TT selection for Highlander SUV
Hello All! I'm totally a newbie to Travel Trailers (except towing a small pop-trailer of 1500lb 15 years ago). Me and my wife are looking next year for a light weight travel trailers for 2, under 4...
Forum Discussion
Towing near or above any (payload, GVWR, hitch) of the tow vehicle ratings, is a recipe for white knuckles, neck aches, back aches, and leg cramps. In some cases, it can be dangerous. That said, you need to look closely at all of the ratings, considering all your passengers and cargo, and match up the TT and TV accordingly. You will run out of payload, long before reaching that mythical payload number.
Tow capacity numbers are set, considering the vehicle has NO passengers, NO cargo, little tongue weight, and a driver that weighs only 150 lbs. Every pound added to the vehicle, since it left the factory (aftermarket accessories or dealer options), every pound of passengers, every pound of cargo, and every pound (over 150) of driver, deducts from payload and tow capacity. If the vehicle has 5200 lbs tow capacity and 1200 lbs payload, and you add 600 pounds of occupants and cargo, the vehicle now has 4600 lbs tow capacity and 600 lbs payload available for a trailer, and it would be at max capacity.
If you stick with the Highlander, a trailer with loaded weight under 4200 lbs, might be in the ballpark.
Tow capacity numbers are set, considering the vehicle has NO passengers, NO cargo, little tongue weight, and a driver that weighs only 150 lbs. Every pound added to the vehicle, since it left the factory (aftermarket accessories or dealer options), every pound of passengers, every pound of cargo, and every pound (over 150) of driver, deducts from payload and tow capacity. If the vehicle has 5200 lbs tow capacity and 1200 lbs payload, and you add 600 pounds of occupants and cargo, the vehicle now has 4600 lbs tow capacity and 600 lbs payload available for a trailer, and it would be at max capacity.
If you stick with the Highlander, a trailer with loaded weight under 4200 lbs, might be in the ballpark.
