Transmission Question

[leeave96]

We are thinking about buying a base 4 cylinder Sienna, but need to do a bit of light towing. The brochure says the 4 cylinder models can tow 1500 lbs. That would be my limit and only a couple times a year.

Unless I missed something, it looks like the tranny's for the 4 & 6 cylinder models are the same? Other than the engine, is there anything that makes the 6 cylinder Sienna able to tow 3500 lbs vs the 1500 for the 4 cyl models?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

[blizprl1]

If I were you, I would take the V6 instead of I4. Reasons:

1. It has extra power when you need it (eg: merging into highway, avoiding something quickly).

2. You may not always tow something with only you in the van. If you have at least 3 people including you + the towing cart + something in the cart (if the cart isn't empty), that small engine will need all the power it has to pull all these + its own body. This is only on typical roads, not going onto highway, on the highway, or going uphill.

Originally Posted by leeave96

We are thinking about buying a base 4 cylinder Sienna, but need to do a bit of light towing. The brochure says the 4 cylinder models can tow 1500 lbs. That would be my limit and only a couple times a year.

Unless I missed something, it looks like the tranny's for the 4 & 6 cylinder models are the same? Other than the engine, is there anything that makes the 6 cylinder Sienna able to tow 3500 lbs vs the 1500 for the 4 cyl models?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill