Most fuel efficient TV?

[tentcamper]

We were getting close to the same MPG with the sienna. I think it was 15 to 17 at 65 MPH. Lost about 2 mpg going to the AWD highlander. I see about a 2 MPG hit when traveling at 70- 75. I know I should not travel that fast

 

[Craigrrr]

We were getting close to the same MPG with the sienna. I think it was 15 to 17 at 65 MPH. Lost about 2 mpg going to the AWD highlander. I see about a 2 MPG hit when traveling at 70- 75. I know I should not travel that fast

I have only towed with the sienna once since we got it just last month, took it for a 120 mile test. I drive 60 mph when towing I am no longer in a hurry to get anywhere these days. But so far we are loving the sienna

 

[tentcamper]

The Siena has exceptional handling with almost all the weight of the engine and transaxle foward of the front axle and the short distance from the center rear axle to the center of the ball. The one weak area is the soft rear springs. After I stiffen the rear springs, I thought my Siena was the best handling TV I had in 30+ of ball mount towing campers. I liked the handeling more than my current TV, which does a very nice job.

Craig most of the time we are running at 65 mph and no more than 5 hours of driving per day. But there are exceptions. Just this weekend we were in line with a storm front that was going to hit us on the Blue Ridge. It was slated to dump 18 inchs of snow. The park services forced everyone out about 6 hours before the storm. We needed to travel 400 mile to get out of the storm path. To avoid the snow we were heavy peddle.

 

[Craigrrr]

Good to know Art, we are going to take it out again this weekend or possibly just wait till Christmas, as we generally camp on Christmas. I fill the air bags with 30# and all seemed good. Have not encountered any drag the ground effect yet, but some gas stations sure have one heck of a slope

 

[tentcamper]

Good to know Art, we are going to take it out again this weekend or possibly just wait till Christmas, as we generally camp on Christmas. I fill the air bags with 30# and all seemed good. Have not encountered any drag the ground effect yet, but some gas stations sure have one heck of a slope

You do have the tow package, or a large external trans cooler?

FYI, I towed with a 2001 sienna 3.0L. I found 18 psi for my airbags was right. When loaded with DW, myself, 2 - 65 lbs dogs and about 100 lbs of other stuff. I had about 5/8 inch rise on the front and the rear was about 1 inch lower with on. Compared with 7 psi in the air bags without trailer. The rise of the front was about the same with or without the air bags. But the squat in the rear was 4-5 without the air bags.

You should try to keep the rear end about the same as the without the trailer maybe an inch or so lower. Toyota has some type of way to determine the load by front to rear tilt. They adjust the braking force to the front and rear brakes to compensate. More force to rear with greater loads. I always figured if I adjusted the trailer brakes right. I was putting the weight of the trailer as a natural force on the sienna brakes. I know its a little wrong with delay, etc... But that was my thinking.

 

[Craigrrr]

Yes, this one has the factory tow prep package, bigger radiator, 150 A alternator engine oil cooler . Plus I am adding an additional tranny cooler to it.

 

[tentcamper]

if you have the tow package, you should have the additional trans cooler. with a flashlight look in the space around driver side fog light, or with fog light the space around the insert. Straight back near the inner fender well will be a larger cooler. Toyota adds an good size cooler with the tow package,

 

[Craigrrr]

if you have the tow package, you should have the additional trans cooler. with a flashlight look in the space around driver side fog light, or with fog light the space around the insert. Straight back near the inner fender well will be a larger cooler. Toyota adds an good size cooler with the tow package,

Thanks Art, I will have to look for that.

 

[Craigrrr]

Just went out to check..do not see any extra cooler in that area, I have a radiator, 2 fans, and the condenser. here is the spec sheet from my vin:

Model
2008 Sienna
Grade
XLE
Exterior
Arctic Frost Pearl(071)
Interior
Fawn
Engine
6-CYL
Body Type
Wagon
Drive Type
2WD
Transmission
5AT
Selling Dealer
Mossy Toyota
Servicing Dealer
Earnhardt Toyota/Scion
Date of First Use
July 15, 2008
Additional Vehicle Details

Order Date:
05/2008
Plant of Manufacture:

Body Style:
XLE FWD 7 PASSENGER
Tire Make/Brand:

Tire Size:

Spare Tire Brand:

PORT OR FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

AW 17" Alloy Wheel w/PP225/60R17 Tires
Factory
C4 Carpet Floor Mats
Port
FE 50 State Emissions
Factory
LF Fog Lamps w/Daytime Running Lights and Windshield Wiper De-icer Grid
Factory
PC Special Color
Factory
QN XLE EVP #4
Factory
TO Towing Prep Option
Factory

 

[Craigrrr]

I just looked up the TO code for the tow prep option it shows this:


TO
Tow Prep Package
$220
Trailer towing preparation includes: trailer hitch; Tow prep wire harness; Heavy duty engine cooling system; Heavy duty alternator; Heavy duty power-steering oil cooler

Odd, because this van did not have a trailer hitch, and I do not see a tow prep wire harness..but then I am new to sienna's maybe I do not know where this wire harness will be??? or this power steering cooler.. So if anyone has this please post some pics..thanks


Here is a pic of the window sticker...

 

[tentcamper]

You are listing the " TO Towing Prep Option" you should have that cooler.

the sienna tow package does not come with the hitch unless the hitch was ordered.

I know I looked up both the first and second gen tow package, which your I believe your's is a second gen. I have looked where I describe before and saw the trans cooling radiator there on both the gens. Only because I was looking at buying a second gen at one time.

My understanding is the tow package has, which the first 4I have confirmed with the parts department. Item 3 and 4 I have seen.

1) different radiator, with a build in transmission cooler. (primary Trans cooler)
2) the two radiators fans are different. They run at a higher RPM
3) the is a oil cooler. You see two water lines going to the engine block side of oil filter.
4)large secondary trans cooler that is ahead the driver side inner fender. It is as low in that area as they could put it. You can also follow the trans cooler lines coming out of the transmission. If both go to the trans mission you don't have it. One should go under the battery into the fender area and the should be a second from the fender area that go's to the transmission.

5) I heard but not sure the follow were also added. larger alternator, prewiring package.

My first gen 2001 did not have the package. I added was a large double stacked trans cooler 12"x~5"x~2", I think it was a B&M changed the trans fluid to synthetic and aid bags. I think on you toyota you can change the fluid to the next gen fluid "One world" (check with toyota) it is a very good synthetic.

The cooler I added. With new hoses. I routed the output side of the radiator trans cooler to the lower hose input side of the new trans cooler and the output side of the new cooler to the transmission. To avoid an air lock in the trans cooler have your input and output on the side. Do not have them on the top or bottom.

 

[Craigrrr]

I was looking for a plate and fin style cooler, but to the parts diagram 4402 is the cooler...I have that. But going to add a tranny cooler soon

 

[Craigrrr]

I have the tranny cooler installed now, and as of yesterday I can see this will help save any transmission from heat. I noticed a 25* drop just in the driveway sitting with my instant read thermometer