Can you share experiences and advice regarding towing with a 2008-2010 Highlander? I plan to buy a travel trailer with a 3800 GVWR and travel extensively including in mountains. I then plan to buy a 2008-2010 Limited Highlander, which is rated at 5000. Have you done any extensive towing of a similar trailer?
I have a 19ft hybrid travel trailer (3900lb dry weight) that I towed with my 09 Highlander for a good part of the 30,000km that I put on last winter and spring travelling in SW US - everywhere from sea level to 9300ft ASL. The HL is a v6 with the towing package. My towing set up included the best anti sway/load leveling hitch I could buy and an electric brake controller. Towing a trailer that heavy cannot be done safely without such a setup.
Most of the time while towing I drove with the trans in 4th gear in sport shift mode and rarely was able to upshift to 5th gear. In the mountains I found I had to downshift to lower gears to reduce the amount of shifting and to not run for long periods with the engine revs above 3500rpm. Many times when on steep slopes at high elevations I was in 1st gear crawling along at 20-25km/hr.
As far as I could tell, I never had any overheating problems with either the engine or trans and using the sport shift in combination with the electric brakes on the trailer, I never had any braking problems. The HL now has 118,000km on it and is still on the original brake pads.
As far as fuel consumption goes, while towing, the HL was really thirsty. Depending on wind direction and towing speed, the rate varied from 18 to 26 l/100km (9-13 m/US gal.) Most of the time when on good roads my speed was 50-55mph, even on the interstate hwys.
The biggest problem we had was coping with strong winds. The HL and the trailer is a fairly light set up compared to a big Dodge duelly and a 5th wheel and in cross winds over 20mph proved to be a handfull. When predictions were for winds over 30mph, we found we had to be very careful about the direction we traveled relative to wind direction. There were days when we didn't move the trailer because of the wind.
Having said all this, we really had a trouble free trip and would do it again.
Can you share experiences and advice regarding towing with a 2008-2010 Highlander? I plan to buy a travel trailer with a 3800 GVWR and travel extensively including in mountains. I then plan to buy a 2008-2010 Limited Highlander, which is rated at 5000. Have you done any extensive towing of a similar trailer?
Some threads you may be interested in reading through:
I pull a 19' Escape travel trailer (it's all fiberglass) with y 2008 Limited. No problems. I have the tow package, brake controller and a WDH. I get 16 mpg at 60 mph on level roads. Going faster or uphill I usually drop down to 14 mpg. The Escape, fully loaded (but the only water is in the hot water tank) is 3,740 lbs.
You should have no problems at all towing.
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2008 Highlander AWD, Blizzard Pearl & Ash interior, loaded but no rear entertainment
I'm towing a Jayco 1207 pop top that weighs about 2500# when loaded. It has handled very well and has consitantly yielded 19-20 MPG on eastern interstates, cruising at 65. I recommend getting a good proportional brake controller for your electric brakes.
Btw when I buy myself a Wally Craft I think I'll use the Sequoia to tow it =)
***removed the massive boat pic***
if you can tow that with a sequoia, I will definitely be impressed
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anyway, I would think you would be fine, the HL tows like champ (though I haven't towed a lot with it, only some cargo trailers). and JMSinMD is right it does sound like you answered your first post in your second one haha
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2008 Black Highlander Limited FWD
Nav (with override), Rear DVD | 900+ Watt Sound System | Headlight & Fog HID Projector Retrofit | LED Interior/Puddle Lights | Rattletrap Sound Deadener | Dueler HL Alenzas 255/55R19's |Updated Modification List
I just towed a 12x6 Uhaul trailer that was stuffed with appliances from Ohio to Texas.
My Highlander is a hybrid, so if my car can handle the weight and drag, a V6 Highlander shouldn't have any problem with it.
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Towing with a 2008 or later Highlander
Towing with a 2008 or later Highlander
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