Tow package

found the invoice for my 2011 Highlander. towing package included:
heavy duty radiator with engine oil cooler, 200 watt fan coupling transmission oil cooler with water cooler, 150 amp alternator and prewired harness.
did NOT include receiver and required one more wire to be run to rear for brake controller.
so nothing really related to "strength", just longevity.
bumpy

trail-explorer wrote:
Yes you can. It may only be a trailer hitch and trailer wiring that the factory adds to make up the "tow package"

Certainly the vehicle has a "tow rating" even if your particular model didn't have a factory installed hitch.

Just because a vehicle doesn't have a factory installed hitch doesn't mean it has ZERO tow weight rating.

my Highlander was rated at 3,500 lbs. and 5,000 with the tow package.
bumpy

Yes you can. It may only be a trailer hitch and trailer wiring that the factory adds to make up the "tow package"

Certainly the vehicle has a "tow rating" even if your particular model didn't have a factory installed hitch.

Just because a vehicle doesn't have a factory installed hitch doesn't mean it has ZERO tow weight rating.

don't know about the Highlander but will try to find my invoice for that and see what is included. I note for the Tacoma the only "safety" addition was the sway control (which some folks pan and others like) and the rest was longevity related issues.
the receiver can be purchased much cheaper than the Toyota version, so that can be left out of the equation, comparing to the factory package. I really thought that some things would be added like extra leaf in the springs, larger brake drums, etc.????
bumpy

Yes. Once you add all of the components of the tow package then your vehicle is no different than any other Highlander that came off the line with one. However, adding all of the tow package components can be quite expensive. To match the factory tow package for that year you would need the hitch, converter, transmission cooler, oil cooler, higher capacity alternator, higher capacity cooling fan, and the upgraded radiator.

The "tow package" as a package is only offered from the factory. When you do it after the fact, you have to purchase all of the components separately. Purchasing the OEM Toyota parts will set you back a pretty penny, but really it's the best way to go. Doing it this way you know for sure that you vehicle will be able to hit the 3,500 lbs without problems. You can purchase aftermarket products, but you would have to be careful to make sure that it meets the specs of the tow package.

Yes you can.

You certainly can add enough stuff to pull 3,500lbs. with your HL. Enjoy.

Lynnmor wrote:
Yes, you can. You need to know what exactly was included in the "package." It is different things depending on manufacturer, model etc. It might be some simple cheap additions to major surgery, so you will need to do the homework.

yep, IIRC all of the pieces are able to be installed. Can't remember what they are but they were listed for my 2016 Tacoma, tranny cooler, stronger alternator, possibly a larger radiator, and a couple of additional items. Nothing was mentioned about massive changes. probably cheaper to modify than to switch vehicles.

edit: got the invoice on the 2016 Tacoma. the tow package for that $650 included class IV towing receiver ATF cooler, engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130 amp alternator 4 & 7 pin conector, trailer sway control TSC. that last one might kill the deal?
bumpy

Yes, you can. You need to know what exactly was included in the "package." It is different things depending on manufacturer, model etc. It might be some simple cheap additions to major surgery, so you will need to do the homework.

No. It is what it is. You can add stuff that may make it able to handle 3000 pounds, but you will never change the factory numbers.
But you also need to remember, that factory towing rating is based on an empty vehicle except for one 140 pound driver and a 1/4 tank of gas. Everything else reduces the tow ratings pound for pound. Also it probably is based on a utility trailer, not a full height travel trailer.