Page 380 of 480

05_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0409)
370
2005 SEQUOIA from Sep. ’04 Prod. (OM34431U)
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad
winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer-
gency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four
wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger−and− load− carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse
effect on handling, performance, braking,
durability and driving economy (fuel
consumption, etc.). Your safety and
satisfaction depend on the proper use of
correct equipment and cautious driving
habits. For your safety and the safety of
others, you must not overload your
vehicle or trailer. Ask your local Toyota
dealer for further details before towing.
CAUTION
Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension system: When disconnect-
ing a trailer, set the vehicle height to
“LO” in automatic control mode, then
select manual control mode by push-
ing the height control mode select
switch. Otherwise, the vehicle height
may change because of the automatic
leveling function, resulting in an acci-
dent. For details, see “Rear height
control air suspension” on page 189
in Section 1 7.
Dinghy towing Trailer towing
Page 381 of 480

05_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0409)
371
2005 SEQUOIA from Sep. ’04 Prod. (OM34431U)
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.
CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight
(trailer weight plus cargo weight)
must never exceed the following.Two wheel drive models2948 kg (6500 lb.)
Four wheel drive models 2812 kg (6200 lb.)
If towing a trailer and cargo weigh-
ing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is
necessary to use a sway control
device with sufficient capacity. The
combination of the gross trailer
weight added to the total weight of
the vehicle, occupants and vehicle
cargo must never exceed a total of
5352 kg. (11800 lb.)
Exceeding the maximum weight of
the trailer, the vehicle, or the ve-
hicle and trailer combination, can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.
Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-
ent weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though
the vehicle may be physically capa-
ble of towing a higher weight, the
operator must determine the maxi-
mum weight rating of the particular
hitch assembly and never exceed
the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailer hitch. Exceeding
the maximum weight rating set by
the trailer hitch manufacturer can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.
Page 382 of 480

05_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0409)
372
2005 SEQUOIA from Sep. ’04 Prod. (OM34431U)
The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross vehi-
cle weight is the sum of weights of
the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer
tongue load. It also includes the
weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
The load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both
axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed
on the Certification Label. 100 = 9 to 11%
Total trailer weight Tongue load
Tongue load
Total trailer weightCAUTION
The trailer cargo load should be
distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the total trailer
weight, not exceeding the maximum
load of the following. Never load
the trailer with more weight in the
back than in the front. About 60%
of the trailer load should be in the
front half of the trailer and the re-
maining 40% in the rear. Weight carrying hitch or distribut-
ing hitchTwo wheel drive models
295 kg (650 lb.)
Four wheel drive models
281 kg (620 lb.)
Page 383 of 480

05_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0409)
373
2005 SEQUOIA from Sep. ’04 Prod. (OM34431U)
HITCHES
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you
should consult with your Toyota dealer.
Use only a hitch recommended by the
hitch manufacturer and the one which
conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
The hitch must be bolted securely to
the vehicle frame and installed accord-
ing to the hitch manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have
a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends removing the trail-
er hitch whenever you are not towing
a trailer to reduce the possibility of
additional damage caused by the hitch
if your vehicle is struck from behind.
After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of pollutants such as ex-
haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
Do not use axle mounted hitches as
they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires. Also, never install a hitch which
may interfere with the normal function
of an Energy Absorbing Bumper, if so
equipped.
1 Trailer ball load rating
2 Ball diameter
3 Shank length
4 Shank diameter
Page 386 of 480