Towing Capacity and Recommended Hitch to Tow a 5th Wheel Trailer with a 2014 Toyota Tundra  

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Expert Reply:

The towing capacity of your 2014 Tundra is determined by Toyota, not either dealership. I recommend checking your owner's manual with your truck's specifics. Or you can contact Toyota with your VIN and they should be able to tell you how it came directly from the factory.

I looked up a copy of your truck's manual but I'd still look at a printed copy if possible because as you said it has the tow package and 5.7L V8 but the capacity also depends on the bed length and cab style. From what I've found your truck can pull up to a 10,200 pound trailer if it's a long bed regular cab model. If you have a double cab that drops to 9,900 pounds with the standard bed or 9,800 pounds with a long bed. Then the CrewMax models with the short bed are rated up to 9,500 pounds, 9,600 pounds, or 9,800 pounds depending on how else the truck is equipped per its model code.

It sounds to me like either way you're going to be okay but like I said check your owner's manual. The easiest way to look is to find your truck's model code on the Certification Label and check it in the manual for the exact capacity. In the copy I found online the capacities are listed starting on page 162.

If you find you can tow the trailer with your truck the bed length is also important when choosing a fifth wheel hitch. The shorter the bed the less room there is for turning clearance. If you have a long bed truck this won't be an issue and you can use a fixed hitch. I recommend the Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ S20 Slider # C95DR.

If your Tundra is what Toyota calls a standard bed it's the 6-1/2 foot bed and you likely need a sliding fifth wheel hitch, like part # RP30075. The slider moves the pivot point back on the truck to keep the trailer from hitting your cab during sharp turns.

Finally, if you have the CrewMax model with the short 5-1/2 foot bed even a sliding hitch probably won't give you enough clearance to make a complete 90 degree turn with a fifth wheel trailer. The best option then is to use a fixed hitch, again the Reese # RP30047, along with a rotating pin box on the trailer called a Sidewinder. If you have a CrewMax talk to the trailer dealer about the pin box it has. If you need a Sidewinder we carry them but you need to know the model number of the current pin box on the trailer to know which one fits. If you need one let me know which pin box you have.

No matter which model of truck you have to install a fifth wheel hitch I recommend the Reese install kit, part # RP50084-58. It's a custom kit so it reduces the install time and drilling by using existing holes in the truck's frame. It'll also work with either hitch I recommended. Also, to make hooking up to the trailer easier you can add a 7-way trailer connector in the Tundra's bed using part # 41157.

A couple other things to consider adding to your truck are coolers for the transmission and the engine. Since you're pretty close to maxing out the truck's capacity either one or both is a good idea. I recommend part # D15902 which is a combination cooler for both transmission fluid and engine oil. I've linked the install details as well as an install video for you.

expert reply by: Charles S

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