Anyone Towing something big with a Toyota Sequoia?

[Needafunboat]

OK - I realize this is the WRONG time to be buying a foreign car in SE Michigan - even a used one. However due to the humorously bad experiences I've had with my past 2 Fords - I'm buying the truck I think is best value over the long haul instead of the one that other people think I should get.

Anyhow I'd prefer this not to turn into a foreign car bashing thread (I can take it though...).

So I've driven my neighbor's Sequoia (6 yrs old, 70K miles) and it's smooth, solid, tight and without one rattle. It is not a rocket though - feels far torquier than my V6 Mountaineer, but I didn't drive it up any hills or really push it. Obviously didn't have a trailer behind it. My neighbor tows a heavliy loaded 6' tall 3 place sled trailer with his and says it's fine. It's rated to tow about 6700 lbs which is over double my rig's weight - but we'll have this truck for a long time and who knows - that perfect 234BR might crop up one day... and 'uh I might have to tow it home full of ice one day??

If anyone has any experience with that truck - let me know.

Thanks!

 

[ezstriper]

well a good frine of mine traded in his old (99) tahoe in on one, tows a 21 center console on rare occasions, says the fuel milage is horrible, just driving, has had a/c issues, brakes issues, and just had to drop 3k into having the trans rebuilt as it left him in traffic(not towing) and was pissed after toyota dealership said that the trans was fine 2 weeks before...says he can't wait to trade back to another tahoe....

 

[hotdaddy27]

I don't have a much experience with the Sequoia, but my family has driven 4Runners and other Toyotas for decades.

I feel Toyota is one of the best (if not THE best) vehicle on the road. They look good too!

My Uncle purchased a brand new 4Runner in 1987 and sold it to my Dad in 1991. My father kept it for 10 years and towed his Starliner (eventually my Starliner) everywhere. The only thing that he had to do was replace the rusty fenders, remember those. He later sold it back to my Uncle for my 16 year old cousin. The beast is still running and has 300K on it. 300K isn't unrealistic these days, BUT for a 1987!

My pops had another Toyota that ran to 400K before the tranny let go. It was a work vehicle and got the chit kicked out of it and still made it longer than most personal use vehicles.

My Stepfather has a Tacoma, and that thing runs like a champ as well but only has 70K on it!

I choose to drive American trucks, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with Toyotas.

Mama drives a Lexus (toyota) so what does that tell you (I won't let her drive just anything).

To sum it up, I would not be shy of a Yota.

I don't know why, but I am attaching a pic of the Lex.

 

[81 enchanter]

your problem is thr fords lol.....buy a chevy!!

however my buddy has a tundra and it dosent pull big things very good, it has the 4.6? i believe(dont know crap bout yotas) but pulling a 4 place enclosed sled trailer was a joke

 

[bigsbetter]

When I bought my 1988 251 Convincor, we pulled it home 120 miles with our 1996 3.4L V-6 4-Runner. It actually did way better than I thought.

 

[Needafunboat]

Thanks for all of the input guys!

'81 - you kinda hit what I was asking about. I know the 5.7L in the current toyota's tow well, but that original 4.7L that came in the first tundras is a lexus design and has less torque. I've ridden in a 4.7 sequoia towing a tall enclosed 3 place sled trailer just fine. I agree that a 4 place (I'd call it a 5 place) would be a stretch for that. What's that weigh - maybe 6K lbs with alot of drag? How bad was it?

I'm looking for a few more data points like that. Anyone?

Quality-wise yeah, they're as good as you can get for a full sized SUV. I really wanted to support GM, but the consumer reports reliability ratings were just too slanted and I'm probably a little over sensitive given my blue oval experiences. I found a nice used rig with an extended warranty that I'll probably make an offer on.

 

[81 enchanter]

Thanks for all of the input guys!

'81 - you kinda hit what I was asking about. I know the 5.7L in the current toyota's tow well, but that original 4.7L that came in the first tundras is a lexus design and has less torque. I've ridden in a 4.7 sequoia towing a tall enclosed 3 place sled trailer just fine. I agree that a 4 place (I'd call it a 5 place) would be a stretch for that. What's that weigh - maybe 6K lbs with alot of drag? How bad was it?

I'm looking for a few more data points like that. Anyone?

Quality-wise yeah, they're as good as you can get for a full sized SUV. I really wanted to support GM, but the consumer reports reliability ratings were just too slanted and I'm probably a little over sensitive given my blue oval experiences. I found a nice used rig with an extended warranty that I'll probably make an offer on.

yea you got it its about a 5 place sled trailer if you pack right and around 5500 or 6000lbs....the 4.7(i thought 4.6, good call) didn't have the power...maybe the 5.7 would. it was in third most of the trip and if it shifted into fourth it came right back out.

i have a 2008 silverado with the max package(6.0l with displacement on demand) 4l70hd trans and 9" hybrid axle with 3.73 gears and it pulls anything like a dream. pulls my 25ft sunsation with a average of 18-19mpg!! i may be impartial cause im a GM tech but ill stick my butt out on a chevy anyday!! haha

 

[Needafunboat]

Thanks again '81 - Yeah, I'm not knocking GM products. I think they make a great powertrain. Let's say I'm 'uh VERY familiar with their larger 6spd's (6T70/75 and 6L50/80/90 - and the little french made 6L45 for BMW). PM me if you ever have controller issues with those.

I'd agree that rig of yours would tow great! What's a hybrid axle, I'm not familiar with that. The 4L60 or 70's only real weak spot is that sun gear shell and the SKF sprag (I used to sell - ughh,!!!). But it's an easy fix - use the (aftermarket) BW 2 row sprag if you ever have to replace it (hopefully you never will). I used to see returned sprags from harsh 4-?2? shifts - but I think you really have to abuse it and have a bit of a bad inner race from the start. I think they changed the race spec a few years ago so I'd bet it's pretty good now. Sorry to digress - it was a few years of my life.

 

[hotdaddy27]

I must agree on Toyota's lack of power in past vehicles. In my opinion they sacrificed performance for fuel mileage (and maybe longevity).

The new V8 is supposed to be an animal, but the previous generation is a bit sluggish compared to its Dodge and Chevy counterparts.

Even the car I showed you above lacks in the HP department compared to its BMW, Audi and Mercedes competition.

I am a big fan of the Chevy Tahoe, but if you plan on using it as an everyday driver the gas mileage on an '05 or '06 will drain you pretty quick. They are a proven reliable truck though IMO.

Good luck.

HD

 

[81 enchanter]

Thanks again '81 - Yeah, I'm not knocking GM products. I think they make a great powertrain. Let's say I'm 'uh VERY familiar with their larger 6spd's (6T70/75 and 6L50/80/90 - and the little french made 6L45 for BMW). PM me if you ever have controller issues with those.

I'd agree that rig of yours would tow great! What's a hybrid axle, I'm not familiar with that. The 4L60 or 70's only real weak spot is that sun gear shell and the SKF sprag (I used to sell - ughh,!!!). But it's an easy fix - use the (aftermarket) BW 2 row sprag if you ever have to replace it (hopefully you never will). I used to see returned sprags from harsh 4-?2? shifts - but I think you really have to abuse it and have a bit of a bad inner race from the start. I think they changed the race spec a few years ago so I'd bet it's pretty good now. Sorry to digress - it was a few years of my life.

the axle is a 9" basically, they call it the hybrid axle because it first came out in the tahoe hybrid. its also a shorter version in the trailblazer SS. we havent had the sun shell issue in years, that was mostly up untill 03-04. and if you stop before changing between reverse and drive most ppl never had an issue lol. havent got into the 6L series yet a couple 6T in the cars but that was mostly valve body issues so far.

sorry to sidetrack your thread! good luck on whatever you decide to buy, just remember a cars a car and they are mostly all pieces of **** , lol. some ppl just have good luck and i think thats where brand bias comes from.

 

[zstevens]

is your ford youre towing with a v-6? i'm just curious,i'm partial to jeeps,but only 6cyl i'd tow w/is the in-lines ! currently have commander v-8,the v-6 barely gets outta its own way!

 

[Firecat]

Sorry about the the late response.
I have a 2003 Sequoia with 77,000 miles.
I tow 4000 lbs with no problem. If I towed heavier
loads or even more frequently, I might consider
something else.
I tow an enclosed sled trailer and its' rock solid in
the wind.
I think the brake caliper problems I had were caused
salt. I didn't see any abnormal wear like I would see on
my old Chevys.
Its a great vehicle. 16- 20 mpg non towing.
I'm in Buffalo, a big GM/Ford town. So I can relate.
I feel GM left me first. They're getting my tax $$$ anyhow
& didn't even produce anything for me -- clever.
I'm towing American made boats, trailers & sleds.

 

[Old Navy]

Convince yourself it will be OK. Buy one, and realize that it's not so great , but tell the guys at work how great it is and live your life. "OR" get a DMAX, and be done with it....MY 06 is a NO EXCUSE truck, I know right now I sound cocky but I'm telling it how I see it. Flame if you must, I have thick skin.

 

[lcboater]

i work at the toyota plant in georgetown ky. many of my co-workers drive toyota trucks and all eventually they admit they messed up.if they USE the truck for anything other than transportation , it doesn't hold up.fuel milage sucks, costly repairs ,and poor performance.that is why i will keep my chevy and have never been disapointed. my 2008 duramax is the best truck i have ever owned and i have owned many trucks over the years.when i pull my 300 with it i set the cruise on 75(or more) and have been as fast as 115 with throttle left!

 

[Big Red]

I have to agree Toyota makes a good average Joe vehicle. I do have a Toyota 4wd truck which has just hit 287,000 it has been good with the exception of sucky gas mileage no power and useless for towing and hauling just like the rest of their trucks. My pull rig is a Dodge dually.

In all honestly if your buying something to be a pull vehicle buy American. I am a Dodge guy but if I were to go buy a newer pull rig tomorrow I don't know what I would come home with. It damn sure would not be nothing new unless I needed a tax rite off. Theirs to many smokin deals on lightly used trucks right now. Only a fool would buy new that goes for boats too

 

[ezstriper]

I have to agree on the duramax, I've had mine for about 3 years now, tows my 251 likes it's not there...also tows our race rig which is very heavy deal...no issues !!! support america !!!!

 

[xsv spd]

Own a 1994 Toyota Tacoma V6 with 310K all original including the clutch. I pull my Pulsare at highway speeds no problem. It does a way better job than my Dakota V6 ever did. I also pull a Wells Cargo 16 foot enclosed VNose tandem that weighs in including sleds at over 4500 pounds! It's alot of weight for my little truck but I am sure it's not going to hurt it. I will say I only get about 300kms on a 60 litre tank though...Gulp!!

I find it interesting to see the old north american mentality regarding vehicles however. Sum it up to good experiences with what you have owned but I'm pretty sure that my 16 year old Toyota will still be pulling watever I need it to pull well into the 400K zone. It's been a SOLID truck and I drive it HARD...no BS...I've had the hood under water several times, once in the winter too!

 

[yellowfiero88]

Nothing worse than seeing a small auto pulling a large trailer. Not only is it unsafe for those in that auto but others on the road as well. Too many have been killed around here by overloaded trucks, suv's or whatever else. I have talked to some azz clown that said his sequoia towed his 27' cabin cruiser to cumberland every time (4 hr drive) and that he never knew it was back there. I am sorry, but I have towed a 25' carver with my 99 k-3500 crew DRW gas and tho it was no where near unsafe, I knew it was back there. Ever heard the saying "the tail wagging the dog?" Just because the trailer hooks to the ball does not mean it should be pulling it.

I drive a 04 duramax crew, DRW. I know whatever I hook to it, I will be able to safely get there.

 

[briannelson2003]

have to agree with weight issue, saw a single cab half ton pick up few weeks ago on I20 with what looked like the remnants of a 22-24 foot rv. both managed to roll, and both totalled. dont know about injuries but it was obvious the trailer was way more than the truck needed to have hooked up. if you have money tied up in toys tie some money up into the rig also. if ya got a fifth wheel anchored to your half ton ya gonna have some problems

 

[ezstriper]

I agree, just because the truck can "pull" the load, does not mean it will handle or stop safely....especially in a panic situation....