towing with a Sienna

[bafuller]

I have a 98 Sienna and want to tow a boat and trailer with a combined weight of 2,990 pounds. The manual says if I have the "towing package" I can tow 3,500 pounds, but if I don't, I can only tow 2,000 pounds. I bought the van used and it came with a u-haul trailer hitch bolted to the frame of the van and rated at 3,500 pounds. The dealer ran the VIN number and said that the trailer package was not included with this vehicle as an option. However, he thought the towing package (which I guess includes such things as a larger radiator??) might have been a standard item on the 98. Anyone out there know anything about "towing packages" on the 98 Sienna? What do I (or the dealer) look for to determine for sure if this car has the "towing package"?

Thanks, Brad

[1995m]

Look for a transmission oil cooler.

[SiennaSC98]

Originally Posted by 1995m

Look for a transmission oil cooler.

If you have the OEM Toyota transmission oil cooler, it's installed on the left front fender area. It's visible from the air dam/fog light hole.
Transmission cooler location

[buoychaser]

Has anyone had the "electric brake" module installed in their Sienna? What brand do you recommend? How much did it cost to have it installed?

[maxwell]

it been my experience that the weight of the trailer and boat is only the start, by the time mama loads all her junk (stuff) full tank of fuel etc: I am somewhat heavier than just the weight of my orginal load.

my 2002 van says it has a tow package, but it did not come with a hitch new. guess i will buy that, had hitch installed later.

van has 116k and still runs great.

do you know when trans was last serviced, motor has good power, but brakes and transmission will be the concern.

when you are at or near the tow rating capacity of the vehicle you need electric brakes on trailer.

heat is the killer of transmission, how many miles will you be towing this boat and will there be hills to pull over.

[flashmayo]

The 6 cyl engines in these vehicles have plenty of power for towing, that's not the issue. Safely stopping while on a downhill section of freeway at high traffic time is much more of a concern for me.
I had a 96 previa when I decided to buy a pop up trailer that weighs only about 1000 lbs. The engine had no problems pulling the trailer up even steep grades. Stopping was always exciting though. I ended up buying a 07 Sienna to overcome this. Even with the Sienna, pulling 3k lbs I think would be bordering on unsafe if not outright unsafe, electric brake or none.

Just my $.02

John

[racerd]

Also as you max out weight, consider a load distributing hitch to help the ride and performance. As mentioned the GVWR is the issue. It includes ALL weight added to vehicle. Boat and trailer may be 2900lbs, then add you, your friends, cooler(s), etc etc and its quite easy to max out the weight limit.

Also consider how slick / steep a potential boat ramp is. FWD with a heavy rear weight bias will hurt traction to get up the ramp. Also pulling out of water, you need to overcome the wieght/drag of the water on the boat and trailer. Just sayin'.

[jolasa]

2008 Sienna LE.

What do you folks think about carrying a Vespa scooter using a carrier like this, with a Class III hitch?
http://www.discountramps.com/tilting...cycle_rack.htm

Scooter and carrier weight = about 300 lbs.

I am thinking of buying 6 - 50 lb sacks of concrete, put them above the folded down third row seats, and drive around to see how it feels. Good idea?

Should I consider heavier rear shocks, or anyghing like that?