The Sequoia was introduced into Toyota’s lineup as a full-size SUV in 2001 and is still made today. Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability and for having the features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Toyota Sequoia?
The Toyota Sequoia has a towing capacity of 6,400 pounds to 10,000 pounds depending on the engine, drivetrain, and model year. Most recent Sequoia model years can tow between 7,000 pounds to 7,400 pounds.
There’s a bit more to know about Toyota Sequoia towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
Toyota Sequoia Towing Capacity By Year
As we covered earlier, the current 2023 Toyota Sequoia can tow a maximum of 10,000 pounds depending on the year, engine, towing package, and other factors.
The Sequoia has been in production from 2001 through the present. We’ve listed out the maximum tow capacity by year below for reference.
Note that for each model year, there are many variables that affect the total towing capability of each vehicle year, so we recommend checking your specific Sequoia year and trim level in the links below for an in-depth guide and to get the most accurate information for that year.
Here’s the maximum Toyota Sequoia towing capacity by year:
2023 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 9,520 pounds
2022 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2021 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2020 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2019 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2018 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2017 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2016 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2015 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2014 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2013 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2012 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2011 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 7,400 pounds
2010 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 10,000 pounds
2009 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 10,000 pounds
2008 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 10,000 pounds
2007 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2006 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2005 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2004 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2003 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2002 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2001 Toyota Sequoia Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Toyota Sequoia being put to a real-world towing test pulling an Airstream trailer:
Toyota Sequoia Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Toyota Sequoia Braked Towing Capacity: 6,400 lbs – 10,000 lbs.
Toyota Sequoia Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,000 lbs.
Toyota Sequoia Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Toyota Sequoia tow capacity.
Trim Level
Toyota’s trim levels vary, with all trim levels having access to the same engine size.
Even so, each trim level has it’s own unique towing cap.
For example, the same engine is in the 2023 Sequoia 2WD SR5 as the 2023 Sequoia 2WD Capstone, but the SR5 can pull 240 more pounds.
2WD or 4WD
Whether your Sequoia has a 2WD or 4WD will impact how much it can pull.
Standard Sequoia models with 2WD drivetrains can usually tow more weight than 4WD models.
Number Of Passengers
This is true for determining how much you should tow with any vehicle, but the number of passengers in your Toyota Sequoia can impact how heavy of a trailer you can pull with it.
This impacts the total weight inside the vehicle, which plays a part in determining how much weight you have left for towing when considering the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Toyota Sequoia Engine Specs
There is one engine option available on all trims of the Sequoia.
i-Force MAX 3.445 Liter V6 Engine
The only Toyota Sequoia engine offered is the i-Force MAX 3.445 Liter Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid engine.
This engine produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft of torque.
This engine is available on all Sequoia trim levels.
Toyota Sequoia Tow Package Info
Does The Toyota Sequoia Have A Tow Package?
All trim levels of the current Toyota Sequoia come with a factory-installed trailer hitch as standard equipment.
Toyota offers a factory-installed Sequoia tow package option called the Tow Technology Package.
It includes a digital display rear view mirror and a trailer backup guide with straight path assist.
The Sequoia tow technology package is available on the SR5 and Limited trim levels, and is standard on the Capstone trim level.
The Sequoia Capstone also has power tow mirrors included as standard equipment, and are optional on other trim levels.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Toyota Sequoia?
If you plan on towing anything with your Toyota Sequoia, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Toyota Sequoia Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Toyota Sequoia uses a Class 3 or Class 4 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Toyota Sequoia trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 500 lbs. tongue weight, 6,500 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 650 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Toyota Sequoia
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Sequoia:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Toyota Sequoia Trailer Hitch Installation
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Sequoia, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Toyota Sequoia trailer hitch installation:
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With A Toyota Sequoia?
The Toyota Sequoia does not allow for bumper towing, so you’ll need to use a frame mounted hitch.
How Do I Know If My Toyota Sequoia Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Sequoia to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Sequoia.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Toyota Sequoia Owner’s Manuals on Toyota’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Toyota Sequoia.
