What is Needed to Tow Safely With a 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE?

Updated 06/26/2017 | Published 06/24/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(847)

$200.26

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Stainless Steel - 6,000 lbs

(27)

$48.37

Pin and Clip for 2" and 2-1/2" Hitches - 5/8" Diameter x 3-3/16" Span

(2932)

$4.01

1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs

(3870)

$14.05

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 6,000 lbs

(3870)

$14.27

Curt Dual Length Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 2-3/8" Rise, 3-5/8" Drop - 7,500 lbs

(162)

$53.23

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(207)

$72.72

Question:

I was looking at the Curt trailer hitch for my 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE. I would not need any additional equipment besides the ball and electrical to accommodate safe towing, correct? For example, engine cooler or any other kind of internal cooler?

asked by: Heather

Expert Reply:

Happy to see that safety is important enough that you'd ask, and the answer is no, you do not need any additional equipment such as engine coolant in order to tow safely with your 2011 Toyota Sienna. Now, that does not necessarily mean something like a transmission cooler is a bad idea, as it will stop your Sienna from working quite so hard, but it is not necessary.

What you will need, however, is a hitch, and the Curt # C13105 has a 2" x 2" opening with a max tongue weight of 350 lbs and a max gross trailer weight (GTW) of 3,500 lbs, which is the maximum capacity your Sienna will haul.

You will also need a ball mount, # C45230, pin and clip, # C21500 and hitch ball. The size of the hitch ball is going to depend on the size of your coupler, but the hitch ball shank will need to fit in the one-inch diameter of your ball mount. If you are going with the Curt hitch with a GTW of 3,500 lbs, you may need a 1-7/8" hitch ball such as # C40002. There is also a two-inch hitch ball, # C40004, and a 2-5/16" ball, # 63853.

Finally, as you mentioned, there is the electrical component, which is the wiring harness, # C56106. I have added links to a couple of help articles as well as some video reviews which you may find helpful.