Tow Prep Package (Includes Hitch - ie: 'Tow Ready'?)

[dkian]

Hey All - first post.

I'm looking to purchase a 2012 Highlander LTD and am wondering if the Tow Prep Package means that the vehicle is Tow ready (ie: I can grab a trailer with ball mount and start towing) or do I need to also install a hitch?

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses.

D

[PhotonDreams]

Only in your dreams! But then you're probably joining a club of people who suffered from the same delusion, of which I myself am a member from the time I picked up my '08 Highlander. Still, all in all I'd buy one again tomorrow. So, no, it has no hitch, just the wiring plugs set up for front to rear. What's good is it has all the extra stuff to make it easy for your engine and brakes to pull 5,000 lbs. instead of just 3,000 without the Tow Ready Package.

[dkian]

Originally Posted by PhotonDreams

Only in your dreams! But then you're probably joining a club of people who suffered from the same delusion, of which I myself am a member from the time I picked up my '08 Highlander. Still, all in all I'd buy one again tomorrow. So, no, it has no hitch, just the wiring plugs set up for front to rear. What's good is it has all the extra stuff to make it easy for your engine and brakes to pull 5,000 lbs. instead of just 3,000 without the Tow Ready Package.

Thanks for the quick response! Very helpful. THis is what I suspected - thank youf ro the confirmation. So I will make thy dealer throw in hitch

Will keep you posted once I get her

[sweeneyp]

yep tow prep comes with 150 amp alternator, larger cooling fans, auxillary transmission cooler, prewired lights (take a look here A little confused about the pre-wire on a 2012, its less prewired than you think), and probably something else I forgot on top of my head.
But basically u need 2 things to be able to tow, a hitch and the wire-harness for the trailer lights (look at the link above)

and to Toyota Nation, good luck with the purchase

[dkian]

Thanks Sweeny!

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by dkian

Thanks for the quick response! Very helpful. THis is what I suspected - thank youf ro the confirmation. So I will make thy dealer throw in hitch

Will keep you posted once I get her

Make them throw in a Toyota Factory hitch and Toyota Factory wire harness.

Dealers will install an aftermarket hitch that is lower than the Factory one and the wire harness is needed to install the converter under the dash and connect the 4 pin plug to the cable in the back

[Ruckin69]

Yep, what they said. Need to wire trailer lights and get a hitch. Get one rated for 5000lbs though!

[ian1]

I may be foolish in buying the tow prep package, as I don't know if we will ever need to tow. But the reason I bought the tow prep is I'm a fan of over-engineering. I figure the bigger radiator and bigger alternator couldn't hurt under non-towing use.

[JMSinMD]

Originally Posted by ian1

I may be foolish in buying the tow prep package, as I don't know if we will ever need to tow. But the reason I bought the tow prep is I'm a fan of over-engineering. I figure the bigger radiator and bigger alternator couldn't hurt under non-towing use.

That's the same reason I got mine, when you're spending $30k plus what another few hundred? I also ended up with a White Night reverse light system that is hitch mounted which REALLY makes a big difference when backing up.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by ian1

I may be foolish in buying the tow prep package, as I don't know if we will ever need to tow. But the reason I bought the tow prep is I'm a fan of over-engineering. I figure the bigger radiator and bigger alternator couldn't hurt under non-towing use.

+1 Although I don't have the tow prep package on my Highlander, I am also a big fan of over-engineering things.

Originally Posted by JMSinMD

That's the same reason I got mine, when you're spending $30k plus what another few hundred? I also ended up with a White Night reverse light system that is hitch mounted which REALLY makes a big difference when backing up.

Face it, man, you could blind deer from 200 yards away with your lights........

[Dergara]

I to was taken for a ride on the tow prep package but thankfully Toyotanation was around and I bought the factory hitch and harness from Gary at Toyota of Newnan. He is our source for factory parts on this site. (had to PU the hitch)

Just a note. I did pay more for my OEM hitch and harness then you can buy from other websites but the fit and finish is A+ for both. I compared everything and the aftermarket just was not a good fit that I could sleep with. So I saved a little more cash and got the real deal. Also, when installing go step by step in the directions even when installing the rear facia. This is very important otherwise you will have to take it all off again which is a pain.

[shellback]

Don't forget a brake controller and a 7 pin connector, if you're using electric brakes. The Tekonsha P2 or P3 are highly regarded. You will need to add a few more wires as well.

[dtown40]

When I was in the final stages of my purchase, I leaned down behind the car and saw no trailer connections for wiring. The sticker said it was prewired, so I told the salesman that without the wiring, the deal was off. Its was installed for free 2 days later.

[S281]

Just got a 2010 highlander SE and dont really know what options it was equipped with since i didnt get a window sticker. Whats the easiest way to tell if i have the Tow prep option or not by just looking at it?

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by S281

Just got a 2010 highlander SE and dont really know what options it was equipped with since i didnt get a window sticker. Whats the easiest way to tell if i have the Tow prep option or not by just looking at it?

Just made a sticky with the info
Tow Prep Package Identification/Information