Hi All,

We have a 2000 Toyota Sienna and just got an 18 ft travel trailer. The Sienna has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs and the trailer weighs 2700 lbs. I'm wondering if anybody has tried towing a trailer with a Sienna, and if so, do you have any advice?

Thanks,

Dave

I bought a 2004 Sienna with the assurance of the sales person that it could easily tow our 2,500# tent trailer for family camping trips. Since buying the Sienna and putting on a trailer hitch I am constantly bottoming out even when the vehicle is under the maximum weights and not towing a trailer.

Toyota Canada has told me that the Sienna is not capable of towing the trailer with my family on board because it exceeds the max vehicle weight. The fact that the vehicle bottoms out with only 3 children in the backseat and no trailer doesn't concern Toyota and I was told "I probably should have bought a truck" if I wanted to tow a tent trailer. The represantative at Toyota Canada went on to tell me that no dealership should ever say the Sienna can tow a trailer with a family and luggage on board.

Has anyone else had towing problems with their Sienna or encountered problems like this?

A friend of mine uses their Sienna to tow their small boat, and have never had problems. I don't know if they're exceeding the limits a lot, but it works for them.

You may want to confirm what the tongue weight of your trailer is and obtain some advise from a hitch installer on getting a Class 3 hitch. These come with equalizer bars and you will NEVER bottom out again.

Alternatively, ask Toyota part dept if there is a "tow package" available. Specifically, bigger springs. Ford and Chrysler have this...I would be surprised if Toyota didn't.

My opinion....it'll be cheaper to install an equalizer hitch.

I didn't know that a tow package could be added on; I guess I always just thought that either came with the car or didn't.

Likewise. That's very good to know! I should look into getting one.

I'm sure anything can have a tow package added on, but will it actually tow anything? Do you think the dealership would be upfront about this from the get go?