Visit our Popular Forums

Road Ruler · 02-20-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osolow

it should handle it just fine

Toyota seems to be taking lessons from the European, high performance, SUV designers.
Those are very aggressive looking low profile tires on the Sequoia in that video. Should help with any handling issues.

08Safari25 · 02-21-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashlander

We have a 2008 Sequoia and are picking up a new 25' Safari in May. Have you done anything to your mirrors or are the ones on the vehicle adequate?

I felt that a towing mirror was need for the Sequoia. The mirrors on the vehicle are not out far enough to be able to see along the Airstream. Initially, I got the CIPA 11960 Universal Towing Mirrors, but was not very happy with them: They were hard to set up and align, and they vibrated and worked themselves out of alignment. Now we have the TOW-N-See mirrors. These are easier to attach to the vehicle's mirrors, and can be adjusted from inside by using the vehicle's power mirror controls. I got the flat mirror for the driver side, and the convex for the passenger side, but I am thinking of changing the driver side mirror to the convex one also. The driver side mirror still vibrates some, but not as much as the CIPA did. Also, I am working on getting some info from Toyota on whether the towing mirror they have for the 2008 5.7L Tundra is compatible with the 2008 5.7L Sequoia (e.g. the mounting mechanism and the electrical connections). I hope this helps. Good luck with your new Safari. We love ours

Bambi75th · 02-23-2009, 10:56 AM

We tow our 19' Bambi with a 4.7L Sequoia. It is a very nice combination, but I don't think I would want to pull anything longer or heavier. Not based experiance, just gut feel.

The Sequoia's mirrors are not out far enough, in my opinion. After trying clip on mirrors, suction cup based extention mirrors, we finally bit the $ bullet and got McKesh mirrors. I highly recommend them.

balasharky · 04-20-2009, 12:26 AM

i own a 2004 sequoia. I have a 1968 ambassador land yacht i have no other truck in my family. Will this be to hard on the toyota to pull. Oh and its a awd. And if not for long haul will it be ok for very shot distance to be parked elsewhere?

Gene · 04-20-2009, 06:51 AM

The Sequoia should have no problem pulling the Ambassador. The trailer weighs less than 5,000 lbs. and has a relatively low tongue weight.

I don't think the Sequoia came with tow mirrors. Not sure about transmission cooler or temp gauge or oversize battery or alternator. Check whether the Sequoia has the right socket for the electrical cord from the trailer. You may have to make modifications to the Sequoia, a lot cheaper than buying another truck.

Gene

waltero · 04-20-2009, 07:09 AM

I tow my 25' Airstream with a Toyota Tacoma. With the proper hitch, set up and
safe driving practices you will find that what you are using is as safe and well
equipped as any thing out there. BTW my truck is a 4.0 litre six cylinder, manual
6 speed transmission.

flyfishsim · 04-20-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

Here is something worth taking a look at as it makes good sense:

RV Towing Tips - How long?

Sequoia, based on it's wheelbase should have not much more than 23'.

Thanks Silver, that's a great blog for a newbie like me

chrisd37 · 04-20-2009, 08:54 PM

N00bie question here, but when I hook my AS to my 07 Sequoia via the 7 pin wiring thingie, the backup lights on the Sequoia turn on even with the Sequoia turned off and the keys in my pocket. I am thinking if that is a mis-wire of something somewhere, it's mighty convenient and well designed. It's supposed to do this, right?

**azflycaster** · 04-20-2009, 09:06 PM

Miswired or just not current. Over the years the standard for pin layout has changed. When your trailer was built the center pin was the charge line, now it is the backup lights. Not only are the backup lights on all the time, but the battery may not be charging as well. Here are the two different plugs:
http://www.airstream.com/docs/7wayplug1966-81.pdf
http://www.airstream.com/docs/7waypl...84-1989-02.pdf

smeltersmoke · 04-20-2009, 10:33 PM

Our 2008 5.7L Toyota Sequoia is a perfect companion to our 2008 Safari SE 20. We've towed over 12,000 miles and 40 camping days all over the West including the Rockies in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, the Cascades in Oregon and N. California, the Pacific coast in Oregon and California, the deserts of Arizona and metro areas of LA, Portland, Denver and Phoenix. Average towing miles per gallon is 12-13. Non-towing milage has averaged 17-21. The Sequoia mirrors are adequate. I can see along each side of the AS. We hitch up with an Equal-i-zer. The Safari 20 is rated at 5000# and Toyota's literature states that our Sequoia is rated at 10,000#. We feel this is plenty of margin.

chrisd37 · 04-21-2009, 05:21 AM

Thanks Richard! I will take a look tonight. I wired it all as color coded, but the colors were probably from different centuries.

I do like the Sequoia's reverse lights being turned on and lighting up the trailer. Maybe I can find a DC version of those lights people shine on their trees and houses.

Silvertwinkie · 04-21-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeltersmoke

Our 2008 5.7L Toyota Sequoia is a perfect companion to our 2008 Safari SE 20. We've towed over 12,000 miles and 40 camping days all over the West including the Rockies in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, the Cascades in Oregon and N. California, the Pacific coast in Oregon and California, the deserts of Arizona and metro areas of LA, Portland, Denver and Phoenix. Average towing miles per gallon is 12-13. Non-towing milage has averaged 17-21. The Sequoia mirrors are adequate. I can see along each side of the AS. We hitch up with an Equal-i-zer. The Safari 20 is rated at 5000# and Toyota's literature states that our Sequoia is rated at 10,000#. We feel this is plenty of margin.

According to Toyota's website the Sequoia is rated to tow 7800lbs, so let's say it's about 7000lbs after fuel cargo and passengers-- which gets deducted from the overall tow rating. Per Airstream's site, the 20' units do weigh in at 5000lbs GVWR. In this example, yes, the Sequoia would be a good tow vehicle, and may be a good tow vehicle up to 23', though if you go by the wheelbase of 122" you start to get to the edge of the envelope. It's not a surprise that the mirrors are adequate with a 20' because it is not a widebody as the original poster of this thread elluded to possibly getting a 25 footer, which is the length where it starts the widebody trailers. I would guess that if you hooked to a 25er your mirror vision would be reduced, and your Sequoia at or significantly beyond it's limits (not talking vintage here, strictly late model Airstreams).

chrisd37 · 04-21-2009, 07:51 AM

Yeah I can't see a thing around my 31' in the Sequoia's mirrors. I am going to have to get tow mirrors myself

Gene · 04-21-2009, 09:07 AM

Chris, you have the 1st generation Sequoia. Some things from the 2nd gen. Sequoia or Tundra may fit on your Sequoia, such as tow mirrors, may fit on yours—a long shot I guess, but worth a check. Add on tow mirrors aren't as good as OEM ones.

Gene

chrisd37 · 04-22-2009, 05:40 AM

Thanks Gene, but I already ordered a strap on from McKesh. People here on AFs seem really happy with them. Assuming those people aren't all McKesh employees the mirrors sound like they'll work great!

chrisd37 · 04-22-2009, 07:01 PM

Richard swapping those two wires did the trick. Thank you!

txairlover · 04-22-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

According to Toyota's website the Sequoia is rated to tow 7800lbs, so let's say it's about 7000lbs after fuel cargo and passengers-- which gets deducted from the overall tow rating. Per Airstream's site, the 20' units do weigh in at 5000lbs GVWR. In this example, yes, the Sequoia would be a good tow vehicle, and may be a good tow vehicle up to 23', though if you go by the wheelbase of 122" you start to get to the edge of the envelope. It's not a surprise that the mirrors are adequate with a 20' because it is not a widebody as the original poster of this thread elluded to possibly getting a 25 footer, which is the length where it starts the widebody trailers. I would guess that if you hooked to a 25er your mirror vision would be reduced, and your Sequoia at or significantly beyond it's limits (not talking vintage here, strictly late model Airstreams).

Good evening,
Silvertwinkie is correct that the SR5 model with the smaller engine (4.7L V8) is rated at 7800, but their are different models with bigger engines and mine (Limited 2WD with the 5.7 V8) is rated at 9500 (also matters if 4WD or 2WD)...I thank you all for the interesting posts...they will help tremendously when I get ready to take the plunge.
Paul

chrisd37 · 04-29-2009, 11:12 AM

Other than starting from red lights, I barely even knew it was back there. I still can't believe how well it went.

goldwing70 · 05-02-2009, 02:58 AM

The new TVs seem more capable than before. My old 1999 F150, long bed, 5.7L, tow package had trouble with my 25ft AS. It would hunt for gears on the slightest incline. Stability did not seem to be a problem though. Nevertheless, I switched to a silverado 2500 diesel due to the gear hunting on the F150. Get about 11mpg towing at about 65-70mph.

Aspen · 05-03-2009, 11:51 AM

I have a question for you since it sounds like you know what your doing. We are considering buying a 28ft airstream International or a 25ft International FB or SS airstream towed with a new sequoia. We have 2 kids and 2 big dogs. We have been told that the 28ft would be much harder to tow and maneuver. We were also wondering if we would be a lot more limited to where we could take the trailer. What is your opinion on a 25ft vs a 28ft? Also, if you had an opinion on the floorplans for a family. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by purman

I have the 08' Sequoia 5.7 liter and you can tow a 28 foot no problem. I pulled are friends 05 safari to Zion NP and back to colorado, over the mountains. stable, no sway, easy to stop. over the passes at 70+

We normally tow our 68' 28 foot ambassador. It's about 2000 lbs lighter dry weight of 4400 I think. I don't even know it's back most of the time.

You don't need a truck to tow big. But if you don't need the inside space, like we did, I would go with a truck. Why not.

We have kids and dog and need the space inside. have to seat more than 5 comfortable . Plus it is our everyday driver and no matter what people say. the trucks don't ride as nice.

So, People will have there input but I have towed over 3000 miles this past summer with a 28' trailer behind it and I love the way it handles.