SnowLizard
New member
Well, I'm torn... And here is why.
We love camping, but my wife is, to put nicely, fragile. She has bone pain, ciliac disease, and the foods she can eat, can literally be written on a post-it note, so not much variation, nutrition or energy. All this boils down to her quality of life. She loves camping. But can't drive due to vision issues, she is keeping everyone else safe by refusing to drive (that's a good thing)
Camp setup was too much for me solo, and her recovery from riding all day didn't give her rest she needs... So, we bought a custom toy hauler, the front has a counter and kitchenette, and the sides fold down the queen size beds. It's great, comfy and wife relaxes faster, and can actually recover while camping. we are still 'roughing it, as trailer doesn't have toilet/bath. It's awesome and efficient and she can rest so much sooner. it's really a cabin on wheels. Best family investment and we are camping more, we have plans for an propane inverter generator for more winter camping (heater).
The 99 4runner is too small the pull the 20ft (with tongue), 3000lbs double axle hauler, loaded it can weight max 7000 lbs. So, we bought a 2004 Sr5 4wd Sequoia, to tow the trailer, it's great, we love it. It's comfy, even better for the wife. Her down time is usually over night after a good days travel. With the trailer, setup is now 20min... vs maybe an hour plus+++... sure we can't get into the 'bush' as before, but it works and it's a small trade off. Sequoia has the 240hp 315tq 4.7L non-vvti 4spd auto
Okay, now the other part... I want to offload and explore the areas we stop/camp at, but the dilemma is I'm with the sequoia while camping, I have a ToyHauler... and no 4runner with me.
I have two options, a toy or offroad the sequoia...
If I lift and mod the sequoia I know it will perform, sure, it won't fit in the tight trails, but at least I won't get into any real trouble spots... A toy on the other hand keeps the sequoia stock (ish, more on that later). But it saves it from trail dmg, and keeps the tow vehicle safe. it won't ruin the vacation if the toy breaks, vs breaking the sequoia. then the other issue, modify the sequoia and the 'crap range' just gets worse... I'm lucky now to get 180 miles while towing @ 24 gal fill up (26 gal tank) yeah running empty, scary!
A toy is expensive, I'll be frank, living in AZ, I want AC, it's a must. But cost is stupid... 20k!!!!??? It will be a while for used ones to come down in price. so i have time to save and get the cars in order. it's not going to happen over night.
The 4 runner is too big to fit the trailer, 13ft 8in cabin for a 15ft 4runner, camping is too far to run home and swap vehicles, wife can't drive. Kid is only 5... So another 11yrs??
I want to modify the 04 Sequoia but not ruin it's towing and MPG, I'm disappointed in towing power, mostly the gear searching I just want it to hold gear longer, sure re-gearing 'could help' but be honest it's low on power to maintain it's speed period, been researching, and bought a supercharger, after buying it we realized its a gamble. I was hoping with the super, the truck can run more efficiently at the same speeds, not go faster, but hold the taller gear longer and actually use 4th gear towing on flat ground... Hopefully/ maybe increase range... Price for fill up will be more I'm aware of that.
Maybe rear springs I'm looking for 1.75 in lift so it won't squat towing. Other than those, keep it stock. AFTER power is settled with the super, I'll revisit with the possibility of re-gearing to 4.86's or 5.12's depending. I'm running stock tires, 265/65r17. With Super I'm looking at 350hp 360tq
I love the 4runner, it does so much, but I can't justify it with a toy, I'd rather get a simple gas sipper for work if I did the toy...
Recently, we rented a polaris ranger northstar 2017 for a weekend, went camping and wow, the family had fun, exploring and enjoying ourselves... I can really see it part of our activities, the polaris wasn't modified, and I ran 15 psi in tires, helped ride real smooth. Wife enjoyed it, but she still wasn't sold on the price (neither am I)... Probably won't rent again... but it was sure fun. will it be a polaris, IDK, it will be 4wd w/ lockers, enclosed, AC and Heat. in the end I don't care which brand.
Now comes my dilemma... Lately I've taken the 4runner farther and harder because the polaris could... I got within 1inch from belly of truck, stacked rocks, ect... I still LOVE this 4runner, it's amazing. It's so capable... sure I'm not armored, I only have a rear bumper, 1.5 inch lift and running 32's... add all that and I'll scrape the belly next time I'm there. so it has some room to improve. I've taken it personally for overnight camping, or fire burning, and just sleep in the back, I'm not doing trails at night and I know the sequoia can fill this job when i'm not exploring.
I'm saddened and honestly thinking of selling it... we did have a great time and the 'toy' did fit the family. maybe it was the 'honeymoon' feeling of the family. IDK. but my daughter actually wants to do it again and keeps asking if we can. (it's probably gonna make me cave and do it again... I only get so much time while she's this age...)
weight... the 04 sequoia 4wd can tow 6200 lbs... dry weight is 3k, crew cab polaris is 2400lbs, single cab (3 seats) is 1900lbs, we took the 3 seater... the crew cab leaves 800lbs for gear and food. I have air bags in sequoia rear springs to lift for better tow feeling (really makes a difference in handling). I do have load levelers and sway bars for trailer.
Newer Sequoia?? sell this one, with super not installed, but included, and buy a newer 08+ sequoia with the 5.7L. It'll have the same power that the 04 with super would have had (actually more) but its IFS and IRS, towing is only 7100 max, and it's bigger, MPG is the same as the 04... range is the same... tank is the same 26gal capacity... 5.7L is 381hp 401tq 5spd auto
so here comes the questions...
1) Will the super actually help the sequoia not 'gear search' as often, and maintain the speed?
2) If it can stay in taller gears longer will that take more gas, or be 'even'?
3) Would you run the sequoia for offroad and run the risk of breaking the towing vehicle?
4) Am I wrong to think the super will increase 'range'?
5) Am I looking at this realistically??
6) Is getting a toy and selling the 4runner a smart option?
7) Would you put in the super on the 04 sequoia or go with a newer sequoia with 5.7 engine?
8) Or just sell super, sell 4runner, get the toy and tow with the 04 sequoia as is?
We love camping, but my wife is, to put nicely, fragile. She has bone pain, ciliac disease, and the foods she can eat, can literally be written on a post-it note, so not much variation, nutrition or energy. All this boils down to her quality of life. She loves camping. But can't drive due to vision issues, she is keeping everyone else safe by refusing to drive (that's a good thing)
Camp setup was too much for me solo, and her recovery from riding all day didn't give her rest she needs... So, we bought a custom toy hauler, the front has a counter and kitchenette, and the sides fold down the queen size beds. It's great, comfy and wife relaxes faster, and can actually recover while camping. we are still 'roughing it, as trailer doesn't have toilet/bath. It's awesome and efficient and she can rest so much sooner. it's really a cabin on wheels. Best family investment and we are camping more, we have plans for an propane inverter generator for more winter camping (heater).
The 99 4runner is too small the pull the 20ft (with tongue), 3000lbs double axle hauler, loaded it can weight max 7000 lbs. So, we bought a 2004 Sr5 4wd Sequoia, to tow the trailer, it's great, we love it. It's comfy, even better for the wife. Her down time is usually over night after a good days travel. With the trailer, setup is now 20min... vs maybe an hour plus+++... sure we can't get into the 'bush' as before, but it works and it's a small trade off. Sequoia has the 240hp 315tq 4.7L non-vvti 4spd auto
Okay, now the other part... I want to offload and explore the areas we stop/camp at, but the dilemma is I'm with the sequoia while camping, I have a ToyHauler... and no 4runner with me.
I have two options, a toy or offroad the sequoia...
If I lift and mod the sequoia I know it will perform, sure, it won't fit in the tight trails, but at least I won't get into any real trouble spots... A toy on the other hand keeps the sequoia stock (ish, more on that later). But it saves it from trail dmg, and keeps the tow vehicle safe. it won't ruin the vacation if the toy breaks, vs breaking the sequoia. then the other issue, modify the sequoia and the 'crap range' just gets worse... I'm lucky now to get 180 miles while towing @ 24 gal fill up (26 gal tank) yeah running empty, scary!
A toy is expensive, I'll be frank, living in AZ, I want AC, it's a must. But cost is stupid... 20k!!!!??? It will be a while for used ones to come down in price. so i have time to save and get the cars in order. it's not going to happen over night.
The 4 runner is too big to fit the trailer, 13ft 8in cabin for a 15ft 4runner, camping is too far to run home and swap vehicles, wife can't drive. Kid is only 5... So another 11yrs??
I want to modify the 04 Sequoia but not ruin it's towing and MPG, I'm disappointed in towing power, mostly the gear searching I just want it to hold gear longer, sure re-gearing 'could help' but be honest it's low on power to maintain it's speed period, been researching, and bought a supercharger, after buying it we realized its a gamble. I was hoping with the super, the truck can run more efficiently at the same speeds, not go faster, but hold the taller gear longer and actually use 4th gear towing on flat ground... Hopefully/ maybe increase range... Price for fill up will be more I'm aware of that.
Maybe rear springs I'm looking for 1.75 in lift so it won't squat towing. Other than those, keep it stock. AFTER power is settled with the super, I'll revisit with the possibility of re-gearing to 4.86's or 5.12's depending. I'm running stock tires, 265/65r17. With Super I'm looking at 350hp 360tq
I love the 4runner, it does so much, but I can't justify it with a toy, I'd rather get a simple gas sipper for work if I did the toy...
Recently, we rented a polaris ranger northstar 2017 for a weekend, went camping and wow, the family had fun, exploring and enjoying ourselves... I can really see it part of our activities, the polaris wasn't modified, and I ran 15 psi in tires, helped ride real smooth. Wife enjoyed it, but she still wasn't sold on the price (neither am I)... Probably won't rent again... but it was sure fun. will it be a polaris, IDK, it will be 4wd w/ lockers, enclosed, AC and Heat. in the end I don't care which brand.
Now comes my dilemma... Lately I've taken the 4runner farther and harder because the polaris could... I got within 1inch from belly of truck, stacked rocks, ect... I still LOVE this 4runner, it's amazing. It's so capable... sure I'm not armored, I only have a rear bumper, 1.5 inch lift and running 32's... add all that and I'll scrape the belly next time I'm there. so it has some room to improve. I've taken it personally for overnight camping, or fire burning, and just sleep in the back, I'm not doing trails at night and I know the sequoia can fill this job when i'm not exploring.
I'm saddened and honestly thinking of selling it... we did have a great time and the 'toy' did fit the family. maybe it was the 'honeymoon' feeling of the family. IDK. but my daughter actually wants to do it again and keeps asking if we can. (it's probably gonna make me cave and do it again... I only get so much time while she's this age...)
weight... the 04 sequoia 4wd can tow 6200 lbs... dry weight is 3k, crew cab polaris is 2400lbs, single cab (3 seats) is 1900lbs, we took the 3 seater... the crew cab leaves 800lbs for gear and food. I have air bags in sequoia rear springs to lift for better tow feeling (really makes a difference in handling). I do have load levelers and sway bars for trailer.
Newer Sequoia?? sell this one, with super not installed, but included, and buy a newer 08+ sequoia with the 5.7L. It'll have the same power that the 04 with super would have had (actually more) but its IFS and IRS, towing is only 7100 max, and it's bigger, MPG is the same as the 04... range is the same... tank is the same 26gal capacity... 5.7L is 381hp 401tq 5spd auto
so here comes the questions...
1) Will the super actually help the sequoia not 'gear search' as often, and maintain the speed?
2) If it can stay in taller gears longer will that take more gas, or be 'even'?
3) Would you run the sequoia for offroad and run the risk of breaking the towing vehicle?
4) Am I wrong to think the super will increase 'range'?
5) Am I looking at this realistically??
6) Is getting a toy and selling the 4runner a smart option?
7) Would you put in the super on the 04 sequoia or go with a newer sequoia with 5.7 engine?
8) Or just sell super, sell 4runner, get the toy and tow with the 04 sequoia as is?
1):3.52
