Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-16-2011, 02:54 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
2011 Jayco 1206 w/Sienna Minivan?

Hey all, we just purchased a 1206 popup and where wondering your take on towing it with a Sienna minivan? We currently have a Pathfinder but in the future may want something with better gas mileage and more room. Tow capacity is 3500 on a toyota sienna when equiped.

We have 2 kids and my mom travels with us and most of our trips are to Colorado and mountain regions outside of our MN state parks. Im borderline on the concept but think it could be done for the couple days of towing done each year in the mountains.
WannaBeMountainMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2011, 04:46 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 414
.

As per Jayco site, the Jayco 1206 has a GVW of 3,450 lbs. IMO: Any trailer over 1,500 lbs behind a mini-van or a Pathfinder needs its own brakes. Especially in mountain regions. If straight axle trailer, simply replace axle with its own electric brake hubs, install some thick 10 guage 12V wiring and install a Brake Controller (like Prodigy P2 or P3) inside the vehicle, and "all is good". If wondering, I replaced many straight axles with new axles with brakes and the job only sounds scary. It can easily be done. And, done much better then factory. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...g/100_1429.jpg & http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...g/100_1433.jpg

As a suggestion, do a test pull (around the block and up a few hills) with your mini-van and do the same route with your Pathfinder. Then, pick the vehicle that pulls & handles the best. If I remember correctly, most mini-vans are rated to pull a max 3,500 lbs (included items inside the Tow Vehicle). Personally, I would pick the Pathfinder - which is rated for higher pulling power (compared to mini-vans). Yes. The Pathfinder is little harder on MPGs. But, having more Tow Vehicle then one needs is always a good thing. Especially when pulling up hills (with loaded vehicle as well) and/or against a strong head wind. Actually, an "over stressed" Tow Vehicle has nearly the same amount of MPGs then a bigger engine Tow Vehicle under its max towing weights.

Hope this helps...

.
Spike99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2011, 07:23 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Topflight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Posts: 204
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike99 View Post
.

As per Jayco site, the Jayco 1206 has a GVW of 3,450 lbs. IMO: Any trailer over 1,500 lbs behind a mini-van or a Pathfinder needs its own brakes. Especially in mountain regions. If straight axle trailer, simply replace axle with its own electric brake hubs, install some thick 10 guage 12V wiring and install a Brake Controller (like Prodigy P2 or P3) inside the vehicle, and "all is good". If wondering, I replaced many straight axles with new axles with brakes and the job only sounds scary. It can easily be done. And, done much better then factory. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...g/100_1429.jpg & http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...g/100_1433.jpg

As a suggestion, do a test pull (around the block and up a few hills) with your mini-van and do the same route with your Pathfinder. Then, pick the vehicle that pulls & handles the best. If I remember correctly, most mini-vans are rated to pull a max 3,500 lbs (included items inside the Tow Vehicle). Personally, I would pick the Pathfinder - which is rated for higher pulling power (compared to mini-vans). Yes. The Pathfinder is little harder on MPGs. But, having more Tow Vehicle then one needs is always a good thing. Especially when pulling up hills (with loaded vehicle as well) and/or against a strong head wind. Actually, an "over stressed" Tow Vehicle has nearly the same amount of MPGs then a bigger engine Tow Vehicle under its max towing weights.

Hope this helps...

.
The 2011 1206 comes with electric brakes. But I do agree with Spike99 about towing pull test. Good luck with whatever you end up with.
__________________
Me, DW and 5 dogs
2004 F-150 Reg Cab,Long bed 4X4
2008 Flagstaff 625D Pup (keeping this one for now)
2010 Jayco EXP 21M Hybrid


“This isn’t rocket science; it’s more like quantum physics.”
Topflight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 07:49 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
When towing with the minivan make sure that the tires are inflated to the MAX recommended COLD inflation pressure.
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 11:23 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Denise's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
Welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum WannaBeMountainMan! We towed a lighter trailer with our Honda Odyssey for about 15000 miles total. The tt had brakes. We also installed the coolers for the tv. Years ago we towed a pop-up with our Chrysler mini-van but hadn't installed coolers on the van. The first grade we hit, we overheated. The coolers are a must
__________________
Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
Denise is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.