Towing Coleman Mesa with Cienna

[rcaban]

We had a Starcraft Starmaster which was quite heavy and towed with no problem using our 01 Toyota Cienna van.  Will there be an issue towing a 2001 Coleman Mesa?  I was told it is about 3000 pounds when loaded, concerns me.  Heavier than the 1700 or so pounds we were accustomed to.  We have a class III hitch, and plan on adding remote braking (assuming the Mesa has it's own brakes) as well as a tranny cooler (if necessary - not sure if we need it albeit we live/travel to hilly areas).

Any thoughts, experiences, concerns please let us know.

Roy and Kathy

93 Starcraft Starmaster (deceased)
2001 Toyota Cienna Minivan

[hoppy]

I own a 2001 Mesa, and when completely loaded up for the trip, it weighs in at just under 3,125 #.

 But here are the numbers you need to be interested in:

 1. GVW = 3,350 #
 2. GAWR = 3,000 #
 3. Tongue weight = 350 #
 4. Unloaded Vehicle weight = 2,205 #
 5. Unloaded Axel weight = 2,050 #

 As you will see, the Mesa is a pretty heavy unit all by it's self by the unloaded vehicle weight. This is without any options included in the weight such as:

 1. AC unit - 110 #
 2. 3-way fridge -  65 #
 3. Furnace - 40 #
 4. Water heater - 66 #, +  5 # for outside shower kit.
 5. Awning - 25 #
 6. Filled propane bottles - 40 # each.
 7. Front storage area max. weight - 150 #
 8. Tongue battery - 60 # each.

 The weight added to fill the 20 gallon fresh water storage tank and 6 gallon water heater -  approx. 225 #.

  Keep in mind that you will be storing pots, pans, and other supplies in the camper also, and need to be included into the weight factor.

 In short, the Mesa has the cargo capacity to carry 1,145 # over the unloaded vehicle weight.

 I would use these numbers along with your vehicle towing information to make your determination. My TV is the Silverado with 205 HP V-6 engine, with 6,100 # towing capacity, and it's just about enough to tow my fully loaded Mesa comfortably.

 BTW, electric brakes came standard on all Fleetwood models starting with the 2001 MY.

 Hope this info helps.

[brainpause]

Gene here at PUT towed with a Sienna and Mesa, but, in his words, he and his family "traveled light." Maybe he'll jump in here....

[tlhdoc]

What is the towing capacity of your van?:confused:

[chasd60]

I don't know how often genef monitors the boards now that he has a hybrid but his last setup was towing a Mesa with a Sienna. I think his van may have been a year or two older than yours though. He never had any complaints about towing his Mesa with the van.

[Wild Wild Qwest]

I thought a Cienna was an Oldsmobile Cutlass!

[aw738]

I thought a Cienna was an Oldsmobile Cutlass!

You must be thinking of an Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra.

[D1Boz]

We use to have a 2002 Toyota Sienna and towed our 2004 Coleman Westlake (12' box) with no problems. It would spin when you stopped on a big hill or when it was wet and you tried to pull out on a hill but if you went slow it pulled out fine. The pop-up's GVWR was 3620#s and I know the tow rating on the van is 3500. We were way over GVWR anyways because we added a Yakima bike rack and 4 bikes on top and stuffed the front storage full. lol  We have since traded the van because the lease was near the end and it was up in mileage but we never had a problem. I do recommend a tranny cooler (which if the van came with a tow package, it should have one) and a brake controller. We had both and it stopped on a dime and never even raised the temp and we live in the hills of east TN.  I wouldn't worry but thats me.

[Chez Way]

We have a 2002 Coleman Mesa and believe me, we load it up.  On our first few outings we towed it with our Toyota Highlander which has a 3500 lb. towing capacity.  Although it handled okay on our trips, we never tried it on a mountain trip.  I felt that we were pushing it and was glad when dh bought a GMC pickup with an approx. 7500 towing capacity.  I didn't want to worry about what I had for dinner the night before we went camping.

[GeneF]

I pulled a 98 Mesa with an 00 Sienna.

The Sienna will do the job but don't expect to break any speed records going up the hills.

A SWAY BAR IS A MUST.  I couldn't tow the Mesa at 30 mph without sway.  With the sway bar, you will have no problems.  Also, you will need electric brakes.  

My Mesa did not come with electric brakes but the dealer installed them as part of the deal.  Recommend the Prodigy controller.

I had the tow package and I think the Sienna was rated at 3500 pounds with the tow package.  It had the tranny cooler and I would recommend you putting one on if you don't have one.

I generally kept it in third gear.  In OD, the Sienna did a lot of shifting.  I got about 14 mpg towing.

Larrry is correct, we generally travelled light.  No bbq's, bikes, extra tables.  Mainly a couple of chairs plus our clothing and food.

The Mesa is a nice rig and we enjoyed ours very much.

Good luck and happy camping.