westend wrote:
In your former threads, payload capacity was explained. That is the be-all, end-all for towing capacity with your Sequoia and a travel trailer. The capacity weight number is printed on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb. Have you looked for it? It usually states," All passengers and cargo should not exceed....".
From Toyota's website, that number would be 1280 lbs (when properly equipped).
Some versions of the Sequoia have less than 1280 lbs payload.
Using a 9500 lb travel trailer as an example:
Average tongue weight of 12% = 1140 lbs. Add 80 lbs for a WD hitch = 1220 lbs payload required.
This would leave payload capacity for a 60 lb driver. If the driver weighs 200 lbs, the vehicle would be 140 lbs over GVWR, before you added so much as a bag of chips. Any passengers or cargo would severely overload the vehicle.
Is it possible for a vehicle to tow that mythical tow capacity wieght?
Yes, as long as there are no passengers, no cargo, the trailer has less than 12% tongue weight, and the driver is in the 150 lb weight range.
How can you tell if you're towing too much?
You'll have premature brake wear on the tow vehicle, possibly material failures on hitch parts, premature wear (possibly blow outs) on tires, you'll have handling (sway, porpoising, bow wave) problems.
you'll be afraid to tow on windy days, and you'll be back here, asking how to fix those handling issues.
