Towing Setup Questions For A 2019 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD  

Hello, As mentioned above, we have a 2019 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD and we want to set it up to be able to either carry things via the hitch or to tow a trailer. From what I’ve read on your site, the best options would be the Draw-Tite hidden hitch style #76112 or the etrailer brand hidden hitch for the more durable coating. I think for our needs, the Draw-Tite is likely better for our needs since it’s compatible with weight-distribution, if we ever need it. Would you concur? Also, can you please tell me the difference in clearance between the Draw-Tite #76112 hidden style and the similar non-hidden version of the Draw-Tite hitch #75237. I’m guessing the former is quite a bit better on clearance given the style and extra metal supports that hang down further on the two outer sides. Next, we need the wiring harness. I’ve seen the Tekonsha #118648 recommended highly. Do you feel this is a better option than the others from Curt and Hopkins both of which are more expensive? If so, can you please share a little more about why? Next, I understand that if I want to be able to have electronic brake control recommended for towing, that I need a flat 4 to 7 round converter. One that was recommended was Item # ETBC7L which works with the Curt wireless brake controller. One thing that I wasn’t clear on is whether this will work with other controllers, if I were to choose something else in the future? I may pause here, at this point, until we actually plan to do some towing. But I have a couple more questions just so that I’m clear on everything we’ll need. : Obviously, if we do want to tow with electronic brake controller, we’d need to add the controller itself. I’ve seen the Curt Wireless Bluetooth C51180 option mentioned a couple of times and it seems really cool since it doesn’t require any dashboard mods. However, would there be any other other options for a proportional controller that would work with the 4 pin to 7 pin converter discussed above, in case we wanted something a little less expensive? I just want to be sure that the converter doesn’t lock us into just one brake controller option. Lastly, is there a simple 7 pin to 4 pin flat converter? I know that probably sounds silly but since we want to go ahead and have the 4 pin to 7 pin converter installed with the wiring harness and hitch all at the same time, I realize that there might be times when we want to tow a small trailer that doesn’t have a 7 pin round wiring adapter. I seem to remember being able to get a simple plug converter that can be easily used when needed without any other wiring. Would this be possible or is there a better option if we need to ever plug a 4 pin flat trailer wiring harness into our system ending with the 4 pin to 7 pin converter? Have I missed anything that we’ll need for this setup either in the short or long term or do I have anything wrong thus far? I want to be sure I can wrap my head around all of this before diving in so that there is less potential for confusion or issues down the road. : I’ve read on your site for hours trying to be sure I learn all that I can but would prefer to hear directly from someone with your extensive experience and expertise if there’s anything I’ve missed or gotten wrong. I’d also love to hear more about the products mentioned above. I read on etrailer.com about air lift helper springs for the rear suspension starting at $89 on your site. I also saw that there are also such things as an optional compressor controller close to $300. Since this is optional, how do you add air to the helper springs if you don’t choose the use an optional compressor controller? I’d like to understand this, too, if possible. Do these air helper springs help protect the OE suspension springs at all or does it just help improve the ride under load. I would think both but again, I’m curious to learn from you. Lastly, we’ve recently heard of “lift-kits” available for the Sienna which gives a couple of extra inches of clearance under the vehicle. I’m not at all sure that we’ll actually invest in one but I just wanted to make sure that the planned setup above would be compatible with such a thing, should we ever want to add it. The only thing I could see being a difference is improved ground clearance but again, I’d like to hear this from you. Thanks so much in advance! Sorry this is so long but I wanted to be thorough and try to get any info and answers all in one place for simplicity. I really appreciate any help you can offer. :

asked by: Rein