Well, we bought the tug!

[MargaretB]

Now all we need is something to pull.

After an exhausting week of research, questions (and very helpful answers here - thanks to all) and searching, we wound up buying a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. So half the project is complete. Too late, we learned that when we have the kayak racks on top, even without the boats, we can't pull into our garage. Meh. But it's a good strong vehicle, not a truck, so useful as a daily drive.

We had pretty much settled on what we wanted, but in a brilliant flash of inspiration, I realized that we couldn't pull it onto our property because it's too long. Our driveway is hairpin-shaped, rather than circular, and our lot is quite narrow and nicely landscaped, so there's no way it will navigate the curve and no place to drive off the driveway. Backing it out would be a problem because the street is both fairly busy and quite narrow. So now we're looking at TTs that are no longer than 22' box. That's the limit for the driveway of the friend who has so kindly offered to store it for us. We may have to provision and load it via shuttle, like the ISS.

Who knew there'd be so much to think about? I'm mourning not being able to buy the absolutely perfect TT we'd decided on, but there will always be another.

[MargaretB]

FireRob wrote:

MargaretB wrote:
We probably won't take the kayaks.......But the issue of the too-low garage door means we have to find another way to transport them each time. Ugh.

Umm, what am I missing? Why cant you load your kayaks once you pull out of the garage???

We have a set of Thule Hullavators for our kayaks. The two pieces weigh 45 lbs. each and stick up too high to clear the garage door by more than 1/4 inch. We'd have to take them off and put them back on in the driveway each time. With the lower Kia Sorento, we put them on in the spring and take them off in late October. But the Sequoia is much taller than the Kia.

[oughtsix]

For 2 people I think a 22 footer would be comfortable. I can't imagine going camping without the kayaks though!

I would think there would be plenty of 18'-22' ultralight trailers that would work out well for you. You will probably want to stay away from slides, they add considerable weight.

Banks will finance trailers purchased from private parties. When I was looking dealers were 50% to 100% higher than identical private party used trailers.

[dannytas]

At least you're doing it in the "right" order. We traded our Class C motorhome for a 37' fifth wheel. After we made the deal, on the way home we had to buy a truck. I was kinda backwards...

[FireRob]

MargaretB wrote:
We probably won't take the kayaks.......But the issue of the too-low garage door means we have to find another way to transport them each time. Ugh.

Umm, what am I missing? Why cant you load your kayaks once you pull out of the garage???

[PAThwacker]

Wow,so many issues. Looks like a hybrid is your only option (tow rating, payload, storage at home/friend).

[MargaretB]

We're realizing that unless we buy something less than 20', we can't even get it around the driveway, and there's no place at all to store anything. So we're looking at storage lots, of which there's one about two or three miles away.

The unit we're seriously considering is at a dealer, and we've found that if we buy from them, they give a discount on purchase and installation of weight distribution hitch, brake controller, sway bar, and brake actuator.

We can't buy from a private party because of the finances involved - too complicated to discuss here, but we aren't in a position to pay cash right now.

[camp-n-family]

Great choice, you'll love the Sequoia.

As for the trailer, why not buy the tt you want and store it off property in a secure lot? I know it adds to cost but it's worth a few hundred bucks to me to have what I really want. You won't be happy settling for anything less. Mine's down the road at an RV dealers back lot for $200/yr.

[westend]

We definitely plan on a weight distribution hitch, and are researching brake actuators.

The WDH can be sized to the TT you buy since the bars will be sized to the weight of the trailer.
For ease of operation and reliability of product, I don't think you can go wrong with a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller. I know a lot of folks on this Forum, me included, use the Prodigy and are very happy with it. I have the Prodigy II, the Prodigy III has a few more bells and whistles.

[PAThwacker]

rent bikes/ boats. You went with a half ton anything with low payload.

[MargaretB]

We probably won't take the kayaks(38# and 41#) when we use the TT, so no weight problems there. Together, and with their Thule Hullavators included, they probably weight just over 100#. But the issue of the too-low garage door means we have to find another way to transport them each time. Ugh.

I know there are as many opinions as there are people, but I doubt that our friend doesn't know what he's talking about. He may hold views that others don't agree with, but he's been trailering for 35 years, with a wide variety of TVs and TTs. We value his input, just as we value yours!


We definitely plan on a weight distribution hitch, and are researching brake actuators.

[Ron3rd]

Nice tow vehicle, you'll love the Sequoia. Sounds like you're doing your homework and 1/2 way there.

[2012Coleman]

I did a Google search on 2010 toyota sequoia gross vehicle weight - here is what I found:

MAXIMUM PAYLOAD** 1280 lbs.
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY** 7800 lbs.

** When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades.

You don't go into specifics about your TV's options - tow packace etc, but know that you WILL exceede payload before you reach max towing capacity. Your planning on bringing the Kyacks, having a full tank of gas, subtracting tounge weight - you heard about all that stuff - right?

Hopefully you plan on using a weight distributing hitch and stop taking advice from you neighbor.

Maybe you can post a picture of the sticker in the door jamb.

[Campfire_Time]

MargaretB wrote:
But it's a good strong vehicle, not a truck, so useful as a daily drive.

BTW, your Sequoia is a truck. Just not a PU.

[dadmomh]

Congrats on the first half of the deal! And huge congrats on discovering that your original thought re a trailer wasn't going to work....before rather than after the fact. It's been done both ways. Happy shopping!