Finally Towed the 20' Boat

[dupont1]

Well, I finally got to tow the boat for 200 miles not for the best of reasons (blown engine due to poor winterization) and was for the most part impressed with the ride. I wouldn't say, however, that the tow was effortless, particularly in the mountains of western Maryland. I found the downshifting to be more frequent than perhaps necessary. At times, it seemed the vehicle shifted down too many gears to climb a hill to the point that I looked at the tach a few times to see if it was as high as the winding out sound coming from the vehicle. I guess there are pros and cons to the six speed. The boat only weighes 2000 lbs. I had no passengers with me.

[JBK23]

This problely waht happen when you go higher up in elavation chek this out here All you at 5000ft or higher! I hate my truck! lol

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by dupont1

Well, I finally got to tow the boat for 200 miles not for the best of reasons (blown engine due to poor winterization) and was for the most part impressed with the ride. I wouldn't say, however, that the tow was effortless, particularly in the mountains of western Maryland. I found the downshifting to be more frequent than perhaps necessary. At times, it seemed the vehicle shifted down too many gears to climb a hill to the point that I looked at the tach a few times to see if it was as high as the winding out sound coming from the vehicle. I guess there are pros and cons to the six speed. The boat only weighes 2000 lbs. I had no passengers with me.

I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised with the towing capability of my 2008 Platinum Sequoia. Coming from 4 past Suburbans my view of the Sequoia's capabilities can only be described as impressed. I towed my 28' boat 7,500lbs with 6 passengers and a somewhat light load of gear (towels, coolers, tool box and change of clothes for all).

It was a short trip of about an hr to the river (Delaware) and the Sequoia accelerated effortlessly with this load (Tow/haul transmission setting). Handling was also excellent with the suspensension set to firm. I love the back-up camera combined with the manually adjustable suspension to lower the tow ball beneath the receiver on the trailer and then raise the suspension back up to insert the ball into the trailer...all without leaving the driver's seat. Talk about convenient.

All in all I found the Sequoia to be slightly more powerful than my Denali XL but with a far smoother transmission. The real test will be a 5 hr trip at the end of July that includes some very steep climbs in central Pa. Until then I'm very much enjoying the tow capabilities of the Sequoia on short boat trips and lots of dirt bike trailer trips. Lots of fun and still very pleased with the vehicle after 5000 miles.

In fact, I just had my first oil change this morning using my Toyota pre-paid maintenance plan. Couldn't have been more convenient. No appt. Hand the service desk my coupon from the plan. They performed a 19 pt inspection, changed the oil and filter. Rotated the tires. Gave the keys back to me in less than an hr and said they'd mail me the receipt. Also very satisified with the Toyota maintenance plan.

[Robert_Laurali]

I tow a 7000lbs load without load leveling (yet) and am Very pleased with the power and breaking (with a brake controller). My only issue is the sway. And of course that's not the vehicles fault, its mine for not having a sway control/ load leveling setup yet on my trailer.

I go from sea level up to 6000ft up to a snow filled mountain with my trailer with jeep on it, and Love the transmission. Mostly love it for decent. It typically will sense downhill and slight tap on brake and it downshifts. Then the rest of the down hill is great with the shifter being located in mush a friendly place and ease of shifting. I would never own another tow vehicle that wasn't console shifted with full gear selection, after having this Seq.

Up hill I just keep it in 2nd or 3rd since its about a 20-30MPH climb and it never seems to want more then 1/2 throttle and never over 4500RPM. Just about peak torque to HP RPM.

Remember Torque & horsepower gets you up the hill and HP is in the higher range and TQ is lower RPM. So, it will start a climb at lower RPM but accelerate faster at a higher RPM. 2000-4500 is where I find i get best power for hills.

Sorry your having issues, but maybe a little training or a course in towing and how to select gears for down hill decent and up hill towing, will help you appreciate the power and capabilities of the Seq, especially with only a 2000lbs load.

[07DCwhiteSR5]

i tow a boat around 3000 lbs loaded down with our 4.7L tundra and i am super happy with its capabilities, no unecc downshifting etc. cant imagine how it would feel if i had gotten the 5.7. our next boat/truck combo will be much bigger on both ends so we'll see then.