2018 AWD Toyota Sienna

[Fishdogface]

I am thinking of purchasing a 16' Sport and would like to know if the Sienna is suitable for towing it. What sort of changes need be done to Sienna?
Springs? Tranny cooler? ???
Thanks

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Fishdogface

I am thinking of purchasing a 16' Sport and would like to know if the Sienna is suitable for towing it. What sort of changes need be done to Sienna?
Springs? Tranny cooler? ???
Thanks

Toyota towing prep package. Plus a trailer brake controller.

[GGB]

Originally Posted by Fishdogface

I am thinking of purchasing a 16' Sport and would like to know if the Sienna is suitable for towing it. What sort of changes need be done to Sienna?
Springs? Tranny cooler? ???
Thanks

If you have the tow package from Toyota it comes with an external trans cooler as well as an engine oil cooler. Rear suspension is good and doesn't require air bags or anything in my opinion as long as it is all set up properly, including a brake controller as already mentioned.

We have a 2017 Sienna with the same engine and 8 speed transmission. Currently we tow a SOB trailer and it works very well. This our 3rd Sienna that we are towing with and we love using it as it is comfortable has tons of room and a pretty good payload. Our trailer is 28 ft long and much heavier than the 16 Sport you are considering.

[GGB]

Forgot to add photo of our set up.

[brick1]

The Toyota Sienna has a 3500 lb tow rating, and the 16 weighs about 2900 lbs empty. So, loaded, you will be right at the limit. Check the payload of the Sienna. That is the maximum combined weight of people, trailer tongue weight and stuff that you can carry.
brick

[Fishdogface]

Thank you all for the great information. Still doing the research. Looking forward to getting on the road sooner rather than later.

[OTRA15]

Welcome to the forum! You might want to check the tow ratings of each and every trim package in the AWD version of the Sienna. The "loaded" packages may have a lower tow rating IMO. We considered getting one, but opted for a Ford Transit van for the higher tow rating.

Good luck,

Peter

[OTRA15]

PS -- XLE package lowers tow rating to 1500?



https://www.siennachat.com/forum/20-...-1500-lbs.html

Your window sticker and Toyota data based on your VIN may clarify IMO.

Good luck,

Peter

[Fishdogface]

Looks like that was just one year and the rating is back up. See post about towing more than 3500 with 2017 Sienna.

[OTRA15]

Thanks for the update.

Peter

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by GGB

. . .
Our trailer is 28 ft long and much heavier than the 16 Sport you are considering.

What is the weight of your trailer? Is your tow weight limit 3500 lbs.?

The Sport 16 weighs 2860 dry, and is rated for a loaded max of 3500, according to AS:

https://www.airstream.com/travel-tra...ort/floorplan/

Thanks,

Peter

[GGB]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

What is the weight of your trailer? Is your tow weight limit 3500 lbs.? ...........

The weight of the trailer trip ready is approx 5200 lbs. it may vary by 50-75 lbs depending on how long of a trip we are taking.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by GGB

The weight of the trailer trip ready is approx 5200 lbs. it may vary by 50-75 lbs depending on how long of a trip we are taking.

Thanks. As I asked before:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

. . .
Is your tow weight limit 3500 lbs.?
. . .

Does your Sienna have after-market modifications which permit towing 5200 pounds?

Thanks

[bono]

OMG, here we go.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by bono

OMG, here we go.

Seems like it.

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Thanks. As I asked before:
Does your Sienna have after-market modifications which permit towing 5200 pounds?

Permit. Interesting choice of word.

[GGB]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Thanks. As I asked before:



Does your Sienna have after-market modifications which permit towing 5200 pounds?

Thanks

Yes 3500 lbs is the value that Toyota assigns to the Sienna as someone else posted and easy to find on the Toyota site.

The only modification is to the trailer hitch itself. A square tube welded into the back of hitch receiver and attached to a point just before the rear axle to prevent the flexing of the receiver tube when the WD is applied.

Not sure what you mean by permit?

Hope this is the info you were looking for.

[OTRA15]

Thanks. Did someone modify the hitch for you, perhaps a shop in Canada?

Do you have any concerns with exceeding the Toyots's weight limits, in terms of possible warranty issues, sway control, and liability in the event of an accident?

Thanks,

Peter

[GGB]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Thanks. Did someone modify the hitch for you, perhaps a shop in Canada?

Do you have any concerns with exceeding the Toyots's weight limits, in terms of possible warranty issues, sway control, and liability in the event of an accident?

Thanks,

Peter

Yes the hitch work was done by CanAm RV in London Ontario. We have been their customer for a very very long time.

No concerns at all with warranty. Our old van had over 120K mi of actual towing on it without a single problem only reason we got the new one is because my wife wanted a new van, and after 9 years and almost 260K mi on it it was time. I also half my maintenance intervals on everything recommended by the manufacturer (ie. more often) but I would do that if I were towing with a truck or SUV anyway.

Sway control not sure what you mean by that as we do have sway control as part of our set up so no issues there.

We don't speed, never ever exceed 65 mph, always stay in the right lane and keep proper spacing between us and other vehicles and if the weather is bad we stop until it improves. Part of RVing at least for me is the enjoyment of the trip so why rush and weave in and out of traffic, tailgate just to get there 'X' amount sooner?? never understood that. But I do see it very often as we are on the road a lot, especially with full size SUVs or trucks trying to race to get there....where that is I have no idea. There will always be other idiots out on the road no matter how hard you try to dive safe and that is what insurance is for. Insurance is mandatory in Ontario where we live with min of $1 million for liability, I have always had $2 million since I started driving at age 16.

Hope this answers your questions.

Sorry forgot to add this relating to your question.

Just as an FYI the Sienna van was sold in Scandinavian countries from 2012 to 2015 model years from what I recall and the tow capacity rating was 2250 kg (if I remember correctly) or almost 5000 lbs. The vans were identical mechanically to what was sold in North America only changes were with lighting to meet local laws.

[OTRA15]

Thanks for the update.

Peter