If that's the tranny oil cooler on the driver's side front... where is the aux. engine oil cooler? I'd like to check it to make sure it's not clogged with dirt like the tranny cooler was.

Also... what is a "fan coupling" and how does it make the vehicle tow better?

Thanks!
Bryan

 

Sorry for the non clear descriptions, I basically copied the text from the Toyota Website :lol:

I had always known of the tranny cooler, but I had never heard of it having the oil cooler until I made this post. I have no idea where it is, I'll look through my toyota docs and see if I can locate it. If I do I'll edit this post with the info. I know the tranny radiator is behind the driver fog light, the washer fluid is behind the passenger fog light so it can't be there, so it must be somewhere near the radiator/AC condenser.

I believe the fan coupling is essentially the electric fan motors. The tow prep package adds higher power fans to help cool the engine/radiator better. Cooler radiator = better engine performance/durability especially during towing. For example if your climing a steep grade with a heavy trailer, the transmission is going to downshift to 3rd probably (at highway speeds) and the engine is going to be up in the 3500-4000+ rpm range for the duration of that climb. That is generating lots of heat, the fans will help prevent overheating and keep the engine running safely longer.
This is from my Toyota docs on the fans (confirming the coupling is the motor): The non tow prep package fan pulls between 6.8-9.8A (~110 watts at 13.5V) and the tow prep package fan pull 14.6A-18.7A (~225 watts at 13.5V). This is for EACH fan. So your looking at ~450 watts of fans up front with the tow prep package vs ~220 watts.


EDIT: Found the oil cooler. Its a cylindrical shaped object on the side of the engine. It is on the "front" of the engine, so that when the air passes through the radiator/fans it will blow directly on the cooler. Also engine coolant is routed through the cooler as well so that also helps it keep cool. I was thinking its a radiator this whole time, its not :ugh3:.

 

Etrailer connection

I used that etrailer harness and followed their directions and video to hook up to my pre-wired connections on my toyota without a tow package. I used etrailers method of leaving the trailer connection wires inside the trunk and closing the lid on the wires when I use a trailer. I seldom use a trailer. It worked out fine. Thanks for explaining it all clearly.

 

I used that etrailer harness and followed their directions to hook up to my pre-wired connections on my toyota without a tow package. It worked out fine. Thanks for explaining it all clearly.

Yea the whole "prewired" should be taken with a grain of salt. I had always figured all highlanders are "prewired" but only the tow prep package ones actually list it in the specs (you just confirmed this). Its just one of things they include in the wire harnesses for the vehicle. It would probably be more expensive to have 2 separate main vehicle harnesses (one with and one without the prewire) than just 1 they use in all highlanders.

 

Ok this question comes up a lot so I'm gonna post this info and throw it into the common questions/problem sticky :thumbsup:

Thanks, man, another very worthy informational thread that will answer a lot of questions. :chug:

 

So True! When I was shopping for my 2011 HL that I bought last monday - 95% of the dealers where CLUELESS as to if the HL had the Tow Prep package or not.. But thanks to SweeneyP - I found that all 8 HL's I looked at (2009's to 2011's) had the Tow prep package.

 

Just in case someone wants to see what that oil cooler looks like (rather than a drawing), you can see it under the oil filter in the left of this picture (pic is from a Tacoma):

 

I have the 2012 Limited 2wd highlander. I looked through the slits this morning underneath the fog lights and I saw a small radiator, so I'm assuming that's the oil cooler. If there was no tow prep pkg then that area would be empty right?

Reason why I checked this morning is because when I went to toyota website to build your own highlander. I picked what my car had and under options I picked the Voice controlled DVD/Nav and when I clicked on info it showed the the tow prep pkg was included in this option.

 

Yes if you saw the radiator, you have the tow prep package, that space would be empty without it. Most Highlanders come with the package, so its rare to find one without it.

 

Toyota HL 2012 Limited 4 x 4

Is the 2012 HL with factory tow package installed have a wire plug connection under the dash to plug in a trailer brake controller? I had the dealer install the hitch and wiring at the rear, but it contains a 4 pin connection. I realized I will have to install a 7 pin and trailer brake controller, but cannot locate the plug under the dash for the controller. The 2012 HL manual states that unbraked trailers are limited to 1000 lbs. in order to be able to pull 5K one needs a trailer with brakes.

 

Is the 2012 HL with factory tow package installed have a wire plug connection under the dash to plug in a trailer brake controller? I had the dealer install the hitch and wiring at the rear, but it contains a 4 pin connection. I realized I will have to install a 7 pin and trailer brake controller, but cannot locate the plug under the dash for the controller. The 2012 HL manual states that unbraked trailers are limited to 1000 lbs. in order to be able to pull 5K one needs a trailer with brakes.

:welcome: to TN!

The OEM trailer wiring is for a 4 flat only, it has no 7 pin capability. You will have to add that yourself. Its not hard though, since the 4 flat converter is under the dash, you can just tap into the brake signal there. Plus you will have to run the various power wires from the bat -> 7 pin, bat -> controller, and controller -> 7 pin. Here is a thread on a 7 pin install: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1....com/forum/122-2nd-generation-2008-2013/238811-wiring-7-wire-trailer-setup.html I've installed one as well, if you have any Q's or run into a problem, don't hesitate to ask :thumbsup:

As for what the manual says...well that's Toyota covering their legal behind. I've towed a ~2700-3000lb trailer without brakes before, and the HL brakes are competent enough to handle that kind of load, though I wouldn't go any higher. I did leave a LONG distance between me and the car in front.

 

it seems those of us with the I4 do not usually come with a tow package, and looking at the '13 options tonight the tow option was not even available for the four banger anymore. I wasnt worried about towing when we got our 09 hl, but now we have been looking at small travel trailers and without the tow package theres not much to choose from. Trying to figure out if I can add the tow equipment myself

 

Towing with a 4cyl HL...your brave :lol: (HL already weights a lot for the 4cyl, its going to be "fun" driving at interstate speeds )


The towing package doesn't change the structure or brakes of the HL, only cooling. So there really isn't a whole lot needed to safely tow 3500lb. Anyway, given your in Texas, heat is probably more of an issue (especially considering that little 4 banger is probably going to be pushed pretty hard towing). Normally I would say throw on a tranny fluid radiator and see how it goes from there. You can try towing like that, but keep an eye on the coolant temp. The tow package tends to keep the coolant right at ~182F (thats when the thermostat opens) almost all the time, at that temp, the temp gauge is just below half. If you find the temp starts to rise, I would look into possibly upgrading the electric fans (not exactly sure how you would go about that though (you might have to replace the fan ECU too)).

 

I know that you guys mention that the plug connection is under the dash but on which side? I found the oil cooler and the transmission cooler so I think that I have the towing package but for some reason I can't find that plug.

..update..

Never mind, I found a video on google which shows the plug and explains how to install the wire harness.

 

Thanks for all of this info. There must be a number or letter code in the vin number that indicates a tow package onboard.

 

There was a package # (I think its "TO"), but I don't think there is anything in the VIN for it.

 

After market?

I just purchased my 2008 HL believing it could tow up to 5k lbs. I didn't want any bigger tv. Unfortunately, I've put a cap on my choice of campers, finding little to chose from even with 5k. I've been shopping for months. Without enough information.

Is it possible to put together an equivalent tow package after market? I can live with a limit of 5k. If not I'll have to go back to the drawing board.:help:

I'm new to this whole trailer towing thing. Seems there is a huge learning curve for me.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

...so you didn't buy a HL with a tow prep package?

Unfortunately it will take a lot of work to add a equivalent system.

Because the tow package equipped vehicles have a different lower engine block that has oil cooler inlets/outlets, it will be difficult to find a location to tap into the oil system to add an aftermarket cooler. Most aftermarket kits won't be compatible with our engines as we use a canister filter system.

The radiator on the tow prep has a larger capacity than the stock one, I'm unsure if you can buy larger aftermarket coolers.

The tow prep package basically doubles the wattage of the cooling fans. IIRC, there are aftermarket fans meant specifically for tow prep package HL's.

The alternator is also up'd. This is to compensate for trailer brakes and electric cooling fans. You can get aftermarkets (or OEM 150A), but they aren't cheap.

There are a lot of aftermarket transmission coolers out there, and you should be able to intercept the lines going to the radiator. This will be one of the easier changes.

As for being pre-wired, thats easy compared to the other stuff. They make universal converters that make it easy, but having said that, a few people have said their non tow package HL's were prewired, worth looking into.

All of this won't be cheap, if you add it separate...

 

It's either a tow package or getting a teardrop trailer and be done with it....

 

Or one of these, even their 16 footer is only like 2500lbs
http://www.livinlite.com/camplite-models.php
I think your best bet might be to find some lightweight aluminum trailer.

 

Or for a trailer with more features, try http://www.escapetrailer.com/ or http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/

 

Or one that tows with less wind resistance but folds up to a nice size.

http://trailmanor.com/WebDocs/folding-line/2720.html

 

Thanks for all your suggestions. There may be asolution there.

 

2012 Base Highlander V6 FWD.

Hello TN forum members,

This is my first post here and I'm trying to figure out if I have the "Tow-Prep" or not. I just bought a used 2012 Highlander V6 base FWD. Mine came with an aftermarket Draw-Tite hitch and 4-wire standard trailer plug.

I've got most of the drivers side rear panels and rear tray off of the inside of the Highlander right now (installing Pioneer Double-Din HU and backup camera.) I noticed in the drivers side rear tray area, there is a square 4-wire white connector that connects to the actual 4-way trailer plug mounted to the hitch. That connector is obviously factory from Toyota. I know the extension cable/trailer plug to the hitch and the actual hitch are aftermarket.

I also can see the "trailer prep wiring loom and connector" under the drivers side dash. This runs back to the driver's side rear tray area. It is factory and you can tell it was not added on later.

My question is this...I have looked in the front "air inlet" under the drivers side fog lamp area (although being a Base model, mine doesn't have fog lamps) and there is no aux. cooler.

Do I have the actual tow prep or not?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

I'm now conflicted. I will CONFIRM with photos, load weight count sheets, etc that the BASE model without the tow package is capable of over 4000lbs. Ive personally hauled a 600lb trailer with over 3500lbs of bottled water (1gal = 8lbs +/- 1-3oz).

I have towed a few cars out of the ditch that weigh similar to the highlander and thats the only time I've noticed it struggle with towing...

I pull a 12' x 8' bumper-pull trailer that weighs 510 lbs rated for 3500 lbs axle weight but I haven't had it (New trailer vs old trailer) at or over capacity on the HL yet.

My old trailer (66" x 120") Ive had around 3800lbs of water and the tires were basically scraping the wheel wells on the trailer from weight and the towing was really easy...

Granted I'm a 88M (Motor Transport Operator or Truck Driver) for the US Army, the HL is a capable hauler for most average users. I wouldn't try pulling a tandem axle car trailer (1600-2500lbs tare) but it could easily handle GVWR of cars 3000lbs or less with a well equipped single axle or lightweight tandem axle...

To caveat things, I do notice a funky "smell" when hauling extremely heavy loads when I accelerate but I attribute that to the Catalytic Converter not burning the sulfur off from the fuel here in Oklahoma...

 

Hammbones,
I don't think there is any actual difference in physical towing capacity for limited short distances (like you said towing a car out of ditch, short pulls, etc.)

I think the difference is in towing a heavy load > 2000lbs over distance or frequently. Hence the transmission and oil coolers, higher rated alternator, stronger cooling fans, etc on the Tow-Prep packaged HL's.

That is why I posed my question on if mine has the Tow Prep or not. I race motorcycles and have towed a tandem axle enclosed race trailer from Atlanta to Texas and back with my old truck. I've since sold that trailer, but still plan to tow a smaller open style trailer and wanted to know if I can tow 2000lbs or up to 5000lbs without burning up the tranny or boiling the 0w-20 motor oil.

 

I noticed that the recommended oil rating for HLs equipped with tow package was 5w-30 whereas my base model says 5w-20 in the manual...

I've done my fair share of long hauling weight when the Moore tornado hit in March, I spearheaded a relief effort out of Ft Sill where we delivered 38 tons of supplies to them, while I did not haul that amount by myself, I hauled at capacity and sometimes over for about 1100 miles worth of trips in a week. I didnt notice any issues whatsoever other than the obvious fuel economy even while hauling 3-4000lbs of water. I am interested in knowing if my HL has the oil cooker though. Just thought I would share my towing experience here

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Do you have the 4-cyl? I thought all V6's were listed as using 0w-20...


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Nope, 3.5L V6

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What year HL do you have? Mine's a 2012. I think my owners manual only recommends 0w-20 for the V6. I'm in my Accord today, so I'll look at my owners manual tonight.


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;8 base model AFAIK. Nothing fancy on it

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