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Toyota Sequoia
This topic is a continuation of Topic 3256....
Toyota Sequoia - NEW SUV - II. Please continue
these discussions here. Thanks!
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Toyota Sequoia - NEW SUV - II. Please continue
these discussions here. Thanks!
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
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Comments
1)Towing not recommended until after 2000 mile break-in period
2)When towing "do not exceed 45mph."
3)sway control device necessary for towing over 2000 pounds
None of these issues were mentioned by our dealer, who knew that we were buying the Sequoia as a tow vehicle for appx. 5000# horse-trailer.
Anybody talked to Toyota about these issues?
1) 500 mile break-in before towing
2) same "do not exceed 45mph"
3) same way control device recommendation
Regarding your issues, #1 seems odd, but #2 and #3 seem normal:
1) LC owner's manual also says 500 miles for the break-in period, not 2000 miles.
2) I don't believe the 45 mph issue relates to the inability of the vehicle to tow adequately at higher speeds; more of a driving safety recommendation. I suspect the manual for any towing vehicle would have a similar recommendation in order to avoid or limit the manufacturer's liability. The LC manual says that, because swaying increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph may cause loss of control. I have towed my 2-horse trailer (with one horse in it) with my LC at 60-65 quite comfortably.
3) Sway bars (aka load leveling bars). You WILL want to get these, as they will make the ride a lot smoother for your horse(s). Any horse trailer dealer in your area ought to have them. I forget how much they cost; on the order of $100-150, if I remember correctly. You'll also want to have trailer brakes installed. Again, any horse trailer dealer ought to be able to do this.
Hope this helps.
I have been taught that the faster you tow in any vehicle, the faster things happen...
Overall it confirmed everything I have been saying about the Sequoia and should help a prospective buying go down his checklist of things he needs his SUV to do.
There are definite "weaknesses" noted in the article but then no one should believe that the Sequoia is the ultimate SUV anyway. There are some strenghts as well, especially if you are new to driving a 4wd in adverse conditions.
-Di
;>
As for trailer brakes, sure, they are very helpful, but they are really completely irrelevant when it comes to listing maximum towing ability.
I, for one, would be very upset with Toyota and my dealer if I had to return the vehicle to the dealer, waste a day, and pay anything additional for optional sway bars.
As a comparison, I believe the Toyota Sienna will tow 2000 pounds or something close to that without any optional equipment (other than a hitch).
Toyota -- shame on you.
I'd be very interested to hear real life reports on how the Sequ performs with heavy towing.
By the way, the same site states that the Sienna can tow 2000 pounds, 3500 max.
Wow, a full-sized SUV capable of towing only 2000 pounds off the lot.
That is really pathetic and, more importantly, potentially dangerous too.
Keep in mind, a large number of things in your book were written by lawyers. These are the same type of lawyers who are responsible for notes like "warning, coffee is hot and can cause extreme burns"
Brakes are required in many states and are a good idea on anything that weighs over 1500 pounds. I actually have disc brakes on both axles of my trailer. That is my choice and it is most likely overkill.
Finally, one member here has once again demonstrated that they know nothing about one of our products. The Sienna is not a full sized SUV. It is a mid sized minivan built on a unibody platform. The standard towing capacity is 2000 pounds but most are built with a tow prep package the raises the capacity to 3500 pounds by the addition of a heavy duty radiator and transmission cooler.
My point was that the Sienna, a puny, 6 cyl minivan, has the same towing capacity off the lot as the full-sized 8 cyl Sequ does off the lot. A mere 2000 pounds.
Plus, I don't think Chrysler, Ford or GM recommends any additional sway bars for towing over 2000 pounds, or any other poundage limit for that matter -- and all of these full-sized vehicles can tow significantly more than Sequ in the first place.
Cliffy, sometimes, most times?, your bias simply gets in the way of plain common sense.
And, finally, it is NOT me.
I quote from Toyota's web site.
Sienna -- 2000 pounds off the lot towing capacity, 3500 with additional equipment.
Sequ -- 2000 pounds off the lot towing capacity, 6200 (4 wheel drive version) with additional equipment.
PATHETIC.
BTW, you're right about other mfrs. When I bought my 94 JGC (rated to tow 6500), I was issued the same recommendations by Chrysler about sway bars and trailer brakes. Same with my 91 GM product (which I got rid of promptly upon the expiration of the warranty).
*Your vehicle may require additional special equipment to tow the maximum trailer weight listed here. Maximum trailer ratings are calculated assuming a standard equipped base vehicle plus driver. The weight of optional equipment, passengers, cargo, and required trailering equipment will reduce the maximum trailer weight. Trailer tongue weight should be 10-15% of total loaded trailer weight. See the GMC Trailering Guide for details.
I guess GM has lawyers too.
1) JGC is at best a mid-sized SUV. It is not intended to do any serious towing.
2) 12,000 pounds is some serious poundage. This probably requires the diesel engine that is offered on the Yukon.
3) I have seen nothing that states, other than the "optional" towing hitch, that anything else is required to tow the STANDARD towing weight for a Suburban, which is 7,700 pounds by the way. Of course, if you option it up, you can go up from there. No lawyers there.
4) The more I listen to you, the more I think you really are just a bald face liar, just like the Tundra owners claimed you were in the Edmunds forum.
Want to wager some bucks on whether GM requires or even recommends optional sway bars to tow the 7,700 standard towing weight with a Suburban?
I'm in for whatever you are willing to put up.
You have to admit, that is pretty funny.
I bet you Cliffy ain't to happy some of his prospective customers discovered that little footnote.
3All figures reflect the weight of occupants, equipment and cargo. For each model, a Class III or IV receiver hitch and sway control device are either required or recommended additional equipment. See your Toyota dealer for details. \
Note the use of the word "recommended". It does not way anything about being required. If you plan on towing a large trailer with any vehicle, most trailer experts will recommend that you have a sway control devise. I have chosen to ignore this recommendation for my own towing but I understand that I do so at my own peril.
I have a hitch on my Tundra that is rated for towing 5000 pounds by simply mounting a ball. I choose to follow the manufacturers recommendation and have added a frame mounted hitch.
Why do we have to go through this? What is the point?
Oh yes, and when it says to see your dealer for details, that is exactly what I will tell you.
Be pretty tough to tow without one of those!!!!
What a joke.
6200 pounds to begin with is pretty pathetic. I, for one, would never attempt to tow close to maximum rated poundage. That brings it down to at least 5,000 pounds of comfortable towing poundage WITH all the extras -- meaning sway bars.
What a joke!!!!!
Man o man, I'm sorry. I can't stop laughing. This is better than the Giants win over the 'Skins yesterday.
Load leveling "spreads the weight" in effect beyond the hitch to the vehicle and trailer. The rear wheel sag can be taken out and ride height and handling restored (except for the extra weight).
Sway control help keep the trailer from, well...swaying back and forth.
Both can be used.
If you both are towing this kind of weight trailer brakes are important as well. Especially on the shorter wheelbased LC. The LC could be manhandled by a 5000lb trailer. If your trailer starts to push your rear out in slippery conditions or the trailer starts whipping the rear you need the breaks to save your life.
The Sequoia, despite being listed with a lower towing capacity, should be a better tow vehicle because of the longer wheelbase (it is longer I believe?).
Most of the pros in my state who tow use all three on thier trailers and never tow with a short wheel based vehicle at weights around 5000lb or more......thats asking for problems.