I just ordered the factory hitch pt228-69080 $337 and wiring harness pt219-48871 $90. Do I also need the 4 wire flat harness part # 08942-48870-bb? I plan on towing a utility trailer with a 4 pin connector.
I just installed my factory hitch a couple weeks ago. You just need the hitch and the wiring harness. The harness goes in after the hitch is installed. The hitch takes maybe an hour, the wiring harness maybe 15 minutes. Cutting out the plastic under car fascia takes a little longer. That can be done at your leisure. The OEM hitch is great.
If you have the backup camera, you can back right up to the trailer and just lower it onto the hitch. Really cool and easy!!!
Thanks. So does anyone know what that 4 wire flat harness is for?
Toyota does not do a good job with their "tow package" on the HL.
You get four wires from the front under the dash to the back on the drivers side and you get extra cooling. That's it.
Oh you actually want to tow something????
you need to buy a hitch.
Oh you actually want to connect trailer lights????
you have to buy the wire harness to connect to the wires in the back and it comes with the flat connector that is used with a trailer.
The bigger frustration is the tow rating of 5,000 lbs allows you to tow a trailer that requires electric brakes and a 7 wire connector. The four wire works for boat trailers with surge brakes but you have to run extra wires to the back if you require trailer brakes There is a good write up on how to do this in the ***READ FIRST*** DIY: Modifications and Maintenance section
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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
I just installed my factory hitch a couple weeks ago. You just need the hitch and the wiring harness. The harness goes in after the hitch is installed. The hitch takes maybe an hour, the wiring harness maybe 15 minutes. Cutting out the plastic under car fascia takes a little longer. That can be done at your leisure. The OEM hitch is great.
If you have the backup camera, you can back right up to the trailer and just lower it onto the hitch. Really cool and easy!!!
Toyota does not do a good job with their "tow package" on the HL.
You get four wires from the front under the dash to the back on the drivers side and you get extra cooling. That's it.
Oh you actually want to tow something????
you need to buy a hitch.
Oh you actually want to connect trailer lights????
you have to buy the wire harness to connect to the wires in the back and it comes with the flat connector that is used with a trailer.
The bigger frustration is the tow rating of 5,000 lbs allows you to tow a trailer that requires electric brakes and a 7 wire connector. The four wire works for boat trailers with surge brakes but you have to run extra wires to the back if you require trailer brakes There is a good write up on how to do this in the ***READ FIRST*** DIY: Modifications and Maintenance section
+1 Could not agree more. They should have included a 7-pin connector. With that, if someone only needed a 4 pin or 5 pin (like I do now, but will soon require the 7-pin), you can just buy a 7 pin to 4 pin adaptor. It does not appear to be a big job to wire it up for a 7 pin connector, it's just a pain in the ass that the Toyota designers could not have engaged their collective brain cells and put in what is standard in the industry for towing a 5000 lb trailer. Basically, the trailer hitch/wiring for the Highlander looks like it was an after thought (actually, there was likely no "thought" involved).
__________________ 2009 Highlander Limited
2005 Corolla CE, Canadian Edition, Silver with grey interior, automatic transmission, CD changer, cruise control, rear bumper protector.
Toyota does not do a good job with their "tow package" on the HL.
You get four wires from the front under the dash to the back on the drivers side and you get extra cooling. That's it
Most people won't use a Highlander to Tow heavy stuff, most Highlander users, like myself want the hitch for a bike rack, cargo carrier or a small trailer to run to Home Depot with.
People that Haul big trailers and boats have Tundras or F250's - Highlanders were never designed as big haulers, their based on a Camry body after all.
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2010 Highlander SE 4WD
OEM Hitch installed myself
Sirius upgrade
DVD Headrests
Previous ride was a 2000 4Runner SR5 4X4
For cutting the plastic, I used tin shears which turned out to be tedious. I ended up using an electric jig saw which worked great. The cuts don't have to be perfect or even pretty for that matter. The hole you drill has to be in the exact right spot though. Measure that carefully - it has a bolt that goes through it.
There are some pretty good instructions on this website.
People that Haul big trailers and boats have Tundras or F250's - Highlanders were never designed as big haulers, their based on a Camry body after all.
There are a lot of trailers that do not exceed the 5000lb limit that require trailer brakes (any thing over 3000lb in my state) that tow fine behind a HL.
The point is if Toyota is going to spec a vehicle with a 5000lb tow rating they need to equip it with a 7 pin plug. If Chev can provide a Traverse with a 5200lb tow capacity and their tow package which Includes heavy-duty engine cooler and trailer hitch and 7 pin wiring. Toyota should be able to as well.
Agree if you are into mondo trailers and boats you will be looking for something else. My choice would be a F250, Dodge RAM or Chev Silverado with a diesel.
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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
Just got an aftermarket hitch installed this week along with wiring and brake controller for about $600 at a local RV place. It looks fine. I pulled the camper with it today and Highlander pulls it pretty well. The camper is about 4500 lbs.
Just got an aftermarket hitch installed this week along with wiring and brake controller for about $600 at a local RV place. It looks fine. I pulled the camper with it today and Highlander pulls it pretty well. The camper is about 4500 lbs.
What are you hauling (make/model)? Is that 4500 lb loaded? How is it with braking or going up hills? Do you use a WDH? How loaded was your Highlander whne hauling this (i.e. lots of people and cargo)? I'm just curious as I am considering a 4300lb hybrid trailer (dry weight) that would likely be around 4700-4800 lb loaded. I suppose it couldn't be any worse than hauling a 2000lb tent trailer with an 05 Camry (4 cylinder) which I did many times.
__________________ 2009 Highlander Limited
2005 Corolla CE, Canadian Edition, Silver with grey interior, automatic transmission, CD changer, cruise control, rear bumper protector.
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