Taking a break

[HABBERDABBER]

I towed a 16' Casita for many thousands of miles and had no major issues with a 2000 Sienna. I didn't do mountain towing, as I headed south to Florida in the winter with it. I tricked the van out for towing and WDH and sway bar were necessary, but the need to keep it out of overdrive bugged me. So, it was a 2000 model, getting over 100K and I sold it to a buddy. It's still on the road. I bought a nearly new full size, 6L, V8, 12 passenger capacity, 9,600 lb towing capacity Chevy E350 Express van. No 'mo tow issues, and also acquired a 19' Escape last year. Your Sienna is likely just fine with your Escape 17 for a long time.


bon voyage

[brightday]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I towed a 16' Casita for many thousands of miles and had no major issues with a 2000 Sienna. I didn't do mountain towing, as I headed south to Florida in the winter with it. I tricked the van out for towing and WDH and sway bar were necessary, but the need to keep it out of overdrive bugged me. So, it was a 2000 model, getting over 100K and I sold it to a buddy. It's still on the road. I bought a nearly new full size, 6L, V8, 12 passenger capacity, 9,600 lb towing capacity Chevy E350 Express van. No 'mo tow issues, and also acquired a 19' Escape last year. Your Sienna is likely just fine with your Escape 17 for a long time. bon voyage

Thanks for your kind response, Habberdabber! My trip from Houston to Chilliwack and back has mostly cured me of mountains. I really hate that I won't see the truly gorgeous parts of the Northwest I'd hoped to visit, but I'm just not willing to white-knuckle it down the road again - except in the few instances where absolutely necessary to get to Quebec.

I'll be 70 by the end of this month and have no wish to exceed that number in terms of towing speed. Indeed, I'm happier running at 55-62 mph and seek to avoid roads where traffic would force me beyond it. My Sienna has high miles and am imperfect body, but I have always taken good care of her mechanics - just as I did the Previa I owned before- so I'm expecting to see her reach at least 400,000 miles. As to getting another vehicle? My suspicion is that I'll run out of gas before Sienna bites the dust.

Stay safe and happy travels!