Thoughts on used Sequoia 2RWD vs 4WD

[Packrat 13]

I need to find a Toyota Sequoia to pull my 2008 SV230. Wife says Vehicle Brand/Model non negotiable.

That being said, there are a lot of 2RWD Sequoia's out there at a good price. I wondering though if I instantly would regret not getting the 4WD or AWD model.

Although we don't hit the mountains in the winter, we travel between Nevada and Washington. Looking for a used one around 2008-2014. Thanks for any advice.

Edited September 12, 2018 by Packrat

[h20king 794]

Rodger 4X4 is a must with some of the ramps in Nevada, California and Arizona it's non negotiable LOL buy once cry once

[rhino89523 34]

I'd go 4x4, you could probably get by most of the time with 2wd but 4x4 makes it a sure thing. The MPG difference isn't that huge on the Sequoia as it is with other cars. I think it's only like 3/4 of a MPG between the 2 rated combined mpg.

[Jake707 171]

Get the 4x4 version. Unless its a rally car AWD is a crap bag gimmick. You want real selective hi/lo 4 wheel drive. Youll rarely need it but when you do AWD wont cut it. And since youre looking for a sequoia MPG probably isn't a concern, while it is a Toyota them V8s can drink some gas pretty good.

Ive only had to use 4x4 a couple times pulling my smaller Elite out of the water but both times were when the water was real low and the boat was full of people. It was just a little too heavy for the old Tahoe in 2 wheel, but slapped it in 4 and she pulled right along. Thank god I wasn't that a**hole needing to get a tow up by one of the diesel duche kids at the ramp haha

Edited September 12, 2018 by Jake707

[49faith 4]

I'm looking at 4x4 trucks right now because it's sketchy launching/pulling out with my 2x4 Armada. It's been a great SUV but I never intended on needing it to tow. I think you'll regret not getting the 4x4 when you pull up to a new ramp and notice it's a little steeper than you're used to.

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

4x4 if you are going to use it for launching/retrieving boat. 

[carguy79ta 67]

I also agree with 4x4 for pulling up the ramp. If you change and go HD diesel, you can pull up a ramp in 2wd.  I do with my 2500 Ram (257 with lead) no probs. I had a halfer  to pull my Axis and had to put it in 4wd to pull it out.

[Troy 234]

My 2wd F150 pulls our Avy out just fine. I have a E-locker rear end so that helps. My next truck will be 4wd just to give me a little more ease.  Plus I don't always pull the boat out and sometimes my buddies do spin the tires. How you drive makes a big difference. 

[DrNate 426]

4X4 is one of those things that when you need it, you need it.  Some boat ramps can get pretty slick from algae

[InfinitySurf 302]

Agreed, 4x4 all the way. I have a couple steeper ramps in my area and need 4x4 to get my 24ft boat out without tire spin and would feel nervous not having it, virtually guarantees you wont end up on utube with submerged vehicle, lol.

I would also consider installing EOH brakes on the trailer, with a smaller vehicle like that (and mine), would help a lot when backing down ramp being able to also brake the trailer. Mine only has surge right now, I plan to install EOH over this winter for more peace of mind since besides pulling the boat, I just dont need a larger vehicle with desiel engine. I am actually shopping for a new truck right now (2018 leftover since this is time of year where you can get some good deals) and will be getting another 1500. Trying to decide between GM (which is what I have always had) VS Dodge. The problem with Dodge is the lower tow ratings, since with GVRW, my 11,800 (has max tow package), just barely keeps me legal and with the Dodge 1500, I would be over on combined. Interior is much better on Dodge tho IMO.

[Nick213 583]

Infinity go with the Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas you’ll get about the same MPG, longer bed (with crew cab) and have zero problems towing just about anything.

[InfinitySurf 302]

On 9/15/2018 at 0:50 PM, Nick213 said:

Infinity go with the Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas you’ll get about the same MPG, longer bed (with crew cab) and have zero problems towing just about anything.

I have averaged 18.5mpg with my 2016 1500 with the 5.3 and max tow package, I actually did look at the gas 2500 with the 6.0 briefly and at least according to what I saw online, the MPG were 12-14 average. I do a fair amount of highway traveling to nearby States since I run multiple commercial jobs, so I do keep MPH in mind. I found a couple nice trucks that give me the tow rating I need (12,200) with the 6.2 engine and from what I have seen in research, they do a bit better on MPH (but that is probably due to weight difference of 1500 vs 2500). Still not really sure what I am going to do, but thank you for the recommendation. I will look at the 6.0 again.

[rhino89523 34]

http://webcontent.goodsam.com/trailerlife.com/digital_editions/TrailerLifeTowGuide2018.pdf

Here is a chart for 2018, not sure if you guys have seen this...or something like it. You have to scroll down to where the chart is for the ratings...I didn't see a half ton that will tow 12,200 but I just took a quick glance. @InfinitySurf

[carguy79ta 67]

11 hours ago, InfinitySurf said:

I have averaged 18.5mpg with my 2016 1500 with the 5.3 and max tow package, I actually did look at the gas 2500 with the 6.0 briefly and at least according to what I saw online, the MPG were 12-14 average. I do a fair amount of highway traveling to nearby States since I run multiple commercial jobs, so I do keep MPH in mind. I found a couple nice trucks that give me the tow rating I need (12,200) with the 6.2 engine and from what I have seen in research, they do a bit better on MPH (but that is probably due to weight difference of 1500 vs 2500). Still not really sure what I am going to do, but thank you for the recommendation. I will look at the 6.0 again.

I know you dont want a 2500 diesel, but they can tow anything and I get 17+ commuting thru hills and have clocked 22 going to the lake, it was flatter. All hand calcd. I have a 200hp time which I always run, even when towing the 257. I have a13Ram, my wide has a 18 Dmax and her normal driving says 19.5 to 20. We have 800m trip on a month and will take her truck and I will hand calc the mpg....well my 2c.

 

 

[InfinitySurf 302]

On 9/17/2018 at 3:53 PM, rhino89523 said:

http://webcontent.goodsam.com/trailerlife.com/digital_editions/TrailerLifeTowGuide2018.pdf

Here is a chart for 2018, not sure if you guys have seen this...or something like it. You have to scroll down to where the chart is for the ratings...I didn't see a half ton that will tow 12,200 but I just took a quick glance. @InfinitySurf

Thanks, that is a handy guide. It was the 1500 crew cab with short bed...6.2 engine with 8 speed trans that I was looking at. The guide you attached showed the 2wd version at 12,500 towing...I did not see the 4x4 specs in there but the specs I saw from dealer list it at 12,200. Still with Gross limits, I would by close to maxed out pulling my boat/trailer which is around 7500 combined. My new house is right next to lake so I do not trailer far, just a couple 3hr long trips per year to Lake Norris, TN. Don't really tow much else since I don't have a camper or anything else that weighs a significant amount.

22 hours ago, carguy79ta said:

I know you dont want a 2500 diesel, but they can tow anything and I get 17+ commuting thru hills and have clocked 22 going to the lake, it was flatter. All hand calcd. I have a 200hp time which I always run, even when towing the 257. I have a13Ram, my wide has a 18 Dmax and her normal driving says 19.5 to 20. We have 800m trip on a month and will take her truck and I will hand calc the mpg....well my 2c.

 

 

Desiels do better all the way around on towing for sure.... I always added air intake, exhaust and a tune to the ones I had in past which put me in the range you are talking about, so I know its true. Not a big fan of the newer engines with the DEF and of course you pay more per gallon for desiel so the better MPG kindof cancels out. Not that it really matters that much, I probably need to just get over my OCD, buy something and be done with it. I annoy myself sometimes with how I obsess over things, lol. I actually stopped at my credit union today and got a pre-approval letter typed up so one way or another in the next month I will pick up something when I see the truck/deal that I like. I found a badass looking "Madrock" edition truck that I fell in love with, but msrp is like $75k and really its totally unnecessary. Getting too old to blow money on cool looking toys without good reason (boat does not count cause that is necessary to quality of life). Funny I say that cause just last week I dumped a bunch of money on a sweet looking, lifted/blinged out golf cart, to ride around the neighborhood and carry my paddleboards down to the lake, ha.

Thanks for the responses guys, sorry for the derail.

[Troy 234]

One thing to think about and consider is what the hitch it rated at also. 3/4-1 tons usually have a higher rated hitch. Half tons usually have a 5k/500 hitch. All these newer boats weigh more than that and I bet if you took your SV230 to the scales you will be very surprised at what it weighs. 

Edited September 19, 2018 by Troy