Anyone tow a Sienna Van?

kalynzoo wrote:
....you guys are missing my question. The Remco Lube pump requires battery draw...

The Remco lube pump does not draw any power from the towed vehicle's battery. The lube pump is wired, through an umbilical cord, to your Motorhome. Thats what it is powered from. The Remco pump comes with a control, monitor panel that you wire, install on the MH dashboard. Sooo, you do not need to worry about battery draw, with regards to the lube pump.

Now, as to whether or not battery draw is an issue when the ignition is left on with your Sienna when towing, that, is a whole 'nother question, that someone that knows the Sienna better will have to answer. Or, you can find out the way I did - Put the van in neutral, key in ACC or whatever position it will need to be in when towing, then put a clip-on ammeter on one of your battery lines, see if there is any battery draw. With our Ford Fusion hybrid, there was enough battery draw that I had to run a charge line from MH to the car, to eliminate that problem. Very easy thing to add if necessary.

I used to use a Remco lube pump to tow our Kia minivan, I know the Remco lube pump system well. As long as it is installed and set up properly, its a good system and works very well. Most of the issues we had with it related to electrical issues, that resulted from improper installation. Make sure the installation is done right, I think you'll be happy with it.

Obviously its best to use a vehicle that you can flat tow without having to add something like this pump, but a Remco pump is a lot cheaper than a new vehicle, and will buy you many years of use until you are ready to trade to a vehicle that can be flat towed without such. Thats what it did for us.

I own a 2011 sienna and investigated towing at length and decided not to. The transmission lube issues are well described. Getting a tow plate would be a problem because there is not much to attach to out front. Its very low to the ground and would have hitch height issues. I even tried to tow on a dolly but the wide track would not match and the low ground clearance would foul the dolly ramp.
I like my sienna very much, its an efficient, easy access, well built vehicle but not a toad.

As to the key issue, do this:

1)Insert key and turn to ON position.
2)Turn key to the OFF position.
3)DO NOT remove the key. The steering interlock will remain unlocked until the key is removed from the ignition. With the key in the OFF position there will be no drain on the battery.

Got it, but you guys are missing my question. The Remco Lube pump requires battery draw. Since there is no manufactures guideline on pulling a fuse to reduce draw when the key is in auxiliary I am wondering what others who tow a Sienna are doing or have done to make the van towable. The option is to purchase a new car, but I like the current one. Honestly just looking for solutions tried by other Sienna owners.
Thanks for your replies. Gary

To make it simple, the Sienna cannot be towed 4 down without a lube pump for the transmission. Get one of those and you will be set, with all the other stuff needed to tow with.

These posts have Sienna in them.