2023 Toyota Sequoia - Any thoughts as a TV?

[Ultraclassic]

Originally Posted by NWBoondocker

Wow, this has been a great discussion, thanks everyone!

Sounds like these are the general conclusions regarding the Sequoia:

• Airstream vastly underestimates the real-world tongue weight of the 25 ft models
• Capacity is near the limit, but probably doable for the Sequoia SR5 model (1,730 lb) -- especially with a WDH putting some of that weight back on the trailer
• Tongue weight is also near the limit -- a WDH could take some of the weight off the tongue, but it'd still be at (or exceed) the upper limit of the Sequoia's ~930 lb max

Possible solutions:

• Bigger truck. Such as F-150 or Toyota Tundra with max tow packages (even better: 250 / 2500 size truck)
• Smaller Airstream. The FC 23FB tongue weight is quoted as 500 lb. Assuming Airstream is underestimating that by 50%, I could still easily tow that with almost any Sequoia model.

Unfortunately for logistical reasons I can't get a truly large truck -- it'd be a daily driver and I work in a city with microscopic parking lots.

It's not ideal, but a Sequoia combined with a smaller Airstream might be the better / safer choice for my particular situation.

Random question: Why is the 23FB about half the hitch weight of the 25FB? It's it's only 2 feet different.

Or Ask Andy at CanAm

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Spartanfam

I contacted BlueOx and they too stated that air suspension should be left at the lowest pressure possible... which makes sense with how weight distribution and sway control work.
I'm looking at a new Toyota Tundra and air suspension just adds weight, and considering that I don't want to tow without WD... not sure why I would get air suspension.
I towed our 25FBQ with my friend's 2023 Tundra SR5 TRD Off Road (not TRD PRO) suspension and it was incredible. The dual-rate springs and quicker reacting Bilstein dampeners were really nice. I have never towed with the std suspension on a Tundra though.

You might check the Payload rating on the door jamb of the Tundra your looking at. Toyota and RAM typically have low payload ratings actual, vs specs in the 1/2T range. When I went to the Toyota dealership here years back, we could not find one Tundra on the lot with payload rating over 1500lbs. Many were in the 1200-1300 range. Your 25' is likely around 900+ lbs tongue weight. Just saying, if you care about being within spec, best to consider the limits before investing in a new TV...IMHO of course.

[AlumGlamper]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

You might check the Payload rating on the door jamb of the Tundra your looking at. Toyota and RAM typically have low payload ratings actual, vs specs in the 1/2T range. When I went to the Toyota dealership here years back, we could not find one Tundra on the lot with payload rating over 1500lbs. Many were in the 1200-1300 range. Your 25' is likely around 900+ lbs tongue weight. Just saying, if you care about being within spec, best to consider the limits before investing in a new TV...IMHO of course.

Excellent advice. Here’s the nameplate from the 2024 Sequoia we’re looking at:

[wilsodf]

Our first Tow Vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Sequoia and the Airstream dealer told us it would work to tow the used 2014 FC27FB we had just purchased. It was so underrated and had around 1400 lbs of payload. The tow rating was 7000 lbs and the max tongue weight was 700 lbs. You could feel the difference. We sold it and moved to a Ford Expedition and still felt like we were pushing the upper ends of it's capabilities.

We now tow with a 2020 Ford F350 diesel with 3500 lbs of payload. We fill up at the truck stops where the big rigs fuel up and don't have to fight the gas pumps to get a trailer in and out.

We get 14.5 MPG towing our 2023 International 30RB. We feel much safer.

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by AlumGlamper

Excellent advice. Here’s the nameplate from the 2024 Sequoia we’re looking at:

On that truck, the max payload is 1290#. Your loaded trailer will have a tongue weight of 900# and the WD will add about 50# so you'll only have 340# of payload available for everything else in the TV. That's not even enough for me and my wife let alone other passengers or cargo.

[switz]

I checked out a Ford 150 a few years back on Ford's website. There was an over 500 pound reduction of payload going from the base model to the top trim line. All that glitz gets heavy.

That pattern repeats on every vehicle made. So for the most payload, a bare bones base model might get the job done but a top trim model can not do the job without being over the numbers.

One can not listen to the sales speil at a dealership. Many sales folks are TOTALLY clueless about the importance of the numbers and are just willing to be pushing a vehicle that is in stock but not capable of doing the job.

Thus the need for complete due diligence on the part of the buyer.

The new Sequoia could be hard pressed to "legally" tow our 2015 23D International Serenity that scales 6099 pounds on new 3,600 pound axles and a 906 pound tongue weight that does not reflect the 40 pound stinger that goes between the trailer and tow vehicle. We carry a small Weber grilled, an air compressor, the road side triangles and ramp to change a tire in the Land Cruiser.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by switz

Note that the in-coil air bags for the Land Cruiser were installed by a local chap that also installed our Australian 12.5 gallon auxiliary gasoline tank in the spare wheel well space. The spare then hangs below the tank.

The air bag is inside the coil to help stiffen the coil sag rate and does not change load capability other than payload was reduced by the weight of the two air bags or about 5 pounds.

Although I commend you for accounting for added weight, bags in your application are unsprung weight. As such they don't reduce payload at all (a portion of the air lines and fittings might). They do reduce available axle capacity and increase GVW a smidge. Ok, if you have independent rear suspension, a very small portion of the bag weight might be borne by the control arm bushings and a sprung....but we are talking grams to potentially, an ounce of reduced payload. If you have a live axle, none of the bag weight is sprung.

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by NWBoondocker

Hey all, I'm doing some research regarding tow vehicles. The brand new 2023 Toyota Sequoia looks like a pretty decent choice. Do you think this would make a good TV in the following scenario?

• Trailer will be a FC 25FB, factory-quoted tongue weight 875 lb.
• The TV will be carrying two adults plus a growing teen & Honda generator (total about 550 lb).

All '23 Sequoia models have a 437 hp / 583 lb-ft hybrid twin-turbo V6.

Below are the towing specs for the 2023 Sequoia. Note, Toyota's payload number include an allowance for a 150-lb driver and 150-lb passenger plus full fuel/fluids.

Since 300 lb is included in Toyota's numbers, that means I still need to account for 250 lb of passengers+generator, plus a WDH, for about 400 lb altogether. Therefore my total payload needs would be 400 lb + 875 lb = 1,275 lb min required payload, estimated.

In theory, it looks like any of the Sequoia models should be able to handle it, since the Sequoia's lowest payload is 1,375 lb...?

Thanks for any advice on the subject!

Attachment 421299

Hello there....
I would use the Sequoia for all Airstream 23FT and less! everything over and above 25 would go with 3/4 ton truck! dont take my word for it, do some search and paid attention to all numbers and more importantly your Payload sticker! dont do the mistake (Like I did) to trust the marketing document of an Mfg! Good luck!

[switz]

Note that the recent Toyota adds towing an Airstream in tow are the 23 foot models for both the Tundra and Sequoia..

I towed our 2015 23D International Serenity with my 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI turbo diesel after the hitch had been reinforced at CanAm and the Hensley Arrow stinger was shortened and pre bent to preload the arms. The sweet spot was 55 mph for the engine and we could get 16.5 mpg on the flats. I could descend 6% grades in second gear and never have to touch the brakes due to the diesel back pressure.

The Mercedes was replaced with one of the last of the 2021 Toyota Land Cruisers with the 5.7L V8 and 8 speed transmission. The best mpg so far on the flats wa 12.5 mpg but consistent is 10.5 to 11.5 mpg. The mountains drop back to single digits in a climb. I do not tow faster than 65 mph or the lower current local posted speed limit.

We had/have a small Weber gas grill with stand, tire pump kit and a tire ramp in the car. We tee into one of the propane tanks of the trailer when cooking.

Good defensive driving includes generous spacing from the vehicle in front. The 23D recently had new 3,600 pound axles with 3" lift kit and dual puck 12" disc brakes which really help in the stopping department and the mountains.

[PB_NB]

We have the V6TT drive train in our Tundra and it is very capable. The hybrid variant is even better for towing. Working out the payload is a balance but can be done. If the 25' trailers had a reasonable tongue weight, that would be a good choice. I think the RB configurations have a more realistic tongue weight than the FB models.

Probably my next trailer will be a 25RB being pulled with my '22 Tundra.

[tzaak]

Hey all, after going back to the dealership being offered a 100k warranty i declined but then suggested a new vehicle trade(i would pay for miles on the original truck) which I'm good wirh. I scoured the country for a similar sequoia and found one in Pittsburgh. Long story short a dealer trade is occurring as we speak...i should have the new sequoia next week. ...it's been an adventure to say the least....happy turkey day 😋

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by tzaak

Hey all, after going back to the dealership being offered a 100k warranty i declined but then suggested a new vehicle trade(i would pay for miles on the original truck) which I'm good wirh. I scoured the country for a similar sequoia and found one in Pittsburgh. Long story short a dealer trade is occurring as we speak...i should have the new sequoia next week. ...it's been an adventure to say the least....happy turkey day 😋

Congratulation Happy for you, the Sequoia is such a beautiful truck, I mistakenly bought a Toyota Capstone (for the reason of beauty and reliability) only to realized the truck had no sufficient payload, this sequoia is in the range of 1300 Lbs of payload and please don't mean to burst your balloon but IMO you will be way over your payload, and a 25ft is a long trailer for the short wheelbase Sequoia and that will not be to your advantage! Is it feasable? I think so but you will need to adapt your driving so that you and your rig keep within the safe zone! Enjoy your new Sequoia and happy camping!