When towing a trailer, your Toyota Sienna will handle differently than when not towing. The three main causes of vehicle trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and improper trailer loading. Do not just hook up a Trailer and Haul Ass down the road. Towing is not a joke and should be taken seriously! So Keep these in mind when towing:
- Before starting out, check operation of the lights and all Toyota Sienna - trailer connections. After driving a short distance, stop and recheck the lights and connections. Before actually towing a trailer, practice turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away from traffic until you learn the feel.
- Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally opposite to that when backing without a trailer). Also, just turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing to reduce the risk of an accident.
- Because stopping distance may be increased, vehicle- to- vehicle distance should be increased when towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
- Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
- Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit your Toyota Sienna in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid the necessity of sudden braking.
- Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the Toyota Sienna's wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than normal turning radius with your Toyota Sienna.
- Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your Toyota Sienna and trailer, causing sway.
Pay attention to the rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never increase speed. Steer straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, the Toyota Sienna and trailer will stabilize. Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
- In order to maintain engine braking efficiency,do not use overdrive.
- Because of the added load of the trailer, your Toyota Sienna’s engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 30 C [85 F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull off the road and stop in a safe spot.
- Always place wheel blocks under both the Toyota Sienna and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in “P”. Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the Toyota Sienna and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position, start the engine. Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
- Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of a towing vehicletrailer combination usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
- Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into “P” and block the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally.
Carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the Toyota Sienna are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper cables, socket set, safety glasses, water, etc.
Your Sienna is designed primarily as apassenger- and- load- carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your local Toyota dealer for further details before towing with your Toyota Sienna.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits. The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus cargo weight)must never exceed the following: Toyota Sienna Without towing package 907 kg (2000 lb.), Toyota Sienna With towing package 1587 kg (3500 lb.) If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a sway control device with sufficient capacity. The combination of the gross trailer weight added to the total weight of the vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must never exceed a total of the following. Toyota Sienna Without towing package 3129kg (6900 lb.), Toyota Sienna With towing package 3537 kg (7800 lb.) Exceeding the maximum weight of the trailer, the Toyota Sienna, or the Toyota Sienna and trailer combination, can cause an accident resulting in serious personal injuries.
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer- hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in serious personal injuries
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross vehicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. It also includes the weight of any special equipment installed on your Toyota Sienna.
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.
The trailer cargo load should bedistributed so that the tongue load is 9 to 11% for weight carrying hitch (*1) or 15% for weight distributing hitch (*2) of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the maximum load of the following.
Weight carrying hitch Without towing package 90 kg (200 lb.) With towing package 158 kg (350 lb.) Weight distributing hitch With towing package 238 kg (525 lb.) Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front. About 60% of the trailer load should be in the front half of the trailer and the remaining 40% in the rear.
HITCHES
If you wish to install a trailer hitch on your Toyota Sienna, you should consult with your Toyota dealer. Use only a hitch recommended by the hitch manufacturer and the one which conforms to the total trailer weight requirement. The hitch must be bolted securely to the vehicle frame and installed according to the hitch anufacturer’s instructions. The hitch ball and king pin should have a light coat of grease.
Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer to reduce the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is struck from behind. After removing the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of pollutants such as exhaust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
Do not use axle- mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. Also, never install a hitch which may interfere with the normal function of an Energy Absorbing Bumper, if so equipped.
BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS
Use trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and state/provincial regulations. A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated. For correct safety chain procedures, follow the hitch or trailer manufacturer’s recommendations.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are required.
Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system as it would lower its braking effectiveness. Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane.
TIRES
Ensure that your Toyota Sienna’s tires are properly inflated. The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the trailermanufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.
TRAILER LIGHTS
Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer. Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your lights.
BREAK- IN SCHEDULE
Do not tow a trailer with a new Toyota Sienna or a Toyota with any new power train component (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
MAINTENANCE
If you tow a trailer, your Toyota Sienna will require more frequent maintenance due to the additional load. Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
PRE- TOWING SAFETY CHECK
Check that your Toyota Sienna remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal nose- up or nose- down condition, and check for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes. Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it cannot shift. Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any applicable federal, state/ provincial or local regulation. If not, install the rear view mirrors required for towing purpose.
