as payload.

How Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Works

 

[5ForFighting]

I agree, practically, with the stock suspension bit, but unless the shop that upgraded the suspension is willing to certify (thereby taking on liability) that their work increased the payload, it can be argued that in a court of law (especially civil $$$) the sticker would take precedence, exposing the driver to liability.

 

[TonyP]

OK, good luck in your endeavors.

 

[TeCKis300]

TeCKis300:

Do you worry about being over payload? My 2013 has a GVWR of 7,385 lbs. My LC + me + a full tank of gas is 6,260 lbs. That leaves 1,125 lbs. for tongue weight and everything else (wife, kids, weight of hitch itself, etc.)

If I go by payload sticker (1,295 lbs.), subtract 1,000 lbs. for your tongue weight and 100 lbs. for the hitch itself, I'd be left with 195 lbs. before exceeding the payload rating.

Not to mention that the manual says the max hitch weight is 850 lbs.

Disclaimer: I've towed a TT weighing about 4,700 lbs. DRY, so likely 5,700 + lbs. with our junk in it for over 20,000 miles all over the western US, so I know that our cruisers are physically able to do it. I have recently been warned that should I continue to go over GWVR and/or payload rating, and we get into a wreck, I would be found negligent for going over the manufacturer's specs.

Just curious how you're rationalizing your Airstream and, specifically, the hitch weight.

I just bought a new TT (ORV | Creekside 21DBS) which will weigh around 7,000 lbs. loaded and with a tongue weight between 770-910 lbs. depending on 11% vs. 13% loading. I'm finding myself in a can vs. should quandry.

Any insight is appreciated.

Not particularly worried, but I've made conscious changes and decisions in this regard. Note my comments are on the LX, which has slightly different numbers as its curb weight is ~200-250 higher, along with AHC suspension.

- Specifically sought out a pre 2010 LX570 as it has the higher pre SAE J2807 tow ratings (8500lbs vs 7100lbs) which gives me an on paper liability advantage
- Changed to Load E-rated tires (305/55/20 Falken ATW3)
- Augmented AHC for additional load carrying capacity by adding 10mm spring spacers at the rear

With my setup, I'm likely right at or over all rated capacities: Payload (1281lbs), GVWR (7275lbs), GCWR (14400lbs)

On a recent 2300 mile trip with a family of 6 in the car with gear, and Airstream 27FB with full tanks and gear in tow.
- 700lb people
- 100lb gear
- 7500lb trailer
- ~1000lb tongue weight

Based on those actual numbers: Payload ~1800lbs, GVW ~7800, GCWR ~14400

The setup performed with aplomb over the trip. Nary a wiggle or wanting for power over some serious climbs. AHC performed exceedingly well (even prior to me adding spacers) Dialing it down to soft on the long straight stretches, or firm when going up the mountain ranges into Crater Lake OR.

I don't really worry about the hitch rating as we know the structure on this vehicle is more than beefy. Airstream factory quotes the 27FB as 800lbs tongue which is within rating, but most that have measured state it is easily in the 1000lbs range when loaded for travel. Your Creekside 21DBS sounds very similar in weights so I think you'll do just fine.

 

[5ForFighting]

Thanks for the detailed response!

I'm with you on capability - stopped in at Crater Lake this summer on the way home from a trip all over Washington state. Towed the old TT the whole way without issues.

My wife's cousin is in law enforcement (OC Sheriff's office) and he was the one that put the fear in me. He said if I'm over sticker specs and in an accident, especially one with a fatality or injury, even if the other guy is 100% at fault, an investigator and the insurance companies would consider being over specs as negligence. I argued with him about the tire and suspension upgrades but he said the best I could hope for would be hiring expensive experts to try to prove that these modifications raised the maximums.

Not trying to spread doom-and-gloom, just looking to solidify my decision to keep the LC. I plan on upgrading to the Blue Ox SwayPro, re-gearing to 4.88, and getting beefier brakes before this summer's trip. That should bolster the towing capability even more.

Thanks again.

 

[TonyP]

Since you're in California, worst case, just tell them you're an illegal immigrant. You'll be acquitted of any charges you may face, to include murder, and be free to go commit more crimes.

 

[5ForFighting]