Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

[marekli]

I recently replaced my F350 dually with a Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD without 4WD. I used the truck to tow a 7,000 lbs trailer (Fleetwood Prowler) and the my Maxum 2300sc 5,500lbs. So far I have taken the Maxum a few times to the launch ramp and noticed that it would sometimes would slip when hauling the boat out of the water. I don't think that should happen (it rarely ever diw with the 350 dually). The rating says 10,000lbs towing limit and the tires are brand new so it's probably another issue. I am wondering whether I need to have something adjusted to the tongue weight or maybe on the rear shocks since it has the TRD package with shocks installed. Any ideas or comments are appreciated. Thanks

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

Concrete or dirt ramp? Tires getting wet? Big lug tires or decent street tires? Otherwise the answer is probably to give it less gas.

 

[Natesms]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

Sounds right to me. Wet tires + incline + half ton pickup = slippage. You can't really compare that dually to the Tundra, lot more tire and weight on the ground.

I used to have a 2X4 half-ton and would run into the issue from time to time. I found a light foot on the brake while giving it gas would help give me that slow start to keep it from slipping. Unfortunately with the angle of the ramps adding tongue weight probably won't give you all that much extra grip. One time on a slick ramp I actually had to load my passengers into the pickup bed to get up the ramp.

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

the launch ramps we've used so far were all concrete. I usually step off the gas as soon as I notice slipping to allow the tires to better grip the concrete surface...I will check on the tires again but I would see them rated as street tires with zero wear. There always is a bit of slippery build up which definitely promotes the slipping but I still think something about the boat trailer and truck hitch weight distribution may not be quite right....or the shocks which move the center of gravity of the truck maybe too high...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

You could adjust the hitch if it is not set level, but at a launch ramp angle there is reduced tongue weight anyways. I think that you are just over thinking it. Put it in 1st and creep out. My 1/2 ton 2wd slips occasionally and it is almost always because I tried to pull out too fast.

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

the way it's set (from the previous truck) the trailer tongue hangs quite low relative to the Tundra so maybe the first thing to do is to adjust the hitch to get more weight on to it by moving the tongue up? I could reverse the ball on the hitch e.g. that would move the tongue higher and put more pressure on the truck wheels...

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

btw, its a crew cab short bed 5.5 foot..not sure that makes a difference but anyways may be useful to know

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

the way it's set (from the previous truck) the trailer tongue hangs quite low relative to the Tundra so maybe the first thing to do is to adjust the hitch to get more weight on to it by moving the tongue up? I could reverse the ball on the hitch e.g. that would move the tongue higher and put more pressure on the truck wheels...

Raising it up LOWERS tongue weight... I agree though, you are overthinking it. Use a light foot, and sometimes it is going to spin a little no matter what. Nothing wrong with it, its just going to do it.

 

[jkust]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

I don't know Toyotas. Does TRD include something to either limit slip or even better, lock the differential? When you say 'slip' do you mean the whole truck slides backward or that the wheels spin? I've seen full sized trucks unable to pull 14 foot tin boats out on cement/slimy ramps. Those were from a combo of things such as having open rear differentials and nothing driving the front wheels plus a bit of poor driving/not knowing how to drive two footed as you know.

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

I will look into the TRD over the weekend but obviously I am a little nervous since the last thing I want is for the boat to pull the truck into the water. I still think this happens too much for this to be simply an issue of a slippery launch ramp and/or driving technique. Maybe I am spoiled since the previous vehicle (dual rear wheels, long bed, V10 Triton) was a breeze to handle in these type of situations. I have sufficient driving experience with manual shift vehicles on steep incline so I know how to handle gas in poor traction situations on incline. Maybe I will try leaving the trailer further out on the launch ramp when loading up the boat..

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

I don't know Toyotas. Does TRD include something to either limit slip or even better, lock the differential? When you say 'slip' do you mean the whole truck slides backward or that the wheels spin? I've seen full sized trucks unable to pull 14 foot tin boats out on cement/slimy ramps. Those were from a combo of things such as having open rear differentials and nothing driving the front wheels plus a bit of poor driving/not knowing how to drive two footed as you know.

Every vehicle made now has traction control 2 footed driving is a thing of the past.

 

[jkust]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

I tend to think that the most important towing related component on a truck is a locking rear differential or limited slip if a true locking diff isn't offered. I'm betting TRD has a limited slip but whether it is mechanical or computer I suppose I can't guess. People swear by locking rear diffs and get along good without 4x4 but with the locker. If you've got 4wd as well, I'm surprised you are having issues. A 4wd without locking/limited slip is a 2wd.

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

the truck has no 4WD...maybe I should change the initial posting so it's clearer..

I tend to think that the most important towing related component on a truck is a locking rear differential or limited slip if a true locking diff isn't offered. I'm betting TRD has a limited slip but whether it is mechanical or computer I suppose I can't guess. People swear by locking rear diffs and get along good without 4x4 but with the locker. If you've got 4wd as well, I'm surprised you are having issues. A 4wd without locking/limited slip is a 2wd.

 

[jkust]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

Every vehicle made now has traction control 2 footed driving is a thing of the past.

Well there's Traction Control, Stability Control, 4WD, AWD, 4AWD, Limited Slip both mechanical and computer and Locking rear diff such as the GM G80 mechanical locker. All the systems work together but depends on the combination as to the possibilities of potential issues.

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

ok, sounds like I need to look to see what is actually installed on my Toyota, the only extras I know off hand is the TRD package but maybe there's more....

 

[jkust]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

Also, I didn't catch the year of the Toyota.

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

it's a 2007

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

Does it have a limited slip diff?

 

[marekli]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

I will check and get back with that info later...we got stuck there earlier...

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Launch Ramp Issue with Toyota Tundra 5.7L, TRD no 4WD

or the shocks which move the center of gravity of the truck maybe too high...

Shocks will have nothing to do with the COG.

LK