Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

[laotou]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

I tow my 16' skeeter boat with my 2005 Sienna without any problem. Sienna has 6 holes in the frame for a hitch. In other words, it was designed to let you tow a trailer. I installed the hitch by myself. When I retrieved the boat, I shifted to L (Low) gear to pull the trailer out of water.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

I tow my boat with a 2006 Seinna. This is a FWD only van with the two package. Granted my boat is a 16' Zodiac console RIB, but I have had no trouble towing this boat and gear. This summer I towed my boat about 2K miles (VA to MI and back with numerous stops) with no problems.

In one case I was on a ramp where the lower part was so slippery I could hardly walk on it. I believe that having FWD (drive wheels on the dry part of the ramp) made it much easier to get up this ramp pulling the boat and trailer.

FYI. All Siennas from 2004-2007 have the tow package as standard equipment.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

OP asked about i/O vs outboard weight. For example a Glastron GT 180 outboard hull plus 150 hp outboard (largest it is rated for) is around 1,900# GT185 w/3.0L i/o is 2315# (no trailers) 400-500# difference would steer me to the outboard.

 

[fsds123]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

fsds123, how many rpm is that van turning when you're driving down the highway and at what speed?

We pull our Stingray 200LX 4 1/2 miles each way to the boat ramp with my wife's 2003 Honda Odyssey. FWD tire slippage pulling the boat out of the water is almost non-existent. The van retrieves very well.

What it doesn't do well is comfortably pull the boat at highway speeds. The van has a notoriously weak 5-sp automatic that must be put in 3rd gear for towing. At interstate speeds, the engine would be turning approximately 5000rpm and certainly would not be looking at a long life!

We really want to be able to take our boat to some freshwater lakes that are 3-5 hrs away at highway speeds. We're probably going to get a full size SUV.

When towing the boat I leave it in 5th gear with no issues, probably doing about 2000 rpm. Towing the camper I leave it in 4th, doing about 2500 rpm.
We had considered the Odyssey but as you said the tranny was not that great and there is no option to select D4 for towing, so you are stuck towing in 3rd.

 

[fsds123]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

Like I said getting out of the water at a lot of acesses is easy plus a 2000lb boat/trailer combo is ultra light. Just the outdrive and a 4.3 weighs close to half that don't recall the 3.0 outdrive weight.

We go to a good number of lakes where you simply aren't getting your boat without a truck and 4wd. Sometimes I hope even the SUV can do the job but it does. The correct vehicle opened up a whole host of new lakes I wouldn't have dared try with the minivan plus I can get in and out of the sometimes more convenient/hardly used accesses that are all sand. It is hard to comment on why a person would buy a 2wd truck and then put themselves in a situation where rwd isn't going to accomplish your intended purpose. I've seen some funny moments where full sized trucks can't retrieve 14 foot tin boats with 10hp engines at well used/slippery ramps

Having the more robust tow vehicle is all about the margins and outliers as is 4wd. You may never find yourself in peril without it but if you do it pays dividends. I won't evern start on the difference pulling my snowmobiles and trailer with the minivan versus the suv. That one is harder to argue for the van as again I have live it. My theory is that people tend to fight to the death to defend their decisions and at a certain point all you have is hindsight or the advice and experiences of others to regard or disregard. It's like my kids arguing that they don't need a bike helmet because they haven't been hit and they are sure they aren't going to fall or get hit by a car or that they don't know anybody who had been hit yet. Probably not going to get hit but if you happen to be the outlier that does, you will be glad you chose the more robust helmet over no helmet. I don't take the anecdotal evidence solely to make the decisions and that is why this forum is so valuable.

I actually did a lot of research before choosing the Sienna. Let's compare your Buick Ranier to the Sienna. Both are available with 4wd, so that is a non issue. In 2wd version I prefer the safety/performance of front wheel vs rear wheel drive, both when towing/retrieving the boat, but more importantly the 99% of the time the vehicle is not towing at all.

The Sienna has a lower center of gravity and is less tall (68.9 inches vs 74.5 inches), has a wider track (66 in vs 62 in) and longer wheelbase (120 inch vs 113 inch). It also has independent suspension. Clearly the Sienna is the more stable and better handling vehicle.

And the Sienna also has a larger payload capacity (1570 lbs vs 1133 lbs)

And while the Ranier has a tow rating of 6700 lbs vs the 3500 lb tow rating of the Sienna...I could not tow my 4000lb trailer with your Ranier without going over the GVWR due to the payload being too low. (I am under the axle ratings, GVWR, and GCWR when towing the camper)

I have owned and towed our boat with the Sienna, Jeep Cherokee and Ford Ranger. And while the Sienna has the lowest tow rating of the 3 there is no comparison on which vehicle is the better tow vehicle, not to mention it being a much better all around vehicle for the 99% of time we are not towing.

 

[dannyual767]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

fsds, thanks for your information. Its great that you have the ability to select 4th gear with your 5-sp automatic transmission. I sure wish that I could with our Odyssey but its probably a mute point since the transmission is so weak anyway.

 

[anymanusa]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

Seems there are a lot of misconceptions here. I also own and tow with a 2005 Toyota Sienna, and happen to also live in Houston. Here are the facts.

According to CAT scales my Sienna weighs 4300 lbs. It is fully loaded. Most weigh around 4100 lbs

According to Toyota:
GVWR= 5700 lbs
GCWR= 8800 lbs
Tow rating= 3500 lbs


The true payload is anywhere from 1400-1600 lbs (more than most 1/2 ton crew cab trucks) In most Sienna's you can pull the full 3500 lbs and still add 1200lbs of stuff (people, cargo, tongue weight) to the van.

The wheelbase is 120 inches, which is longer than a Ford Excursion

Our Sienna has over 108,000 miles on it now and has towed the entire time with zero problems. I tow a boat with it that weighs around 2000 lbs, and also a full size 27ft camper that weighs 4000lbs fully loaded. We do not use weight distribution with the boat- no need.

We do use weight distribution with the camper, as it has a 500lb tongue weight. The hitch is NOT bolted to sheetmetal...it is bolted to what can best be described as looking no different than a frame. (I know it technicallly is not, but the OP can look under his van and will see the same).

We have had no problems towing either the trailer nor the boat, and have NEVER had any problems getting our boat out of the water. If anything it is the people in rwd trucks that have the most problems at the ramps.

Here is a pic of our camper at Lake Somerville. Sorry, no pic of the boat

the ford excursion has a 137" wheelbase. Your puny 'yota doesn't come close. This thread is so full of misinformation and "I don't have any problems blah blah" that it makes me sick to read it. It took me less than 5 seconds to google your ridiculous claim on your wheelbase, who knows what else you're misrepresenting.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

Bottom line the Sienna has a 3500# towing rating. Towing more than that is foolish.

And you better have the Toyota towing package!

The Toyota manual also says never exceed 45 MPH while towing.

 

[brick75]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

I towed my first boat with a 2006 FWD Sienna. It was a 17.5' reinell bowrider with a 4.3 Mercruiser. The only time I ever had any trouble was towing over a mountain range. The transmission couldn't quite handle it and started slipping a bit. But on the normal flat ground from the house to the river or lake I had no problems.

You obviously need to be very cautious when towing if you're up near the towing capacity (allowing plenty of room, anticipating stopping needs etc.) but overall it did a nice job. Never had any problems on the ramps either. If I had the choice and could go with a larger vehicle I definitely would, but if this is what you have to work with, just make sure you don't exceed the capacity and drive smart.

 

[fsds123]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

the ford excursion has a 137" wheelbase. Your puny 'yota doesn't come close. This thread is so full of misinformation and "I don't have any problems blah blah" that it makes me sick to read it. It took me less than 5 seconds to google your ridiculous claim on your wheelbase, who knows what else you're misrepresenting.

My mistake, meant Ford Expedition. The rest is accurate.

 

[nineback]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

Pulling is one thing. No one talks about stopping. That would be my concern pulling a 27 foot trailer. I pull a 27 foot travel trailer with a 2500 series diesel truck. Trust me I know that trailer is behind me.

Tom

 

[FlyGuy65]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

I tow a 17.5" bowrider I/O w/2005 Oddy - not exactly your situation, but similar (also live in Houston). First year = nightmare. Added trailer brakes, new tires (to Oddy), and fixed engine mounts over winter. Had no problems this summer (other than Lake Houston drying up!). It was a little sluggish on the hills near Lake Livingston.

As for ramp issues, slipping was a big problem the last year. However, it's a learning process, and this year it has been great even if limited by the drought. I carry a winch, some cat litter - just in case, and extra weight in the back of the boat seems to improve ramp traction on the front wheels of the front-wheel-drive Oddy.

If the transmission fails tonight, well, I don't know. Might have been the boat, might have been the 6 year+ age. Right now it works good for me in the Houston-Livingston relatively flat area. If we decide to go to Arkansas or hill country I'll rent a truck.

Best of luck...

 

[mccollum74]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[jkust]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

I actually did a lot of research before choosing the Sienna. Let's compare your Buick Ranier to the Sienna. Both are available with 4wd, so that is a non issue. In 2wd version I prefer the safety/performance of front wheel vs rear wheel drive, both when towing/retrieving the boat, but more importantly the 99% of the time the vehicle is not towing at all.

The Sienna has a lower center of gravity and is less tall (68.9 inches vs 74.5 inches), has a wider track (66 in vs 62 in) and longer wheelbase (120 inch vs 113 inch). It also has independent suspension. Clearly the Sienna is the more stable and better handling vehicle.

And the Sienna also has a larger payload capacity (1570 lbs vs 1133 lbs)

And while the Ranier has a tow rating of 6700 lbs vs the 3500 lb tow rating of the Sienna...I could not tow my 4000lb trailer with your Ranier without going over the GVWR due to the payload being too low. (I am under the axle ratings, GVWR, and GCWR when towing the camper)

I have owned and towed our boat with the Sienna, Jeep Cherokee and Ford Ranger. And while the Sienna has the lowest tow rating of the 3 there is no comparison on which vehicle is the better tow vehicle, not to mention it being a much better all around vehicle for the 99% of time we are not towing.

Wait there just a second. The Rainier is a body on frame, midsized suv with a large v8, on demand all wheel drive (not 4wd) and 3.73 gearing. Just for clarification are you making an argument that the minivan is a more robust tow vehicle than a truck? If that is the case your post may need to be a sticky. My boat is 4000lbs and it barely registers as behind the vehicle. You may want to double check your numbers as well as the payload is higher on the truck than the van. I'm not a van basher because I have towed with my tow package similar stats van as well. The difference is night and day that I have lived. The Rainier could tow so much more weight it would make your head spin but although the engine is the same as a suburban or tahoe, some of the underpinnings are not as robust as the full size suv's. So like a van it could tow much more, it would not be advised.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

FSDS123 usually comes on here once or twice a year with his Sienna "better than every vehicle out there" rants. Don't get him started again.

 

[jkust]

Re: Towing with a 2005 Toyota Sienna FWD with Towing Package

FSDS123 usually comes on here once or twice a year with his Sienna "better than every vehicle out there" rants. Don't get him started again.

Ok gotcha. I've heard the justification that a minivan is an "acceptable" tow vehicle but never that it is actually superior to a truck. I'd never have bought an suv if I didn't need one as I already have a van and have towed the exact same loads on the same roads and unfortunatly the SUV comparison to the minivan is mutually exclusive. I've met folks with that certain personality flaw where they are always right no matter the issue.