Toyota Tundra (2019 year). Manual - part 12

177

4-1. Before driving

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Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.

■

GCWR

*

5

 and TWR

*

5



Double Cab models

GCWR, TWR, Unbraked TWR, Fifth wheel and Gooseneck towing
TWR

*

5

: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE

International per SAE J2807.

Model code

*

1

Engine

Driving 

system Bed type

GCWR

TWR

UPK51L-

CRTSKA

1UR-FE 

engine

2WD

Standard

12500 lb. 

(5670 kg)

6800 lb. 

(3080 kg)

UPK56L-

CRTSKA

4WD

12500 lb. 

(5670 kg)

6500 lb. 

(2945 kg)

USK51L-

CRTSKA

3UR-FE 

engine

2WD

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8300 lb. 

(3760 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

10200 lb. 

(4625 kg)

*

3

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

4

10100 lb. 

(4580 kg)

*

4

USK51L-

CRTLKA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8200 lb. 

(3715 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

10200 lb. 

(4625 kg)

*

3

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

4

10100 lb. 

(4580 kg)

*

4

USK52L-

CHTSKA

Long

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8100 lb. 

(3670 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

10100 lb. 

(4580 kg)

*

3

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

4

10000 lb. 

(4535 kg)

*

4

178

4-1. Before driving

USK56L-

CRTSKA

3UR-FE 

engine

4WD

Standard

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8000 lb. 

(3625 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9900 lb. 

(4490 kg)

*

3

15860 lb. 

(7190 kg)

*

4

9700 lb. 

(4395 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

CRTLKA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7900 lb. 

(3580 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9900 lb. 

(4490 kg)

*

3

15310 lb. 

(6945 kg)

*

4

9100 lb. 

(4125 kg)

*

4

USK57L-

CHTSKA

Long

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15640 lb. 

(7095 kg)

*

4

9300 lb. 

(4215 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

CRTSGA

3UR-FBE 

engine

Standard

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8000 lb. 

(3625 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9900 lb. 

(4490 kg)

*

3

15860 lb. 

(7195 kg)

*

4

9700 lb. 

(4395 kg)

*

4

Model code

*

1

Engine

Driving 

system Bed type

GCWR

TWR

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*

1

: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (



P. 599)

*

2

: Vehicles without towing package

*

3

: Vehicles with towing package

*

4

: Vehicles with towing package and large fuel tank

USK56L-

CRTLGA

3UR-FBE 

engine

4WD

Standard

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7900 lb. 

(3580 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9900 lb. 

(4490 kg)

*

3

15310 lb. 

(6945 kg)

*

4

9100 lb. 

(4125 kg)

*

4

USK57L-

CHTSGA

Long

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15640 lb. 

(7095 kg)

*

4

9300 lb. 

(4215 kg)

*

4

Model code

*

1

Engine

Driving 

system Bed type

GCWR

TWR

180

4-1. Before driving



CrewMax models

Model code

*

1

Engine

Driving 

system Bed type

GCWR

TWR

UPK51L-

PSTSKA

1UR-FE 

engine

2WD

Short

12500 lb. 

(5670 kg)

6700 lb. 

(3035 kg)

UPK56L-

PSTSKA

4WD

12500 lb. 

(5670 kg)

6400 lb. 

(2900 kg)

USK51L-

PSTSKA

3UR-FE 

engine

2WD

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8100 lb. 

(3670 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

10100 lb. 

(4580 kg)

*

3

15910 lb. 

(7215 kg)

*

4

9900 lb. 

(4490 kg)

*

4

USK51L-

PSTLKA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8000 lb. 

(3625 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

10000 lb. 

(4535 kg)

*

3

15530 lb. 

(7045 kg)

*

4

9400 lb. 

(4260 kg)

*

4

USK51L-

PSTZKA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

8000 lb. 

(3625 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

10000 lb. 

(4535 kg)

*

3

15520 lb. 

(7040 kg)

*

4

9400 lb. 

(4260 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

PSTSKA

4WD

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15540 lb. 

(7050 kg)

*

4

9200 lb. 

(4170 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

PSTLKA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15170 lb. 

(6880 kg)

*

4

8800 lb. 

(3990 kg)

*

4

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4-1. Before driving

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*

1

: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (



P. 599)

*

2

: Vehicles without towing package

*

3

: Vehicles with towing package

*

4

: Vehicles with towing package and large fuel tank

■

Unbraked TWR

*

5

1000 lb. (453 kg)

USK56L-

PSTZKA

3UR-FE 

engine

4WD

Short

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15160 lb. 

(6875 kg)

*

4

8800 lb. 

(3990 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

PSTSGA

3UR-FBE 

engine

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15540 lb. 

(7050 kg)

*

4

9200 lb. 

(4170 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

PSTLGA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15170 lb. 

(6880 kg)

*

4

8800 lb. 

(3990 kg)

*

4

USK56L-

PSTZGA

14000 lb. 

(6350 kg)

*

2

7800 lb. 

(3535 kg)

*

2

16000 lb. 

(7255 kg)

*

3

9800 lb. 

(4445 kg)

*

3

15160 lb. 

(6875 kg)

*

4

8800 lb. 

(3990 kg)

*

4

*

5

: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE

International per SAE J2807.

Model code

*

1

Engine

Driving 

system Bed type

GCWR

TWR

182

4-1. Before driving

● A recommended tongue weight or kingpin weight varies in accor-

dance with the types of trailers or towing as described below.

● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must

be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
1.Conventional Towing

The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9% to 11%. (Tongue Weight/Gross trailer weight x 100
= 9% to 11%)

Gross trailer weight
Tongue Weight

If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front
axle to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If  front  axle  weight  cannot  be  measured  directly,  measure  the
front fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust
weight distributing hitch torque until front fender is returned to the
same height as before connection.
Do not reduce front fender height below original measurement.
The  gross  trailer  weight,  gross  axle  weight  and  tongue  weight
can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weigh-
ing  station,  building  supply  company,  trucking  company,  junk
yard, etc.

Trailer Tongue Weight and Trailer Kingpin Weight

1

2

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2.Fifth wheel Towing or Gooseneck Towing

The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the kingpin
weight is 14% to 16%. (Kingpin weight/Gross trailer weight x 100
= 14% to 16%)

Gross trailer weight
Kingpin weight

The  gross  trailer  weight  and  kingpin  weight  can  be  measured
with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
CrewMax models: Current fifth wheel trailer designs are not com-
patible with short bed.

Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toyota hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight require-

ment of your vehicle.

● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball and kingpin with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After

removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle.

1

2

Hitch

184

4-1. Before driving

The rear bumper of your vehicle is
equipped  with  a  hole  to  install  a
trailer ball. If you  have any ques-
tions, contact your Toyota dealer.

The  gross  trailer  weight  (trailer
weight  plus  cargo  weight)  when
towing with the bumper must never
exceed  the  TWR  (

P.  177)  or

5000  lb.  (2268  kg)  whichever  is
lower.

Use the correct trailer ball for your application.

Trailer ball load rating

Matches  or  exceeds  the  gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.

Ball diameter

Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler.  Most  couplers  are  stamped
with the required trailer ball size.

Shank length

Protrudes  beyond  the  bottom  of  the  lock  washer  and  nut  by  at  least  2
threads.

Shank diameter

Matches the ball mount hole diameter size.

Bumper towing (vehicles with steel bumper only)

Selecting trailer ball

1

2

Trailer class

IV

II and III

I

Typical trailer ball size

2 5/16 in.

2 in.

1 7/8 in.

3

4

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Hitch receiver pin hole position:
46.4 in. (1179 mm)

Use the wire harness stored in the rear end of the vehicle.
The tow lighting system is designed for 64 watts/5 amps of electrical
current per side (right and left) for the trailer brake/turn light functions.
Please contact your Toyota dealer with any questions or concerns.

■

Service  connector  for  towing  brake  controllers  (vehicles  without  an
installed trailer brake controller)

Positions for towing hitch receiver

1

Connecting trailer lights



Vehicles  without  towing  pack-
age



Vehicles with towing package

Your  vehicle  is  equipped  with  a  service
connector  for  supplemental  trailer  brake
controllers.
Please  consult  your  dealer  on  how  to
access the service connector.

186

4-1. Before driving

Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. To help avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not

exceed the posted towing speed limit.

● Toyota recommends that  the  vehicle-trailer  speed  limit is  65  mph

(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of control.

● Before  starting  out,  check  the  trailer  lights,  tires  and  the  vehicle-

trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.

● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in

an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.

● Reversing with a trailer attached is  difficult and requires practice.

Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left  to  move  the  trailer  to  the  left.  Move  your  hand  to  the  right  to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.

● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-

vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.

Trailer towing tips

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● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-

knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.

● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making

a turn.

● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than

the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.

● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery

surfaces, etc. 
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.

● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-

able  distance. After  passing  a  vehicle,  do  not  forget  the  length  of
your trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing
lanes.

● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-

mance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in
D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 4 in the S mode.

● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long

downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.

● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes

too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-

heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. 
(

P. 585)

188

4-1. Before driving

● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s

wheels  when  parking. Apply  the  parking  brake  firmly,  and  put  the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:

Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the  wheel blocks are  in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.

● When restarting after parking on a slope:

With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into D or R (if reversing).
Release  the  parking  brake  and  brake  pedal,  and  slowly  pull  or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

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4-1. Before driving

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■

Trailer brake controller
P. 307

■

Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height

■

Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:

●

Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (

P. 606)

●

Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommen-
dation.

●

All trailer lights work as required by law.

●

All lights work each time you connect them.

●

The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.

●

The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.

●

The trailer cargo is securely loaded.

●

The  rear  view  mirrors  conform  to  all  applicable  federal,  state/provincial  or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for tow-
ing purposes.

●

Depress TOW/HAUL button (if equipped). (

P. 199)

●

The manual headlight leveling dial is correctly adjusted. (

P. 207)

No  matter  which  class  of  tow  hitch
applies,  for  a  more  safe  trailer  hookup,
the  trailer  ball  setup  must  be  the  proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.

Coupler 
Trailer ball

1

2

190

4-1. Before driving

■

Break-in schedule
If  your  vehicle  is  new  or  equipped  with  any  new  power  train  components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed
of  less  than  50  mph  (80  km/h)  when  towing  a  trailer,  and  avoid  full  throttle
acceleration.

■

Maintenance

●

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due
to  the  additional  load.  (See  “Owner’s  Warranty  Information  Booklet”  or
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide”/“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)

●

Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.

■

If trailer sway occurs
One  or  more  factors  (crosswinds,  passing  vehicles,  rough  roads,  etc.)  can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.

●

If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.

Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.

• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to

reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.

If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.)

●

After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.

Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.

• Check the load in the vehicle.

Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.

If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the
towing vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.

191

4-1. Before driving

4

Dr

ivi

ng

WARNING

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Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do  so
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability
and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and
performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when towing
a trailer.

■

To avoid accident or injury

●

Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.

●

If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device
with sufficient capacity is required.

●

If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing
hitch with sufficient capacity is required.

●

Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads
as close to the trailer axle as possible.

●

Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the
speed  limit  for  your  trailer  as  set  forth  in  your  trailer  owner’s  manual,
whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross-
winds,  on wet  or slippery surface,  etc., to help  avoid an  accident. If  you
experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing a certain speed, slow
down  and  make  sure  you  keep  your  vehicle  speed  under  the  speed  of
which you experience the instability.

●

Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.

●

Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery sur-
faces.

●

Do  not  exceed  the  trailer  hitch  assembly  weight,  gross  vehicle  weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.

●

Do not use cruise control when towing.

●

Slow  down  and  downshift  before  descending  steep  or  long  downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.

●

Vehicle-trailer  instability  is  more  likely  on  steep  long  downhills.  Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do
not  make  sudden  downshifts  when  descending  steep  or  long  downhill
grades.  Avoid  holding  the  brake  pedal  down  too  long  or  applying  the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result
in reduced braking efficiency.

●

Do not tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.

192

4-1. Before driving

WARNING

■

Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating  of  the  particular  hitch  assembly  and  never  exceed  the  maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.

■

When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.

●

If  the  gross  trailer  weight  exceeds  unbraked  TWR,  trailer  brakes  are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.

●

Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.

●

Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

NOTICE

■

When installing a trailer hitch
Use  only  the  position  recommended  by  your Toyota  dealer.  Do  not  install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.

■

Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

■

When towing a fifth wheel trailer

Be careful not to hit the cabin or bed with
the trailer while making a sharp turn.