real world towing capacity what have you towed ?

browntown3 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-13-2007, 07:57 AM

Hey guys, im looking into buying a camper, but im not too sure about how well the sequoia will tow one, i think the capacity is somewhere around 5000-6000 pounds but im just wondering how well the sequoia does towing this much weight? What have you guys towed with yours and how well did it do? did you have brakes on your trialer ? Just looking to get an idea of how well it will tow in real life, not on paper

celica · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2007, 08:07 AM

I have a 2006 Zeppelin 291. Here are the stats on it:

Zeppelin Lwt Division of Keystone RV manufacturers of Recreational Vehicles and Towable PopUps.

It has brakes. pretty much anything over 3500 will need brakes. It towes well. With it I am just under my 11880 total weight allowance by only a couple hundred pounds.

the one thing I noticed with such a large trailer was sway - I hate sway so I bought one of these:

Hensley Arrow

It does what it says - no sway ever - not even being passed by semis in either direction. Makes the towing more enjoyable.

It is a big tow, the motor can do it, keeps speed not too bad on hills.

I am impressed with the motor - I thought that it would bog down more at the limits like my 92 4runner - but not bad at all.

It can be done - but make sure of your weights - real world, not by the specs, and make sure everything is set up perfectly before you go - brakes, weight distribution bars, sway control, etc.

there is more info in the towing section of the forum.

Good luck

browntown3 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-14-2007, 12:58 PM

guess nobody tows anything

celica · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2007, 02:29 PM

somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

2catch1 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2007, 09:32 PM

I have towed my 6,000 pound boat but only about 30-35 mph tops. Very hilly area and I'm only a couple miles from the big pond. It does handle like a dream compared to the 95 tahoe I had. With my smaller boat around 2,000 pounds it tows great and even gets close to 14mpg!!! The tahoe had a hard time doing that without a trailer!!!!

speed25 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browntown3

guess nobody tows anything

Guess nobody searches anything (especially the dedicated towing forum).

Sequoia311 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2007, 08:11 PM

I really don't think that the Sequoia has any problems pulling a trailer under 5000 pounds. I own a boat and trailer that I drive up and down mountains and on the interstate running 75 mph with no problems. It does not pull like a full size pickup, but it does just fine.

TheBrokenMarine · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 09:31 PM

Just around town I pull the 14' enclosed cargo trailer. Tandem axles and electric brakes. I was pleased...she handled it strongly. I would estimate the weight to be in the neighborhood of about 4,000 lbs.

I usually use the Suburban to tow things though.

browntown3 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 08:18 AM

are you running trailer brakes ? If so what kind of controller are you using and did you install yourself? thanks

celica · #10 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 08:47 AM

Trailer brakes usually come on anything over 2900 pounds - that is the law around most places.

Most people are running the prodigy brake controller. I am running on of these:

Tru-Control Brake Controller

it is simular to the prodigy.

Installed my self. there is a pigtail for it that came with the sequoia - if you don't have the pigtail you can get on at the dealer - wire it up to the controller & plug it into your truck - pretty easy.

browntown3 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celica

Trailer brakes usually come on anything over 2900 pounds - that is the law around most places.

Most people are running the prodigy brake controller. I am running on of these:

Tru-Control Brake Controller

it is simular to the prodigy.

Installed my self. there is a pigtail for it that came with the sequoia - if you don't have the pigtail you can get on at the dealer - wire it up to the controller & plug it into your truck - pretty easy.

Thanks i'll look into that

Jeepskidew · #12 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 02:21 AM

I have used my 03 Sequoia SR5 4X4 to tow a 5770lb dry weight travel trailer. I've driven several hours so far on mostly low grade terrain. I will be driving from FL to AK in June with my weight totally maxed out, however I am looking to add rear air bags that another TS member suggested.
So far I believe the Sequoia is rated lower than it's true potential, and I'm praying that's what I find to be the case once I reach Anchorage!