Towing capacity question

Hi guys,
I have a question about towing capacity and hope some one experience will give me a good answer. I just bought a Boston whaler 13 feet around 1100lb and try to use the Sienna for towing it from home to Halfmoon Bay and back home in. The towing capacity for the my Sienna is 1100 LB. The is a deep slope at San Mateo when I go back home.

Question: Can my Sienna able to tow the boat through San Mateo Hill? I am not sure what angle of the hill is and do want to test because I do not want stuck at the middle of the freeway.

Thanks

I cant say i would recommend it but i can tell you that i have towed my 15.5 aluminum with a 4 cylinder CRV.

I would say the trick is to know when to down shift to go up a hill as well as to down shift to slow your vehicle with the ad of your brakes going down a hill and not burn up your brakes.

Safe travels.

Alex

I cant say i would recommend it but i can tell you that i have towed my 15.5 aluminum with a 4 cylinder CRV.

I would say the trick is to know when to down shift to go up a hill as well as to down shift to slow your vehicle going down a hill and not burn up your brakes.

Safe travels.

Alex

Thanls Alex, I will give a try soon.

The trick is getting use to what speed to shift. You will get use to it pretty quickly after a few tries and getting to know your vehicle. If you have a 3rd gear to down shift ? I tend to shift at 35 to 40 mph. 2nd gear would be a lot slower.  somewhere around 20 to 25 mph.

I can't offer advise on your tow vehicle, but I am interested in seeing a 13' Whaler. I've been shopping around for a small boat. When you get a chance, would you please post a pic of your boat?

Thank you,
Al

Should be able to given that you have all of the basics (tow chain, etc).  I once towed something heavier than that in a Element to Socal with no issues. Also tow a 19' w/a tacoma now and I should have a heftier vehicle.

I would be careful going over towing limits.  On flat ground, it’s really not an issue.

On the downhill, you can easily wear out your brake pads and cause brake fade in the pedal.  It’s the worse feeling when you smash the pedal and the car doesn’t slow down enough. 

On an uphill, you can overheat your engine by trying to pull more lead than you’re rated for.  The same goes for your differential.  Last thing you want is an exploding radiator cap or your differential gears breaking. 

Lastly, learn how to evenly load the boat/trailer.  Since you plan to exceed your vehicles towing capacity, it’s very important to learn how to properly set up the weight distribution.

Thank you all for the advices. I used this Sienna Van to tow my 450lb rib boat seems very easy. I just checked with the Toyota manufacturer, my Sienna has the towing capacity is 2000lb (not 1100lb as I mentioned earlier). At 15 degree angle (assuming the angle of the road that I will tow), I believe the force pull back is approximate the same towing capacity, 2000lb.

Sienna towing capacity = 2000 Lb
Boat weight: 1100 lb
Towing angle (assuming) 15 degree or less.
Distance: vary ( for 15 degree, the distance is ~300 yards and other lower angles are Less than or equal 3 miles)

 My board is 2005 Boston whaler 130 super sport and it is exactly the same as pic (picture is not mine).

I was gonna say that the lower tow limit first posted was really light. Those vans have almost 300hp and can shuttle at least 7 people.

Using engine braking as needed and taking it easy should be fine. After a few trips, you’ll get a better feel for what works best for braking and engine strategy.

Make sure your engine and transmission have good and sufficient lubrication and it should be no problem at all.

Thank you all for the advices. I used this Sienna Van to tow my 450lb rib boat seems very easy. I just checked with the Toyota manufacturer, my Sienna has the towing capacity is 2000lb (not 1100lb as I mentioned earlier). At 15 degree angle (assuming the angle of the road that I will tow), I believe the force pull back is approximate the same towing capacity, 2000lb.

Sienna towing capacity = 2000 Lb
Boat weight: 1100 lb
Towing angle (assuming) 15 degree or less.
Distance: vary ( for 15 degree, the distance is ~300 yards and other lower angles are Less than or equal 3 miles)

 My board is 2005 Boston whaler 130 super sport and it is exactly the same as pic (picture is not mine).

You forgot you add your trailer weight as well.
Does your trailer have brakes?  If not, then please leave space and brake/engine brake early.

Also keep in mind that the towing limit isn't for flat ground only.  It's intended for typical terrain.  If your boat+trailer is under the limit, then nothing beyond normal towing precautions are necessary. 

I have been towing boats for years, mainly Boston whalers from 15-24 foot long.
You can no doubt tow the boat for a short time. The problem with towing a load just at the limit, let alone under limit, will become obvious sooner than later.
Going up hills will strain the motor and there will be body parts failure as well as taxed engine. Nice to have lots of spare power and stamina to launch and get back on trailer especially when slippery.  Even if you can go, The other problem, which I have experienced first hand is something called stopping.
Someone cut me off in my grand Cherokee jeep towing a 24 foot whaler. The rating of the load was under the tow limit by 500 pounds or more. Had to put the brakes on fast, boat came off trailer, and shortened story was the right bore of the Caldecott tunnel was blocked for a couple hours. Not much damage to tow vehicle. Got a suburban shortly afterwards.
Just saying.

Thank you all for the information. I will give a try in the weekend.

That's a good looking boat. Thanks for posting the photo.

Al

Cool looking boat!

You should be fine with the boat at 1100 lbs, but it would be a good idea to know your tongue weight too, and what the tongue weight limit for your vehicle is. Usually boats aren't too tongue heavy, and with the shape of the bow, your frontal area is t too and either. As others mentioned, brake early and go easy and you should be fine. Have fun, be safe out there!