Questions about buying a travel trailer

Did your HL come with the tow prep package? My 2008 had it, and thus the 5000 lb tow rating, but very few HLs on the lot had that option. Without it, I think the rating was much lower (1500 lbs maybe?). The big factor was the extra cooling. I don't know about your 2017 specifically.

I towed trailers of 2700 to 3800 lbs (wet weight), all around 16'-17' long, for 140,000 of my HL's 185,000 miles. Hitch weight ranged from 350 to 420 lbs depending on the trailer, and most of the time I towed directly on the ball (no WD). Toward the end the trans temp light was coming on during long climbs up grades while towing, but otherwise the vehicle was in fine shape. I traded for a Lexus GX470 V8 about 3 years ago.

Your HL could tow this weight and size, but the problem I see potentially is the hitch weight. Your limit is, I believe, 500 lbs. 380 is the dry weight. When you add battery and LP, you'll be more like 425-450 lbs on the hitch. Now, where is the fresh water tank? Under the front bed? You'd have to leave it empty. Where is the hot water heater? 6 gallons is almost 50 lbs, and I bet it's in front of the axle. And at 20'9" length, towing with a short wheelbase, won't you want to use a hitch that provides weight distribution and anti-sway? Well, that hitch will weigh between 65 and 90 lbs, so now you're over 500 lbs on your receiver. And you haven't started loading gear into the trailer.

The HL is a very capable tow vehicle, within specs. But I think from a practical perspective a 'within specs' trailer is about 3 feet shorter and 75-100 lbs lighter on the tongue.

Whatever you do, don't go any wider or taller. Wind resistance is the biggest factor when towing at highway speed. Going up long or steep grades is when the weight really kicks in.

You might look at the Scamp, if it will work for your family. Or a pop up trailer.

Good choice in a Winnebago but your current proposed TV is inadequate IMO. Think at least about payload and horsepower as well as max TT weight. Stay with a tandem axel too.

The number to be more concerned with is payload. Look at the driver door sill or the manual and get the number from the sentence that states " total weight of cargo and passengers not to exceed xxxx pounds." A google search says 1410 lbs, but yours may be different.

I looked up the specs on the Winnie micro 1700bh. Says 3800 lbs gross weight. Thats basically the only brochure weight you can believe. So 12 to 13 percent of that will be on the tongue which at 13% is 494 lbs. Subtract that from payload.

You need a weight distributing hitch - can you use one with this SUV? check the manual. If so, subtract another 100 lbs from payload.

What is your hitch receiver rated for? Check the sticker on it, or the manual. Below 500 lbs? Scrap the whole idea.

What is the weight of people and cargo in the vehicle while towing? Subtract that from payload.

Someone said to check the frontal area of a trailer allowed - good idea.

Looked at some videos of this model, and I agree that it looks very nice - more so than the other units you listed. Just make sure your vehicle can tow it safely.

One more thing to avoid with small TT such as this is wall mounted AC units. don't go there - they do not do a good job cooling the unit in the summer.

Good luck.

Smerlonghi wrote:

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
I will also be worried about the low wheel-base of the Highlander. Meaning, all the weight of the TT will be resting and leaning on that ball of the hitch.

Toyota should be able to give you a good advice on your towing vehicle's capabilities.

They are aweful....I spoke to 3 different people and none of them could give me an answer...They just said refer to the manual and the specs.

That's awful. I both talked to Toyota and to a Camping World experienced RVer before deciding I have a good match with my vehicle and trailer.

I have a 4runner 4WD pulling a 21ft 3,800++ lbs Coleman FQ. I was actually planning to get a bigger trailer and upgrade to a bigger truck, an F150.

But I found this a sweet spot of a match and avoided the bigger expense -- helps me too in getting tight campsites as I prefer camping in National Parks and NFs.

First step I did was to look at the models I want, then use their website guide as to the vehicle or truck that can pull it.

Good luck though. It's a bitter sweet, touch and go experience.

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
I will also be worried about the low wheel-base of the Highlander. Meaning, all the weight of the TT will be resting and leaning on that ball of the hitch.

Toyota should be able to give you a good advice on your towing vehicle's capabilities.

They are aweful....I spoke to 3 different people and none of them could give me an answer...They just said refer to the manual and the specs.

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
You need to really understand weights. Do some reading on the forums, as there is a ton out there. On a quick overview, your 5,000 tow rating (if that is a real number), also has to account for your family, pets, and all gear in the SUV. So, a 3,800 pound trailer and 700 pounds of family and gear would put you at 4,500 against your 5,000 rating - and potentially near your payload (there's a sticker on the driver door jam to give you that number). You wouldn't necessarily be over, but you'd be getting close.

There also may be a frontal area limit on your SUV, the manual will give you that. Your tow capacities are based on a max frontal area of the trailer - on many SUV's that area is much less than what a travel trailer has.

All in all, it is possible, but you would likely be VERY near your numbers. If you are camping mostly locally and have the option of upgrading your truck if you find that it doesn't work, it might be worth a try. If that is the case, run the numbers to make sure tehre are no red flags and go for it. If you are planning on long distance hauling, mountain driving, or will be stuck with this matchup once you pull the trigger, I would not try it.

Thank you for the info...Here is pulle from the manual and as it reads it is seperate weights : Model code *2
Vehicle capacity weight (Occupant + luggage)
Trailer Weight Rating (Trailer weight + cargo weight)
ASU50L-ARTNKA 1460 lb. (660 kg) 1500 lb. (680 kg) GSU50L-ARZNHA 1370 lb. (620 kg)
5000 lb. (2200 kg)
GSU50L-ARZMHA
1300 lb. (590 kg)*3 1370 lb. (620 kg)*4
GSU50L-ARZGHA
1300 lb. (590 kg)*3 1370 lb. (620 kg)*4 GSU55L-ARZNHA 1370 lb. (620 kg)
GSU55L-ARZMHA
1300 lb. (590 kg)*3 1340 lb. (610 kg)*4 GSU55L-ARZGHA 1280 lb. (580 kg

I will also be worried about the low wheel-base of the Highlander. Meaning, all the weight of the TT will be resting and leaning on that ball of the hitch.

Toyota should be able to give you a good advice on your towing vehicle's capabilities.

You need to really understand weights. Do some reading on the forums, as there is a ton out there. On a quick overview, your 5,000 tow rating (if that is a real number), also has to account for your family, pets, and all gear in the SUV. So, a 3,800 pound trailer and 700 pounds of family and gear would put you at 4,500 against your 5,000 rating - and potentially near your payload (there's a sticker on the driver door jam to give you that number). You wouldn't necessarily be over, but you'd be getting close.

There also may be a frontal area limit on your SUV, the manual will give you that. Your tow capacities are based on a max frontal area of the trailer - on many SUV's that area is much less than what a travel trailer has.

All in all, it is possible, but you would likely be VERY near your numbers. If you are camping mostly locally and have the option of upgrading your truck if you find that it doesn't work, it might be worth a try. If that is the case, run the numbers to make sure tehre are no red flags and go for it. If you are planning on long distance hauling, mountain driving, or will be stuck with this matchup once you pull the trigger, I would not try it.

I would not attempt it. Weight is only one thing you need to be aware of. Think of towing a TT like trying to tow a giant brick down the road.
For your SUV unless it has a trans cooler your likely limited to maybe 3500 pounds towing capacity. Start looking at a small to medium sized tent trailer or possibly an ALiner or teardrop style. I think you would be much happier with the towing experience.