Can A Toyota Sienna Tow A Car, Camper, Boat, Trailer etc.?

Though the Toyota Sienna might be a practical functional minivan, that doesn’t mean that it can’t pack a punch. It comes with a lot of horsepower, making it possible to tow.

 But what kinds of things will you be able to haul?

The Toyota Sienna will be able to pull anywhere between 1,000lbs and 3,500lbs depending on whether you have the towing package, whether you have trailer brakes, and which year Sienna you own. This will allow you to tow a wide range of equipment that includes being able to haul small cars, trailers, campers, pontoon boats, jet skis, and even a small horse trailer. 

Please note: beginning with the 2012 model Toyota does not recommend towing with the Sienna unless it is equipped with the towing package. 

If you are planning on buying a Toyota Sienna, you should be aware of how much it will tow. This ensures that you will be able to use the vehicle to its full potential. 

Be careful going with random numbers off the internet as those are often wrong so the owner’s manual is always the best place to look for exact recommended capacities. There is other important information in the owner’s manual in regards to total weight including the trailer, cargo, and occupants. Be sure and read that info as well. 

Below are the exact towing capacities for different Toyota Sienna model years according to their owner’s manual. 

• 2022 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2021 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2020 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2019 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2018 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2017 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2016 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2015 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2014 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2013 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,000lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2012 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 1,650lbs without trailer brakes 3,500lbs with trailer brakes
• 2011 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 1,500lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2010 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 1,200lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2009 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 1,200lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2008 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 1,200lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2007 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 3,500lbs
• 2006 Toyota Sienna: Towing capacity of 3,500lbs
• 2005 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2004 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2003 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2002 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2001 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 2000 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 1999 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs
• 1998 Toyota Sienna: Without towing package 2,000lbs With towing package 3,500lbs

Keep reading to learn more about how much weight the Sienna can tow.

Finding The Towing Capacity Of The Sienna

The first thing that we need to do is figure out the towing capacity of the vehicle. This can be broken down into two categories, braked and unbraked. 

As the name suggests, this distinction occurs based on whether your trailer has an independent braking system.

If your trailer is unbraked, you will be able to tow a maximum of 1,000-1,650 pounds depending on the model year. While this is OK, it can limit the type of items that you will be able to transport.

If you have an older Sienna without the towing package, you will be able to tow 2,000 pounds braked. This will give you plenty of capacity. You should be able to tow most small trailers easily enough with that capacity. 

The real benefit comes when you have a braked trailer and the Sienna towing package. In this case, the Toyota Sienna will be able to tow up to 3,500 pounds. This has been the standard since the car was first produced in 1997. 

This is substantially higher than many of the other models on the market.

However, it’s always a good idea to double-check these figures with your model’s owner’s manual. You don’t want to accidentally overload the vehicle, as this can damage the engine.

Checking The Weight

One of the most important things you should do is check the weight of your load. This is especially important if you are going on a long family trip. 

Remember, 3,500 is the total weight that you can carry, including the occupants of the vehicle.

For a shorter trip, you should be able to estimate the amount of weight you are carrying. For example, you might know that your pontoon boat weighs around 2,000 pounds. If the trailer weighs 500 pounds, you will be able to tow it comfortably.

On the other hand, if you are going on a long journey, you want to make sure that you have the right weight. Overloading the vehicle for long periods can cause significant damage to the engine, leading to expensive repairs. 

The best way to check the weight is by visiting a weigh station.

What Will You Be Able To Tow With A Sienna?

The high towing capacity of the Sienna creates a wide range of possibilities. Here are some of the things that you will be able to tow:

• Jet Skis
  
• A pontoon boat
  
• An enclosed trailer
  
• A teardrop trailer
  
• A horse trailer
  

There are plenty of other things that you will be able to tow. As long as it is under the weight limit, of 3,500 pounds, you should be able to tow it comfortably.

Setting Up The Sienna For Towing

While the thought of towing with the Sienna can be appealing, there are a few things that you will need to do.

First, you will need to put a tow bar onto the car. There are a few ways that you can do this. 

You might be able to find one in the second-hand market and get your mechanic to install it. But it’s best to get one from the dealership. 

Though it might be a little more expensive, this will come with a warranty period.

You will also need to install a wire harness. This is what will connect the electronics on your car with those in your trailer. As a result, the trailer lights will respond properly when you brake or indicate. 

You can get this done at the dealership or mechanic. Or you can do it yourself. It’s always a good idea to check these lights before you start the journey.

Towing Safely With The Sienna

Now that we know some of the things that you will be able to carry, it’s time to make sure that you are carrying this load safely. To do this, there are a few simple things that you will need to bear in mind.

First, you’ll need to think about the way that you are loading the trailer. If it is done incorrectly, there is a risk that it will become unstable. It might even roll over. 

Here is how you can prevent this:

• Store the heaviest pieces of equipment at the bottom of the trailer. This will help to lower the center of gravity, giving you more control.
  
• Pack the equipment evenly. This is one of the most common mistakes. If the weight is all on one side of the trailer, there is a risk that it could roll in a tight corner.
  
• Check it’s secure. Once you are happy with the way it’s packed, it’s time to secure it. You might need to use ratchet straps. If you have a long load that goes over the end of the trailer, tie a flag to the end. This warns other drivers to give you a little extra space.
  

While packing the trailer is important, it isn’t the only thing that you need to consider. You will also need to focus on the way that you are driving. 

It’s best to leave a little additional space between you and the other drivers. Remember, the more weight you are carrying, the longer it will take you to stop. 

It can also be a good idea to take it for a test drive, so you know how the Sienna will handle when pulling a trailer.

If you are planning on towing a trailer regularly, it’s important to make sure that you are maintaining the car properly. Most importantly, you want to grease the tow ball. 

This will stop excessive wear. It also ensures that you will be able to get a strong connection, making it easier to control the trailer.

Final Thoughts

The Sienna is no ordinary minivan. It has a lot of horsepower beneath the hood. As a result, you will be able to tow a pretty heavy trailer. 

In most cases, you will be able to tow up to 3,500 pounds braked as long as you have the towing package. Because of this, you should be able to haul everything from a trailer to a camper with ease.