Towing a 17' (Freedom Deluxe) with a Toyoto Sienna

[d_wildemann]

Does anyone tow a 17' Casita Deluxe model trailer with a Toyota Sienna. If so, do you use an antisway bar and/or a weight distibution system? Does it tow adequately. If you can recommend brands, I'd like to have this information.

Don Wildemann

[Al V]

hi don
the 17 Castia's are great trailers. I do use a sway-bar with mine. the few times i have towed with out one i noticed a little sway in when 18 wheelers pass by. not bad but i have greater peace of mind with one.
the casita has a 350 pound tongue weight , you will see the rear end of the van sag some , how much depends on all the other stuff you have packed. this is where a weight distribution hitch or air lifts for the rear of the van come in handy.

[CD Smith]

The estimated 350 lb. tongue weight may be a little light. Mine comes out closer to 475 lbs.

[CD Smith]

The estimate of 350 lbs. tongue weight ,ay be a little light. Mine comes out closer to 475 lbs.

[Al V]

oh i agree with you on the tongue weight CD. 375 was mine mine pretty much empty with full propane tanks. once you start adding stuff you really need to check the loading. my experience with the casita it is way easy to
load thing forward of the axel. ie 50 pounds of cat litter in the bathroom and the gray and black water tanks not being empty the tongue weight quickly goes up. I am a big fan of air lift air bags for keeping the rear up up
http://www.airliftcompany.com/online_catalog.html

[Pete Dumbleton]

Keep in mind that although WDH and air springs *appear* to do the same thing, they don't -- WDH actually moves weight from rear axle to front axle and trailer axle, whereas air springs just raise the TV body with respect to the frame and move no weight -- This is an important distinction on a front-wheel drive vehicle.

[Patrick M.]

You should do a search using sienna here and on the two Casita forums, as there are a number of people towing with Sienna's. A WDH is probably needed (check your owner's manual) as it is for my Odyssey. I like the single-bar one http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD~3205.htm but have to use a two-bar on mine as a box sits where the single-bar would otherwise be.

[Tom Trostel]

I tow a very small Compact Jr with a 2002 Toyota Sienna most of the time. I occasionally tow a larger stick built rental trailer about the size of a 17' Casita. When I tow the larger trailer, I use a Draw Tite single bar WDH, Prodigy brake controller, and Air Lift spring assist bags aired up to 30 psi. This combination works well for me. You didn't say what year Sienna you are towing with but if it's a second generation (2004-present) get a Curt 13256 hitch. It fits closest to the underside. Get a Prodigy brake controller and check with Casita for their advice on the WDH that fits best. Air Lift bags in the rear will help to prevent scraping the hitch driving through dips. I have added a transmission cooler, but the 2004-2008 have a good one from the factory. Hope this helps.

Tom Trostel