OEM Bridgestone Dueler HTs and Towing Heavy Trailer

[kericks]

Hello;
I have an '03 SR5 4x4 Seq. w/ OEM P265/65 R17 tires w/ about 40k on them.
I just bought a 27' Jayco Lite Travel Trailer, Dry weight around 5200.
The Seq. was purchased with a tow package.
How adequate are the Dueler HT's going to be for handling such a heavy trailer? How adequate is the Seq. for this type of duty?
I know, it's too late to ask this question, but is this the wrong vehicle for the job? Do I need to trade the wife's beloved Seq for an '05 Tundra Quad Cab (we have 4 kids), or dare say, an '05 F150 (they are rated to tow 9000)
Help!
Do I need to put LT tires on this Seq?
Thanks!
Kevin

2003 Sequoia, SR5 4x4.
No mods.
Love it.

[KLS]

The tires are not the biggest point of the problem. That is just a lot of trailer for a Sequoia no matter how equipped...and more than I'd like to tow behind any Tundra.

Start here...
-inflate all the tires to the max shown on the sidewall. If you need tires, you could consider LT265/70-17 Load Range E tires for more stability, but not 80 psi on the stock wheels, maybe max of 50.
-Consider upgrading to Bilstein HD shocks.
-Use a superior sway damping hitch, either "Equal-i-zer" brand or a weight distributing hitch with the Drawtite/Reese/Hidden Hitch #26000 dual cam kit.
-Use a superior brake controller...Brakesmart, Jordan (my favorite), or Tekonsha Prodigy.
-Don't tow in overdrive.

Good luck.


Ken

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by kericks

Hello;
I have an '03 SR5 4x4 Seq. w/ OEM P265/65 R17 tires w/ about 40k on them.
I just bought a 27' Jayco Lite Travel Trailer, Dry weight around 5200.
The Seq. was purchased with a tow package.
How adequate are the Dueler HT's going to be for handling such a heavy trailer? How adequate is the Seq. for this type of duty?
I know, it's too late to ask this question, but is this the wrong vehicle for the job? Do I need to trade the wife's beloved Seq for an '05 Tundra Quad Cab (we have 4 kids), or dare say, an '05 F150 (they are rated to tow 9000)
Help!
Do I need to put LT tires on this Seq?
Thanks!
Kevin

2003 Sequoia, SR5 4x4.
No mods.
Love it.

I agree with everything that Ken (KLS) said above. Your challenge is not the Seq's rear tires so much as the length of the trailer relative to the wheelbase of your Sequioia...a factor that can lead to uncontrollable sway. That's why Ken emphasized and I'll re-emphasize the importance of top-notch sway control on a weight distibuting hitch. Your trailer will have a tongue weight around 800 lbs when fully loaded but if you use a WDH with 1000 lb spring bars (and properly adjust those bars each time you hookup), only about a third of that tongue weight (or roughly 300 lbs) will be on the Sequioa's rear tires/rear suspension. The tires should easily be able handle an extra 300 lbs on the rear axle (150 lbs per tire).

When you do decide to replace the tires, consider getting an "LT" (light truck) series tire as those typically have stiffer sidewalls than "P" series tires you currently have. Stiffer sidewalls are more resistant to trailer induced sway of the tow vehicle's rear end. An excellent LT tire for towing is the Michelin LTX M/S in the 265/75R16 size...low rolling resistance, incredible tread life (70 to 90K miles is normal), excellent sidewall strength, and quite good traction. I'm extremely happy how well the Michelin LTXs I have work for towing as well as for general driving.

P.S. Your Sequoia is actually about as good for towing this trailer as the Tundra double cab because it has an equal GCWR (gross combined weight rating) but probably weighs less. The Tundra DC's biggest advantage is it has a longer wheelbase (better sway control).

[tuesdayd]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnRay

P.S. Your Sequoia is actually about as good for towing this trailer as the Tundra double cab because it has an equal GCWR (gross combined weight rating) but probably weighs less. The Tundra DC's biggest advantage is it has a longer wheelbase (better sway control).

When my friend and I were researching to buy our trucks, we found that his Sequoia was more than 200 lbs heavier than my DC. Both are '04 4x2's. Not sure about 4x4's or the myriad of other configurations, but that's probably a good rule of thumb. And I'd imagine that most of that extra weight is going directly to the rear end since that's where the additional roof, extra glass and third row seat is.

[kericks]

Originally Posted by tuesdayd

When my friend and I were researching to buy our trucks, we found that his Sequoia was more than 200 lbs heavier than my DC. Both are '04 4x2's. Not sure about 4x4's or the myriad of other configurations, but that's probably a good rule of thumb. And I'd imagine that most of that extra weight is going directly to the rear end since that's where the additional roof, extra glass and third row seat is.

OK; First trip home w/ the new trailer, and I must say, I am impressed!
Granted, no mountain passes were traversed, but the 35 miles or so towing the trailer home from the dealer I must say was awesome. I think the Seq. must be a bit tougher than it's refined looks would let on! Decent acceleration, stable in the corners, not a hint of sway, not even when blasted by passing semi's.
I don't doubt that I need to look seriously into some heavy-duty shocks, and some LTX Michellin tires, but for the upcoming holiday weekend, I think we will be fine.
Thank you for all of your advice!
Kevin

[anmrivera]

Originally Posted by kericks

Do I need to trade the wife's beloved Seq for an '05 Tundra Quad Cab (we have 4 kids),

I got 4 also and that is the reason I got my AC and not the DC. The DC does not have the front bench.

[kericks]

Originally Posted by anmrivera

I got 4 also and that is the reason I got my AC and not the DC. The DC does not have the front bench.

Oh, I didn't think about that! Does everyone fit comfortably in the AC?
R/
Kevin