My Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Struggles to Tow My 6,000 lb Camper, And Now I’m Wondering If I Should’ve Bought a Truck Instead

You can spend months researching towing capacity charts, watching review videos, and getting convinced that an SUV like the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro will be the perfect do-it-all vehicle. But sometimes reality feels more different than the numbers suggest. This morning, I was scrolling through the “2022-2026 Toyota Sequoia” group on Facebook and came across a post by Leslie Anne, who learned that firsthand. Leslie bought the Sequoia TRD Pro thinking it would strike the ideal balance between family comfort and towing muscle. But once she hitched up her 31-foot, 6,000-pound camper, the experience quickly turned nerve-wracking. Even with weight distribution bars, the trailer swayed constantly, leaving her questioning whether she made the right choice, or if a proper truck would’ve been the smarter move. 

Leslie wrote, “I have the TRD Pro… I was sold on the towing capacity but my 31’ 6,000 lb camper sways awfully even with the weight distribution bars. Feeling pretty bummed I didn’t go with a truck. Anyone else towing with their Sequoia?”

The Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Tow ratings can be misleading when viewed in isolation. Leslie’s camper weighs well within the Sequoia TRD Pro’s limits, but length, wind drag, and road stability introduce new challenges. Many buyers assume that if their trailer is under the max tow rating, they’re in the clear. But real-world dynamics like trailer sway don’t always cooperate.

The issue isn’t just about weight, but about physics. A longer camper like Leslie’s creates a larger surface area for crosswinds, and an SUV’s shorter wheelbase compared to a full-size truck can lead to instability. Even the best weight-distribution setup can’t fully eliminate that sway if the vehicle geometry just isn’t ideal for long-trailer towing.

What Other Owners Are Saying

Leslie’s concerns sparked a helpful and honest conversation in the comments. Some owners backed up her experience with their own struggles, while others pointed out techniques or tips that made towing more manageable.

Ryan Elsey offered a seasoned perspective: “I towed a 31’ last summer with my Raptor. At a certain length, the wind just catches the trailer like crazy no matter what you’re towing with. Short of a 3/4 or 1 ton, you’re gonna notice it.”

Ryan’s comment really sums up the heart of the issue. No matter how capable the SUV might seem, certain trailers test the limits of physics. Rigs beyond a certain length simply benefit from the added mass and stability of a heavy-duty truck. Even a performance off-roader like the Ford Raptor struggles with this issue, so it’s not a knock on the Sequoia specifically, as it’s a broader conversation about vehicle type.

Ashley Phillips chimed in with practical advice and a more optimistic tone: “We tow our 30ft Coleman and we have had to make some adjustments, but I think we have got it almost figured out. Definitely have to make sure to air up the tires well on both the trailer and vehicle. Empty out all tanks and fully place the weight at the front of the camper. Regardless of good or windy conditions, it’s best to keep speeds at 65 tops.”

Her input reminds us that setup can make or break the towing experience. From tire pressure to load distribution, the little things add up. It doesn’t erase the core concern about the Sequoia’s short wheelbase, but it shows that knowledge and adjustments can sometimes turn a rough experience into a manageable one.

On the other end of the discussion, Charles Dodd pushed back on the idea that SUVs are inherently worse for towing: “Towing with the Sequoia is no different than towing with a truck when it comes to sway. I tow a lot and there is no difference. It's all about tongue weight and distribution. If you distribute the weight and get the tongue height proper, you'll be ok.”

Charles’s view reflects the group that believes the driver’s setup decisions matter more than the platform. While that might be true for shorter or lighter trailers, Leslie’s story still highlights the difficulty of towing large campers even when all the boxes are checked.

A Deeper Look at the Sequoia’s Towing Identity

The third-generation Toyota Sequoia, redesigned for 2023, is built on the same TNGA-F platform as the Tundra, which naturally brings with it some serious improvements. But while it may share the bones of a truck, its ride tuning, interior layout, and rear overhang are still tailored for SUV versatility over brute towing strength.

Even in its most rugged trim, the TRD Pro, the Sequoia aims to balance off-road capability with daily usability. That means a suspension geared more for articulation than load stability, and a wheelbase that’s shorter than a proper truck. While the 2025 Toyota Sequoia Capstone offers luxurious towing ability, it still might not be ideal for towing something as long and tall as Leslie’s camper.

In contrast, owners who’ve stepped into Toyota’s truck lineup tend to report greater towing confidence. In another story, I wrote about an owner who after owning a Sequoia and later moving to a 2025 Toyota Tundra for towing duties, the change was more than just noticeable, as it was transformative.

So from my perspective, this story perfectly illustrates how real-world use cases challenge marketing numbers. It’s easy to get sold on big towing figures. But when you’re white-knuckling the wheel with a 31-foot camper swaying behind you, all that confidence is now being put to the test.

I think the Sequoia is a brilliant vehicle for the right buyer. It’s capable, refined, and far more efficient than its predecessors. But it also walks a fine line between being a family SUV and a towing machine. When you start towing at the limits, you’re no longer in a comfortable middle ground, because you’re starting to step into a space where trucks still dominate for a reason.

That’s not to say you need a 2500HD to tow a camper, but you do need to understand how wheelbase, hitch height, suspension tuning, and trailer aerodynamics come together. And sometimes, a traditional half-ton truck like the Tundra, especially when tuned specifically for towing, just makes more sense. Even those switching from to a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro helped clarify what good towing should feel like.

Key Takeaways for Towing with a Sequoia

• Tow ratings don’t tell the full story. A 6,000 lb trailer may seem safe on paper, but length and wind resistance drastically affect stability.
• Setup matters, but it has its limits. Tire pressure, weight distribution, and tongue height are important, but can’t always overcome a short wheelbase or soft suspension.
• Community insights are valuable. Hearing from people shows how experiences can vary widely, and it proves why doing your homework is key.
• Think beyond the specs. Before committing to an SUV for towing, try to test your exact trailer combo or speak with someone who tows something similar. Even articles like this one highlighting upcoming Tundra changes can shed light on evolving platforms.

What About You?

Have you ever towed a camper with an SUV like the Sequoia? Did it feel secure or were you left wanting the stability of a pickup truck?

And if you had to purchase your vehicle again, would you stick with your SUV or go straight to a truck instead? 

Share your experience in the comments below, as we’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t) for you.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Images Sources: Toyota Gallery and the “2022-2026 Toyota Sequoia” public Facebook group.