Took 'ol betsy camping for the first long weekend of the year. The SE pulls like a dream. Trailer is 2800lbs dry. We never tow with water (fill up at the site) so when fully loaded it sits at 3200lbs. Weight Distribution bars, and p3 brake controller used. Overall great experience in towing!
I really not sure if it's a good idea or not. Yes, I know on paper, all numbers are within spec but still...
You may be ok pulling the tailer but I am concern about the load on the engine, tranny and the safety issue on handling.
Are the weigh distribution bars part of the trailer or hitch or something different. Any pics of them. Sorry for being clueless here...
Grandpa....... why would toyota say you can pull 3500lbs if they think there is to much load on the engine and tranny by pulling something that is 3200lbs???? Toyota underrates they're towing capabilities anyways so that dumb rednecks don't try and pull a 5000lbs trailer with it...... The weight distribution bars kill any concerns about handeling issues.
Note: Our shop foreman (a toyota master tech for over 30 years) gives the thumbs up for my set up.
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2011 Sienna SE - South Pacific Pearl - All SE Options. OEM Hitch/Harness, 17" Base Highlander Wheels w/ Blizzak WS70 Snow Tires, Garmin Nuvi 850, Viper 5501 Remote Start. All-Season Mats Coming As Soon As A Reasonable Solution Is Available.
With proper driver attention to be in a gear the keeps the revs up, engine and tranny will not suffer. With any trailer, handling safety is certainly a concern, especially the bigger the trailer (POPP how long is your trailer?) but the biggest concern should be with the brakes which easily are inadequate on hauling rigs set up with a car as the puller. A key thing is how fast one dares to go and anticipating slowing and stopping needs way ahead.
Last edited by 2toyotaman; 05-29-2011 at 08:27 PM.
Reason: improve statement
I tested trailer brakes by applying the brake controller manually at 50km/hr (without applying sienna brakes) and it stopped both trailer and sienna with no problems......
Popp,
Do you have the factory tow package? If not did you install a transmission cooler? I have the SE as well, looking at the same brake controller, but have a Coleman/Fleetwood Niagra with a 3250-3300 trailer weight. Just can't make the jump to a hard side T.T. yet. Thanks for the help and keep the info coming I'm learning alot.
Nice setup Popp.
I'm glad to hear that it tows good. I figured it would. It is 2x as powerful as my Toyota Tacoma 4x4 and definitely pulls a lot better. I have a smaller enclosed trailer that I tow my Harley with when we move (military. So I plan on putting a tow hitch on the van to take care of towing duties now. With your info, it helps ease any doubts I had. Thanks for the write-up.
Care to share what hitch your using? I'll have to look up that P3 brake controller. I hadn't given much thought to electric brakes since my trailer doesn't have any, but it might be a good idea to install the controller in-case I tow other things that do.
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2011 Sienna AWD Silver Dawn Metallic
PT & CX Packages (Leather and HID's) Mods Painted mud flaps-Weathertech mats-Full tint-On the way-20" wheels-Tinted headlight/taillights covers-switchback turns up front - Red turn in the rear-LED interior lights-Chrome mesh lower grille
What about towing a 25 ft deck boat about 4500 lbs. for roughly 20 miles in Havasu, I usually tow with my chevy hd 2500, but I keep the boat in havasu and traveling in the sienna from long beach would b much nicer, plus save me two additional fuel stops and money. I have never towed with the sienna so any advice would be appreciated, I am scared of breaking it with that heavy boat
What about towing a 25 ft deck boat about 4500 lbs. for roughly 20 miles in Havasu, I usually tow with my chevy hd 2500, but I keep the boat in havasu and traveling in the sienna from long beach would b much nicer, plus save me two additional fuel stops and money. I have never towed with the sienna so any advice would be appreciated, I am scared of breaking it with that heavy boat
I wouldn't tow that much weight with a unibody mini-van, that would be crazy. That is just too much weight. Your doing right using a full size truck for something like that.
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2011 Sienna AWD Silver Dawn Metallic
PT & CX Packages (Leather and HID's) Mods Painted mud flaps-Weathertech mats-Full tint-On the way-20" wheels-Tinted headlight/taillights covers-switchback turns up front - Red turn in the rear-LED interior lights-Chrome mesh lower grille
What about towing a 25 ft deck boat about 4500 lbs. for roughly 20 miles in Havasu, I usually tow with my chevy hd 2500, but I keep the boat in havasu and traveling in the sienna from long beach would b much nicer, plus save me two additional fuel stops and money. I have never towed with the sienna so any advice would be appreciated, I am scared of breaking it with that heavy boat
No way! Not only will that hurt the transmission and engine but if you had to make a quick movement and the trailer started to sway you would jack knife easily.
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'11 Toyota Sienna SE Pre Dawn Grey Mica - Rosen Indash Navigation, Rosen 10.2'' Rear Overhead Entertainment, Shorty Antenna, 20% Tint, 5000K HID Low Beam,
ClearShield Paint Protection film
Agree with above members. Use your Chevy for the heavy duty towing.
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Big gold fish is what my sons call the Sienna! LOL!!!
H11s conversion to H9s
9005 Sylvania SilverStar Ultras Looks the same as stock though...
Drawtite hitch
6" Stubby antenna in glossy black
Aftermarket fog lights
More to come!
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