Towing package for 2002 Sienna

On Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:58:40 -0500, dbu` wrote:
>In article , "Erwin"
>wrote:

>> I'll be towing a small trailer at times this winter. Less than 1500 pounds
>> total weight. I've noticed that there are several frame receivers on the
>> market. Any suggestions on which style might work best for me.

If your small car has an automatic transmission, you MUST add an
auxiliary transmission fluid cooler in front of the radiator - this is
not an option. You can cook the trans really easy because they only
size the factory cooler for the expected passenger load.

The 'Towing Package' usually includes the trans cooler, larger
radiator, more radiator fan capacity or more aggressive fan clutch,
larger alternator and battery. The trans cooler is a must, the rest
you can get by with the stock items if you take it easy and watch your
gauges.

For pickups and SUV's they sometimes come with enough transmission
cooler capacity from the factory to skip adding one, or it's included
with the towing package option. Ask your mechanic.

Trailer brakes are available for small trailers, if you feel like
you are getting pushed around check into them.

You may have to change the axle on an older trailer to get one with
the backing plate flanges to mount the brakes. If you are buying the
trailer new, you need to specify that the axle they use has the brake
flanges if you decide to add the brakes later.

>I bought a Hidden Hitch from here: <http://www.etrailer.com/>
>for my 2004 Sienna. Have a look at this web site, I found the prices to
>be as good or better than anywhere else. They also have wiring
>harnesses.
>
>I would get one with a 2 inch receiver, don't bother with the smaller
>receiver, I think they are 1.5 inch or something.

The 1-1/2" square receivers are Class I (1000#), 2" are Class III
(3000#) or III/V (5000#). They also make oddballs with 1" square and
1-1/2" round shanks, but that limits where you get parts.

It's always better to go heavier for ease of use, and go with the
widest used standard - in this case 2" square Class III. Because you
can borrow and use someone else's receiver if you forget to bring
yours, or you can run down and get one with a different rise easily if
you find out that rental trailer needs the ball a lot higher than your
receiver. There are also hitch mounted accessories like bicycle racks
that are widely available with 2" square shanks.

The hitch can (and should) be heavier than the car towing capacity,
that way you don't worry about the hitch breaking. It's up to the
driver to make sure you do not overload the car with too large a
trailer load.

--<< Bruce >>--
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