Pulling trailer loaded with 4500lbs too much?

[kuruptracing]

A friend of mine has a 2010 highlander. He knows nothing about pulling and is in the process of buying a 21 foot travel trailer weighing 3800 lbs dry. I told him that he probably would feel more comfortable towing something smaller, but he's adamant about needing a certain cargo size. Anyone have experience towing a trailer similar in weight/size with their highlanders?

Is this too much for it?

[peterk9]

Originally Posted by kuruptracing

A friend of mine has a 2010 highlander. He knows nothing about pulling and is in the process of buying a 21 foot travel trailer weighing 3800 lbs dry. I told him that he probably would feel more comfortable towing something smaller, but he's adamant about needing a certain cargo size. Anyone have experience towing a trailer similar in weight/size with their highlanders?

Is this too much for it?

to Toyota Nation. I'm not an expert on towing but looking at Toyota.com, it looks like he will need to have the following;
V6 Towing Prep Package [15] -- includes 5000-lb. towing capacity, heavy-duty radiator with engine oil cooler, 240-watt fan coupling, transmission oil cooler with water cooler, 150-amp alternator and prewired harness.

Without that package, I believe the towing capability is 3500 lbs.

Here is Canada, all Highlanders come fully equipped with the respective towing packages (3500lb or 5000lb) included as part of the vehicle. I believe all you have to add here is the hitch and harness.

Peter

[rupert08]

Highlanders with the two package option is rated for 5,000 lbs so it's not out of the question. That sized trailer will likely have electric brakes so additional trailer wiring will need to be installed and a brake controller. This is in addition to what the standard wiring harness provides. You will also need a load leveling hitch otherwise there will be too much rear sag. It will be difficlut to back-up with mirror extensions.

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by kuruptracing

A friend of mine has a 2010 highlander. He knows nothing about pulling and is in the process of buying a 21 foot travel trailer weighing 3800 lbs dry. I told him that he probably would feel more comfortable towing something smaller, but he's adamant about needing a certain cargo size. Anyone have experience towing a trailer similar in weight/size with their highlanders?

Is this too much for it?

I am very interested in his driving experiences with this setup. What model trailer is he looking at? The one I am considering has a 4,280 lb curb weight (full propane tanks and options included with this weight). Realistically, it would be pushing 4,800 lb when loaded. I am looking at smaller units.

As for whether or not his 4,500 lb being too much, you will get many different opinions on this. Some say that you need to remove the weight of whatever cargo and people weight you have in the truck from the 5,000lb towing capacity, but I think this is total BS. GCVW = Truck GVWR + Tow Capacity = 6,000lb + 5,000lb = 11,000 lb. The 6000lb GVWR includes the weight of the HL (4,321lb for the Limited) plus the maximum cargo/people weight. They also state that a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) should not be used since the HL is a unibody construction, but to tow a 5000 lb anything, I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy to tow that without a WDH.

Hope this helps.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by kuruptracing

A friend of mine has a 2010 highlander. He knows nothing about pulling and is in the process of buying a 21 foot travel trailer weighing 3800 lbs dry. I told him that he probably would feel more comfortable towing something smaller, but he's adamant about needing a certain cargo size. Anyone have experience towing a trailer similar in weight/size with their highlanders?

Is this too much for it?

You should do a search of this forum, as well as the Highlander Lounge forum, as there have been several past threads about towing trailers in the weight range you describe.