Highlander towing ability

[ginnymce]

We have a 2009 Toyota Highlander, 6 cylinder with a rated towing capacity of 2500#’s. A prior owner added wiring and a hitch rated at 5000#. (Highlander with a towing package is rated at 5000#’s) If we add a transmission cooler to it, would it tow a Casita 16-17' SAFELY? My husband thinks we need a new pickup prior to purchasing a Casita. I don’t want to wait. I’m ready to go.

[Laura & Rick]

The Toyota Towing Package for the second generation Highlander (2008 and forward) consists of:heavy duty radiator with engine oil cooler, 200 watt fan coupling, transmission oil cooler with water cooler, 150 amp alternator and with a "prewired" harness.

You would be at okay with the 16 footer but really pushing it with the heavier 17 foot Casita. I did have a 17' Casita SD and my Highlander, with the factory towing package, had no problems towing it.

Check out this link to see real world fiberglass trailer weights:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html

Rick

[ginnymce]

Originally Posted by Laura & Rick

The Toyota Towing Package for the second generation Highlander (2008 and forward) consists of:heavy duty radiator with engine oil cooler, 200 watt fan coupling, transmission oil cooler with water cooler, 150 amp alternator and with a "prewired" harness.

You would be at okay with the 16 footer but really pushing it with the heavier 17 foot Casita. I did have a 17' Casita SD and my Highlander, with the factory towing package, had no problems towing it.

Check out this link to see real world fiberglass trailer weights:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html

Rick

Thank you for the information. Looks like we will be looking for a pickup first. I know people pull campers with little cars and trucks, but I've always wondered about the stopping ability (and liability) in an emergency situation. I'de rather be safe than sorry.

[Mike Magee]

I have a 2008 AWD Highlander with over 100K miles on the odometer. Roughly 85,000 of those miles have been put on with a 16' or 17' trailer in tow. Mostly a cargo trailer (6x12 box, with tongue it's 16' long, weight about 3500 lbs). But also have towed a 17' 2300 lb. Burro and a 16' 2700 lb. boxy KZ Escape travel trailer for thousands of miles each. Through all this the Highlander has towed admirably with no mechanical or handling issues.

You should be fine towing a 16 Casita. A 17' won't have much different aerodynamics but its tongue weight can be substantially higher, maybe too much for the Highlander's rear springs. That would be my only reservation.

The Highlander's brakes are great. Add a trailer with its own brakes, and you have plenty of stopping power.

[Laura & Rick]

Ginny, as both Mike and I own an Escape trailer, you may want to consider the 15 or 17 Escape. Escapes are very well built and have great floor planes.

Escape Trailer Industries > Home

Rick

[Cathi]

Ginny, there is a 2008 Escape 17' available in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you are interested, it is on the Escapeforum "For Sale."
Cathy

[Laura & Rick]

Originally Posted by Cathy

Ginny, there is a 2008 Escape 17' available in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you are interested, it is on the Escapeforum "For Sale."
Cathy

For Sale, Trade or Barter

[Gail & Tom O.]

Our 2008 Highlander Hybrid towed our 17 ft. EggCamper over 8000 miles this summer. We also towed to an altitude of 9400 feet. It did a fine job with no problems. It has the factory tow package and AWD also.