Tell me about your minivan

**Brownski** · 05-25-2023, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by riser4

Hitch clearance on the older Sienna's sucks. Do they make an OEM one for yours that uses a different "bumper" aka rear end plastic piece so it can be up higher? I know they make one for my Highlander.

Sounds like it would be expensive at this point. I’m also considering super springs, which would add a couple inches so maybe they’ll cancel each other out.

Originally Posted by MarcusBrody

Heh, i have a dent in the top of my vans rear hatch from not giving it enough clearance with kayaks on the top.

Yeah, that is a danger. And that’s one of my shorter boats so I’m probably not gonna be able to load much further forward. This is actually the flaw with factory side rails- they’re always mounted too far back. Nothing is ever perfect. I’m just gonna have to be careful

**gravitylover** · 05-25-2023, 02:19 PM

I had some "issues" installing the hitch. It's never coming off. Ever.

It's in the right place but still sometimes it catches things like water bars. I like the sound it makes as gravel goes flying. I have a bare roof and I want to find a better option than the OE rails held on with some crazy super adhesive. Anything for a Ram CV should work,I just haven't gotten to it but will soon,before the summer family vacation.

**doebedoe** · 05-25-2023, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Brownski

Sounds like it would be expensive at this point. I’m also considering super springs, which would add a couple inches so maybe they’ll cancel each other out.

FWIW -- I installed one of those ~$100 airbag kits in the rear of the sienna to help with sag w/ the hitch. Worked out fine. Have 45k mi on them at this point. Little worn but still hold air fine.

**riser4** · 05-25-2023, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

I had some "issues" installing the hitch. It's never coming off. Ever..

Hold my beer and watch this!

**riser4** · 05-25-2023, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Brownski

Sounds like it would be expensive at this point. I’m also considering super springs, which would add a couple inches so maybe they’ll cancel each other out.

I think in 2019 when I bought the 2016; Highlander it was about $1K to get the Toyota one installed by the dealership. Vehicle was Toyota certified used. I decided against because I didn't really have another $1K at the time and I think it was the smaller receiver size. I need the bigger one for my camper. Yipes hitches were like $350 for under the bumper like on my Sienna.

I got really lucky with the Sienna two weeks ago. Oil cooler line blew while I was towing the camper. I happened to pull over at a store to just generally check things out. I noticed a trail of oil and when I backed up, a puddle. I only lost about a quart and half based on a guesstimate of the dipstick. If I hadn't stopped 'just because' it would have been a different story. Totally random luck. A friend came and got the trailer and the van got towed.

**Brownski** · 05-25-2023, 07:38 PM

Cargo box has two new holes drilled in it and I am happy with the result- no hitting the rear hatch on this side

Click image for larger version.

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**Brownski** · 05-25-2023, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by riser4

I think in 2019 when I bought the 2016; Highlander it was about $1K to get the Toyota one installed by the dealership. Vehicle was Toyota certified used. I decided against because I didn't really have another $1K at the time and I think it was the smaller receiver size. I need the bigger one for my camper. Yipes hitches were like $350 for under the bumper like on my Sienna.

I got really lucky with the Sienna two weeks ago. Oil cooler line blew while I was towing the camper. I happened to pull over at a store to just generally check things out. I noticed a trail of oil and when I backed up, a puddle. I only lost about a quart and half based on a guesstimate of the dipstick. If I hadn't stopped 'just because' it would have been a different story. Totally random luck. A friend came and got the trailer and the van got towed.

yeah, even though I just bought a new Toyota Sienna, $350- 400 sounds more like me than $1-2k.

and yikes.

**riser4** · 05-25-2023, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Brownski

yeah, even though I just bought a new Toyota Sienna, $350- 400 sounds more like me than $1-2k.

and yikes.

Definitely yikes. Such a close call. $500 was better than $5k.

**bodywhomper** · 06-20-2023, 12:25 PM

Getting more earnest in “new” sienna shopping. We’d likely hang into it until awd e-vans become more common.

Our 06 sienna suddenly feels long in the tooth. Many electrical gremlins have popped up after it took on a lot of water in the front cabin due to bad windshield seal occurred with 2 feet of snow melting on it. This is on top of the older issues that we’ve just dealt with. Unfortunately, it has under 150k miles and is in very good mechanical condition.

I’m thinking awd pre-2020 model year because of the second row removal issues. What are issues to consider in those older models? When did the spare tire re-appear in the awd version?

**doebedoe** · 06-20-2023, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by bodywhomper

Getting more earnest in “new” sienna shopping. We’d likely hang into it until awd e-vans become more common.

Our 06 sienna suddenly feels long in the tooth. Many electrical gremlins have popped up after it took on a lot of water in the front cabin due to bad windshield seal occurred with 2 feet of snow melting on it. This is on top of the older issues that we’ve just dealt with. Unfortunately, it has under 150k miles and is in very good mechanical condition.

I’m thinking awd pre-2020 model year because of the second row removal issues. What are issues to consider in those older models? When did the spare tire re-appear in the awd version?

To my knowledge no Gen 3 AWD have a spare.

Re:2nd row removal -- keep in mind that while you can take out the 2nd row in Gen 3 you'll still be left with the trolley's without a semi-permanent removal of them.

As to which Gen 3 -- 2016 and before gets you a 6spd transmission that hunts for gears less and is super reliable. 2018 post you have bit more gear hunting in the 8spd transmission which gives ya a few more MPG, plus more safety features available depending on your spec level.

**riser4** · 06-20-2023, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

To my knowledge no Gen 3 AWD have a spare.

Re:2nd row removal -- keep in mind that while you can take out the 2nd row in Gen 3 you'll still be left with the trolley's without a semi-permanent removal of them.

As to which Gen 3 -- 2016 and before gets you a 6spd transmission that hunts for gears less and is super reliable. 2018 post you have bit more gear hunting in the 8spd transmission which gives ya a few more MPG, plus more safety features available depending on your spec level.

? Trolleys? Is that only on the AWD? My 2011 FWD middle row seats come out completely.

**doebedoe** · 06-20-2023, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by riser4

? Trolleys? Is that only on the AWD? My 2011 FWD middle row seats come out completely.

No. It's on all of them -- my 2013 FWD has them.

You can pull the seats out, but unlike the Gen 2 -- you aren't left with a flat floor. You still have the sliders -- "trolleys -- on the floor that stick up from the floor. Fine for hauling stuff but notable for camping.

To even out the floor (ours is typically setup like here: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...57#post6589957 ) we used foam gym/garage mats cut out around the sliders/trolleys to get a flat floor.

**riser4** · 06-20-2023, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

No. It's on all of them -- my 2013 FWD has them.

You can pull the seats out, but unlike the Gen 2 -- you aren't left with a flat floor. You still have the sliders -- "trolleys -- on the floor that stick up from the floor. Fine for hauling stuff but notable for camping.

To even out the floor (ours is typically setup like here: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...57#post6589957 ) we used foam gym/garage mats cut out around the sliders/trolleys to get a flat floor.

Ok, I didn't believe you so I went out and by gosh you're right. Must be I haven't taken them out in a very long time and I was remembering my Gen2 Sienna. Now I'm pissed that there's a fuckin "trolley".

**bodywhomper** · 06-20-2023, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the info about the trolley and the trannie’s.

What awd system? Mechanical or electric? open diff with a center diff lock?

Timing belt or timing chain?

**doebedoe** · 06-21-2023, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by bodywhomper

Thanks for the info about the trolley and the trannie’s.

What awd system? Mechanical or electric? open diff with a center diff lock?

Timing belt or timing chain?

I'm in a FWD so haven't really looked into specifics of the AWD -- I would presume electric in Gen 3.

Assuming you get the 6 banger (a 4 banger was available early in Gen 3) -- its a chain.

**bodywhomper** · 06-21-2023, 02:02 PM

Thanks!

**Brownski** · 06-22-2023, 08:25 PM

In case anybody is interested, my Sienna is getting an honest 34+ mpg in my mixed everyday driving. With a box and kayaks on top and mostly highway driving, it goes down to about 30. I’m somewhat impressed by it so far.

**gorgonzola** · 06-23-2023, 06:39 AM

I laughed

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**gravitylover** · 07-06-2023, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

I have a bare roof and I want to find a better option than the OE rails held on with some crazy super adhesive. Anything for a Ram CV should work,I just haven't gotten to it but will soon,before the summer family vacation.

Replying to myself is weird. Still no luck on the roof rack thing. Apparently everything involves dropping the headliner and drilling holes. Yay. Fuck...

What brands were the airbag load helpers mentioned upthread? I need to put more stuff out back since the roof is almost out of the question.

**Brownski** · 07-06-2023, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Replying to myself is weird. Still no luck on the roof rack thing. Apparently everything involves dropping the headliner and drilling holes. Yay. Fuck...

What brands were the airbag load helpers mentioned upthread? I need to put more stuff out back since the roof is almost out of the question.

Have you researched Perrycraft? They make OEM looking roof racks. I think I remember reading on their website that their attachment doesn’t require doing anything to the interior.

https://www.perrycraft.com/products/category/roof-racks

**J. Barron DeJong** · 07-06-2023, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Replying to myself is weird. Still no luck on the roof rack thing. Apparently everything involves dropping the headliner and drilling holes. Yay. Fuck...

What brands were the airbag load helpers mentioned upthread? I need to put more stuff out back since the roof is almost out of the question.

The two brands I found for my 2013 are Air Lift:

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...t/AL60732.html

and Firestone:
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...ID=20131014470

But Firestone says that theirs are only compatible with FWD, not AWD. Can’t figure out why that would be, but would be hesitant to risk it.

Haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

**gravitylover** · 07-06-2023, 03:01 PM

The stuff available on the Perrycraft website is nicer than what's on Amazon. I don't know why I didn't think to look there. Thanx.

Good call on etrailer.

Off to problem solving land...

**Yonder_River** · 07-06-2023, 05:05 PM

I just lifted our new sienna with a journeys 2-in kit. Also used those Firestone airbags and they are just fine for all-wheel drive. In general, it's best to route them to where the gas cap is. Also, they were cheaper on Amazon when I bought them.