2002 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4WD –
My Tow Vehicle is a Toyota Sequoia. She’s known as “tree” or “the truck” or “Sekwah”. All affectionately. I’ve kept up on all maintenance of course, which includes refreshing all suspension components. As of 2024 she’s still a bit under 200,000 miles. Links below are either where I bought them from or direct to the manufacturer.
Upgrades:
- 7-way trailer plug receptacle and wiring
- Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake
- Dobinson stock replacement front springs
- Dobinson rear 1.5″ taller rear springs
- Bilstein 4600 front shocks
- Bilstein 5100 rear shocks
- Timbren SES rear suspension helpers
- Anderson Weight Distribution Hitch setup
- Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires
- TST TPMS
Towing characteristics
I get roughly 11mpg when towing. I rotate tires with every oil change. Her towing characteristics are very good 55mph and under. Over that and it’s important to make sure the trailer weight distribution and payload in the Sequoia are properly done. I’ve found it’s also important to tighten up the sway control chains on the Anderson Hitch setup for interstate speeds. Even on the interstate I’ll usually only go a max of 62 – 65 mph regardless of whether the speed limit is higher or not. I can use cruise control on level ground but if there are hills it ends up seeking gears excessively. First generation Sequoias are known for poor front brakes, but with manual downshifting she does just fine going down steep grades. Her engine power going up steep grades won’t have her able to achieve speed limit on highways, but it’s usually a comfortable speed that will be faster than laden semi-trucks on the same grades.
