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 options, we decided the Rockwood fits our family best as the 3 kids are growing fast. I remember looking in my Sequoia's owners manual before the show for the towing capacity and all I remembered was 9000 lbs. Although seeing the GVWR of 8800 lbs for the TT scared me, I convinced myself the Sequoia can handle it as I wouldn't tow with potable water. I obviously should have done more due diligence... So after spending the morning researching towing with the Sequoia, and how to calculate the weights using the TV & TT ratings, the main takeaway from the research is that Toyota has downgraded the max towing capacity of this TV to ~7600lbs applying a new standard (J2807). This has been well documented in other posts. So I've come up with the following calculations for my set-up:
So, sanity check time:
1.) I made an assumption on my hitch weight based on Rockwood's publicized 804 lbs assuming they got that number using the TT's GVWR. Is that reasonable or should I have just used the 804# number?
2.) I did purchase a WD hitch but I don't know the specifics (yet). Do these really weight a few hundred lbs? If so, I definitely need to include that in the calcs.
3.) For the experienced towers/campers that actually weigh their rigs, is 950 lbs. of dry cargo even a reasonable number for a TT this big? I would assume we have to pack incredibly light... and that may be a challenge knowing my wife.
4.) What other thoughts do you have besides the obvious I need to upgrade my tow vehicle? Will do so in time.
So, sanity check time:
1.) I made an assumption on my hitch weight based on Rockwood's publicized 804 lbs assuming they got that number using the TT's GVWR. Is that reasonable or should I have just used the 804# number?
2.) I did purchase a WD hitch but I don't know the specifics (yet). Do these really weight a few hundred lbs? If so, I definitely need to include that in the calcs.
3.) For the experienced towers/campers that actually weigh their rigs, is 950 lbs. of dry cargo even a reasonable number for a TT this big? I would assume we have to pack incredibly light... and that may be a challenge knowing my wife.
4.) What other thoughts do you have besides the obvious I need to upgrade my tow vehicle? Will do so in time.
camp-n-family wrote:intheburbs wrote:
So the OP is saying his Sequoia has a trailer towing capacity higher than a Suburban 2500 of the same model year? :? And an identical GCWR of 16,000 lbs? :E
According to the Trailer Life 2008 Towing Guide, a 4WD Sequoia has a trailer rating of 6200 lbs.
I think that puts an end to any further discussion of this TV/trailer combo.
BTW, my 2500 Burb is maxed out with a trailer weighing 8600 lbs.
Trailer life is wrong. Toyota’s specification chart for that year show a range of weights depending on engine and trim level. The lowest rating is 7500lbs for the 4.7l 4x4 SR5. Max is 10k for the same in 4x2 with the 5.7l. Lower ratings didn’t happen until the 2011 model year when Toyota adopted the new SAE2807 standards. GCWR are from 16,960 to 17,280lbs. Odd that it doesn’t list GCWR for the upper trim levels though.
Ok, let's take a closer look at the sales brochure:
Can someone PLEASE explain to me how you're going to tow a 9100-lb trailer, when the best possible payload rating of any configuration is only 1380 lbs? Last time I checked, I'd expect a 9100-lb trailer to have about 1180 lbs of tongue weight. I hope the driver and passengers are really small people.
Trailer towing rating is useless with most SUVs - the limiting factors are most often rear axle weight rating or payload. At least my Suburban has a payload rating of 2088 lbs and a RAWR of 5500 (though AA rates it to 10k in other applications).
Paper calculations kill most large trailer for the Tundra and Sequoia and most 1/2 ton EVERYTHING.
Only 1/2 tons (like the F-150) with MAX PAYLOAD (not to be confused with max tow) will get you clear of most payload issues when traveling with a family and large TT.
You'd be surprised how many 3/4 ton trucks are hitting near the same limits and many of those diesel engines rob enough payload to drop it into the 1/2 ton range of 1800lbs. FAR too many 5th wheel guys dont care about this and tow with pin weight that exceed payload and thus puts them way over GVWR.
When you're on edge and so close to max on paper with a TT (close or not dramatically over), you really don't know exactly where you are until you hit the scale WITH THE WDH FULLY SET UP FOR YOUR LOADED TRAILER.
Below are my actual loaded scale weights, complete with exactly how much weight is transferred. It clearly shows that with the WDH NOT HOOKED UP, I am over spec. With the WDH connected, I within all specs.
Here's the Tundra and Sequoia specs line by line. While the Tundra gets beat up for low payload, in reality its the practically same as most all 1/2 tons (and even more than some). Again the clear exception is those with the max payload option.
SO. If you really do NEED a bigger truck...go big or go home.
OR. Shop for a smaller/lighter trailer.
Finally....do more research on the Hensley and Propride. Big money. Both have their quirks. I love and hate them at the same time. But they are worth every penny for absolute stable towing (even with a short wheel base SUV and LONG trailer!!!) and in the long run saves me thousands.
I would not have traveled across the country with my family if I didn't feel 100% safe doing so and had weight slips to prove I'm "legal" should anything happen.
That said, my setup is not for rookies. Nor is a 32ft TT in my opinion.
Only 1/2 tons (like the F-150) with MAX PAYLOAD (not to be confused with max tow) will get you clear of most payload issues when traveling with a family and large TT.
You'd be surprised how many 3/4 ton trucks are hitting near the same limits and many of those diesel engines rob enough payload to drop it into the 1/2 ton range of 1800lbs. FAR too many 5th wheel guys dont care about this and tow with pin weight that exceed payload and thus puts them way over GVWR.
When you're on edge and so close to max on paper with a TT (close or not dramatically over), you really don't know exactly where you are until you hit the scale WITH THE WDH FULLY SET UP FOR YOUR LOADED TRAILER.
Below are my actual loaded scale weights, complete with exactly how much weight is transferred. It clearly shows that with the WDH NOT HOOKED UP, I am over spec. With the WDH connected, I within all specs.
Here's the Tundra and Sequoia specs line by line. While the Tundra gets beat up for low payload, in reality its the practically same as most all 1/2 tons (and even more than some). Again the clear exception is those with the max payload option.
SO. If you really do NEED a bigger truck...go big or go home.
OR. Shop for a smaller/lighter trailer.
Finally....do more research on the Hensley and Propride. Big money. Both have their quirks. I love and hate them at the same time. But they are worth every penny for absolute stable towing (even with a short wheel base SUV and LONG trailer!!!) and in the long run saves me thousands.
I would not have traveled across the country with my family if I didn't feel 100% safe doing so and had weight slips to prove I'm "legal" should anything happen.
That said, my setup is not for rookies. Nor is a 32ft TT in my opinion.
