Toyota Sequoia Towing Questions
sequoianut
Member Posts: 2
Can someone help me understand if 08, 5.7L will handle a camping trailer? What should I be looking for? I know I can't be looking for heavy trailers, but something like Jayco's light weight trailer models (http://www.jayco.com/php/products/floorplans.php?id=143&mod_id=848) with 7800LB fully loaded trailer - is this still a possibility to be able to tow it? I know, I don't have to drag the trailer full with water and waste, etc.., but am I missing anything? If new Seq is capable of towing 10K and GVWR on the trailer is 7800 - it that acceptable ratio? Thanks in advance
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I think it all comes down to how many people and what the gross weight of them as well as any things you have in the SUV. Generally when towing, you need to subtract the gross weight of the trailered item, but also the weight of the persons/cargo in the vehicle from the 10k trailering limit the Sequoia posts. As an example, say you have 200lb of cargo, and you're 200lbs., your wife is 125lbs. and you have two kids at 100lb each (725 total) plus the 7800lb camping trailer you're still only at 8525 which does give you some lee-way on water/waste in the trailer. I think you should be fine. I have towed 7500lbs on my 06 (old model) Tundra double cab, it's rated to 6800lbs. and had no problem towing/stopping the load. I believe you would be fine towing the camper trailer.
Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Does your 08 Sequoia have the self-leveling option for the rear suspension? Was the tongue weight of 975lbs too much because the rear was "dragging" or was there some other reason you determined that the tongue weight was too much?
Its worth noting that if the Sequoia struggles with a particulular tow load, its likely that almost all other suvs will as well. The 08 Sequoia (2wd, SR5, 5.7engine = 10,000lbs tow rating) has the highest tow rating of any suv available on the market today....bar none. If your tow load has a particularly heavy tongue weight than you may want to consider a 3/4 ton Suburban since you'll gain the advantage of a leaf spring rear suspension with a far greater payload rating (2x the Sequoia) that can therefore handle far more tongue weight. However the 3/4 ton Suburban will still have a lower tow rating than a Sequoia (although close at 9600lbs with 2wd). I do not believe their is any suv on the market with rear leaf springs other than the 2500 series Suburban and Yukon XL.
Others may agrue about what should and should not be towed with these vehicles however the statement about the Sequoia having the highest rated tow rating is a simple statement of fact.
I'm not sure how your travel trailer is setup however on my boat trailer it is possible to shift the axles forward to move weight off the tongue. I have a dual axle boat trailer and it is possible to drive one set of wheels up on several 4x6 blocks which will suspend the other axle. The U-bolts can then be loosened in order to shift the axle forward. Then repeat the process with the other axle. Be very careful to ensure the dimensions between the axles are maintained and that the axles remain square to the frame.
Get a scale under the tongue and get some real measurements to ensure you don't go to light or heavy on your tongue weight. 10% of the trailer's weight on the tongue is a general rule of thumb. There's a lot of good articles on this subject on the internet.
This scenario is typical with other tow vehicles regardless of the mfg. However, you must read the fine print.
There should be something stamped on your receiver/hitch and I'm willing to bet you have a class IV hitch rated at 6000# tow and 600# tongue.
If you have electric brakes on your trailer you can source a WDH from U-haul or other mfg's. If you have a boat trailer with surge brakes there is only one WDH (called the Equalizer) this works with surge brakes.
Please read your documentation careully and let us know what you find.
I am also wondering if we order the 4.3 rear end as opposed to the 3.9 which is standard, will the gas mileage be equal to the window sticker of 14 city and 19 highway when we are not towing the trailer. Should we be looking at a 2500 Diesel truck instead? Help us from making a huge mistake. Thanks for any info !!!
I'm quite certain the Sequoia hitch is rated at 600 tongue and 6000 tow. I looked at a friends 2008 Tundra and if I recall that is indeed the rating. I think you will also find this to be the case with most 3/4 ton trucks as well. A 3/4 ton truck will typically have a beefier engine, frame/chassis and tranny than a 1/2 ton truck but they are typically packaged with the same class IV hitch (600/6000).
With that said, there are plenty of people out there towing 10K with a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck. I'm not saying it's a good thing but there are many doing it. I certainly would not let a 750/7500 trailer steer me away from a Sequoia. I would just be aware that you will more than likely be exceeding the capacity of the standard hitch, which can be a safety and liability issue.
I don't have access to the Sequoia manual or the fine print on the hitch although I will try to find out. You can certainly call your local dealer but I would suggest speaking with someone in the service department or a truck specialist vs a typical sales person.
Regarding the differential gear ratio, the tow package with the 4.3 will usually yield a bit less fuel economy and it may or may not be noticeable. The idea with the change in the gear ratio for towing is to put less strain on the tranny to keep it from changing gears so often.
I have limited experience with the "after market" air bags but the relatively inexpensive ones I purchased leak continuously (this is not on a Sequoia). I have already replaced them once but I won't get into that.
A company called Timbren has some good reviews. They have a pretty simple and effective solution but it limits your ability to "soften" the ride manually or by control. IOW, it's installed and uses no air.
If you google "Timbren & Sequoia" you will find them and they show a model for the 08 Sequoia. I would call just to verify. (I do not work for or sell Timbren products).