Tundra's Non-Boxed Frame?
#1
Posted 31 August 2010 - 01:21 AM
Thanks in advance.
#2
Posted 31 August 2010 - 01:43 AM
BUT!
Lots of guys here use Tundras and they like them just fine. So I can't say what the final conclusion on the issue is.
#3
Posted 31 August 2010 - 01:49 AM
Hi, A newbie here. I'm looking to buy a used Tundra and then look for a used Four Wheel Hawk. A friend mentioned to me the fact that the Tundra has a non-boxed frame and I should be concerned with the stress driving off road with a camper. Should I be concerned? Are there mods to compensate for the frame weakness?
Thanks in advance.
I have not noticed any flex that I can feel. 2005 Tundra and a 2002 Hawk
My Tundra working off road.
Bill Harr 2005 Tundra and a 2013 Hawk custom interior.
#4
Posted 31 August 2010 - 04:28 AM
Sunman2003 Four Wheel Camper -Hawk
2023 All Terrain Camper - Panther 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
#5
Posted 31 August 2010 - 05:11 AM
2010 Ford F250 4X4; 6.4 Powerstroke Diesel; Warn 16.5 winch; Airlift Springs; Transfer Flow 47 gal. fuel tank, BDS 4" lift kit, BDS dual steering stabilizer with upgraded Fox 2.0 shocks, Toyo 35X12.50X18 Open Country M/T tires, Pro Comp wheels; 2008 FWC Hawk Camper; 2000 Toyota Tundra.
#6
Posted 31 August 2010 - 05:38 AM
#7
Posted 31 August 2010 - 03:05 PM
First, flexible does NOT equal weak. I did my homework on this and everyone here can tell you: rigid is not necessarily strong. You have metallurgy to consider, shape, stress points and why the engineers designed in a slightly less rigid frame. Toyota engineers are not morons, they designed the new Tundra to be a "real truck" and not a "7/8ths" truck. They wanted it to tow and haul. Do you think they'd send out a truck, given their reputation with the Tacoma, with a "weak" and incapable frame? They designed the flex into the truck.Hi, A newbie here. I'm looking to buy a used Tundra and then look for a used Four Wheel Hawk. A friend mentioned to me the fact that the Tundra has a non-boxed frame and I should be concerned with the stress driving off road with a camper. Should I be concerned? Are there mods to compensate for the frame weakness?
Thanks in advance.
Second, on 07 and later models, the frame is partially boxed, partially double-c channel and partially open c. The frame is designed mostly for towing, but it carries weight just fine. I have a 2007 Tundra and can tell you that it doesn't know the camper is there even when offroading. It does flex a little, but I've never had another PU, so I can't tell if it is more or less than other trucks, but it isn't enough to worry me.
Third, if you try to "reiforce" a frame you might cause more problems because in effect you transfer stress points to other places. Engineers design frames a certain way for a reason. FYI, the Sequoia is based on the Tundra platform and while it certainly doesn't need more hauling capacity, they box the same frame. So, Toyota felt the need to make the frame more "stiff" for the Sequoia, but not "stronger" in the workhorse Tundra when the factory was set up to do it anyway! That ought to tell you something about the inherent strength of the frame.
Fourth, if you plan to *seriously* overload a stated payload capacity, then get a 3/4 ton, period. Half tons stated payloads are conservative (see someone on here with a Grandby on an F-150, campers on Tacomas and Durangos; on TundraSolutions.com, someone had a full 2500# camper package on a regular Tundra for a jaunt around the country without problems; and Les on this forum probably had a Tacoma overloaded by 1000lbs without frame issues!), but if you are worried, get a bigger truck.
You should be more worried about passenger rated tires!
Now, just roaming around in a stock Land Cruiser (not stock for long though... bawahahha [evil laugh])
#8
Posted 31 August 2010 - 03:49 PM
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
We have put hundreds & hundreds of campers on the Tundra trucks over the past 10 years.
YES, the truck frame has more flex, but it is OK.
Some people notice the flex it with the camper on, and some don't seem to notice at all.
We have a 2001 Tundra access cab here at our factory with approx. 160,000 "HARD" miles on it.
We have over loaded it and pushed it to its' limits many times.
We just can't seem to kill it, laughs.
As long as you get some good tires for the truck and do a rear suspension upgrade, the truck should handle a small pop-up camper just fine.
I have never hear of any frame problems due to the camper, off road use, or too much flex.
The Toyota trucks are built pretty tough for what they are.
Hope this helps.
Happy Camping !
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Hi, A newbie here. I'm looking to buy a used Tundra and then look for a used Four Wheel Hawk. A friend mentioned to me the fact that the Tundra has a non-boxed frame and I should be concerned with the stress driving off road with a camper. Should I be concerned? Are there mods to compensate for the frame weakness?
Thanks in advance.
.
.
Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com --- e-mail = stan@fourwh.com
#9
Posted 01 September 2010 - 12:42 AM
#10
Posted 01 September 2010 - 01:00 AM
What rear suspension mods would you guys suggest?
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