Toyota Highlander as Tow Vehicle

[SpeakEasy]

Hello everyone!

I'm a returner to this site after an absence of a couple of years. (When it first became a subscription-based site I, sadly, had to leave.)

After having towed our Coleman Cheyenne all over the country with our Toyota Previa, we had to trade the Previa in last fall. Our replacement tow vehicle is a Toyota Highlander. I've only towed the Cheyenne on a couple of very short hops to and from the Fleetwood dealer (a long story for another post.) So far the Highlander seems like a champion tow vehicle.

What I'd like to know from you folks is what experiences and/or stories you have about the Highlander as a tow vehicle. What can I expect as I get into some longer trips including mountain travel?

Should I invest in a transmission cooler?
Will I need air shocks?
Will I need a sway bar?
Should I always travel with OverDrive locked out?

I know the "stock" answers to these questions; what I'm looking for is people with experience with the Highlander. Is there anyone out there in Popup Times land with this experience?

Thanks in advance,
SpeakEasy

[tlhdoc]

Welcome back.  I don't tow with a Highlander, but a tranny cooler is always a good thing to have.

[schaf921]

Hello everyone!

What I'd like to know from you folks is what experiences and/or stories you have about the Highlander as a tow vehicle. What can I expect as I get into some longer trips including mountain travel?

Should I invest in a transmission cooler?
Will I need air shocks?
Will I need a sway bar?
Should I always travel with OverDrive locked out?

I know the "stock" answers to these questions; what I'm looking for is people with experience with the Highlander. Is there anyone out there in Popup Times land with this experience?

Thanks in advance,
SpeakEasy

I tow a Fleetwood Tacoma with our 2001 Highlander and asked the same questions to my Toyota dealer.  Mine came with the towing package when I bought it.  The prep package includes an upgraded radiator, transmission oil cooler, 130-amp alternator, and trailer pre-wiring.  My dealer said that this was a good purchase otherwise they would recommend the radiator and tranny cooler if I didn't already have it.  

Not sure about Air shocks but really haven't had much sway problem.  When it starts, I just let off the gas and it gets under control pretty quickly.  Thinking about adding an antisway friction bar anyway just to be safe.  And yes, definitely drive with the Overdrive locked out according to the owners manual.

[schaf921]

One additional note, I just found this at a website re: the Highlander towing:

Towing Capabilities

Four-cylinder Highlanders can tow 1,500 pounds, or up to 3,000 pounds if you buy the towing prep package
V6 Highlanders can tow 2,000 pounds, or up to 3,500 with the towing prep package

http://trucks.about.com/od/2005sportutilityvehicles/a/highlander.htm

[SpeakEasy]

One additional note, I just found this at a website re: the Highlander towing:

Towing Capabilities

Four-cylinder Highlanders can tow 1,500 pounds, or up to 3,000 pounds if you buy the towing prep package
V6 Highlanders can tow 2,000 pounds, or up to 3,500 with the towing prep package

http://trucks.about.com/od/2005sportutilityvehicles/a/highlander.htm

Thanks; I've got the 6 cylinder AWD.

[sandykayak]

So glad you asked.   I recently bought an '04 Highlander with 31K miles.  

Just had the hitch receiver installed by U-Haul...now I have to hope that the tow bar (with the V-shaped align assist!) will be of the same heigh!

Since I tow an 8-foot Jayco, I hope I don't need to make any other adjustments???     I went ahead and installed a Class 3 hitch receiver.

[Tim5055]

Last year I talked to a guy in a campground that was towing a Niagara (an 03, old style I think) with a Lexus RX300.  Really the same as the Highlander.

He said it towed like a dream.

I would go with any/all coolers you can add.

A sway bar can never hurt.

[sandykayak]

<<The prep package includes an upgraded radiator, transmission oil cooler, 130-amp alternator, and trailer pre-wiring.>>>


So what if your Highlander didn't have the factory towing prep package and you installed the hitch receiver afterward?

You take it to the dealer and it costs how much to make whatever adjustments??

hey, i have the toddler of PUs (the babies being the kind towed by motorcycles IMO!).  empty weight is about 1,000 lbs.

[Kelly]

Brief Hijack Ahead ....  

Sandy, does the new vehicle have a name?   [/FONT]

[SpeakEasy]

So, the towing "package" includes "an upgraded radiator, transmission oil cooler, 130-amp  alternator, and trailer pre-wiring."

I don't know what they mean by an upgraded radiator.

I think I can add a tranny cooler for $150 to $200.

The trailer pre-wiring is a non-issue. They all come with that now, and I've had my hitch receiver and brake controller installed already.

What is the 130-amp alternator? How is that different from the standard alternator? Why would I want to be concerned about it?

[schaf921]

So, the towing "package" includes "an upgraded radiator, transmission oil cooler, 130-amp  alternator, and trailer pre-wiring."
I don't know what they mean by an upgraded radiator.
The trailer pre-wiring is a non-issue. They all come with that now, and I've had my hitch receiver and brake controller installed already.
What is the 130-amp alternator? How is that different from the standard alternator? Why would I want to be concerned about it?

I wish I could say for sure, just that this is what Toyota claims is needed to tow 2000 lbs vs 3500 lbs for the V6.  If you have a good dealer around, give them a call and discuss.

[schaf921]

I wish I could say for sure, just that this is what Toyota claims is needed to tow 2000 lbs vs 3500 lbs for the V6.  If you have a good dealer around, give them a call and discuss.

I just thought a bit more about the alternator and, this is an assumption, but maybe it is to assist with the secondary battery they expect to be on the trailer.  Since the battery is being charged from the tow vehicle, the larger alternator is a precaution to juice up the TV battery and the trailer battery.

[SpeakEasy]

Ah! That makes sense. Thanks. And I will give the dealer a call; I'll post what I find out.

[SpeakEasy]

Here's what the dealer had to say. The 130-amp alternator is, indeed, to help with on-trailer electrical appliances. On some trips I do want to run the fridge from the SUV's electrical system. I'll have to give some thought to this.

The bigger radiator is insurance against overheating with the heavier loads. Since my popup is 2000 pounds unloaded, I don't think I'll worry about this one.

The tranny cooler is advised; I was going to get that anyway.

[schaf921]

Here's what the dealer had to say. The 130-amp alternator is, indeed, to help with on-trailer electrical appliances. On some trips I do want to run the fridge from the SUV's electrical system. I'll have to give some thought to this.

The bigger radiator is insurance against overheating with the heavier loads. Since my popup is 2000 pounds unloaded, I don't think I'll worry about this one.

The tranny cooler is advised; I was going to get that anyway.

Glad you found your answers!  About the alternator, I do run the fridge while traveling but trailer battery is usually already charged so not a big deal.  Unless you plan to do a lot of dry camping and therefore need to charge the battery a lot off the Highlander, not sure if the alternator helps.  An expert here on car mechanics might be able to answer that.  Since I mostly hit parks with electrical hookups, not sure I would invest in an alternator if I didn't already have it.