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Toyota Sienna Towing/Trailer Hitch Questions

35 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:21 PM

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#6 of 35 which hitch and from where? by jimmibondi Aug 19, 2008 (2:18 pm)
I am planning to add a hitch mounted bike rack to my 00 Sienna. I am not planning to tow anything. What aftermarket hitch should I get? Is there someone who sells them cheap?   Cheers jb
#7 of 35 2004 Sienna by giffweav Aug 20, 2008 (6:25 pm)
We just picked up a new to us van. Have been towing our 2002 Coleman Sunvalley with our '99 Windstar previously. So on the new van which has the 3.3 engine, we have the class III hitch installed as well as the wiring harness. There have been differing opinions on transmission coolers. I have heard from a few that the Siennas already had an adequate tranny cooler on them?   The rear end is a bit lower than the Windstar so we will probably opt to purchase a Wight Distributing Hitch as well to pull the rear end up.   Anybody have any experience towing campers with the Sienna?   Appreciate any thoughts and help!! Replies to this message: dnbqee (Aug 24, 2008 4:44 pm) giffweav (Aug 31, 2008 12:47 pm)
#8 of 35 Re: 2004 Sienna [giffweav] by dnbqee Aug 24, 2008 (4:44 pm)
Replying to: giffweav (Aug 20, 2008 6:25 pm) This may help somewhat-we have towed our almost 4000lb 17' Starcraft all over the west with ..........a Honda Odyssey.....I know its not a Sienna but we used the weight distributing hitch with a very heavy 500 lb tounge weight and it worked like a dream. We also have a new to us 04 AWD Sienna but haven't installed the hitch/harness yet. I parked the Sienna side by side with Honda last night (both empty) and the rear of the Sienna is much higher so that helps a little. There are also aftermarket airbag suspension kits (installs fairly easily) available. Our experience with the Odyssey both with and without the weight distributing hitch: drives MUCH better, better traction and safer with weight dist. hitch. Hopes this helps a little. Let us know how it goes. Replies to this message: giffweav (Aug 31, 2008 12:47 pm)
#9 of 35 Towing and transmission coolers??? by dnbqee Aug 24, 2008 (4:57 pm)
Does any one know if the Siennas have transmission coolers already installed (going to be towing) or are they even required. I dont see any mention of them in the owners manual, so want to be sure. We will be towing a fairly heavy trailer. Had to install a cooler on our Odyssey. We have a 04 AWD Sienna. Wondering if the AWDs need more cooling etc. Any help appreciated. Thanks. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Aug 27, 2008 10:29 am) whitewaternut (Aug 27, 2008 1:04 pm) ateixeira (Aug 28, 2008 6:11 am)
#10 of 35 Re: Towing and transmission coolers??? [dnbqee] by ateixeira Aug 27, 2008 (10:29 am)
Replying to: dnbqee (Aug 24, 2008 4:57 pm) Yes, up until the 2007 model year, the tow prep package was standard.   For 2008, they made this an option, but most vans in my region still got it.   I know 07s had them standard, though. Replies to this message: whitewaternut (Aug 27, 2008 1:04 pm) ateixeira (Aug 28, 2008 6:11 am)
#11 of 35 Re: Towing and transmission coolers??? [ateixeira] by whitewaternut Aug 27, 2008 (1:04 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 27, 2008 10:29 am) I purchased a Reese type hitch from NAPA and installed it myself on my 2006 Sienna AWD. Fairly easy to do since the nuts are already welded into the frame. Just a matter of bolting it on with four bolts. The right side is a bit of a pain because the exhaust pipe is in the way but it can be done with the proper tools. Bought the wiring harness through Ebay and it was a snap to install. Only had to remove both tail lights and the rear panel below the tail gate to connect the harness.   Pulled a 1200 pound tent trailer to PEI and back last month. It was so easy I had to look back at times to make sure the trailer was still there. Great towing vehicle and I still got 18.5mpg on the trip while towing the trailer. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Aug 28, 2008 6:11 am)
#12 of 35 Re: Towing and transmission coolers??? [whitewaternut] by ateixeira Aug 28, 2008 (6:11 am)
Replying to: whitewaternut (Aug 27, 2008 1:04 pm) That sounds good, I know towing kills mileage.   I had a 1998 Forester that averaged 25.1mpg over its lifetime, and I got about 18mpg on one tank while towing the whole time.   I'm sure the big V6 simply handles the load better.
#13 of 35 Re: 2004 Sienna [dnbqee] by giffweav Aug 31, 2008 (12:47 pm)
Replying to: dnbqee (Aug 24, 2008 4:44 pm) Thanks for the reply. Between you and the popupexplorer.com crowd, am definitely going to get the WDH (Looking at the Reese mini 400) and the air bags. We had our local hitch guy put a DrawTite on and with the bikes on the receiver hitch, it will drag on a steep driveway so definitely need a little lift there.   Now if it will just cool down a little, it will camping around here a little more bearable.
#14 of 35 Tow Prep after market by sienna2009 Mar 11, 2009 (4:51 pm)
I recently bought a Sienna 2009 XLE Limited with the EVP-2 package. I was also understanding that the van came with the tow prep (engine cooler, transmission cooler and wiring harness). This was not the case. The vehicle does not have the tow prep and the dealer is now telling me that it cannot be put in after the fact. I have researched the web and cannot find any after market information for this van. Can this be done after market and will it void my warranty? Replies to this message: ateixeira (Mar 12, 2009 7:21 am)
#15 of 35 Re: Tow Prep after market [sienna2009] by ateixeira Mar 12, 2009 (7:21 am)
Replying to: sienna2009 (Mar 11, 2009 4:51 pm) It was standard in model year 2007, but in 08 they made it an option, a couple hundred dollars or so.   I don't see why it could not be added, though, isn't is basically an oil cooler?

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