Recommended Towing Setup and Rear Suspension Enhancement For 2006 Toyota Sienna AWD Towing 15' Boat

Question

Question:

Want to purchase 2oo6 awd for camper conversion which will add total of maybe 250 lbs to overall weight with half between front and rear and the other half125lbs almost directly over rear axle including expected gear as occasional camper. Would be towing 15ft skiff with 50 hp yamaha 1300# fully loaded on galv trailer probably another 400# and a tongue weight of probably around 225# as I just lifted to check and im a 150 weakling. Never seen my boat sway when towed with anything from a ford focus to blazer 4x4 with stock suspensions. Thinking a class 3 hitch and ttorsen04 might be the ticket if the 225# tongue weight wont cause too much rear end on a sienna. After reading all the questions and answers do you think the 225# will cause much loss of rear end clearance and would you recommend new shocks on the rear as long as Im doing itprobably not necessary but might be smart. Helpers are always stiff and this looks like the perfect answer for my needs/planwifes driver and ready budget camper. Also curt,draw tite, or reese hitch? Hope to get the right expert.

asked by: Mark A

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Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help!

It sounds like you are adding 250lbs of weight to your 2006 Toyota Sienna AWD to convert it into a camper, and are wondering if that added weight plus the weight of your 15' boat trailer will cause too much sagging of the rear suspension.

Since you mentioned only 125lbs of that will be over the rear axle of your Sienna, and the tongue weight of your boat trailer is 225lbs you will likely have some rear suspension sag.

With that said the Timbren # TTORSEN04 would help with sagging but will be very stiff and cause an uncomfortable unloaded ride.

Instead I recommend going with the Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs - Rear # AL60732 which will install the rear coil springs on your Sienna and will give you between 500-1000lbs of load leveling support when needed. This will not effect the unloaded ride at all so it is the best option in my opinion.

To keep from having to manually inflate the air helper springs when you are ready to tow your trailer I recommend adding an on-board air compressor # AL25592 to allow you to adjust the air pressure from the comfort of your driver seat.

Moving on to the trailer hitch receiver I recommend going with the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98837 due to it being made here in the USA, and the matte black powder coat finish that helps the hitch resist chips and scratches, but also blends in better to the trim on your van.

The 350lb tongue weight rating and 3500lb trailer weight rating are plenty for your boat trailer with 225lbs tongue weight and roughly 1700lb trailer weight.

Lastly to be able to tow your trailer you will also need a vehicle wiring harness # 118304, and a ball mount, hitch ball, and hitch pin and clip which can all be found in the etrailer Ball Mount Kit # 989900.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

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Answer 1

There are a few options to help reduce the sag on your 2013 Toyota Sienna when pulling a trailer. I recommend Air Lift AirLift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs - Rear Item #AL60732. These are air bags that fit inside your factory coils.…

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Answer 2

We do have some suspension enhancement systems (SES) that will help to stabilize and level your van when carrying heavy loads. They are designed to assist suspension that is in good working condition, but do not increase your towing capacity. I…

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Answer 3

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 4

The information on our trailer hitches come from the hitch manufacturers, and those ratings have nothing to do with the actual tow rating of the vehicle. The hitch manufacturers rate the hitch for what it is capable of, independent of the vehicle. To…

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Answer 5

We don't carry the Andersen weight distribution systems. If you can get me the tongue weight of your Casita though I can recommend you one of the brands we do carry.

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Answer 6

Based on the weight range of Casita travel trailers the best weight distribution and sway control we have would be the Reese Strait Line part #RP66082 which has a tongue weight range of 200-600 lbs and features the best sway control at fighting sway…

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Answer 7

Sure thing! I'm attaching the exhaust hanger article to this answer page for your reference so you can get this issue fixed for your Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver #76112 installation on your 2020 Toyota Sienna. Bending the exhaust…

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Answer 8

The Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs part #F4155 and the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System part #TTORSEN04 will both do a great job of helping handle the added weight on the rear of your 2011 Toyota Sienna which will in turn decrease…

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Answer 9

All of the trailer hitches for your 2006 Toyota Sienna are going to sit in the same area. You'll get slightly better ground clearance from a hitch with an 1-1/4" receiver and when the installed the Curt #C12065 and Draw-Tite #36513 Class II…

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