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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

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#1 of 17 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits by sequoianut

Dec 20, 2007 (10:24 pm)

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

#2 of 17 Re: 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits [sequoianut] by halls1030

Dec 24, 2007 (7:29 am)

Replying to: sequoianut (Dec 20, 2007 10:24 pm)
Nut,
 
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.

#3 of 17 Re: 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits [sequoianut] by jimbo826

Apr 08, 2008 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: sequoianut (Dec 20, 2007 10:24 pm)
From a power stand point it should tow it great. The problem you may run into is the rear suspension is not strong enough for the trailer. You need to look into the toungue weight on the travel trailer. I just towed my travel trailer for the first time with a 975 lb toungue weight and it was too much for it. I am now looking for supplemental air bags or having new rear coil springs designed to handle the load.

#4 of 17 Rear suspension air bags by jimbo826

Apr 08, 2008 (8:57 pm)

I am looking for rear suspension air bags (also called helper springs) to help with towing our travel trailer. The trailer has a 975 lb toungue weight and is too much for the factory coil springs. Does anybody know of an air bag manufacturer that has these for the 2008? I can only find them up to 2007.

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

Apr 09, 2008 (3:43 am)

Replying to: jimbo826 (Apr 08, 2008 8:57 pm)
"I am looking for rear suspension air bags (also called helper springs) to help with towing our travel trailer. The trailer has a 975 lb toungue weight and is too much for the factory coil springs. Does anybody know of an air bag manufacturer that has these for the 2008? I can only find them up to 2007."
 
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?

#6 of 17 Re: 2008 Sequoia - Towing Capacity Limits [sequoianut] by hdfatboy

Apr 09, 2008 (3:59 am)

Replying to: sequoianut (Dec 20, 2007 10:24 pm)
"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"
 
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.

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

Apr 09, 2008 (8:51 am)

Replying to: hdfatboy (Apr 09, 2008 3:43 am)
It does not have the self leveling option. And yes the rear was dragging causing the vehicle to be unstable and subject to sway. Any help is appreciated

#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 !!!

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