Basecamp 16X & Toyota Sienna?

[Marshalls2]

Hello, Folks, a couple of real newbies here. We just bought a new Basecamp 16X, and we've literally just put the cart before the horse. Our intention is to buy a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivan and use that as our TV. The Sienna has a tow rating of 3500 pounds and the 16X weighs in at about 2700, so at least on paper, seems easy enough. Are we going to be OK or should we buy a different TV? Thanks so much.

[batman]

To use a metaphor, that would be like the tail wagging the dog.

IMO, After you load the Basecamp and you load the MINIvan, You will be over the GVW, or so close as to be unsafe. Or at least I would be.

Some may argue that with a decent WD hitch and sway control you would be, OK. I wouldn't want to be JUST OK. Things happen on the road (weight transfer from emergency braking, etc.). I would rather have a bit more capacity than being right at the maximum limit of my TV.

How is the braking ability on that MINIvan?

-Dennis

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by Marshalls2

Hello, Folks, a couple of real newbies here. We just bought a new Basecamp 16X, and we've literally just put the cart before the horse. Our intention is to buy a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivan and use that as our TV. The Sienna has a tow rating of 3500 pounds and the 16X weighs in at about 2700, so at least on paper, seems easy enough. Are we going to be OK or should we buy a different TV? Thanks so much.

Maximum tongue weight is 10% of the towing capacity, so 350 lbs. How much is the tongue weight on the Basecamp (include full propane)? Get a weight distribution / anti-sway hitch and get the towing package on the Sienna.

I have towed a lot of trailers in my life and I have always had rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. When you put weight on the rear you unload the front so there's less control and traction. Me personally, I would go for the 4Runner or Highlander with all wheel drive.

[Rich W]

Well, if you REALLY want to use a Sienna, there's this. He posts here from time to time.

https://www.toadsoftowedhaul.com/the-toadmobile.html

[Marshalls2]

Thanks, Folks - You're right; the Siena just isn't going to cut it. We've revised our vehicle search and are looking now at F-150 or Explorer. Grateful the Airstream community has our backs!

[BayouBiker]

As others indicate, the Sienna is not one of the better choices. Toyota did not intend that vehicle to tow more than a small boat or utility trailer and did not set it up for success. As rich indicates, you can make it work, but it will require you to jump through some hoops. Since you have your choice of tow vehicles (it is smart to buy the trailer first) get one you like that has 25% or more excess capacity over the max GTWR so that would be 3500*1.25 or 4,375. Me? I'd look for something at or over 5,000. Pay attention to cargo capacity as others have mentioned. Figure out what you are likely to bring with you and make sure it all fits and keeps you below payload limits before you settle on a vehicle. If you do this you will have a great combination and you won't have to finesse it to make it work.

Edit: Ah, you beat me to it.

[Andrew T]

Hi Marshalls

We have 2 Sienna's in our fleet, a 2010 with 120,000 miles on it and a 2015 that just arrived a year ago. We have installed hitches on several hundred. A front drive van is an almost perfect chassis layout for towing. They have a wide stance, low center of gravity, short overhang to wheelbase ratio and pretty good tire and wheel combinations. For larger trailers we do strengthen the hitch receivers. We have several customers who tow with Hybrid Highlanders and RX400's which are the same platform and hybrid system as the new Sienna, though they have large gas engines. If you would like a van and there is no vehicle more convenient the other one to look at is the Honda Odyssey. The 3.5 Litre and 9 speed are a well proven drivetrain and up the task should decide to get a larger Airstream down the road.

The Basecamp is the easiest towing trailer you can stand up in that I have found. Our 1.6 Litre manual Kia Soul will tow it 70 MPH. (We have the Kia to compare how smaller more aero trailers tow).

Even with the Basecamp a properly configured weight distribution system is important, with any tow vehicle. If you would like some more help with this just email me andy@canamrv.ca and we can send you more information.

Andy

[BayouBiker]

The Odessy also has a low factory towing limit for several similar reasons. Sure you can shore up some of the weaknesses and make it mostly work, but since you don't yet have one, why go through that? So much easier to let the manufacturer set a vehicle up for success from the beginning. When your target is 5000 lb towing, there are so many good choices out there that don't require modifications, and don't have the intrinsic limitations in safety or performance that caused the manufacturer to set the limits low to begin with.

For a great towing van look at the Nissan NV3500. It is a fantastic tow vehicle.

[roc97007]

Originally Posted by batman

To use a metaphor, that would be like the tail wagging the dog.

IMO, After you load the Basecamp and you load the MINIvan, You will be over the GVW, or so close as to be unsafe. Or at least I would be.

Some may argue that with a decent WD hitch and sway control you would be, OK. I wouldn't want to be JUST OK. Things happen on the road (weight transfer from emergency braking, etc.). I would rather have a bit more capacity than being right at the maximum limit of my TV.

How is the braking ability on that MINIvan?

-Dennis

Actually I think in the case of a trailer, the tail should wag the dog. When we bought our 2017 basecamp, we did not have a tow vehicle. We then bought a vehicle that we knew would tow it, with a little extra for safety and if we decided to trade up. We got a F150 Supercrew with a V8 and towing package, and it pulls the trailer very well. You only notice it's back there on braking.


I think it's perfectly acceptable to decide which trailer you want, and THEN decide what vehicle you're going to tow it with.

[PA BAMBI II]

Minivans can tow, and tow well...Andy from Can-Am has set up thousands and they do a good job, especially with smaller trailers. We have towed our 17' Bambi II thousands of miles with our 2012 Chrysler Town & Country. We've never felt we didn't have enough tow vehicle.



It sounds like you have chosen a tow vehicle route that will suit your needs.



Still most will tell you to go big. Such as this combination. Note the weight distributing hitch. Overkill is a thing, too, but this well-matched towing combination should certainly appease many on the forums.

[BayouBiker]

matching a 3500-4000 max trailer to a typical 3500' max tow minivan is of course possible and can be done, but if you don't have the tow vehicle in your possession the question, I ask is why go down that path? If you have a good rationale, and can answer the question with conviction, maybe it is the right choice. If you don't, then a vehicle already set up and matched to tow 5000 or more lbs and carry a bit of gear is far and away a more sensible, safer and more reliable choice.

[Marshalls2]

Thanks, everyone. We’ve gone with a Ford F-150 instead!