just did a 1000mile round trip pulling a 5k pound trailer. 18 tundra handled it no problem. i did put a rear sway bar on. tremendous difference. looking at airbags next
Greetings, the flares are aftermarket and were put on in the late 90's. Not sure if they still make these exact models, but the bushwacker "extend-a-fender" are probably the closest match if not exact. realtruck.com/p/bushwacker-extend-a-fender-flares/v/toyota/pickup/1994/ Thanks for watching and commenting.
Greetings, Thanks so much. I posted to another comment on the flares. I'm not sure if you can still get these exact flares, but the bushwacker extend-a-fender are the closest, if not exact match: realtruck.com/p/bushwacker-extend-a-fender-flares/v/toyota/pickup/1994/ Thanks for watching and commenting.
I’m researching new hitches for my Airstream, so I appreciate all the info in this video. I currently have the Weigh-Safe middleweight hitch, which handles great but might be too rough on the frame. I found two popped rivets on the bottom corners of my front storage door, so I’m having those replaced and trying to find a hitch that puts less strain on that area. I noticed you’re missing a couple of rivets in that same area too.
Greetings. I had 1 rivet pop in each lower corner of the storage area. Each time I have had them replaced, Airstream has checked for signs of separation with none present. After having the second replaced, no more have popped to date. I notice no frame flex on my setup and my battery tray door opens fully when hitched up without any interference with the body. I have seen where if there is too much strain, the battery cover lid will hit the body when opening. The weigh safe is a nice setup, I would have those rivets replaced, have it checked, and if looks good, keep running it. If you end up with an Andersen and have any questions or want measurements or anything, just let us know. Happy to help! Thanks for watching and commenting.
I totally agree Toyota messed up big time by going backwards on a v6 boosted (more things = more problems). They should've went either v8 hybrid 10 speed or 100% Electric Tundra to compete with the Cybertruck. Also the newer 3rd gen Tundras look/feel smaller in size. I absolutely love, love, love my 2.5 gen Tundra!! It's a masterpiece.
And I wanna say I completly agree that the 5.7 is still the best engine and they should have just updated the transmission with an 8-10 speed. I will never buy the V6.
Sooooo happy I found your video. I found lots with other Tundras but I actually have the exact Elka suspension and my question was if the RAS worked with the Elka lift. This answered that completely haha. I also have the add a leaf and Timbren stops. I haul two snowmobiles in the back which is about 1200-1400 pounds so there was a bit more sag then I want. I do not want to go with the airbags. I think this may be the right option!
Glad you found the video helpful! They work well together and should really help the Tundra support that weight in the back. The RAS is pretty simple to install, I have mine set between the two spacers provided. Best of luck and let me know how it goes. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Have the exact same Platinum in a windchill pearl ‘21. Bought it coming off a lease, low mileage, two months ago over the 3rd gen. Added a TRD dual exhaust as well as a rear TRD stab bar and some KO2’s. Have towed quite a bit. Love it!
Love that Windchill Pearl! Only made on the Platinum for the 21 model year. Sounds like a great setup you have there. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling with towing my 2023 Jayco 263 RBS. 720 lbs tongue weight (listed), trailer about 6,000. I have a nice fiberglass camper shell I love, and the bedslide that makes getting stuff out of the bed really handy. With only 1,350 of payload capacity I’m sure when we get fuel and load our luggage and ourselves we are way over capacity which stinks. All my life I always thought payload was what went in the bed and boy was I wrong. I installed airlift airbags and that helped some but still not the HAPPY TOW PERSON I’d like to be, lol. My next move is CAT scales with different setups on weight distribution hitch. You almost need to be a mechanical engineer to understand how to set up and tweak these things to be safe and not white knuckled down the road. I want to travel some to relax, but can’t relax towing my camper so far, at least. I’m hoping to finally figure it all out one day.
Cat scales will help w dialing in the hitch. My understanding is payload as after a full tank of fuel, so that should give you a bit more to work with. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Sure, closest I can get you on the link is here: www.stealthcustomseries.com/products/ray10?variant=5616133799965. 18x9 +25mm. No cutting, but you will need to remove the mini air damper at the front of the wheel, the mudflaps (or creatively trim the mudflaps like I did). The front bumper is shimmed a quarter inch. Hope that helps, thanks for watching and commenting!
Air bags are phenomenal on heavy duty trucks. You can’t make those ride worse anyway. But on a half ton, I agree, it changes way too much about the ride. Many of those airbags will destroy themselves if you leave them aired all the way down and the suspension bottoms out, so you always need a few PSI in them and of course that will form up the ride. The Road Active does seem to be a good middle ground, though I wouldn’t say it doesn’t impact ride quality, I just think that if it does it may err on the side of slight betterment for some stock trucks. I am concerned about how this might impact ride on a truck with adaptive suspension…but it rides like a Cadillac and honestly, it kind of bothers me. I’m hoping the RAS will tighten it up a hair in the back.
Greetings. The RAS is pretty great, but I agree, there is some firming up of the ride, and a slight increase in ride height. Thank you for the comment and for watching!
I don't recall exactly, I pulled the factory screws out and found some in my jar that were similar to the factory length and most importantly, verified they would not go through the front of the cabinet when countersunk into the drawer front. Thanks for watching!
Great Video wondering how your Solution worked long term? I have the same issue. Looking closely at it thinking that the lift arm mech may be the issue . I notice that I would need to raise the stop over the factor stop by alot. Which seems strange unless it was built wrong in the first place, I did notice that it seems like there is play in the lift arm mech. Depending on where the arm drops on the arm stops makes a big difference on the plane of the arm and how low it goes. I notice this when I loosened the screw on the lift arm mech that with the screws loose the arm when it was on the orginal stop was on a flat plan. I love JB Weld Epoxy Puddy so handy to have in the RV for lots of situations.
Greetings. The repair is still working great! I did have Airstream send me a replacement lid, its still on the shelf in a box as a spare. Thanks for watching!
I’d used them. I get the point of why cover them if you paid premium for the oem leather. For me it is precisely why i want to cover them, to protect them. With kid(s) and/or pet(s), you would not want the seat to get mess up.. i may not go with these particular brand, but I’d totally cover them with something, makes me feel better.
Greetings. Yes, that is certainly an option. My biggest gripe with these ones particularly was it still allowed crumbs and things to go between the seat bottom and seat back on the back seat. So I would end up pulling these to get all that out pretty often. I give the seats a quick once over with some leather cleaner and conditioner after each camping trip and they look great. This is with two small kiddos spilling all sorts of things. Thanks for watching!
Wondering how you feel about your Andersen since making this video? Still satisfied? I have used an Andersen on an F250 to tow our Airstream, but in that setup I didn’t really need weight distribution. Now I’ve traded into a GMC 1500 Denali and working on my break-in miles before I attempt a first tow. I’m wondering if the Andersen has enough WD to (mostly) level me out or maybe I need to add the RAS as well. I used an Equalizer for many years on different trailers but the ride was so harsh, I stopped using it on the Airstream, being concerned about front end separation potential.
Greetings. Sounds like a great setup! I added the RAS kit to the Tundra since originally installing the Andersen and that helped. I've got both the RAS and the Andersen dialed in now but it did take some time to get right. I'm satisfied enough that I am going to continue to run it vs. researching another option. I'd probably give the Anderson a go with your Denali and as you mentioned, potentially add the RAS if it needs a little help. Thanks for watching!
Looking to get my Tundra as close to a Cadillac Escalade feel as possible... my local installer at Titan Motoring in Nashville recommended this setup! So when my shocks are ready to be replaced early next year, it looks like this is the setup to do it... he recommended Elka Suspension 90233 - 2.5 Reservoir - COILOVER (FR) + NON-COILOVER - Reservoir Configuration + REMOTE. Hoping that's a great set up - thank you for the video! Very few of these out there
Sounds like a great plan. The Elkas have held up well. The adjustability is nice, if Elka ever releases an in cab adjustment capability, I would jump on it, as the only thing I don't love is crawling under there to adjust thecompression knobs to change the ride. I usually only do it a few times a year depending on if I'm hauling the camper. Thanks for watching!
Greetings. My understanding is the harness on the thermostate is specific to the brand and configuration of the AC units. Mine is the Coleman Mach, Dual. If you have the same, all wires should be used and essentially plug and play. I could see possibly not having the dual, and you may not have the 2nd harness for the 2nd temperature sensor. If you have not already, you may want to run through the online selector tool here to verify you have the correct thermostat for your configuration: www.microair.net/pages/easytouch-rv-thermostat-replacements-select-a-brand Thanks for watching and commenting.
The Anderson needs maintenance, the anti sway collar material wears out The red plastic chain caps get brittle and breaks I found my Anderson worked ok on our InTech Dawn but was worthless on our Airstream 30’ I’m being nice, junk. I had chunking as well I have owned two airstreams two InTechs Dawn and Terra And Fifth Wheels Own a RV Solar and Repair Company Cannot distribute larger amounts of weight forward Get a EAZ LIFT R3 with the proper bars, complete adjustable anti sway with the supplied Allen Wrench
Greetings, thanks for the feedback on your experience. My setup is doing well, no real issues or maintenance required yet. Weight distribution is limited, but it works well enough on the Airstream and thankfully doesn't put quite the stress on the camper frame that the bar systems do. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Greetings. The Elkas are holding up great. My only challenge with them is the low speed compression adjustment is a little challenging. The adjustment knob can be a bit difficult to turn by hand. Outside of that, no rust (aluminum bodies) and the seals are all in great shape, no leaks, and they clean up quite easily. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Tundra is weak on Payload and the Airstream is already at 800 lbs of tongue weight and add your interior front gear/ items plus bed items and passengers; something tells me you’re at max or over your payload. All that rubber your using as tires make it worse! Now I do appreciate you going through this;
Beautiful TT; don’t understand why you are given a NorCold Fridge with the cheap wire shelves? When your dropping some serious $ on an Airstream? I had that same Fridge on my previous TT which was only $22k but with the glass shelves and one large slide shelf for large drink bottles etc.. I don’t get it? Absolutely gorgeous travel Trailer.
Thank you, I never really noticed the shelves, it's certainly not a bother and probably helps for airflow. We like that it is a 12v model and has much more space than the propane / electric. Power draw has been an nonissue and it doesn't need the vents cut into the exterior for airflow. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Greetings! Cut and paste courtesy of Mrs MIR: We love the Pillowfort comforter sets from Target. These are both twin size and have gone through the home washer many times and are still soft and not clumping! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Thanks for a very informative video...have a 2017 Tundra and pull a 26' travel trailer...looking for options to eliminate the sag...appreciate your time in putting this together.
Greetings! Good question and I should have mentioned in the video. These are made in the USA, Idaho Falls ID. You can read more here: andersenhitches.com/about/ Thanks for watching and commenting!
Greetings, the RAS certainly reduces squat, the amount depends on how you adjust the coils. Mine are set right in the middle. No rust thus far, had the truck since new. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Greetings! Good question, the Andersen model we are using is the 3350 with a 14k tow rating and 1,400 Lb tongue weight rating. The GVWR of the airstream is 7600 with about 1,000 Lb tongue weight, so we are well within the advertised ratings. Thanks for watching and commenting!
“your did your homework” I love your set-up, you did a lot of upgrades, what you describe, I guarantee that truck runs really smooth, keep up on these videos.
Greetings, thank you. 4Runners are great, I owned a 3rd Gen and still own a 4th Gen v8, its coming up on 200k miles this month. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hey Steven - thank you for this video. Our ‘23 Caravel 22FB also has the loud water pump. Lots of people on Airforums suggested the IRVWPC so I just ordered. Your video is very helpful!
Greetings. Airbags have their advantages for sure. If you plan to offroad with airbags, I'd recommend adding cradles, otherwise they will limit suspension travel. RAS has performed well, increased spring rate, but still allows for full travel. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have had airbags on 3 different trucks now and everyone of them around a year they always seem to have leaks in lines. Every time! No matter how many times you check the lines they seem to leak. This is up in Canada and I blame the cod temps in the winter and shrinkage.
