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What is the Toyota Sienna?
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan made by Toyota almost exclusively for the North American market. The minivan has been out for several years (since 1997) and has undergone some revisions, not the biggest of which is to be exclusively offered as a hybrid for 2023. Primarily, it shares the same frame as the Camry, which brought Toyota much joy by being the best-selling sedan in North America for over two decades.
For 2023, Sienna’s hybrid configuration comes with an acceptable 2.5 gasoline motor complimenting a pair of electric motors that produce 245 horsepower. The vehicle powers itself through dual battery packs, which rely on the engine and regenerative braking systems to stay powered. The batteries are strong enough to be used primarily around town for stop-and-go traffic without burning up gasoline.
The seven-seat Sienna is built with many standard safety features, like traction control, lane departure, rear backup cameras, and cross-traffic alert. The van is priced around the $35,000 mark for its base model, and a fully loaded one will set you back a cool $46,375 or so.
The Sienna is the direct rival to the Chrysler Pacifica (available as a plug-in hybrid) and the Kia Carnival (which still has a stone-aged 3.5 V6 under its hood). The Sienna has the option for an AWD mode, which may give the Sienna a slight advantage in the towing department. The Sienna has the best resale value of any minivan today.
How Much Can a Toyota Sienna Tow?
The towing capacity of a Toyota Sienna is 3,500 lbs which is more than enough to get any light trailer or camper work done around the house. With over 75.5 feet of cargo space behind the 2nd row, there should be plenty of room for gear for any kind of weekend adventure.
The Sienna has a lower weight limit than its competition (Pacifica boasts 3,600 lbs, while the Carnival has a 3,500 lbs limit). If you need to tow something more significant or heavier than Sienna’s weight limit, you might consider a pickup, an SUV, or even renting a Uhaul.
Any owner considering towing should be sure that the weight of a fully loaded trailer doesn’t exceed the weight capacities of the Sienna mini-van. In fact, most experts suggest that an acceptable amount is about 85% of that amount, which would lower the capacity to about 3,000 lbs.
Because you never know what might happen if a load shifts or an emergency forces you to brake quickly, a vehicle already straining at its capacity may not handle the added stresses.
What Does a Towing Hitch for a Sienna Cost?
Toyota has added a tow package to every Sienna built after 2021. If the Sienna sitting in your drive is more than a few years old, you may need to make modifications to bolt the hitch you purchase onto the frame. Check underneath the rear bumper to see if mounting brackets and bolts are already installed. If they are there, then that will make the installation much more manageable.
If you need to take your minivan to someone to install the hitch, you should expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $800 for the equipment and the installation. Many Toyota dealers offer tow hitches and are willing to charge you for attaching them to your van’s frame.
You can install a tow hitch yourself if you need to, but the project may take a few minutes to a couple of hours, depending on your level of expertise. If you decide to travel the self-installation road, be sure that you have help to lift the hitch into place, read all instructions, and work with a lift to raise the car, so you have room to work underneath. Safety is paramount, and all safety guidelines should be followed.
Will I have to Remove Equipment to Install a Hitch?
The installation of the hitch on Sienna’s frame may require you to move some of the exhaust equipment in order to fit the hitch appropriately. You should ensure that you can remove mounting brackets or other equipment and reassemble it. While the job isn’t so complicated that it can’t be done, it might be better to pay someone to hassle with it while you sip a cup of coffee in a service lounge.
In addition, vehicles equipped with an automatic rear liftgate operated by a foot kick will have to be disabled, removed, or the setting turned off through the master controls. You may have to manually open the rear liftgate when installing your trailer hitch.
What Are the Best Hitches for the Toyota Sienna?
There are several hitches from a variety of manufacturers made for the Toyota Sienna.
Best Overall Receiver Hitch: Curt Receiver Hitch
This receiver hitch is a bolt-on receiver that works well on the Toyota Sienna. The installation is very easy and straightforward. Teh hitch is made with robotic welds that are strong and durable, coated with a powder coat that fights rust and keeps the hitch looking its best for years.
A lifetime warranty backs the Curt Hitch. The hitch has a 4.8 warranty on the Curt website and is supported by nearly a thousand reviews. Many Sienna owners have found the hitch to perform very well for light towing.
The price of the Curt Hitch is very reasonable (the Curt website has a range of $81 - $431 depending on need). The hitch does not come with a ball mount, so you should purchase one for an additional $50 or so and a wiring kit should you need one.
Curt is a pleasure to support. It was founded in 1993 as a trailer ball distribution business. They have not looked back since. All Curt products are resigned, fashioned, made, and distributed out of their facilities at Eue Claire, WI.
Today, Curt manufactures all things trailer, with various accessories designed to help people tow. They make hitches for every vehicle and model and have excellent customer service should you have any questions. The website allows you to match products with your specific vehicle, just in case you need to upgrade one of your other vehicles. I found the website easy to read and very helpful.
Pros
- Easy Installation
- Offer Receiver Hitches and Accessories for all Class hitches
- Almost a thousand positive reviews
- Highly rated
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Some complained about the instructions being difficult to understand, but most had no problems.
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer’s website
- For Toyota Siennas built after 2021 - see etrailer.com website.
- For Toyota Siennas built before 2020 - TODAY’S PRICE, see the Amazon website.
Honorable Mention: Draw-Tite Hitch Receiver
This trailer hitch is manufactured by Draw-Tite and is another bolt-on offering compatible with the 2023 Toyota Sienna. The installation kit is included and requires no welding or drilling, and the hitch looks good, is sleek, and will complement the aesthetic of your minivan. The hitch comes with a 2-inch receiver opening, the most common ball mount type. This allows for various options to be towed depending on the need of the moment.
The receiver hitch is made with all welded steel for maximum strength and safety. The hitch is offered in a powder-coated matte finish to resist the effects of rust or corrosion.
The hitch is rated for 4500 lbs. While this is more than the towing capacity of the Sienna, it is nice to know that the hitch is built for a much more robust load than I will be pulling. This is a hitch that is perfect for light trailer work, like a bike rack, scooter, or light pop-up camper. The hitch comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
The company offers free shipping within the US to any 1,250 dealers, where you will need to pick it up (this allows the dealers to install the hitch for a slight extra charge. Yes, it is a way to make more money). The company’s customer service is excellent.
Draw-Tite is a part of the Horizon Global network. At the same time, the parent company owns many other trailer accessory companies, including Reese, BULLDOG, Fulton, REESE, Tekonsha, and Westfalia. The company manufactures out of Mexico.
Pros
- Easy Installation
- Offer Receiver Hitches and Accessories for all Class hitches
- Reasonably priced
- Hitch has a weight capacity of up to 4,500 lbs
- Hitch has been tested and meets all standards
Cons
- Not made in the US
- Installation instructions are not always clear
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer’s website
- For TODAY’S PRICE, see Amazon's website.
This simple bar hitch is well-made and built by one of the leading manufacturers of tow hitches. The simple design bolts to the plates under the bumper and the installation kit is included. Most reviewers felt that the installation was easy enough that they could do it by themselves. The hitch is made of welded steel (like many of its competitors) and sold in a black matte finish. This coating helps prevent rust and keeps the hitch from degrading over time.
The hitch is a Class 3, which means that it is rated for 350 lb tongue weight and 3500 lbs of towing capacity. The hitch comes with a one-year warranty on all parts and services.
There have been some complaints regarding shipping, resulting in damaged wings on the brackets. A few reviewers commented that the package the hitch arrived in looked like it had been tossed around.
Reese is one of the companies I mentioned before as part of the Horizon Global empire. The company was founded in 1952 when the owner of the company invented stabilizing jacks for travel trailers. Since then, the company has grown into a powerhouse, specializing in towing and trailer accessories.
The company was bought out first by Cequent Performance Products and, most recently, (2015) by Horizon Global. It doesn’t make the hitches in the states, even though its headquarters is out of Plymouth, Mi., but like its sister company, Draw-Tite, it has farmed the production of its hitches in Mexico.
Pros
- Easy Installation
- The company is the top manufacturer
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not made in the US
- The warranty is only for a year
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer’s website
- For TODAY’S PRICE, see Amazon’s website.
Best for Older Siennas: Armordillo USA 7163928 Class 3 Hitch
While this hitch will not fit a Toyota Sienna made after 2020, it is perfect if you need a tow hitch for a model a few years older. (This hitch covers the bases because it fits Siennas made from 2005 - 2020). It has a basic design, a black matte finish, and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. (That is more than the Sienna is supposed to pull anyway).
The hitch is solid with good welds and rigid mounting plates. The installation is simple enough, but the hitch is a hefty 35 lbs, so it might require a buddy to help hold it in place while you tighten the bolts.
Armordillo USA is a company based out of Los Angeles that produces a lot of truck accessories, everything from roll bars to step rails and bed liners/covers. If you need something to enhance your truck, you can find it at this company. They also make a high-quality hitch that fits an older model Toyota Sienna.
The hitch has a one-year warranty, which doesn’t include damage due to improper installation or road hazard damage.
While the company is headquartered and does its online business out of California, the hitches are made in China.
Pros
- Easy Installation
- Solid welds
- Weight Capacity exceeds what Sienna is built for.
Cons
- Not made in the US
- The warranty is only for a year
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer’s website
- For TODAY’S PRICE, see the Amazon Website.
Best Weight Distribution Hitch: Camco EAZ LIFT
Even though most lightweight trailers don’t carry enough to be subject to much trailer sway, I wanted to include one of the best weight distribution hitches with sway control on the market. If you want to be sure that your trailer isn’t going to get away from you (I would recommend this on long-distance trips, especially), this is the hitch you need.
The EAZ Lift isn’t a receiver hitch. It assumes that you already have it installed. It takes the place of the mounting ball, and the apparatus has a trailer ball and trunnion bars for stability. Heavy-duty braces bolt onto the tongue of the trailer, and safety chains bolt on.
The design of this hitch is so excellent you will barely feel the tug of the trailer behind your minivan. The hitch keeps the trailer centered directly behind the towing vehicle, which is very helpful in an emergency when you jerk the steering wheel. (Under normal tow conditions, it is not unusual for the trailer to go one direction and the van in another, just saying).
The hitch has anti-sway control, which means that the more your trailer begins to sway, the more it fights against the movement away from the towing vehicle. It just keeps the tongue centered, which is half the battle in towing anything.
While the company is based out of North Carolina, like almost every other company in the trailer world, the hitches are made in China. Don’t let that stop you from purchasing one, mainly if you do a lot of towing. Even the smallest trailers can get squirrely now and then, and it is best to be prepared.
Pros
- Requires a receiver hitch
- Outstanding design to prevent sway
- Weight Capacity exceeds what Sienna is built for.
- It has a 2-year warranty
Cons
- Not made in the US
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer’s website
- For TODAY’S PRICE, see the Amazon Website.
What Will I Need If I Want to Install My Hitch?
Consider the following things if you plan to install a hitch yourself.
Find a Place to Do the Work
You will need a clean work area to perform the installation. This means a garage with a lift, or at the very least, having room to jack up the back of the car. If you opt for jacks, make sure they are stable enough to hold the van's weight. (I always use chocks wedged into the front tires to keep the van from rolling forward off the jacks).
Read the Instructions
The hitches mentioned above all come with installation instructions. Read the details or watch the installation videos offered to determine if the installation is even something you want to tackle.
Get Your Tools Set Up in Advance
Most installations are bolt-on, so you probably won’t need anything too extensive. I like to have all my tools within reach, so I don’t have to stop in the middle of a project to hunt down where I laid the ratchet.
Get a Light In Place
Since you are working under the van, you will need some kind of light source to see what you are doing. Whether that is a battery light that you strap to your head or a hanging light of some sort, get it in place before you begin the work.
Grab a Buddy to Do the Heavy Lifting
Some of these hitches are more extensive than others, and they can get heavy if you hold them up for a while. Grab a buddy who can do the heavy work while tightening a few bolts while you get the easy job.
Take a picture of the Exhaust Equipment BEFORE you tear it into it.
Sometimes exhaust equipment has to be moved or unbolted to accommodate the mounts for the hitch. If you find that you will have to unbracket the muffler, take a picture of it with your smartphone so that you have something to jog your memory about what goes where.
(I know that most auto service technicians will find this as a lazy man’s way of working on a vehicle, but it’s better than not being able to remember where that extra bolt goes).
Do a Tug Test
Once the trailer hitch is in place, check the connections and give it a quick tug. You want to ensure everything is in place and anchored well to the van. If you feel any play or movement, then double-check everything. Your trailer will be tugging at the receiver hitch constantly, so it pays to complete this step. Don’t just assume you’ve done everything correctly. Inspect the work to be sure.
