Fifth Wheel Towing Capacity of 2012 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 2WD With 5.7L V8 and Standard Bed

Question:

2012 TUNDRA 4X2 DBL CAB 5.7L V8. I want to have a hitch placed in the bed of my truck for 5th wheel. I think the bed is standard length. I want to know how much can I tow when I purchase a 5th wheel. GVWR. 6900 lbs but I am confused about tongue weight and and dip weight when towing. I want to purchase about 26 ft 5 th wheel. Thank you awaiting your response. Appreciate your advice.

asked by: Edward

Helpful Expert Reply:

I took a look at the owner's manual for a 2012 Toyota Tundra and its ratings for towing a fifth wheel trailer are based on the GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating), which is the weight of your fully loaded '12 Tundra PLUS the weight of a fully loaded trailer. Put simply, your towing capacity will be your GCWR minus your GVWR, which I'll detail for you with an example, but the issue is that for a '12 Tundra, the GCWR is going to depend on a couple factors.

The GCWR (maximum capacity your truck and trailer can be) for a 2012 Toyota Tundra Double Cab with 2WD, a 5.7L V8 and standard (6-1/2 foot) bed will depend on if you have the trailer towing package or not.

If you do NOT have the towing package your GCWR is 14,000 lbs and tongue weight rating is 8,100 lbs. If you DO have the towing package your GCWR is 15,900 lbs and your tongue weight rating is 10,000 lbs. Tongue weight is simply the downward force placed on your truck bed with the fifth wheel hitch hooked up. I am not aware of anything in regards to "dip weight" as this is not a common term.

As far as towing capacity, here's an example that may help clarify. Since you mentioned your GVWR is 6,900 lbs, if you went to a weigh station and that's what you weighed your Tundra at, you could tow a fifth wheel trailer that was 7,100 lbs fully loaded if you did NOT have the towing package or 9,000 lbs if you DID have that package. Just subtract your truck's weight by the GCWR and that is your capacity.

The fifth wheel hitch I highly recommend checking out for your 2012 Tundra is the Curt A16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R16 Slider # C16521 because the A Series of Curt fifth wheel hitches are both easy to use and highly reliable.

The A16 has a handy indicator system which will let you know if the jaws on the hitch are ready to couple, uncouple or tow. This color-coded system makes the process of hooking up or disconnecting your trailer much simpler.

The Curt A20 has a fully articulating head which also eases the coupling process and built in zerk fittings so you can lube the hitch without issue. The A16 # C16521 comes with a lifetime warranty which speaks to its durability. To install this hitch you need to add rails to the 6-1/2 foot bed of your Tundra and the best option for that is the Curt Custom Fifth Wheel Installation Kit for Toyota Tundra # C16468-204 because they are designed specifically to fit your truck which will ease the installation process.

I have added links to a couple video reviews of the hitch and rails for you to take a look at.