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Mountain_Mamma's avatar
Mountain_Mamma
Explorer
Aug 11, 2014

Help, please...newbie towing with a 2011 Toyota Highlander

Hi,

I'm a recently retired woman who wants to make my dream of owning a travel trailer a reality.

And, I'm going NUTS trying to figure this stuff out!

I bought my 2011 Toyota Highlander SE 3.5L V6 AWD with tow package because I thought it could comfortably tow a TT with a GVW of 5,000 pounds but now I'm hearing horror stories of it towing anything bigger than a small pop-up.

I would like to buy a regular travel trailer, possibly one with a slide, not a pop up or hybrid.

Can someone please help me understand:


Here are the numbers and tow pkg info:
V6 Tow Prep Package
-5000lb Towing Capacity
-Heavy Duty Radiator with Engine Oil Cooler
-200-watt Fan Coupling
-Supplemental Transmission Oil Cooler
-150-amp Alternator
-Prewired for 4-flat Trailer Light Plug (Basically it only includes wires going from the front to the rear of the car, and a socket under the dash. A trailer light converter and plug is still needed.

Tow cap: 5,000 lb
Curb weight 4,266 lbs
Payload: 1,734 lbs
GVWR: 6,000
GCWR: 11,000

I will be so grateful if someone can clear this up and tell me what I can tow (dry weight and GVW) and what I need to add on - hitch-wise, brake controller, etc – to COMFORTABLY and SAFELY tow a trailer across the country and through the mountains. I’d like a good margin of error. Also, I’ve been told all warranties are invalidated if you add a brake controller to a Highlander….

This is a LOT for a non-mechanical person to understand!!! LOL!

29 Replies

  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2014
    wintersun wrote:
    The problem with the Highlander is that it is built using the same platform as the Toyota Camry sedan. The 4Runner has a truck frame and is better suited to towing.


    the OP is not buying a TV. she has a highlander and is wondering what it will tow.
    bumpy
  • wintersun's avatar
    wintersun
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2014
    The problem with the Highlander is that it is built using the same platform as the Toyota Camry sedan. The 4Runner has a truck frame and is better suited to towing.

    The lighter trailers use lighter but more expensive materials in their construction. I would opt for a used lightweight trailer over a new one that was 1000 lbs. heavier with a small tow vehicle. The lighter the trailer the more reserve capacity in terms of taking gear along in the trailer or in the car.

    Never mentioned but I care about whether if the brakes or brake controller fails when towing a trailer whether the tow vehicle is going to be able to come to a stop in a reasonable amount of time and distance. Even my Tahoe though rated to tow over 7,000 lbs. took forever to bring to a complete stop from 60 MPH when towing a 3000 pound total trailer load.
  • Mountain_Mamma's avatar
    Mountain_Mamma
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    Thanks to all of you for your help! I'm much more comfortable now with what I need to know to choose a TT wisely, and to choose the towing "accessories." Being able to gather wisdom from people who've been towing is so much better than relying on brochures, etc. You are all GREAT!!!
  • packpe89's avatar
    packpe89
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    Agree, yes on brake controller. The 3500# limit seems reasonable. My parents tow one that size with a GMC Canyon (5cyl) and do fine. Also agree on a WDH. Have Fun!
  • koda55's avatar
    koda55
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2014
    I am 5' 10 and have slept in our table at a diagonal and also straight long ways. Just had to curl my legs up a little, but I do that in our big bed anyway.
  • K3WE's avatar
    K3WE
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2014
    Mountain Mamma wrote:
    In general, would you all agree that 3500 pounds should be the max? And that I'd need a WDH, Brake Controller and ????


    Yes on brake controller and brakes...even "real pickup trucks" are supposed to have brakes/controller when the trailer hits 1000 or 2000 lbs.

    And for the most part, a WDH and sway control is almost always needed for a camper.

    Plus, I want to compliment you on some of your original word choice "comfortably".

    A Highlander is not a big-time tow machine... you give up some comfort when you max out anything to it's full capacity....the 3500 lb range folks have thrown out will be more comfortable.
  • Mountain_Mamma's avatar
    Mountain_Mamma
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2014
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    2gypsies wrote:
    Look at the R-Pod by Forest River. We had occasion to go in one recently and they are very, very nice for a small trailer. You can get one in your weight specifications. They have a slide.

    R-Pod Trailers


    I chose between the rpod rp-177 and my ascend A171RD. there was extremely little storage in the rpod, no hang up storage, would be living out of plastic storage boxes, etc. I paid $5,000 more for my Ascend which was a difference of night and day between them. rpod had a wet bath and a tiny sink.
    bumpy


    If the R-Pods had dry baths, I'd take a serious look at them, but I really, really want a dry bath! It'd be the best place to put my 15 year old cat's litter box - within a second bin, of course! :)
  • Mountain_Mamma's avatar
    Mountain_Mamma
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2014
    2012Coleman wrote:
    I realize that you state dthat you don't want a pop-up, but Trailmanor makes a nice hard sided pop-up. Worth checking the website. Good luck!


    Thanks! It looks really interesting, but I think I want something that is already by and large set up.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2014
    2gypsies wrote:
    Look at the R-Pod by Forest River. We had occasion to go in one recently and they are very, very nice for a small trailer. You can get one in your weight specifications. They have a slide.

    R-Pod Trailers


    I chose between the rpod rp-177 and my ascend A171RD. there was extremely little storage in the rpod, no hang up storage, would be living out of plastic storage boxes, etc. I paid $5,000 more for my Ascend which was a difference of night and day between them. rpod had a wet bath and a tiny sink.
    bumpy

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