Best Tow Vehicles for Hybrids
We would like to purchase a sub-$10,000 tow vehicle for a hybrid trailer (not yet purchased) that can double as a safe "sharing car" for two teen drivers in our family. We camp roughly six times per y...
Forum Discussion
The Sienna has really good payload capacity, and the aftermarket (Toyota manual actually recommends using an aftermarket receiver - heh) receivers are plenty strong for the rated capacity. The one I installed is rated for 5000 lbs (standard Reese aftermarket receiver for the my year Sienna - installed in 2009 and used with this trailer and the one prior).
After subtracting off full hitch weight, there's still 600-800 lbs (depending on trim line) for cargo in the Sienna - the same is true for the GCWR (for the Sienna, GCWR is simply GVWR + 3000 lbs - the rest is assumed to be in the GVWR as hitch weight). Assuming you only load people into the Sienna and not gear, the X17Z would be fine. The X19H is too heavy. (Jaycos are heavier than some other brands - if you look around you can find lighter options.)
Assuming you're not in a hurry and not overly concerned about slowing on long steep hills in mountains, with a proper hitch I think you'll also find it a very pleasant and comfortable towing experience. I certainly have - for 60K miles (towing) at this point (I'm over 100K miles on the Sienna - no mechanical problems).
Towing: 60mph. (Most trailer tires are only rated for 65 anyway.)
Hitch: Spend a little money and get an Equa-li-zer, Blue Ox Sway pro, Reese Dual Cam, Hensley, ProPride, or other good quality highly effective WD/sway control hitch and make sure it's installed and setup properly.
Weights: Get a tongue scale, and make sure your tongue is heavy enough (12-15% of total trailer weight), and not over the hitch rating with WD. Also, stop at a scale on some trip and find out what your true total weights are, and adjust accordingly (next trip).
Suspension: I installed Timbrens in the rear springs. Helps a lot for porpoising.
Most of the people here who say "don't tow with a minivan" haven't tried and just assume they're not good at it. The Sienna really is pretty good at it if you stay within its limits and set it up properly.
After subtracting off full hitch weight, there's still 600-800 lbs (depending on trim line) for cargo in the Sienna - the same is true for the GCWR (for the Sienna, GCWR is simply GVWR + 3000 lbs - the rest is assumed to be in the GVWR as hitch weight). Assuming you only load people into the Sienna and not gear, the X17Z would be fine. The X19H is too heavy. (Jaycos are heavier than some other brands - if you look around you can find lighter options.)
Assuming you're not in a hurry and not overly concerned about slowing on long steep hills in mountains, with a proper hitch I think you'll also find it a very pleasant and comfortable towing experience. I certainly have - for 60K miles (towing) at this point (I'm over 100K miles on the Sienna - no mechanical problems).
Towing: 60mph. (Most trailer tires are only rated for 65 anyway.)
Hitch: Spend a little money and get an Equa-li-zer, Blue Ox Sway pro, Reese Dual Cam, Hensley, ProPride, or other good quality highly effective WD/sway control hitch and make sure it's installed and setup properly.
Weights: Get a tongue scale, and make sure your tongue is heavy enough (12-15% of total trailer weight), and not over the hitch rating with WD. Also, stop at a scale on some trip and find out what your true total weights are, and adjust accordingly (next trip).
Suspension: I installed Timbrens in the rear springs. Helps a lot for porpoising.
Most of the people here who say "don't tow with a minivan" haven't tried and just assume they're not good at it. The Sienna really is pretty good at it if you stay within its limits and set it up properly.
