scbwr wrote:
MargaretB....I'm afraid the tone of this conversation may be upsetting you and I hope that you understand that folks are just trying to keep you from making a mistake. I also think that perhaps a few posters are missing the point that your Sequioa has the tow package. If you believe it does, just double check to see if that is correct...stop at a Toyota dealership and have them take a look.
Now, if your Sequioa has the tow package and is rated to tow 9K, keep in mind that you have to deduct passengers and other gear in the truck. Secondly, the payload capacity of the truck may not allow you to tow anywhere near the 9k it may be rated to handle.
Since I have a 5.7 Tundra, I can tell you that based upon my trailers (one that I traded in and the Winnie), there is no way in ==== that I would tow much more than 7k with the Toyota. My goal when we bought the new trailer was to get our towing weight down to around 6K. So, I started with the Winnie that has a DRY weight of only 4,820 lbs. After options (awning, propane tanks, battery, etc.), I was figuring that the weight would be closer to 5,200 lbs. or so. After getting the trailer, we transferred our gear, and were getting ready to leave on a trip. Before packing food, I went to CAT scales and weighed the trailer and the weight came in at 6,200 lbs. So, anytime I'm towing, I'm towing somewhere between 6,200 and 6,300 lbs. In the back of the truck, I keep a blue tote, two folding bikes, tool kit, Weber Baby Q grill and 5 lb. propane tank and possibly some firewood.
With my Equalizer hitch with good weight distribution and sway control, the set up has my trailer just down a bit slightly. And for now, I only have P rated tires on the truck, so I inflate them to the max pressure. When they have to be replaced, I'll put on LT tires. Bottom line, I can tow my trailer very safely BUT, I really wouldn't want to tow much more weight irregardless of what the towing capacity states.
IMHO, if your truck is rated for 9000 lbs., you need to start out with a trailer that is only 4,000 lbs. or so dry weight. Insist that the dealer get the trailer you would like weighed at nearby CAT scales. By starting out at only 4K, you will end up towing around 5.5 K and I think that should be alright (IF YOU HAVE 9,000 lb. capacity).
But before you purchase, know not only your tow capacity, but the truck's payload capacity and how to figure it out. It has been discussed so many times on this forum the number of folks that buy too heavy of a rig and discover they need a new TV. That is why you are getting the responses here. So, just proceed with caution and do your homework.
This is spot on... I have a 2013 Touareg TDI with 406 ft lbs of torque and 240 HP diesel TDI, rated 600# tongue weight and 1100 lbs, with 7700 lbs tow capacity.
My Travel trailer weighs 3700# dry. Add in equalizer/weight distribution hitch, propane tanks, pair of 6v golf cart batteries, 10 gallons of water so I can shower in route from Los Angeles to Yellowstone, and all my other stuff, portable solar panel, Honda Eu2000i generator, fuel, etc, etc, and I am at 5050# tow weight, on the CAT scale.
You have to start at close to 50% or a bit more of what your total tow capacity in lbs is, is for towing, for your dry weight.
