2010 Toyota Sequoia? - The Hull Truth

fmTuna · 10-26-2009, 02:32 PM

I am going to be towing.... once in a while... a 2003 HS Vector 2800 that has a "book" dry weight of about 7000#. With 284g of fuel (1500#), and offshore load of gear (500#), let's just say the whole package goes just under 10,000#.

We towed an enclosed car trailer with a mustang in it with a new Tundra in it a couple weeks ago to N. Jersey.. about the same weight... with no trouble at all.

I am trading in a 2002 Sequoia with 135,000mi on it.... so I am already sold on the basics.... could NEVER tow the boat with the old one... not even close.

I am told the Sequoia and the Tundra are the same truck with different boxes on them, and I am looking for a little "educated" opinion...

Little help here?

MacCTD · 10-26-2009, 02:41 PM

That's alot of weight for any half ton vehicle but the Sequoia probably has the most capable drivetrain, engine, brakes, and transmission available in that catagory.
If you were comfortable towing that weight with the Tundra the Sequoia is probably very close except might be more effected by sway due to shorter wheelbase and coil spring rear suspension. I would put load range E tires on it as well, the P tires that come on the Tundras and Sequoias are useless for towing that much weight.

Mist-Rest · 10-26-2009, 07:49 PM

We must have gotten a bad one. This 03 Sequoia has not been a good truck. Replacing a few cars/trucks was the topic today and I'd have a hard time buying another.

I understand that the frames and drivetrain are the same. The fuel mileage is tough.

Tuna Truck · 10-26-2009, 07:55 PM

I think that new style Sequoias are awesome. I would love to have one but I would not pull 10k with one. They have independent rear suspension. How about a 2500 Suburban?

cowdogs · 10-26-2009, 08:06 PM

I would weigh the boat. The numbers are too close to go off the "brochure".

dadriva · 10-27-2009, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowdogs

I would weigh the boat. The numbers are too close to go off the "brochure".

Good point! Always a fan of actual weight.

harley'sboat · 10-27-2009, 05:56 AM

I am sure I will be warned for this.... But I have a 2008 And I pull a 33' foot Ocean Hawk with twin 250 Vrods so we are talking simular weights. The truck will pull and stop fine. The rear will sag even with air bags. The vechicle never feels out of control un less you go above 65mph. The gas milage sucks while pulling this load. I only tow about 400 miles a year in 100 mile distances. I traded my super duty in for the Toyota as i get more all aroung use for the SUV. Also the Toyota has a greater tow rating the the 2500 Suburban. Let me know if you have any questions.
If you are going to tow 100 miles every weekend then go for a super duty, if only occationaly the Sequioa will be fine. Get the big engine as i hear you can get a smaller one for 2010.

ss3964spd · 10-27-2009, 06:32 AM

An enclosed trailer with a Mustang in it weighs in at about 10K? A 'Stang weighs what - 3600 or 3700 at most?

I think you're over estimating the trailer/car combo and, with the boat at 7K + 1.5K of fuel + .5K of gear you're already at 9K with no trailer, you're underestimating the boat and trailer weight.

Dan

v70cat · 10-27-2009, 06:47 AM

I have been looking at Sequoia as well I do think it will make a great tow SUV.

The downside is that it is big and gets low MPG. I have come the occlusion that if I buy one it will not be a daily driver. A pickup with a diesel will offer somewhat better mpg but it is also large and not what I need for a daily driver.

I think some people on this don't like it because it is not a American brand.

fmTuna · 10-27-2009, 07:25 AM

Couple of things...

First, thanks for the tip on the tire change, I will do that.

I have owned so many American vehicles over the years and had so many problems this Toyota has been a breath of fresh air for me... I'd like to buy American, but I just will not.

Fuel efficency isnt an issue... I live on a barrier island, and will only put 7-8000 mi tops a year on the truck... walk to the dock, walk to the tackle shop, take my scooter to the store....

The trailer I am buying from a buddy, it is in great shape, but I do not own it yet. Combine this with the fact that the boat is in the slip and would have to be lifted and dropped back by the marina ($$), I will not be weighing the whole package before it gets pulled for the year, but need the Sequoia now.

The Mustang took up about half of a 24' encosed trailer that we used to transport it, plus lots of extra s..., the trailer was a monster, maybe 3500-4000 empty.

And finally, I am surprised to hear that there was a problem with a 2003, but I suppose any brand can throw a bad one every once in a while.

Getting a dealership to actually "deal" on this truck is becoming an issue... they must be printing money with the economy cars....

NoFearEyes · 10-27-2009, 07:42 AM

I had a Suburban 2500 w/ 4 wheel drive--it struggled with my 36' Formula.

I just got a Dodge RAM 4X4---I'm impressed with it. They have a great hauler and fit/finish is superb--and it will pull stumps !!! I got a quad cab but if you need room get a mega cab with the HEMI motor and 4X4

Dodge just doesn't market like FOrd does---this thing is a great all around truck---except for mileage---but the mileage is no worse the F150 I had.

I really think you should check out Dodge--you will be very pleasantly surprised

fmTuna · 10-27-2009, 07:56 AM

If I could go with a pickup, this would be much easier, but an SUV is required.

BTW, after reading MacCTD's post I did a little self edu-makation on tires and found this thread helpful:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tirespecskey.jsp

v70cat · 10-27-2009, 09:10 AM

The way to buy it is to look up the cost with options on Edmund's or other sites add $500 dealer profit and order it or let the dealer locate it. I did this with my Rav the sales man cried how they can't live with such think profit, he went to his manager and he check me out, I had the cash and ready to buy or walk, he did the deal and we were done. It helps if you are at the end of the month and you are a informed buyer with the cash.

Windsors · 11-05-2009, 06:00 PM

I pull a 24 McKee with a 2009 Sequoia. It pulls it very well. Gas mileage is around 9 mpg when towing. It never feels like it is straining and has good acceleration even with the load. You definitely want the 5.7 liter engine. I had a 2003 and 2005 Sequoia (4.7 liter V8) and a 2007 Infiniti QX 56 (titan based with 5.6 liter V8) This 2009 Sequoia is much better than the earlier Sequoia and marginally better than the Infiniti. The Toyota 5.7 when combined with the new transmission out pulls the 5.6 in the Infiniti. The Sequoia has the suspension selector and the automatic leveling for the rear suspension which both help when trailering.

As far as pulling your HS Vector 28, that is a much heavier boat than my 24. The Mckee 24 is closer to:

Boat - 3,800#
2 Suzuki 175's - 1,000#
trailer - 1,000#
Fuel -180 gals @ 7#/gal 1,300#
Fishing gear 500#
Total 7,600#

I would feel ok going a little heavier, but for long trips would not go 10,000 #.

As far as getting a deal on the 2010 Sequoia, I know what you mean. They are still pretty scarce. Toyota stopped making the Sequoia as soon as gas prices went through the roof and then the economy tanked. When I was ready to buy in May, no dealer had one until one dealer got 3 -2009 fleet vehicles that did not sell as intended. They were gone in a week.

TripleCrownNC · 11-06-2009, 11:18 AM

I think you are over estimating the weight of the 24, but no matter. I have a Tundra, I have weighed my boat and trailer, with no gear and its 9,000#. The Tundra pulls it fine and stops it even better

Leftcoastboater · 11-08-2009, 08:10 PM

Isn't max towing cap. with weight distributing hitch? That's the only way my Suburban and Expedition can reach max towing.

Hard to believe a 28' trailer is only going to weigh 1k lbs. Seems like your estimate is light.

One thing surprised no one has mentioned is that typically (I say typically) a half ton vehicle doesn't have the overall "beefyness" of a 3/4 ton vehicle. It's not just the engine but brakes, suspension, trannie, coolers etc. that are heavy duty.

Keep in mind if you are in an accident and you are towing over cap. you are in deep sheet.

Having said all that, I have 2 friends with Toyota's. One went from a Ford 3/4 ton diesel to a Toyota Tundra. He pulls a 28' Scarab with twin Merc 300's. Said it pulls well and he was surprised at how well it tows. Must admit he only has to tow about 15 miles to the harbor and it's all flat. Other has the SUV and just bought a 24' Renken or something (lake boat so I'm not interested

) He said it pulls it just fine. Very happy.

Personally, I'd never tow that much weight with a gasser. Oh and I'd get electric brakes on that trailer too.

Half-hitched · 11-09-2009, 12:23 PM

I love my 06 Sequoia, but it doesn't matter what I tow with it, the gas mileage sucks. It consistently sucks, so I guess that's a good thing. 18ft jon boat, lawn trailer loaded down, 17ft Scout, 4-wheelers, etc...

Keith ChrisCraft · 11-15-2009, 04:30 AM

I agree with SS on the weight. While I no longer tow (10' beam) my 06 Sequoia has been great BUT never have I attempted to tow anything inside 90% of the max rating of my vehicles.

The current Sequoia (2wd with 5.7 engine) rated to tow a approx 9500lbs, best estimate on your HS 28' is circa 7000lbs. dry, add 900lbs. for the 250HPDIs, min 2K for that trailer THEN add fuel and gear and you are well on your way to being circa 11000lbs.

People are always shocked when they hit the scales and see how much it all adds up to be. I tried to find a post on the Boat Forum in the last couple of days on this topic and the poster was amazed how heavy the tow was all said and done. Wish I could find it said something like "You guys were right"....want to say he was like 1500 lbs over what he thought it was going to be.

Keep in mind the Sequoia has a GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) of 17100 lbs which is vehicle, it's contents (people, gear, fuel, etc.) along with whats on the hitch. The "dry' Sequoia has a weight of 5700 lbs. Add 3 people and gear at 600 lbs (very conservative), fuel and the boat/gear you are over 17300lbs. Can the Sequiua tow it? Sure, without question. Are you over the limit, my guess is yes and if you are in an accident spells trouble.

All the above assumes 2wd not 4wd which has lower tow numbers. Finally, not sure what these computers on the vehicles can store but if they can store the weights of what is towed, GCVW, etc. you may void warranties.

Just my .02 and I am sure others will have different views. Wish you well in this endeavor...either way you have a great vehicle.

Keith

Found the post noted above....it was in this Forum. Bottom line the poster found his boat on the scale was 600 lbs higher in dry weight than the mfg specs. Of more interest was his 22' ALUMINUM trailer weighed 1130 lbs. Just an FYI for your equation.

jekyl · 11-16-2009, 02:46 AM

I have an alloy dual axle trailer for my 265 express grady and have had it on the scales at exactly 1,320 lbs. Empty boat and trailer is 8,000lbs weighed.
I have a 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser with only the 4.7 ltr motor (5.7 isn't available in Australia) auto shift and have been towing my rig for over 2 years with no issues so far. The vehicle has done over 260,000 kms total with no probs. before this i had a 23 ft cat and it towed that with no issues either. It's not fast but the condition of our roads and with that much weight on the back i don't want to go fast.
Longest journey so far was 700 miles over 2 days.

Toyota's are easily the most popular tow vehicle in Aus. They generally enjoy excellent reliability.

jmummert · 11-17-2009, 05:12 AM

We have a 2005 25 foot HydraSport Vector with twins and I can tell you first hand Hydrasports are great boats but they are also heavy. I had a Tahoe (which I loved) but I think the boat was too much for it. I looked at a Tundra, which I really liked but ultimately went with a Chevy 2500HD pickup and towing is great. The 2500 is a true 3/4 ton and that is what you need. But I will admit, when I am not towing I miss my Tahoe. Feel free to PM me for more info.