I have been looking at the GMC Acadia, but went to the Toyota dealer to compare their vehicles. The original salesman told us the Highlander was the most comparable with the Acadia. I asked about towing a boat and was told it could tow 5,000 pounds. I have a 21' ski boat and fully loaded weight will be about 4200-4500 pounds. Has anyone towed this kind of weight at all with the 08-10 Highlanders (yes it has the tow prep package.)???
Also, I have since spoke to another salesman and he suggested the 4runner would be better for towing. I know it has a slightly bigger engine, but is also rated for 5,000 pounds. Other than a slightly higher torque rating what is the advantage of towing with the V6 4runner versus the V6 Highlander? I actually like the looks of the Highlander better.
did you count the weight of the trailer? I wanted to tow a small car and found out trailer weighted more than the car and put me well over the towing capacity.
Here is a recent past thread regarding weight and other aspects of towing with the Highlander. I highly recommend using the forum's search feature to find other past threads packed with info about towing.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
I have been looking at the GMC Acadia, but went to the Toyota dealer to compare their vehicles. The original salesman told us the Highlander was the most comparable with the Acadia. I asked about towing a boat and was told it could tow 5,000 pounds. I have a 21' ski boat and fully loaded weight will be about 4200-4500 pounds. Has anyone towed this kind of weight at all with the 08-10 Highlanders (yes it has the tow prep package.)???
Also, I have since spoke to another salesman and he suggested the 4runner would be better for towing. I know it has a slightly bigger engine, but is also rated for 5,000 pounds. Other than a slightly higher torque rating what is the advantage of towing with the V6 4runner versus the V6 Highlander? I actually like the looks of the Highlander better.
Thanks for any help!
One reason they would likely recommend the 4Runner over the Highlander for towing is the fact that the 4Runner is build on a truck frame, while the Highlander is built on a Unibody (car based) frame.
__________________ 2009 Highlander Limited
2005 Corolla CE, Canadian Edition, Silver with grey interior, automatic transmission, CD changer, cruise control, rear bumper protector.
The Acadia and 4 Runner tow package comes with the hitch and a7 wire trailer plug
The Highlander "tow package" does not come with a hitch or the wire connector to the trailer plug and only provides a 4 wire trailer plug (ok for towing boats with a trailer with surge brakes)
The 4 Runner has more torque at a lower RPM than the Highlander
278 ft/lbs at 4400 rpm vs 248 ft/lbs at 4700 rpm.
Guess it comes down to how hilly your area is (a little more torque would be nice but not necessary) and do you want to buy a vehicle that has the hitch and wire harness on it and can plug into trailers with electric brakes or one that you have to add this stuff after you buy it and still have a major mod to support a 7 wire trailer plug requirement.
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2008 Highlander Limited AWD, Silver, SmartKey, VSC/TRAK, Bluetooth, Remote Start, No Nav, Tow package/hitch/color matched fascia, roof rack cross rails, Color keyed mud guards, Camry trumpet horns
let me remind you that in most cases you have to put rear tires in the water when you at the ramp and underwater surface is covered with the green staff and slippery. When even one wheel starts slipping the breaks applied to it and the engine power is cut off. Good luck pulling your boat out. The 4runner (I believe) has locking deferential and you can even put it in the 4WD LOW gear mode.
let me remind you that in most cases you have to put rear tires in the water when you at the ramp and underwater surface is covered with the green staff and slippery. When even one wheel starts slipping the breaks applied to it and the engine power is cut off. Good luck pulling your boat out. The 4runner (I believe) has locking deferential and you can even put it in the 4WD LOW gear mode.
Would turning off the TSC/VSC assist in that situation?
Would turning off the TSC/VSC assist in that situation?
Yes. I assume it would do the same on a slippery boat ramp as it's done for me on ice. As always, consult your owners manual regarding turning off VSC/TRAC, and do so at your own risk.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Yes. I assume it would do the same on a slippery boat ramp as it's done for me on ice. As always, consult your owners manual regarding turning off VSC/TRAC, and do so at your own risk.
Yes. I assume it would do the same on a slippery boat ramp as it's done for me on ice. As always, consult your owners manual regarding turning off VSC/TRAC, and do so at your own risk.
I think it would allow whatever one wheel is spinning to continue to spin and just prevent the engine power to be cut off. It would do nothing to get more force to the remaining 3 wheels since all 3 differentials are open. My suggestion - to get tow hook out of the trunk + get some strong rope + have somebody with another track near by before testing the theory.
I only do that when discussing VSC/TRAC since wwest threatened me and TN with a lawsuit for recommending people to turn off the system under certain conditions, even though Toyota provided owners with the off button for VSC/TRAC and details its use in the owners manual. It's not that I fear he'd win in court, but who wants to incur the cost of retaining a lawyer because of some overactive nanny with too much time on his hands. Rant over.
Quote:
Originally Posted by igorz
I think it would allow whatever one wheel is spinning to continue to spin and just prevent the engine power to be cut off. It would do nothing to get more force to the remaining 3 wheels since all 3 differentials are open. My suggestion - to get tow hook out of the trunk + get some strong rope + have somebody with another track near by before testing the theory.
I detail the effectiveness of turning off VSC/TRAC in a thread i replied to about driving across ice and it included pictures. Can't remember the thread's title at the moment, but if you search the 08+ forum you'll turn it up.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
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2008 Toyota Kluger KX-S
It's not that I fear he'd win in court, but who wants to incur the cost of retaining a lawyer because of some overactive nanny with too much time on his hands. Rant over. 
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