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BlackJohnny's avatar
BlackJohnny
Explorer
May 27, 2013

Can a 2008 Toyota Sequoia 5.7L tow a Salem 33' TT

Hi,

I'm looking for an educated & deconstructive analysis of the following calculations that I performed regarding a 2008 2WD 5.7L Toyota Sequoia with tow haul mode & factory integrated hitch. The specs for the Sequoia are as follows:

GVWR: 7,300 lbs
GCWR: 16,000 lbs
GVW: 5,985 lbs
TW: 1,000 lbs
LTWR 10,000 lbs
Wheelbase: 122"
HP: 381
TORQUE: 401

The specs for the 2013 Salem 33' model 30KQBSS are:

GTW: 6,884 lbs
TW: 899 lbs
CC: 4,137 lbs
L: 33'0 Feet
H: 11'2 Feet

The TT will be hooked up to a HUSKY weight Distribution Hitch with anti-sway bar & a Tekonsha P3 electric trailer brake controller.

Taking into consideration the TT's specs & a 12% Tongue weight percentage override and adding a 10% level of safety margin of the tow vehicle's maximum ratings, I came up with the following operating capacities for my Sequoia.

Maximum Trailer Weight Loaded with Gear: 8,333 lbs
Maximum Trailer Weight Loaded with Gear & Safety Margin: 7,500 lbs
Maximum Tongue Weight with Safety Margin: 900 lbs
Maximum Passenger Weight with No Cargo: 1,315 lbs

The revised figures suggest I can only carry a maximum of 1,449 lbs of cargo in the TT. If I want to play it safe the calculations suggest I only load 616 lbs of gear. Naturally the trailer will not be filled with fresh or waste water when traveling. My total combined passenger weight is 605 lbs well within the 1,315 lbs max. The cargo & gear weighs 894 lbs, again well within the 1,449 lbs max.

I took the rig out for a test spin on the highway and county roads yesterday with no gear and 2 passengers. The conditions were very windy and ideal to test the set up. There was some sway due to high wind gusts, overall the trailer tracked well and did very well when passed by Tractor Trailers. I did not go beyond 60 MPH/100 KM.

The question begs itself:

Taking all things into consideration, can the Sequoia with 122" wheelbase handle the length of the TT? IE is trailer sway going to be a concern with the current set-up or do I need to upgrade to a Hensley Arrow or Pro-Pride 3P trailer hitch?

Thanks
Tow Vehicles

14 Replies

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  • VintageRacer's avatar
    VintageRacer
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    I think you're iffy on the payload of the truck. You have only 1315 payload, but you have 900 lbs on tongue weight and 605 lobs of passengers, plus possibly fuel and stuff that you bring in the bed or cab of the truck. Call it 100 lbs. Total 1605, around 300 more than your payload. Unless I am getting something wrong from your description.

    Brian
  • hmknightnc's avatar
    hmknightnc
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    Not really sure what your calculations are trying to show. However, some easy calculations indicate your TT tongue wieght is going to be over a 1,000# even lightly loaded. Your exceeding your wieght carrying capacity of the sequoia without even including the additional gear you will be carrying in the vehicle itself

    That trailer is roughly 10,000# GVWR. Your into 3/4 ton truck country for that TT.
  • JKQ's avatar
    JKQ
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    You have certainly done your homework & the numbers that you have posted suggest that your within the margins of safe towing. There has been much talk about half ton pickups towing large TT's, and for the most part if you look at the specs everything is a ok, even Trailer Life Magazine has articles about the exact thing we are discussing and endorsing light trucks for this type of pulling.

    I pull a 36ft TT with a Super Duty Ford F250 diesel. My truck weights 7500lbs & with a WD hitch & dual friction sway control sway is a non issue. I may get a little push from strong winds but never anything to worry about.

    In my opinion the bigger the truck the better, just being inside the guidelines like you are is something that I personally would not be comfortable with. A heavy duty truck has bigger brakes, suspension, tires & it is a lot heavier in weight so that really helps when the tail try's to wag the dog. I know their are many who will disagree with me but this is my opinion.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    Your limits will be paylaod and revceiver rating. You said paylaod is 7300-5985 = 1315. Confirm with your driver's door Tire and Loading sticker with Maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo shall not exceed XXX pounds. Minus 605 pounds for passengers means you have only 700 pounds of loaded TW left.

    About 7000 pounds dry will be over 8000 pounds ready to travel for a long weekend with family's gear. 900 pounds dry TW is about 1100 pounds loaded. That's over your receiver's rating (check your receiver sticker)a and 400 pounds over the vehicle's payload.

    Confirm the payload. Stick to under 6k dry with under 600 pounds of dry TW and you should be pleased with how it tows.

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