Newbie: Towing TT w/ 2008 Toyota Sequoia
The camping bug bit my wife over the summer so we decided to attend the RV Expo in Boston over the past weekend. She fell in love with the 2018 Rockwood 2706WS and after two days of looking at smaller...
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The tow rating and payload ratings are the numbers that people get caught up on but are the last you should count on. More important is to make sure you don’t exceed the tire and axle ratings. For example, in a half ton vehicle you will exceed many other ratings before reaching the tow rating. The payload is usually well under what the truck can handle and as you saw from the ratings can change even though the vehicle doesn’t. BTW, your truck is still rated for 9100lbs. Toyota adopted the new SAE standards for 2011 and only apply to vehicles built after that.
The “empty weight” can be several hundred pounds higher than the dry weight as dry does not usually include options, propane, battery etc. Look for a yellow sticker on specific trailers to get actual delivered weight. A family of 5 can easily add 1k of stuff to a trailer. You should count on at least 12percent of the loaded weight to be carried on the tongue. You’ll likely be fine if the Sequoia is empty and may even be ok (under tire and axle weights) with the family on board but you’ll be maxed out. The kids won’t get any smaller. I towed a similar size tt with an 07 Tundra (same platform and similar payload). We were 400lbs over payload but well under the tire (upgraded to E) and axle ratings. Towed great but we were always aware we were pushing the limits.
Camping should not be a stressful chore but it will quickly become one having to watch what you pack and still take 2 vehicles every time. You could make do with what you have but expect to upgrade in the near future.
The “empty weight” can be several hundred pounds higher than the dry weight as dry does not usually include options, propane, battery etc. Look for a yellow sticker on specific trailers to get actual delivered weight. A family of 5 can easily add 1k of stuff to a trailer. You should count on at least 12percent of the loaded weight to be carried on the tongue. You’ll likely be fine if the Sequoia is empty and may even be ok (under tire and axle weights) with the family on board but you’ll be maxed out. The kids won’t get any smaller. I towed a similar size tt with an 07 Tundra (same platform and similar payload). We were 400lbs over payload but well under the tire (upgraded to E) and axle ratings. Towed great but we were always aware we were pushing the limits.
Camping should not be a stressful chore but it will quickly become one having to watch what you pack and still take 2 vehicles every time. You could make do with what you have but expect to upgrade in the near future.
