Some musings from Mr UK Toad, a complete novice to towing but learning quickly
The Car and The Trailer
Posted 05-04-2011 at 10:20 PM by MrUKToad
So, here is the setup:
In front, one 2011 V6 3.5 litre, six speed auto, Toyota Sienna, no towing package, 266 hp and 245 lb/ft torque.
In the rear, a 28' Airstream International Serenity, max weight 7,300lbs.
In between, a CanAm RV Special:
A Hidden Hitch receiver, strengthened in some mysterious manner. An Eaze-lift Elite hitch, a pair of Eaze Lift torsion bars for weight distribution and a pair of friction anti-sway bars.
The Sienna has had larger oil coolers fitted by Can-Am RV and there is a Prodigy P2 Brake Controller installed as well. The deal came with a pair of McKesh extension mirrors, too.
If you do the math with the bald figures supplied by Toyota then this rig shouldn't work. However, with the modifications made and a careful disregard for Toyota's tow rating then we really do have a good towing vehicle for this trailer.
I don't have the figures to quote here but Can-Am RV has hundreds of happy customers towing Airstreams with all manner of cars, SUVs and Minivans (and trucks, of course). Indeed, Can-Am's business IS towing and they really know what they are doing; I trust that they do their math before they let me loose, then I and other customers put their good work into practice.
In front, one 2011 V6 3.5 litre, six speed auto, Toyota Sienna, no towing package, 266 hp and 245 lb/ft torque.
In the rear, a 28' Airstream International Serenity, max weight 7,300lbs.
In between, a CanAm RV Special:
A Hidden Hitch receiver, strengthened in some mysterious manner. An Eaze-lift Elite hitch, a pair of Eaze Lift torsion bars for weight distribution and a pair of friction anti-sway bars.
The Sienna has had larger oil coolers fitted by Can-Am RV and there is a Prodigy P2 Brake Controller installed as well. The deal came with a pair of McKesh extension mirrors, too.
If you do the math with the bald figures supplied by Toyota then this rig shouldn't work. However, with the modifications made and a careful disregard for Toyota's tow rating then we really do have a good towing vehicle for this trailer.
I don't have the figures to quote here but Can-Am RV has hundreds of happy customers towing Airstreams with all manner of cars, SUVs and Minivans (and trucks, of course). Indeed, Can-Am's business IS towing and they really know what they are doing; I trust that they do their math before they let me loose, then I and other customers put their good work into practice.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Hi, nice looking set-up and I hope it works well for you. My set-up has 34 more horsepower, 110 more foot pounds of torque, 2 more cylinders, 1.9 more Litres, and 2 less gears while towing a trailer rated at 1,000 lbs less. I do very well, but I thought the Rockie Mountains in Colorado were going to kill my Lincoln. [Lincoln survived] Keep us updated on your trips and adventures.Posted 05-05-2011 at 12:35 AM by ROBERTSUNRUS 
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I certainly will keep everyone up to date, not least because I want to show that a Minivan can be a good tow vehicle. That said, I can't see me testing out the high roads of Colorado very often; it's quite a long way from here!
We're off to the Finger Lakes region of Upper New York State in few weeks so I'll report on that towing task later in the month.Posted 05-05-2011 at 08:59 PM by MrUKToad
