How do you know how much you can TRULY pull?
We have a 2017 Toyota Highlander without the tow package, and it is not AWD, and are looking to get a KZ Escape 22 foot that has GVWR of 4000 lbs. We will get a hitch, trailer brake, and weight distri...
Forum Discussion
I'm sure if you read the official Toyota documentation, they have disclaimers baked in, so no worry about litigation.
If it says it can pull 5,000lb, it should be able to pull that much. Pulling is only one factor to consider.
The issue that is often missed is payload. With marginal tow vehicles, like a lot of SUVs, they don't have much payload, so they run out of payload before they reach the tow rating.
Doing a quick check online, looks like you have a payload of 1455lb.
- Assuming a 15% tongue weight, that eats up around 750lb
- Maybe 200lb for the hitch, running boards and other misc bolt on gear.
- A family of 4...say 500lb
- cooler and other gear in the back of the truck...say 300lb
And suddenly, you are at 1750lb loaded in a 1455lb payload SUV.
It's less common but you also should consider individual axle weight ratings (GAWR), Combined truck and trailer (GCWR) also frontal area is often assumed to be limited.
Of course, if you took a stripped out model with driver and otherwise empty truck, you could probably keep within the other ratings and pull a 5,000lb trailer...so technically, the tow rating is possible.
If it says it can pull 5,000lb, it should be able to pull that much. Pulling is only one factor to consider.
The issue that is often missed is payload. With marginal tow vehicles, like a lot of SUVs, they don't have much payload, so they run out of payload before they reach the tow rating.
Doing a quick check online, looks like you have a payload of 1455lb.
- Assuming a 15% tongue weight, that eats up around 750lb
- Maybe 200lb for the hitch, running boards and other misc bolt on gear.
- A family of 4...say 500lb
- cooler and other gear in the back of the truck...say 300lb
And suddenly, you are at 1750lb loaded in a 1455lb payload SUV.
It's less common but you also should consider individual axle weight ratings (GAWR), Combined truck and trailer (GCWR) also frontal area is often assumed to be limited.
Of course, if you took a stripped out model with driver and otherwise empty truck, you could probably keep within the other ratings and pull a 5,000lb trailer...so technically, the tow rating is possible.
