PULLING A TRAILER w/ a MINIVAN

[Ken in Anaheim]

I see that a Toyota Sienna is rated about 3500# for towing. Does anyone have an isea as to how much a converted cargo trailer might weigh (Bob ??). Wonder what it would do to mileage (?)

Thanks................KinA

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I see that a Toyota Sienna is rated about 3500# for towing. Does anyone have an isea as to how much a converted cargo trailer might weigh (Bob ??).  Wonder what it would do to mileage (?)

Thanks................KinA

Considering that cargo trailers range in size from 4'x8' to 8'x20', single axle, double axle, steel frame construction, aluminum frame construction, etc. - perhaps you could be a little more specific?

Doing a quick check on the web, I see that the curb weight on a 7'x14' Wells Cargo trailer is 1600 lbs.

Regards
John

 

[LeeRevell]

Towing weight is not all you need. My open utility trailer is 750 lbs. The bike I haul is 400 lbs., approx. Add another 150 lbs. or so for the gear. So a total so far of about 1,300 lbs. My van's tow weight is listed as 3,500 lbs.
BUT...... with this moderate load I can really tell a difference in braking distance. My trailer is not equipped with brakes, as that is required legally for a 2,000 lb. or greater load. I do need trailer brakes and the controller for the minivan. Don't forget that on your system.

 

[Almost There]

I see that a Toyota Sienna is rated about 3500# for towing. Does anyone have an isea as to how much a converted cargo trailer might weigh (Bob ??).  Wonder what it would do to mileage (?)

Thanks................KinA

What it would do to mileage on a mini van or SUV is both dependent on the profile and the engine size of the tow vehicle. For example, me towing the 6 x 10 box trailer behind the Astro had negligible effect on mileage because the Astro was much higher in stature than a Sienna is. It also had a tow package on it.

It took me a while to find the trailer weight in all the paperwork - my 6 x 10 Wells Cargo box trailer has a base weight 940 lbs from the manufacturer with a GVWR of 2940 lbs.

 

[highdesertranger]

with a mini van definitely go with trailer brakes. I like brakes on all trailers, and stay under your gcvwr. highdesertranger

 

[Belinda2]

I would look back into those stats. I have a Toyota Sienna minivan and it's tow rating is 1000# printed on the spec. sheet from Toyota in the owners manual.

 

[LeeRevell]

I would look back into those stats. I have a Toyota Sienna minivan and it's tow rating is 1000# printed on the spec. sheet from Toyota in the owners manual.

It could be higher fitted with the "tow package", same as with the Dodges.  Could depend on which engine you have too.  I have the largest engine available in that vehicle.

 

[Canine]

For those with Chrysler corp vans, the older 3.8 and newer 4.0 or even the newest 3.6 Pentstar motors pull well, up to their rated limits. Must have at a minimum a bigger tranny cooler though.

Several posters on the pop up camper forums use those and other minivans. Electric trailer brakes are important to have.
A cargos trailer, as stated above, van vary tremendously. V nosed ones that are no higher than the van would tow better than a straight front or something too high. The wind resistance is what hurts the small v6's. Stay completely out of OD...

 

[Canine]

"A cargos trailer, as stated above, van vary tremendously."

That didn't type well at all. Fat fingers... What I meant was "A cargo trailer, as stated above ,CAN vary tremendously... Meaning size and style.

 

[cherterr]

Well.. it's so nice to see I'm needed!! lol Being new here and all..
ANYWAY..
I HAVE a 2006 Toyota Sienna XLE mini van. I USED to have (and loved) a 6' x 12' cargo trailer finished out for rving. (See youtube: )

It weighed approximately 2500 lbs. I have/had trailer brakes. It pulled just fine.
Gas and mileage.. pretty horrible. It seemed to almost double what I used. It really sucked the gas, but.. hey.. probably not any worse than other larger rv/motorhomes, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[offroad]

From reading and planning to do this at some future time, you can do it. You will need electric brakes on the trailer. Mileage will go from 15 mpg to 10mpg. You will need a cooler to be installed on the transmission. Beware the weight limit tow rating.

 

[Milk Hauler]

I had a 02 Sienna when I was married. Loaded up with 5 people and camp gear in the back, it was sketchy at best. And this was new off the lot. Unibody vehicles are not ideal for towing.

I have an older 94 s10 blazer with the same rating. I can barley tell 3000lbs was behind me. Its a body on frame platform. The 4.3 is very torquey!

Now, I do have Trailer brakes, upgraded 10,000lb tranny cooler, and 2 oil coolers. One built into the rad, and another mounted infront of the grill. This is all mounted on a 1/4 ton truck. Brakes and cooling are the most important when towing.
Aww

 

[Milk Hauler]

Not that the Sienna is bad. It was the only vehicle I owned to go 110,000 miles before any issues. That was a bad alternator over charging batts.
[emoji106]