Can 08 Toyota Highlander AWD tow a FR 19BH trailer?

[Momatude]

We just purchased a FR Wildwood x-lite 195Bh 3,003lb travel trailer ( has 1 wheel on each side) and a 2008 Toyota Highlander AWD that states it pulls 5000K with a tow package.

Is this vehicle going to pull this trailer? Car Dealer, FR salesman assured us it would work. After reading this forum, I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance !

Anne

[xteacher]

silverfz wrote:
I think the aero dynamics of a popup is different then a trailer. Make sure of the rating before buying

Most definitely! We have both of the campers in my signature. The Aliner tows like a PUP; the AR-ONE is a small TT. My Pathfinder is rated to tow 6000 lb. and there's a big difference when towing the TT vs towing the Aliner. I wouldn't tow anything much bigger/heavier than what I have (under 3k lb. dry). I can tow the Aliner with a simple hitch, but I use a WDH/sway control with the AR-ONE.

The OP needs to find the frontal area limit of the TT in question (should be in the owner's manual of the car). This is the area of the front of the camper, which is like towing a sail into the wind - lots of wind resistance. For this reason, I always give myself a much bigger tow limit cushion when towing a TT.

[silverfz]

I towed a rather heavy popup ar around 3500lbs with my explorer . This explorer was rated for 2k without tow package and 5k with tow package . The tow package added a cooler and lock of overdrive. We camped 2 yrs with this setup , the transmission never got hot even in the moutains and I put it in 5th and drove it around. I still have the explorer now. Mine did not have a Tow Package. So I figured if I have heat issues I will add a cooler. But never did need it.


I think the aero dynamics of a popup is different then a trailer. Make sure of the rating before buying

[MFL]

After a little research, I noticed the 2008 Highlander is a new model, maybe why Trailer Life showed the 08 as 3,500 max, and the 09 5,000 max. In any case, I did notice several sources agreeing with your figure of 5,000 lb max tow on the 08 with all proper equipment installed.

I think this vehicle will work with your trailer, if used under ideal towing conditions, at reasonable speed. I would not expect it to hold up to long term towing, especially in not so ideal situations, such as up steep hills, or towing higher speeds against the wind.

Enjoy the new trailer, and puppy! I hope the Highlander works for you, but not the ideal tool for the job.

Jerry

[Momatude]

We bought the 5 pound dog to fit the trailer. Don't want to add extra weight 😉

[Momatude]

this is the info we have for our Toyota with a tow package and sway bar add ons:
Weights and Capacities
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY**5000 lbs. MAXIMUM PAYLOAD**1679 lbs.
GROSS WEIGHT6000 lbs. DRAG COEFFICIENT.34 Cd
CURB WEIGHT4321 lbs. ANGLE OF APPROACH29 degrees
ANGLE OF DEPARTURE24 degrees CARGO CAPACITY, ALL SEATS IN PLACE10.3 cu.ft.
MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY95.4 cu.ft.
** When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades.

DRIVE TYPEAll wheel drive TRANSMISSION5-speed shiftable automatic

Engine & Performance
BASE ENGINE SIZE3.5 L CAM TYPEDouble overhead cam (DOHC)
CYLINDERSV6 VALVES24
VALVE TIMINGVariable TORQUE248 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm
HORSEPOWER270 hp @ 6200 rpm TURNING CIRCLE38.7 ft.

Suspension
MacPherson strut front suspension
MacPherson strut rear suspension

Four-wheel independent suspension
Front and rear stabilizer bar

[xteacher]

Momatude wrote:
We just purchased a FR Wildwood x-lite 195Bh 3,003lb travel trailer ( has 1 wheel on each side) and a 2008 Toyota Highlander AWD that states it pulls 5000K with a tow package.

Is this vehicle going to pull this trailer? Car Dealer, FR salesman assured us it would work. After reading this forum, I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance !

Anne

Welcome to the group! Your Highlander will pull it - barely, if it's a 6 cylinder with a tow package (check to see if it has a transmission cooler at your Toyota dealer; have them run the VIN # through their computer to see if it has a tow package). I trust you're getting a brake controller for your Highlander and a weight distribution hitch with sway control (WDH). Hopefully, you won't be towing it in mountainous areas, because I think your Highlander would struggle. Be sure to take it out of overdrive and drive slowly - 55-60 mph. Your trailer tires aren't rated to drive safely over 65 mph anyway. Driving faster can result in blowouts.

FYI #1: tongue weight is what the front of the trailer hitch weighs as it sits on the hitch ball. It needs to include full propane tanks and a battery to be accurate.

FYI #2: a single wheel on each side is known as a single-axle trailer.

FYI #3: trust the average camper salesman as much as you'd trust the average car salesman...

Keep your questions coming. It's the only way you're going to learn!

[MFL]

gbopp wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Edit - a 5 lb dog? What good is that? :B

Maybe it's a rat and not a dog? Our Chihuahua weighs more than that. :E

Hey guys, it could be a darn good guard dog!! Mine, pictured in sig, is only 14 lbs, but a very good hunting dog. She is very protective, like a mother bear, if you come into my campsite. She won't bite anyone, but I wish she wouldn't make such a fuss.

Sorry to joke about the OP's dog, as to most, they are the same as children.

Jerry

[gbopp]

IdaD wrote:
Edit - a 5 lb dog? What good is that? :B

Maybe it's a rat and not a dog? Our Chihuahua weighs more than that. :E

[MFL]

I agree it should work, with proper hitch, set up correctly.

You may have to leave that heavy dog behind! 🙂

Jerry

All kidding aside, after looking at Trailer Life towing guide, it shows 2008 Highlander V-6 3.5L has 2,000 lbs tow capacity, but with tow package 3,500 lbs.

You may want to search for more actual towing info, as I don't know where you found the 5,000 lb tow capacity, that you stated in first post.

It appears that this trailer would be a very tight fit.

[IdaD]

Yeah it should do it but you may not love the combo on longer trips. Gross weight is close to 4k lbs on that unit which puts you close to your max hitch weight but not over.

Edit - a 5 lb dog? What good is that? :B

[Momatude]

Yes, it's a 6cyl. The Unloaded weight of trailer is 3003. It says cargo capacity of 881 on the info we have.

I will talk to my husband about tongue weight...don't know what that is...but I'll alert him. We have 2 average sized adults, a 5 pound dog and maybe my 90 pound daughter. We travel lite, will get food/water at the site, etc.

Thanks.

[Ed_Gee]

Momatude wrote:
We just purchased a FR Wildwood x-lite 195Bh 3,003lb travel trailer ( has 1 wheel on each side) and a 2008 Toyota Highlander AWD that states it pulls 5000K with a tow package.

Is this vehicle going to pull this trailer? Car Dealer, FR salesman assured us it would work. After reading this forum, I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance !

Anne

I assume your Highlander is 6cyl and not 4? I also suspect your trailer weight given is 'dry' weight, without water, camping gear, and all the stuff you would put in it for a trip. That is going to run the weight up beyond 3000 pounds. The specifications for your Toyota Highlander 2008 should be available on the web ... download the user manual for that year and see for yourself what the towing capacity is. Don't forget tongue weight. And lastly, for Gawd sake, do not trust what your salesman tells you!