Towing a TT with a Toyota Sequoia or Tacoma?

westend wrote:
Before I paid $50K for gas guzzling suv, I'd buy a crew cab truck.

:h I certainly hope they don`t pay $50k for a used truck!!!!

I towed a 3000lb TT with a 2004 Tacoma 6 cyl for a few years. Newer than 2005 they have a bigger engine and are heavier. The payload is small so you have to stay under that. Mine was less than 1000 but with tongue weight of under 500 it was no problem. I used an equal-i-zer hitch and could hardly feel wind or passing trucks. That was a 21 foot trailer. Keep in mind though that the Tacoma and the 4Runner are very similar vehicles. The Sequoia uses the Tundra chassis I think and is a much better two vehicle...or get a Tundra. I have to say that my Taco was my favorite vehicle to drive ever, but the Tundra was the most comfortable.

Before I paid $50K for gas guzzling suv, I'd buy a crew cab truck.

A Sequoia is a great tow vehicle for a small trailer. Look for something about 4500 lb or less loaded. You will need a good sway control/weight distribution hitch to put some weight back on the front. Make sure the Sequoia has the tow package including transmission cooler. You will need to downshift on long grades, going either up or down, but that's not a problem.

You will have about 1400 lb of cargo capacity---but do double check the specs on the exact model you choose. Allow 300 lb for people, 60 for the hitch head, say 200 for stuff in the SUV. That leaves around 900 lb for tongue weight of the trailer. So if 900 lb is 15% of the trailer weight, in theory you could tow a 600 lb trailer.

My experience is that you will have a more pleasant towing experience if you stick with something in the 4000-5000 lb loaded weight.

I've towed many thousands of trouble-free miles with a Sequoia, Gulfstream 21' Amerilite, and an Equalizer hitch.

Thanks everyone! So far we are liking the Sequoia. My husband is currently trying to price a used one. I don't want to go too small on the TT because I plan on teaching college courses online while we travel. I at least need a separate dinette area where I can set up my laptop. It looks like a 16 to 20 ft would fit our needs. I like the Lance campers the best so far.

We do have a few years before we go back stateside. Planning our great adventure is helping us get through the brutal South Korean winter. Our coffee table is covered with travel books and maps as I write this :)

Theoretically, and purely in terms of wheelbase, I'd say the 4Runner is good up to about 20' trailer length. Sequoia, 25'. Extended wheelbase Tacoma, 29'-30'.

But the Tacoma is a little light in terms of weight and suspension to handle such a large trailer. A really long, heavy trailer might push the Taco's rear end around. Would I tow more than 5000 lbs and 25' length with a Taco? Probably not.

Of course, in power and weight the Sequoia is better.

I've towed 16'-17' trailers (up to 4000 lbs in weight) for over 140,000 miles with my '08 Highlander. It actually feels noticeably more stable to me than my Lexus GX 470 (a fancy 4Runner). The GX has a tendency to skitter sideways just slightly over bumps, whereas the HL just feels planted on the road. But the GX has more get-up-and-go under the hood.

Tacoma's will tow up to 6000 pounds and do a pretty good job of it. My SIL has a good size Mallard TT and it tows that trailer just fine. He isn't planning on going into the mountains, but for local camping, it does a great job.

The Taco and 4Runner are very similar platforms and even share the same 4.0l engine. The towing difference won't be that much. The Taco has a slightly higher tow rating and payload but mostly because it is lighter to start with.

The Sequoia is based on the Tundra platform so it would be more comparable. Plenty of power with the 5.7l V8 (although thirsty) and enough payload to handle a decent size tt depending on the model.

I have owned and towed with two 4Runners and a Tundra. All great vehicles that I wish I had kept. The T4R will handle a 20' tt under 4K loaded fairly comfortably, towed a 26' 5500lbs tt with a V8 T4R. Lots of power but the length was challenging the short wheelbase. The Tundra was used to tow the same tt and did it with ease, a Sequoia would too. Upgraded to a 32' 7600lbs tt which the Tundra handled very well too but it was over payload once the family piled in and the bed was filled.

I should add, we pulled some good hills in the Tundra with ease, the T4R towed across eastern Canada but didn't see many mountains.

If I was looking for a dedicated tow vehicle for a midsize tt, I wouldn't hesitate to get a Tundra or Sequoia.

I have a Highlander which is rated a little less than a tacoma and tow an Ascend 17RD which is 3600 dry. adequate for easy stretches. If I were trading up I am interested in a TAcoma myself. and no I am not one of those who say you need a F550 to tow a popup.
bumpy

corrected make

Neither for a TT.
I'd go popup only with a taco or payload limited halfton SUV which includes Tahoe, sequoia, armada
Number one spec to look for is PAYLOAD.