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Yosemite_Sam1's avatar
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Oct 03, 2019

Toyota Highlander and 26' Trailer

I camped side by side with a camper with this set up and got curious as this seems to be a over-matched and a dangerous set up.

Checked my numbers on Google as Highland I recall at most is rated for 5,000 lbs and trailer must be over 5,000lbs or only slightly below dry (a bigger model than my Coleman).

He explained that Toyota towing rating has some 20% allowance -- so technically his towing vehicle's actually 6,000 lbs. capability.

And he said, his trailer had tandem tires each side, so it's a lighter pull than single tire trailer because the weight is resting on the tires -- not the front of the trailer on the hitch.

It's seems logical and can't argue against since he said he is (was?) a Toyota mechanical engineer.

Well, that put me on my spot -- I'm just a pedestrian and a failure numbers game even with my math-oriented family.

Any thoughts -- or contrary opinion from another engineer?
Tow Vehicles
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Oct 03, 2019
    Apparently he made it to the campground!

    Doesn't say much for how Yoda pays their engineers if the ole boy has to suffer through pulling a big trailer with a Highlander though! lol
  • Yosemite_Sam1's avatar
    Yosemite_Sam1
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    Grit dog wrote:
    Apparently he made it to the campground!

    Doesn't say much for how Yoda pays their engineers if the ole boy has to suffer through pulling a big trailer with a Highlander though! lol



    :);):D

    And over the humps and twisting scary zig-zags of the CA 120-Tioga Pass (???) into Tuolome-Yosemite.
  • Yosemite_Sam1's avatar
    Yosemite_Sam1
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    thomasmnile wrote:
    His fuel economy is horrible when towing? :B


    And go over 9,000 feet passes without a 4WD.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 03, 2019
    "He explained that Toyota towing rating has some 20% allowance -- so technically his towing vehicle's actually 6,000 lbs. capability." Toyota never said that. This "engineer" said it...and it fits his NEED for towing capacity.

    "And he said, his trailer had tandem tires each side, so it's a lighter pull than single tire trailer because the weight is resting on the tires -- not the front of the trailer on the hitch." It is the same "pull." The TT weighs what it weights. You will need adequate tongue weight regardless of one or two axles.
  • Yosemite_Sam1's avatar
    Yosemite_Sam1
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    I might have been over-worried for him.

    Here might be his numbers and he is ok.

    His Highlander is capable of 5,000 lbs.

    Coleman trailer lightest tandem-wheel is 4,237 lbs.

    Meaning he got 700 lbs to play with even without those 20% and easier-to-pull tandem tires ****.

    Close but he'll manage it safely traveling light with added stuff and running empty on all tanks.

    Personally though, I also travel light, I'll be more comfortable with a 4Runner 4WD.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    GCWR is just a performance and longevity rating. Not everybody needs to tow their trailer up davis dam grade in the middle of summer, and most folks only tow infrequently. As long as his hitch receiver is good for it, he's probably fine, even though there is certainly better tools for that task.
  • Yosemite_Sam1's avatar
    Yosemite_Sam1
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    carringb wrote:
    GCWR is just a performance and longevity rating. Not everybody needs to tow their trailer up davis dam grade in the middle of summer, and most folks only tow infrequently. As long as his hitch receiver is good for it, he's probably fine, even though there is certainly better tools for that task.


    I think he also mentioned, we Americans tend to over-truck, lol.
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    He had three extra batteries, powering an additional 5 sets of brakes making his highlander safely able to handle the extra weight for braking.

    Yes I was being tongue in cheek, but when folks start talking ratings, it seems they always go on about power to tow something, but handling the load in an emergency situation is the real question.

    Was the load within the real world needs to consider those around you?
    Not saying it was or wasn't, simply asking the question.
    Me, I like being over prepared to have a clear conscience in the the event of a difficult situation.
  • thomasmnile's avatar
    thomasmnile
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2019
    Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
    thomasmnile wrote:
    His fuel economy is horrible when towing? :B


    And go over 9,000 feet passes without a 4WD.


    Or a turbo engine. We just bought a Highlander V6. Pretty good giddyup with only passengers; I've spun the front tires punching it from a dead stop.

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