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Toyota Sequoia Towing Questions

17 messages,  Last post on Feb 06, 2010 at 5:14 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sequoia, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 2

#8 of 17 Re: Rear suspension air bags [jimbo826] by hdfatboy

Apr 09, 2008 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: jimbo826 (Apr 09, 2008 8:51 am)
How flexible is the interior of the camper? By moving heavier contents from the front of the trailer to the rear, you will "unload" the Sequoia tongue weight and place more of the load on the trailer's suspension. This might stabilize the trailer. A couple hundred lbs could make a significant difference if the load could be shifted to the trailer's suspension instead of the Sequoia's.
 
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.

#9 of 17 Re: 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits [sequoianut] by etrailers

May 09, 2008 (5:24 am)

Replying to: sequoianut (Dec 20, 2007 10:24 pm)
I'm quite certain you will find the "10K" towing capability is with a weight distribution hitch (WDH). A WDH typically mounts to the trailer frame and helps distribute the weight equally around the frame of the tow vehicle.
 
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.

#10 of 17 Re: 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits [etrailers] by tennisbum1212

May 20, 2008 (8:44 pm)

Replying to: etrailers (May 09, 2008 5:24 am)
We are looking at the 2008 Sequoia to pull a 23' Toy Hauler. Tongue weight 750 lbs. and GVWR 7500 lbs. Are you saying we will need to add a WDH to this vehicle?
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 !!!

#11 of 17 Re: 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits [tennisbum1212] by etrailers

May 21, 2008 (6:44 am)

Replying to: tennisbum1212 (May 20, 2008 8:44 pm)
tennisbum1212,
 
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.

#12 of 17 Towing with the 2008 Sequoia by tennisbum1212

May 21, 2008 (8:11 am)

I would love to hear some feedback from all 2008 Sequoia owners that tow toy haulers or camping trailers. How is your Sequoia handling the load and hhow is the gas mileage towing and not towing? So let's hear your thoughts. Thanks

#13 of 17 Re: Rear suspension air bags [jimbo826] by 08conestoga

Jul 21, 2008 (10:35 pm)

Replying to: jimbo826 (Apr 09, 2008 8:51 am)
Any luck finding air bags for the the 2008 Sequoia(stock with coil springs, not the models already fitted with rear air suspension)?

#14 of 17 Re: Rear suspension air bags [08conestoga] by etrailers

Jul 27, 2008 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: 08conestoga (Jul 21, 2008 10:35 pm)
I'm not sure who might have air bags for an 08 but there are other alternatives (I'm guessing you did not get the rear load leveling suspension option on your Sequoia).
 
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).

#15 of 17 towing brake control by mrsjp

Nov 17, 2009 (10:50 pm)

I have a 2005 Sequoia LE. Does the towing package it came with fit the requirements for pulling a travel trailer with dry weight of 4280 lbs? I've been told that I need to install a brake control system...?

#16 of 17 2002 Sequoia towing by newtorvs

Jan 30, 2010 (2:51 pm)

We recently purchased a 2006 Coachmen Captiva Travel Trailer (dry weight is 4500lbs, gross weight is 6200lbs) and are in the market to purchase a vehicle to tow it. A co-worker of mine has a 2002 Toyota Sequoia Limited Sport Utility 4D with only 80,000 miles on it that she is selling. What is the towing capacity? and will it be able to tow the trailer with a 4.7L V8 engine? Is this vehicle a safe option for our family?

#17 of 17 Re: 2002 Sequoia towing [newtorvs] by boats3

Feb 06, 2010 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: newtorvs (Jan 30, 2010 2:51 pm)
The engine is strong enough. However, you need to find out what the Mfg. recommends. Ask your friend to see the owners manual. You also may need to get a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH). WDH displaces the weight around the frame of the vehicle. Also, for that trailer I would highly recommend an electric break controller, provided the camper has electric breaks. I currently own a 2006 4 Runner with the same engine above. We made the trip to WDW from NJ this year and it towed beautifully. The typical amount of weight that I am pulling is around 5100 lbs. but the dry weight of my unit is 4400 lbs. My 4 Runner is rated for 7000 lbs. Plenty of weight to go, even when you add in all of the passengers. However, I am looking for a bigger SUV so I was checking out what everyone on here had to say about the Sequoia, very skeptical about getting a Chevy or a Ford again.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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