Is Tow Package worth it ... need 7-pin?

[Natgya]

I'm just waiting for our new Highlander (3 weeks to go). In meantime, I have to make some decisions. Help??

We also just bought a travel trailer (hence the need for the highlander).

Toyota's dealer-installed tow package comes with a 4-pin.

We are told that we will need a 7-pin/plug hock, a break controller and a weight distribution hitch.

My question: Since Toyota can't install the 7-pin, is there anything in their towing package that I need?

I'm afraid that I might be wasting my money if I get the dealer's tow package then have to take it somewhere else to have additional work done. Would I be better off finding a good hitch installer and have them do the whole job?

Hoping that those with experience will chime in.

Many thanks, in advance.

Natasha
(Soon to be first-time Toyota owner after 4 Honda/Acuras)

[Vmax2007]

What is the towing capacity of the Highlander and how much does this trailer weigh?

[Natgya]

Highlander:

3.5 L,
4WD
6 cylinder
tow capacity - 5000 lbs (edited)

The trailer:

Dry weight - 3,000
GVWR - 3500
Dry tongue weight - 415

[Vmax2007]

Originally Posted by Natgya

Highlander:

3.5 L,
4WD
6 cylinder
tow capacity - 3500 lbs

The trailer:

Dry weight - 3,000
GVWR - 3500
Dry tongue weight - 415

Why didn't you opt for the 5000lb towing capacity tow package?

You do not have enough truck. I personally would never tow anything over 70% of rated towing capacity with any regularity.

You should buy a full-size, BOF truck/SUV with a proper V8. It will last longer and will be a MUCH safer tow vehicle.

[bgrieger]

Toyota lists the new v6 as having a 5000 tow capacity, and there is a 5000lb towing package listed on the Toyota.com site...you might want to inquire about it.

[Natgya]

Originally Posted by bgrieger

Toyota lists the new v6 as having a 5000 tow capacity, and there is a 5000lb towing package listed on the Toyota.com site...you might want to inquire about it.

Oops, I was typing too quickly.

Indeed, we have the 5,000 tow capacity on the V6.

Sorry about that.

--n

[Vmax2007]

How often and how far do you plan on towing this trailer?

[bee2]

Originally Posted by Natgya

I'm just waiting for our new Highlander (3 weeks to go). In meantime, I have to make some decisions. Help??

We also just bought a travel trailer (hence the need for the highlander).

Toyota's dealer-installed tow package comes with a 4-pin.

We are told that we will need a 7-pin/plug hock, a break controller and a weight distribution hitch.

My question: Since Toyota can't install the 7-pin, is there anything in their towing package that I need?

I'm afraid that I might be wasting my money if I get the dealer's tow package then have to take it somewhere else to have additional work done. Would I be better off finding a good hitch installer and have them do the whole job?



Hoping that those with experience will chime in.

Many thanks, in advance.

Natasha
(Soon to be first-time Toyota owner after 4 Honda/Acuras)

I'm surprised the dealer cannot install the 7 pin. Did the sales guy tell you they can't do the 7 pin? or the service department? If it was the sales guy, call the service department yourself and ask them.

Other than that, the highlander is more than capable of towing your trailer.

[bee2]

Originally Posted by bee2

I'm surprised the dealer cannot install the 7 pin. Did the sales guy tell you they can't do the 7 pin? or the service department? If it was the sales guy, call the service department yourself and ask them.

Other than that, the highlander is more than capable of towing your trailer.

For some reason my edits are not updating...

If toyota can't install the 7 pin plug, and you have them install the 4 pin then you will be paying extra to have it done elsewhere, so i'd suggest pricing out the hitch and wiring and plug at a reputable hitch shop.

[TrailDust]

Hi, Natasha, and welcome to TN!

Also, welcome to the 2nd Gen Highlander forum, which as you can see I've moved your thread over to it. We've had quite a number of threads in this forum about towing and also the 7-pin setup. Take a look at the DIY: Maintenance and Modifications sticky thread for links relating to towing with your Highlander, and I'd also recommend using the search feature to locate a number of past threads discussing towing and the 7-pin setup.

[bee2]

Originally Posted by Vmax2007

You should buy a full-size, BOF truck/SUV with a proper V8. It will last longer and will be a MUCH safer tow vehicle.

Overkill for a little trailer like that, but of course it would be safer, so would sending your kids out wearing flak jackets.

[newsrv]

Natgya,

I can't speak for the 2011/12 Highlanders as I have a 2008. That being said, let me try to assist.

If you travel trailer has electric brakes and/or its own battery, you'll need the 7 pin setup. With the electric brakes you'll also need a brake controller. The weight distribution hitch may or may not be needed. It depends on the tongue weight. Personally, I would recommend using a WDH -- I do use a WDH with my HL and travel trailer (my travel trailer is a 19' fiberglass Escape, made in Chilliwack, B.C.)

The Toyota Towing Prep Package consists of a heavy duty radiator with an engine oil cooler, a larger, 200 watt fan coupling, transmission oil cooler and a 150 amp alternator. Also the Highlander is "prewired." The towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

To complete a trailer hookup, you'll need to purchase a hitch and a kit to complete the "prewired" Highlander. The kit consists of a converter (to change from the Toyota 3 light (separate brake, turning and running lights) to the trailer's 2 light (combined brake and turn light and running light). And the kit has the 4 pin wire harnesses to complete the install.

You can (a) purchase the hitch and/or the kit from Toyota or (b) purchase the hitch and/or the kit from a vendor such as www.etrailer.com. There are several threads about the pros and cons of Toyota versus vendor hitches and kits. Either is fine; it comes down to personal preferences and costs.

Bottom line, get the Toyota Towing Prep Package with your new Highlander. Then have (1) the hitch and the 4 pin wiring installed by Toyota, (2) have the hitch and 4/7 wiring installed by a vendor or (3) do it yourself. It is not hard at all, the hitch just bolts in and the wiring just takes some time, see Wiring for 7 Wire Trailer Setup. If you have any questions drop me a PM as I have done 4 Highlanders.

[fongster]

I think someone mentioned it but just in case, the tow prep pkg does NOT include the hitch. I was confused about that when I bought my 2011 HL. The factory hitch sits higher and looks better integrated but costs 2.5 to 3X more than a 3rd party hitch (depending if part of orig purchase or bought later). I installed a Curt from etrailer.com myself.

[pgoelz]

Also, be very careful when asking someone like a dealer what the towing capacity is on any vehicle. Many will tell you what it is with the tow prep package but omit the fact that you need the package to get that rating. I had this happen many times when test driving vehicles prior to purchasing my HL. I have even found some manufacturer's web sites that do the same thing... they list the maximum towing capacity but don't tell you if that is standard or only with a tow prep package.

The 2011 HL with V6 AND TOW PREP is rated at 5000 pounds. Without the tow prep it is lower but I don't recall by how much. That 3500 pound figure sticks in my mind too.

Get the tow prep. You get a lot of additional tow capacity and peace of mind while towing for a surprisingly low price. I used to tow my 2000 pound pop up with a 2002 Buick Rendezvous without tow prep. It was right at the tow rating of that vehicle without tow prep and I had to keep an eye on the temperature guagein the summer when towing. It was always OK but it definitely ran hotter than normal and it ALWAYS made me nervous.

Paul

[05Moose]

Not going off personal experience here (so maybe someone will chime in to confirm), but I've heard others say that if you're using the 7-pin due to a brake controller then you really should have the bigger alternator that comes with the tow package.

What's interesting is that the bigger alternator isn't listed for the limited. So my guess is that the limited already has the bigger alternator due to all the extra electronics (multifunction display)?