Is a Toyota Venza V6 Enough For a 17B?

[doggone]

The title says it all, pretty much. Will a Toyota Venza V6 with 3500 lb rated towing capacity handle a 17B Escape? Or will I have traffic backed up for miles behind me going uphill in the Rockies?

[Brian B-P]

The Venza uses the same powertrain (engine and transmission) as a Sienna or Highlander; although AWD system details vary between these models and by model year, they have the same power output and transmission capacity.

My 2004 Sienna V6 has more than enough power for our 3000 pound trailer, which is the length and weight of an Escape 17' and width of an Escape 19'. Newer (starting in 2007) Sienna and Highlander models have the 3.5 litre 2GR-FE engine as the V6 option and substantially more power (as well as a 6-speed transmission); all years of Venza have this more powerful engine (and 6-speed).

The Toyota RAV4 in the V6 version (available 2005-2012) also has the same engine (2GR-FE), and several EscapeForum members tow Escape 17's with this variant of RAV4.

So, in my opinion, the answer is "yes" , at least with regard to power for pulling up mountain grades.

[thoer]

this thread might get interesting...

[Brian B-P]

I'll also note that although the specific scenario provided was related only to power, being "enough" or "handling" a trailer suggests consideration of stabilty as well. A key factor in ability to handle a trailer is wheelbase, and the Venza has the same wheelbase as a Highlander (which I believe is generally regarded as more than enough for a 17B) and longer than the RAV4, although still not as long as a Sienna.

Originally Posted by thoer

this thread might get interesting...

Yes, I expect that soon someone will declare that nothing less than a 6.7-litre turbocharged diesel engine putting out 400 horsepower and in a truck with 13-foot wheelbase is enough for a 17B!

With any luck forum members will notice that the question is about the smallest current Escape, not a 21' or even a 19'.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Yes, I expect that soon someone will declare that nothing less than a 6.7-litre turbocharged diesel engine putting out 400 horsepower and in a truck with 13-foot wheelbase is enough for a 17B!

Gotta be at LEAST an F350 dually.....

[Sean Murry]

What is the GCWR of the Venza? That would be the total loaded weight of the Venza and the 17B. This information should be in your owners manual

[rbryan4]

Sean is asking the right question. The numbers either work or they don't. What to tow with is often just opinion, but math is math.

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[BCnomad]

Don't forget frontal area.

[advenas]

Originally Posted by thoer

Gotta be at LEAST an F350 dually.....

I have to say....I tow my 17B with a 1997 F250 4X4 with the 460cu in big block motor. Can't even tell the trailer is back there which is a problem sometimes.....

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

Don't forget frontal area.

A valid point, but in my experience Toyota does not specify a frontal area. They do rate towing capacity according to SAE Standard J2807; that standard specifies a body size for the trailer, which will have less frontal area than an Escape of the same weight.

[gbaglo]

Well, then the Venza is more stream-lined than my RAV4, so does that mean that my RAV4 can tow more frontal area because the RAV has already pierced the air. Or does it mean the opposite?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Well, then the Venza is more stream-lined than my RAV4, so does that mean that my RAV4 can tow more frontal area because the RAV has already pierced the air. Or does it mean the opposite?

Dunno Glenn. What did your wind tunnel testing conclude?

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[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Sean Murry

What is the GCWR of the Venza? That would be the total loaded weight of the Venza and the 17B. This information should be in your owners manual

True, that's a limitation. The GCWR will be at least the Venza's curb weight plus 3500 pounds, but is likely substantially higher. GCWR can be a concern if significant load is carried in the vehicle in addition to the trailer.

The Venza was discontinued (for at least the U.S.) after the 2015 model year; the owners manual for 2015 (from Toyota Owners) says:

GCWR (2WD) = 8595 lb. (3895 kg)
GCWR (AWD) = 8770 lb. (3975 kg)

To use this, you need to know how much the Venza weighs empty (curb weight) plus what you are going to carry, or just the total weight of the Venza with people and stuff. The payload - given as 895 lb. (405 kg) in the manual - can be subtracted from the GVWR (given on the placard at the driver's door) to estimate the curb weight.

Wikipedia gives the curb weight as 4,045 lb (1,835 kg), so if that's for an AWD that would leave 4725 lb (2140 kg) for people, cargo, and trailer. With a 895 lb. (405 kg) payload, that would allow a fully-loaded-to-GVWR Venza, plus a trailer with up to 3830 pounds (1735 kg) on the axle... but that's more than the 3500 pound (1585 kg) trailer maximum. The limitation is going to be whether or not the remaining capacity for passenger and cargo weight is enough, after subtracting the trailer's tongue weight from the payload... and that is indeed a significant limitation, based on GVWR rather than GCWR. No problem with engine power here.

So if the question is "Is a Toyota Venza V6 Enough For a 17B plus my passenger and cargo load", then the answer is "it depends on your passenger and cargo load"... as with any other vehicle.

[Donna D.]

hummmm... in the end who cares? As long as whatever tow vehicle you're using is "up to the task," and you're happy with the non-towing MPG.

I don't think anyone on this forum is "under" towing.... yet. Pay attention to what your tow vehicle user manual says and KNOW what your loaded ETI build trailer weights. Honestly... we are just a bunch of armchair quarter backs... beyond that. I wish you well.

[Sean Murry]

As Brian B-P has pointed out, you might be OK with the GCWR depending on what you put in the Venza. Looking at the payload number of 895 lbs, you are starting to get pretty skinny on what you can put in the tow vehicle. If you consider a tongue weight of 350 lb, two people for a total weight of 300 lbs, the weight of the hitch, 50 -75 lbs or more if you have a WD, that only leaves you 170 - 195 lbs that you can put in the vehicle. If the two occupants weigh more than 300 lbs, then it is even less. If you have a big dog, subtract even more. Sounds like the Venza would be close to the key numbers. So pack light and load the 17B as light as you can