Tow Vehicle Advice Needed for Novice

philh wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:

And in general max towing assumes driver and a full tank of gas in the tow vehicle, no luggage, not passengers, zippo else.

All the vehicle manufacturers have adopted SAE std J2807.

Tow values include full fluids, including fuel, 150 lb driver, 150 lb passenger, and some amount of hitch equipment.

That's better than before, but still not what lots of folks think or follow when looking at towing capacity limits. And I'd say that 300lbs of allowed people probably means many vehicles with 2 people is over the 300lbs. I'm a skinny 6ft tall at 165 and DW is a trim 125, put our clothes on and I'd say we are over the 300lbs.

ktmrfs wrote:

And in general max towing assumes driver and a full tank of gas in the tow vehicle, no luggage, not passengers, zippo else.

All the vehicle manufacturers have adopted SAE std J2807.

Tow values include full fluids, including fuel, 150 lb driver, 150 lb passenger, and some amount of hitch equipment.

if they hylander hybrid has a CVT check the tow rating. CVT transmissions aren't known for the ability to take high loads.
Also check the max TONGUE weight allowed on the hylander. Often TV mfg develop tow ratings based on 10% tongue weight but trailer mfg usually design for 15% tongue weight or more.
And in general max towing assumes driver and a full tank of gas in the tow vehicle, no luggage, not passengers, zippo else.
Now the Casita does have a few strong points for towing. they have a small frontal area compared to the typical 8ft wide tall small trailer and are reasonably light weight which helps.
If it was my choice I'd go for the non hybrid equipped with a factory tow package or upgraded to that if it is possible.
And if Casita gives a tongue weight assume loaded tongue weight will be double that. Tongue weight is w/o any batteries and with empty propane tanks, no water in the fresh tank and nothing in the trailer.
My trailer (much bigger) had a empty quoted tongue weight of 750lbs, which I verified. Once batteries installed, propane filled, water tank (40 gallons) and all the stuff loaded into the trailer tongue weight is 1450lbs!

I don't see a "like" button but thanks to all above for the help. This info is great.

A vehicle without a factory hitch probably doesn't have the factory tow package. I don't know exactly what that would include with this particular vehicle but it can include things like: built in trailer brake control, larger radiator, lower axle gears, bigger mirrors, larger radiator, extra transmission cooler, etc.
So, depending on this particular vehicle tow package you might not want one that didn't come with a hitch.
A hybrid will likely get worse fuel mileage when towing due to all the extra weight it's dragging around. Further, 3,500 pounds is not enough. Keep in mind that on most vehicles the tow rating is figured with a 150 pound driver in an otherwise empty vehicle. Adding passengers, pets, and gear to the vehicle subtracts pound for pound from the tow rating. Check your owners' manual to be sure on this vehicle.

There is a quite a bit of good info starting on page 187 in the Highlander owner's manual.

Typically many small SUVs specify a maximum frontal area of the trailer since wind drag is a bigger consumer of power than trailer weight. Frontal area restrictions limit you to utility trailers and pop-ups, but there is mention of any such limitation for the Highlander. There is good/important info on checking the weight and balance of the trailer as well as connecting a trailer hitch and lighting.

This same question was also asked a few years back in the towing forum.

5wahls wrote:

Any other things I need to be concerned with if the Highlander did not come with a tow package?

You need to do some serious research on your choices !

The hybrid would not be my first choice. You are going to put a lot of stress on the electric motor and the CVT.

For the gas version, find out what the factory tow package included. Likely oversized radiator and transmission cooler. You can add those.

5wahls wrote:
Hi, I'm looking at used Highlanders to tow my 17 ft Casita, both gas and a hybrid. But the two I'm looking at do not have a hitch. Is there anything special to know about getting the hitch and plug installed? Can I do a third party or should I go to the dealer I buy the used Highlander from?

Bit different advice here.
If adding a trailer hitch, wiring, brake contoller (you can use an expensive phone app controller though with no install) and potentially other modifications to make a vehicle suitable for towing, and you don't have the knowledge nor ability to do it yourself, it will be an expensive proposition.
Just too many mid size whatever's out there that already are set up for towing to pay to have it done, in addition to buying the vehicle.
JMO
Good luck car shopping though!

Here are the weights you'll need to know and how they interconnect:

Tow Vehicle:
A = payload
B = tow capacity

Trailer:
C = loaded weight or gvwr
D = tongue weight (about 15 percent of C)

B must be greater than C. How much more depends on terrain, distance, and personal comfort level. Most folks try to keep C at under 20 percent of B (so for a 5,000lb towing capacity, the trailer gvwr would be no more than 4,000lbs or for trailer with a 3,600lb gvwr, the towing capacity would be at least 4,500lbs).

A must be more than the sum of D + weight of all passengers + weight of all gear in and on the tow vehicle.

A 2003 Casita 17 with a dry weight of 2385lbs has a gvwr of 3500lbs. So you are looking at about that range (the actual model year will cause that to vary some).

So, the numbers would be:

TV option 1:
A = 1340lbs
B = 3500lbs

TV option 2:
A = 1465lbs (if 2017)
B = 5000lbs

Casita:
C = 3500lbs (for 2003)
D = 525lbs (for 2003)

I believe he means trailer gvwr.