Towing: Tundra vs Sequoia vs Land Cruiser

[AirsDream]

I think that one of the corollaries to Murphy's Law applies here ... no matter how large the space in you r TV or trailer, "stuff" expands to fill it.

You will love the diesel pickup, but if your experience goes like mine, you'll say, "Gee, of course I can take along a barbecue grille. And since I'm gonna' be boondocking, I better take some extra tools and that high lift jack and a good axe and shovel, just in case. And the generator. And an extra Jerry Can of fuel. And a couple jugs of water. And ... And ... and then you're heading to the scales all the time again, just to be sure ... but that '350 will let you get away with a LOT of that! Have fun!

[66calstream]

So my 1966 30' Sovereign is less weight than the newer models. Will a 4.6 be enough, or would you all recommend the 5.7?

[willapus]

Took my 2002 sequoia with 190k miles on the 4.7L and my 29' Streamline Empress, 5400# loaded, on a 3000 mile trip from Memphis to Colorado and back. The hardest driving was across Kansas with wind and sway issues. I was able to climb the grades just ok. The curves kept the speed down when going up and down the mountains. Braking with the addition of the trailer brakes was almost normal. Temperature gauge was normal the whole time, even with the overdrive off,3k rmps, and pulling the extra weight. As far as payload, my sr5 2wd has a higher payload capacity than my friends extended cab 4x4 tundra. I did enjoy having most everything packed in the trailer though. I got around 10-12mpg at 60-65mph. I love my sequoia, especially the rear window. I do wish the sequoia had a longer wheelbase.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by 66calstream

So my 1966 30' Sovereign is less weight than the newer models. Will a 4.6 be enough, or would you all recommend the 5.7?

I would only get the 4.6 if it also came with the 6 speed. With the 5.7 you have better acceleration and much less downshifting and you may lose 1 mpg. I vote for the 5.7. It is a great motor.

Dan

[TG Twinkie]

I have a 5.7 in my Tundra. It has my vote.

[66calstream]

Thanks all! We have to many vehicles, and have to add another. The wife would go for a land cruiser, but been reading they are not so hot for pulling a 30' AS.

[JDnBeastlet]

We've been towing a 30' white box (5800 lbs at last weigh in) with out 2005 Sequoia for five years with no problems - including a trip from Ottawa to Vancouver Island through the Rockies both ways.

[willapus]

Originally Posted by willapus

Took my 2002 sequoia with 190k miles on the 4.7L and my 29' Streamline Empress, 5400# loaded, on a 3000 mile trip from Memphis to Colorado and back. The hardest driving was across Kansas with wind and sway issues. I was able to climb the grades just ok. The curves kept the speed down when going up and down the mountains. Braking with the addition of the trailer brakes was almost normal. Temperature gauge was normal the whole time, even with the overdrive off,3k rmps, and pulling the extra weight. As far as payload, my sr5 2wd has a higher payload capacity than my friends extended cab 4x4 tundra. I did enjoy having most everything packed in the trailer though. I got around 10-12mpg at 60-65mph. I love my sequoia, especially the rear window. I do wish the sequoia had a longer wheelbase.

I have since gotten a 2005 sequoia 5spd 4x4 with the optional rear air suspension and LOVE it! Big towing difference between the 2002 and 2005. (The thread "what did I do right?" talks about the differences between the two)