Matching Passport TT to TV

Micah.TX · 02-14-2015, 04:04 PM

Hi Everyone,

Wife and I are getting ready to "take the plunge" and become RV'rs. Kids grown and third and last one almost out of college. Yee ha! Have a 2015 Tundra 5.7L V8 complete with tow package. We really like the 2015 Passport 2890 RL. Salesman says the weight and towing capacity match up fine. However, he is a salesman. Anyone out there have an opinion on this Passport model and how it matches up to the Tundra? We really like this floor plan. (Please don't tell me to buy a new truck.) Oh yeah, I've figured out most initials used in the forum, but "DW." (?)

GmaPaTime · 02-14-2015, 04:06 PM

Darling Wife....

Javi · 02-14-2015, 04:15 PM

For whatever it is worth I had a 2012 Passport 2890RL and tried to tow it with a 2011 F150 and I spent a little over 3K on tires, hitch, and shocks trying to make the trailer tow well... I wish I had just put the 3K on the F250 I ended up buying after 2 months..

2890RL is a good trailer but it ain't a short bed 1/2 ton trailer..

mcsearch1 · 02-14-2015, 06:15 PM

I also have a 2013 F150 and a 2012 2890RL. I second Javi's comments. I have not felt unsafe while towing this combo, but it is not what I'd call a comfortable ride.

14george · 02-14-2015, 07:08 PM

I have the 240MK Ladero shipping weight 5290 towit with a 2014 Tundra With tow package 5.7

Micah.TX · 02-14-2015, 08:17 PM

Sounds like we might need to go a little smaller for the TT since the TV is a done deal. Any suggestions what to look for in an entry level TT for two people that will match well with a 2015 Tundra 5.7L? We do like the quality of Keystone.

Jsdigger · 02-14-2015, 08:53 PM

I have a 2012 dbl cab,5.7 w/tow package,the dw and i bought a keystone bullet 251RBS 6 months ago,dry weight is 4,980 lbs,actual scale weight is 5,300 lbs. tongue weight about 650 lbs-with those numbers i'm good,but i'm close to my max truck gvwr actual 6980(max truck gvwr 7100)i don't think i would go any heavier with this truck.This is our first tt and its been really fun so far,learned alot about towing in the last 6 months

ljp · 02-14-2015, 10:30 PM

We are also first time TT owners and found the Keystone Passport 195RB comfortable for the two of us. Prefer the face to face table versus side by side, queen bed, plenty of closet & storage. Easy to tow with our '01 Tahoe. Obviously a smaller trailer but give it a look.

GaryWT · 02-14-2015, 10:37 PM

We us DW as Dear wife.

Our youngest is a sophmore in college with 2 out so we are getting close as well. We have been camping 25 years in various rigs.

At first glance I would generally say that a trailer with a loaded weight of 7,200 would do fine with a 1/2 ton but based on comments here, maybe the passport does not. We towed our 8,000 pound Premier with a F150 and it did fine. Our new truck does better though.

Check out the Bullets and Premier Bullets.

rkeiser · 02-15-2015, 06:33 AM

We own a 2012 2890RL and for the last 2 years we towed with a 2004 Tahoe (towing capacity of 7400lbs.) We did good on flat land but struggled a little if we did not get a running start at inclines. We also added 30 gal of fresh water and always filled th tanks at home, adding an addtional 240lb to the tongue weight. Recently purchased a 2014 F-150 Ecoboost with a 3:55 rear end (9600lb towing cap). The power is unbeleivable! I often find myself running 70mph in a 55mph zone with out even knowing it. I am about to add air bags as I want to get rid of the rear sag. You can't go wrong with the 2890RL !!

Micah.TX · 02-15-2015, 06:56 AM

Thanks, all. DW and I will reevaluate our TT. When we first got started on this venture, we only looked at 10,000 lb towing capacity not knowing other things needed to be examined as well. Live and learn...

ImTravis · 02-15-2015, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micah.TX

Thanks, all. DW and I will reevaluate our TT. When we first got started on this venture, we only looked at 10,000 lb towing capacity not knowing other things needed to be examined as well. Live and learn...

DW and I went through almost the same thing. The info from here helped us make a better decision on our TT after having bought a TV.

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Micah.TX · 02-15-2015, 09:12 AM

Thanks, everyone for your help. Still got questions about ratios and weight. My Tundra is rated at 10,300 towing capacity (RV Tow Check puts me at 10,535) with a GVWR of 6,900. When I look at the specs on these trailers, I see shipping weight, carrying weight, hitch weight, etc. Am I right to assume shipping weight includes all furniture and appliances, but empty tanks? What you see at the dealer. Carrying weight is max you can add to the trailer? Add those two numbers and if you are under your truck's GVWR you're OK? How does weight you add to the truck cab and/or bed play into this? Thanks, in advance.

Dave-Gray · 02-15-2015, 09:31 AM

Recommended reading: http://fifthwheelst.com/2015-half-ton-truck-towing.html

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**JRTJH** · 02-15-2015, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micah.TX

Thanks, everyone for your help. Still got questions about ratios and weight. My Tundra is rated at 10,300 towing capacity (RV Tow Check puts me at 10,535) with a GVWR of 6,900. When I look at the specs on these trailers, I see shipping weight, carrying weight, hitch weight, etc. Am I right to assume shipping weight includes all furniture and appliances, but empty tanks? What you see at the dealer. Carrying weight is max you can add to the trailer? Add those two numbers and if you are under your truck's GVWR you're OK? How does weight you add to the truck cab and/or bed play into this? Thanks, in advance.

I'm not trying to avoid answering your questions, but until you understand the terms, the limitations and the expectations of towing an RV, you'll never fully appreciate what goes into answering the questions you pose. To be honest, every question you've asked is directly answered in the links below.

The very best advice I think you can get is to "educate yourself" on what you have, what you want to tow and what you expect in the way of safety, performance, reliability and investment.

To do that means researching your own unique situation, understanding the terms associated with towing and with RVing and then applying those concepts to the truck you have and how it relates to the trailer you prefer to buy. You need to understand the differences that each of us face in making those determinations. Someone who lives in Denver and usually tows west of home would not be satisfied with the same rig as someone who lives in Florida and tows locally. The same goes for someone who expects to invest "whatever it takes" as opposed to someone who is trying to live within a very restrictive budget.

My concept of a "satisfactory rig" will not be that of "someone who lives in another area with a different income level, so you're not going to get "exacting answers" to your questions. At best you'll get opinions based on different backgrounds, experience levels, income levels and concepts of what "good" means in relation to "towing" and "RVing"

So, do your "due diligence" homework and learn what you need to know to make an "informed decision" about what you want and need.

Here are a few links to discussions on this forum that have occurred within the past month. All are current, easily found and directly relate to what you're asking.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21017
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17976
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20963
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20903
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20827
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21002
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21033
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21079

Do your homework, learn from these discussions and I think you'll have a much better understanding of RV towing. With that knowledge, you'll make much better choices in tow vehicles and RV models. And, if you've got any questions, I'm sure members would be happy to give you their opinions.

Good Luck,

**sourdough** · 02-15-2015, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Micah.TX
Thanks, everyone for your help. Still got questions about ratios and weight. My Tundra is rated at 10,300 towing capacity (RV Tow Check puts me at 10,535) with a GVWR of 6,900. When I look at the specs on these trailers, I see shipping weight, carrying weight, hitch weight, etc. Am I right to assume shipping weight includes all furniture and appliances, but empty tanks? What you see at the dealer. Carrying weight is max you can add to the trailer? Add those two numbers and if you are under your truck's GVWR you're OK? How does weight you add to the truck cab and/or bed play into this? Thanks, in advance.

The number one thing on your list should be safey IMO. You will be carrying the most precious cargo you have when traveling....your family.

There are any number of conversations on this forum about towing and John has sent you several threads. The very best thing you can do for yourself and your family is study all the criterial for towing and understand how they all work together. You can't be under your max towing limit only and be OK. All weight criteria have to be met, not just one or some.

In answer to your specific question above; shipping weight is the dry weight of the camper with empty grey, black and fresh water tanks plus dry LP tanks. All that plus everything you put into the trailer then counts as your "carrying" weight. Looks like your trailer is 5390 dry with a carrying capacity of 1810 = 7200 total trlr. weight. (GVW)

The same goes for your truck. You have your trucks actual weight and your payload. Together those comprise the GVW for the truck (generally. some spec sheets have a vehicle weight and payload that add to more than the listed GVW); in your case; 5220 for truck, 1680 for payload = 6900lbs. (GVWR)

With those numbers your combined vehicle weight is 14,100. I don't know what your actual max GCVWR is since Toyota does not provide a very friendly interface. Also remember that these numbers are generic, paper numbers. The real numbers come at the scales.

Listed hitch weight for the trlr. is 590 lbs. If the hitch is loaded somewhere in the 10-15% range (of trlr weight) you would be in the 720 - 1000 lb range. Again, Toyota doesn't provide hitch info that I can find but I suspect that you would be OK with a good WD hitch.

Just my thoughts. Do your homework, make a good decision and go have fun. Good luck.

larry337 · 02-15-2015, 11:35 AM

As usual JRTJH summed it up perfectly. What works for one may not work for another, or it may work but you may not like it. Personally with that dry weight I think you'll be fine. The 5.7 has plenty of grunt. Just depends on if you like the ride or not. I believe it falls within your truck's capabilities. I second sourdough, don't skimp on the hitch, and you'll be all right.

Tbos · 02-15-2015, 03:34 PM

Find out what your TV fully loaded weighs. That will tell you how much room you have to add in tongue weight if you know your gvwr. Then use your (gcwr) qross combined weight rating to figure out what kind of weight you can tow safely. Figure you will add a 1000-1500lbs to whatever the dry weight on the TT is for all the stuff you will add plus water, propane, etc... We tow a 2014 Passport 238ML with a 2014 Silverado 5.3L 3:43 rear end. Good luck, have fun, let us know what you decide.

BLITS · 02-15-2015, 05:39 PM

We have a passport 2650 BH and originally towed it with a 2008 tundra 5.7 no problem. Changed to a 2014 f-150 ecoboost max tow and also pulls great. With both trucks I'm not sure I'd want to go much bigger though, cross wind and hill climbing could get interesting

Tbos · 02-15-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLITS

We have a passport 2650 BH and originally towed it with a 2008 tundra 5.7 no problem. Changed to a 2014 f-150 ecoboost max tow and also pulls great. With both trucks I'm not sure I'd want to go much bigger though, cross wind and hill climbing could get interesting

Not upgrading anytime soon but I like the 2650BH layout. When we do upgrade its on my list. What does it weigh fully loaded? Thanks.

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