Towing advice - capacity- 2007 Toyota Sienna - 1200 mile tow

[ssobol]

I tow my 22' cruiser with an '06 Sienna with about 115K miles on it. I tow about 3K miles per year. These Sienna's have a tow package with appropriate extra cooling and the like already installed and I have had no problems (including traversing the mountains of western MD and PA in July).

In normal driving, I keep it in 4th gear. On long straight flats it can go in D. When going uphill the speed will bleed off. Don't try to maintain your cruising speed uphill and it'll be fine. It would be nice if there was a way to hold the transmission in 5 (instead of 4).

I put airbags in the rear springs. These help a lot with the ride comfort and firming up the back end.

Make sure you have a spare for the trailer, tools, and a jack that can lift the trailer (the Sienna jack won't handle it). I got a small bottle jack from W-M.

When towing at the Sienna tow limit you have nearly doubled the weight of the vehicle. It will accelerate, stop, and generally perform accordingly.

You can get a ScanGauge and plug it into the diagnostic plug if you are concerned about the tran temp, but I don't worry about mine.

When you stop you can check the trailer hub temps with your hand. If you can't touch it, something is wrong. Also, all the hubs should feel about the same.

Get a cushioned tow ball mount. It will eliminate a lot of the "clunking" in the hitch that will really get to you after awhile.

 

[JoLin]

A month ago, I towed my 16' from long Island to Florida behind my '07 Mitsubishi Outlander (1250 miles), and yeah, I was apprehensive. But, I had replaced the hubs and bearings and total weight was (just) within limits for the car. I loaded my tools, the spare hub, the new tire/rim and such in the car rather than in the boat. The whole thing went like clockwork until I hit what's probably the only friggin' major pothole on I-95. It's in SC about 5 miles before the Georgia border, in the right lane.

Bent the axle, broke the springs and shattered the fender. Of course, it happened on a Sunday and I was held up for 24 hours while a SC marina built me a new one on Monday morning. But in the end it all turned out okay.

Be prepared, pay attention, and buy Boat Tow US insurance with 'trailer assist' (it's an extra 15 bucks) before you leave. They were GREAT. They found an outfit that met me at the Georgia welcome center and flatbedded the boat and trailer to a boat dealer they (the tow company) knew back in SC. That part of it cost me nothing and everyone involved was helpful and friendly.

Not trying to talk you out of anything. In fact, I'd do it again if I had to. By all means go for it but be prepared for the unexpected freak occurrence- it can happen.

 

[bigdee]

The whole thing went like clockwork until I hit what's probably the only friggin' major pothole on I-95. It's in SC about 5 miles before the Georgia border, in the right lane.

Bent the axle, broke the springs and shattered the fender. Of course, it happened on a Sunday and I was held up for 24 hours while a SC marina built me a new one on Monday morning. But in the end it all turned out okay.

Yes, drive with caution in S.C. Those low gas prices (lowest road tax) in SC equates to the worst roads in the U.S.