Upgrade from 4Runner to Sequoia ?

[pinstriper]

[p]We purchased a 2013 4Runner last year with the specific intent of towing a trailer, which we expected to be the 14dbs we got this spring.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The idea has crept into her head that maybe we should have a bigger tow vehicle for if were ever to head east toward and over the rockies.[/p][p]
[/p][p]My thought is that we have plenty of tow capacity left over, and I frankly don't care for the idea of running through mountains at 65 with a trailer behind, anyway. I can maintain 55 comfortably, thankyouverymuch. The 4Runner is built on a truck frame - the Tacoma, I believe. The Sequoia is built on the Tundra, no ?[/p][p]
[/p][p]Does anyone have experience with making the jump up from a full size SUV to a bonus size, and what the difference in towing experience would be ?[/p][p]
[/p]

[tinkeringtechie]

I think the 14DBS/4Runner is a pretty good match. Unless you're running into performance or handling issues I wouldn't worry about it. We love our Sequoia, but it's a beast and expensive to feed. You're right that it's built on the frame and engine of the Tundra. It sure is nice being able to pass at full speed on even the steepest grades, but it's not so nice watching your MPG dip into the single digits while doing so.

[pinstriper]

I thought I might catch a response from you....

We're getting 13mpg when towing, that's door to door, resetting the tracker as we leave, checking it upon return.

18 and change otherwise. Mixed city and very little highway (45mph on 2 lane country roads isn't exactly the interstate).

[david]

[p]Stick with the 4Runner. It has a 4.0 V6, right? My 2013 Pathfinder is a bit bigger but maybe not heavier (it has a crossover unit body design) but has a 3.5 V6 and pulls a 16TBS just fine. Going up a 6-8% grade in Vermont I had to slow to 40-45 mph and let the engine rev to 3,500-4,00 rpm but it handled that fine. I did have to pull over to the truck lane, but so what?[/p][p]
[/p][p]Also a body on frame design will always be better for towing than a unit body design.

BTW, I get 13.5 mpg on the Interstate running in the low 60s.

David[/p]

[johnny9k]

It was a difference of night & day moving from our 03 Tacoma with 2.4L four cylinder 142HP towing capacity 3500lbs to 2013 Nissan Frontier 4.0L V6 260HP towing capacity 6300lbs. Our Tacoma could tow the 1400lb CampLite 11 camper & camping gear about 2000lbs total in the flat lands at 55MPH getting 17MPG. Easy to get stuck in the LH lane on interstates and had a big surprise when we started towing in the NC mountains slowing to 35MPH on moderate grade mountains. The Frontier tows the CampLite as fast as I want to go in the flatlands & mountains. It gets 16MPG @ 55MPH in the flat lands. The Tacoma towed a 1900lb boat from Northern NY to NC at 65MPH getting 20MPG. The wind resistance/drag of a travel trailer requires much more power/fuel to tow compared to a lower profile boat, especially above 55MPH. Our CampLite with the squared edges on the frontal areas probably has more wind resistant/drag compared to the later model CampLites with the round front.

Had to install Firestone air bags on the rear axle of the Tacoma to get rid of bouncing when towing the Camplite. No issues with the Frontier suspension while towing.

We like smaller campers to get into small sites in the mountains/beach and the more we talk about it, we believe the 16TBS will be our next camper, since it's only two of us. Believe the Frontier would tow the 16TBS nicely, too.

Grand Kids visited this weekend, so back to work on projects!!!!!!

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/2291/thread" timestamp="1407098457" author="@david"][p]Stick with the 4Runner. It has a 4.0 V6, right? My 2013 Pathfinder is a bit bigger but maybe not heavier (it has a crossover unit body design) but has a 3.5 V6 and pulls a 16TBS just fine. Going up a 6-8% grade in Vermont I had to slow to 40-45 mph and let the engine rev to 3,500-4,00 rpm but it handled that fine. I did have to pull over to the truck lane, but so what?[/p][p]
[/p][p]Also a body on frame design will always be better for towing than a unit body design.

BTW, I get 13.5 mpg on the Interstate running in the low 60s.

David[/p][/quote]All good points. But I'm talking about going up to an even larger body-on-frame, with the Sequoia. We're also considering a crew max Tundra or F-150. Basically we need a good back seat for the dogs. A short bed pickup would be more handy than an SUV, as you could put a small generator, some firewood, etc.

[johnny9k]

We carry clothes in the back seat of our crew cab pickup (don't have dogs). Installed a Leer shell over the back & carry Kayaks on top of the shell/Thule racks, gen set when needed, firewood, chairs, cooler, antenna, and spare tires. The CampLite cord is long enough to reach the gen set on the passenger side of the tailgate with the pickup parked on the right side of the camper. Carry bicycles inside the camper.

[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3648_zps2cd58b5d.jpg.html"]

[funpilot]

Take a good look at the new Ram Ecodiesel.  It gets 28+ mpg on the highway and towing reports are around 19 mpg.  

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/2299/thread" timestamp="1407112723" author="@funpilot"]Take a good look at the new Ram Ecodiesel.  It gets 28+ mpg on the highway and towing reports are around 19 mpg.  [/quote][p]Are they like the VW TDI's, where you don't sound (and more importantly, smell) like a diesel ? Because that would actually be awesome.[/p][p]
[/p][p]And thanks, everyone, for the ideas.
[/p]

[funpilot]

When I test drove one, I could not believe how quiet it was. I actually ordered one but had to cancel after I found out the model (Tradesman) I wanted did not come with the rear axle ratio (3.92) for best towing that I ordered.  Other models do. As for the smell, NOTHING.  However, you will see that it does use DEF more than most expected.

There are some first model year complaints.  I would recommend that you go to these forums (do search for ecodiesel)to learn what you can:
http://www.ram1500diesel.com/
http://www.dieselramforum.com/
http://www.ramforumz.com/search.php?searchid=4017311  

[pinstriper]

Holy cow, what a confusing corn maze of choices. Finding the harmonic convergence of trim level, options, and powertrain could take a bit of doing. Thanks for the point, and I'll be looking into it.

One thing they never show about pickups, and rarely for SUVs, is the right interior information. I really don't care to see 7 pictures of the touchscreen display, the apps and social media links to tell everyone where I'm driving. What I need to see is "How much room in the back seat and do the seats fold up/away to give the dogs a good riding area ?"

I'll probably drop by a dealer and sniff around, take a test drive just to see first hand.

[funpilot]

Leave your checkbook at home or come armed with something like www.truecar.com pricing.  

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/2316/thread" timestamp="1407168476" author="@funpilot"]Leave your checkbook at home or come armed with something like www.truecar.com pricing.  [/quote][p]I'm not shy about walking onto a lot, telling the salesguy "I'm nowhere near buying, but trying to narrow the field. I'd like to look at different versions of X, maybe drive one, if you've got no hot prospects on the lot."[/p][p]
[/p][p]I've never been refused, and they appreciate knowing where I am in the process.[/p][p]
[/p]