Toyota Highlander V6 pulling 3500# Casita??

[Still_Searchin_]

Anybody doing this? Their V6 is rated for 5000# or is that only with the tow package? Can any older V6 Highlander be retrofitted with the tow package if it didn't come with that originally?
IF anyone has this combo (17ft. Spirit Casita not yet bought) do you pull with weight distributing bars and anti-sway hitch?? I know some don't, but would appreciate your experience.

[Golfcart]

Ill guess and say my trailer and Casitas are about the same hitch/weight range loaded and unloaded

I've towed using my wife's 4liter v6 with a 5k rating. It definitely works harder compared to my truck. especially in the hills. But its capable and safe. I just wouldnt take too many trips over an hour

[Still_Searchin_]

Thanks guys. Wonder if the older XLe Highlanders also have the larger radiator and supplemental transmission and engine cooling? Is there a way to find that out and what website would have that info??

[alexleblanc]

I towed a similar sized trailer with a RAV4 v6 (same drivetrain as the highlander) and was right at the max tow rating and certainly over the payload rating too, but that said the engine could have used more low end torque as it spent a lot of time at 4500 rpm +. Live and learn, that was our first trailer and TV and I know know what overloaded and under sized truck feels like.

[owenssailor]

A close friend tows a larger trailer than the Casita each year from Ontario to Florida. He is using the Equal-i-Zer 4 point hitch. He claims it tows well. His weights are within spec for the Highlander (barely)

[coolmom42]

I talked to one person in a campground with this exact setup, just a few weeks ago. He said it was a great combo. He did have a sway bar, said it helped on windy days. Also said he travelled pretty light, didn't overload the Highlander or the trailer.

On a climb you are going to know any trailer is back there unless you have a massive tow vehicle. Downshift and get in the right lane and don't worry about it.

[2lazy4U]

I have a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, rated to 5000#, a V6 with tow pkg from the factory. I've owned three Casitas and pulled them w/o any trouble (one at a time, of course), except when I was going up hills I did notice the weight. I had a sway bar on one, but I was always taking it off for dirt/gravel/icy roads so didn't use it for the others. IMO you won't need it.

There were a few times that I swore I wasn't going to make it to the top (Colorado passes), but I always did, though I might be going only 35 at best. Casitas are not the lightest of the fiberglass trailers and you might consider getting an Aframe popup, which I now have and tows like it's not even back there. Much roomier feeling than the Casita and I hated the carpet on the ceiling and roof. But you generally won't have trouble pulling one if you try to keep from overloading it.

[carringb]

Highlander tow prep package:

According to Toyota, the XLE and above have a heavy-duty radiator and an engine oil cooler. They also have a 200W fan coupling (i.e., powerful cooling fans), a supplemental transmission cooler, and a 150A alternator.

Looks like the tow package does have some substantial differences. Starting with 2016 models the tow package is standard on all V6 models.