Tow Prep Package Identification/Information

Ok this question comes up a lot so I'm gonna post this info and throw it into the common questions/problem sticky :thumbsup: Tow Prep Package Info/How to Identify It What the tow prep package/includes 4-Cylinder Tow Prep Package -3500lb Towing Capacity -Heavy Duty Radiator -160-watt Fan...

www.toyotanation.com

 

You can run the VIN here: Vehicle Specification | Toyota Owners

It should tell you if the vehicle has the tow package.

Regarding the 5,000 lb towing capacity, that is largely fictional. The car has a 500 lb tongue weight limit, and it's very unlikely that a loaded trailer weighing 5,000 lbs would only have a 500 lb tongue weight. And if the trailer has any frontal area to it, you also have to contend with increased wind resistance. IMHO, 2nd gen Highlanders shouldn't tow more than about 3,500 lbs, unless you're just going short distances at low speeds.

 

As a new Highlander owner, I agree with both of the above posts; the website with tell you right up front AND I would agree regarding the 5000 pound Max and tongue weight. Remeber also that the hitch you install may be a beast that weighs 50 pounds all by itself (mine sure does - a Drawtite FrameMax built like a daggone tank. Meantime, if you are just out looking around, a quick giveaway is the presence of a little grill opening below the front bumper on the driver's side.
REALLY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do get this wonderful vehicle, be sure verify that the metal/rubber oil cooler pipes have been replaced with Toyota's all metal fix. I had to replace mine and it took a long time because of only one really tight and hard to reach nut, both its removal and replacement. Plan on a couple of hours at least. Be patient and be thorough.
All the Best and Good luck!

 

Can I see this oil cooler and its lines without jacking the car?

 

No jacking needed.
I was not able to see or verify the type of tubes except by taking off the front engine cover just to rear of the bumper, then looking with good light. You can do that without jacking, but I personally used my old black drive on ramps to give me a little comfort and better height and light.
Funny thing is, we bought this only a couple weeks ago at a Toyota dealer - it was a single owner trade in - and that dealer was not aware it had the towing package. I honestly believe the previous owner wasn't aware of it either. WE are very happy with the purchase of this FWD Limited...but still had to change that very risky cooler part.

 

The oil cooler lines are barely visible from above, if you know exactly where to look and you know what you are looking for.

Studying this thread will help you figure out what you're looking for: DIY: Oil Cooler Line, Exhaust Manifold Removal, Splash...

Also, if you're planning to do the replacement job yourself, pay attention to the later posts in that thread, which talk about how to do it without removing any other major parts.

 

If the vehicle doesn't have a tow package installed. Is it hard to do it yourself? How much would it cost approx?

TBH I don't really need the 5000lbs tow capacity at the moment but it would be nice to have it if I do.

 

No idea how much it would cost, but it would be a pretty big DIY job. The tow package includes a transmission cooler, larger fan, larger alternator, larger radiator, engine oil cooler, and pre-wiring for the 4-pole flat wiring connector.

Note that the tow package does not include pre-wiring for a 7-blade round wiring connector and brake controller. So if you're going to pull something that has trailer brakes, you'll have to install that wiring regardless.

 

Hmm, and just as I thought using the VIN tool. Dealers listings would say tow prep package installed but the VIN lookup doesn't say anything about tow package being installed on the vehicle.

Oh well, like I mentioned before, it doesn't really matter if it has one or not.

 

Are you using Toyota’s VIN lookup?

Toyota VIN Lookup
If you download the PDF of your vehicle it will give you more information. I just put mine in and it shows Tow Prep Package. Should look something like this if it has it.

 

Yes I was using the Toyota VIN lookup. Oops my bad. Didn't download pdf. Will do it now, lol. Thanks!

 

Back again,

I just came back from looking at 3 Highlanders. I used the VIN lookup before I went to see these and all 3 listed as "not" having the Tow Prep Package installed. However when I looked at them all 3 appeared to have it installed. Basically what I'm saying the site wasn't really much help to me.

I looked at lower left vent in the front bumper and seen the radiator/cooler behind the bumper. Also 2 of the 3 from what I can tell had the wire harness hooked up, because their trailer hitches had the 4 pin connector. I couldn't see it on the 3rd HL or didn't look hard enough, it also had a different hitch.

As far as the wire harness under the dash, what am I looking for?

Also all the highlanders I looked at and including 4Runners(when I was looking at them), all had rust on the frame underneath the engine. I think it's the subframe, but not 100%. When asked about on a 4Runner they said it's an area they can't undercoat, is this true? Doesn't sound right to me.

Should I be worried about rust on the subframe in these areas? For the Highlanders it's above the splash guard, all the ones I looked at have rust on them, is this an area they can't undercoat?

 

they said it's an area they can't undercoat

Want to guarantee rust? Use undercoating

 

No worries Wellibe, wasn't blaming, just informing anyone who uses the VIN Lookup that it may not be accurate.

As for the wire harness underneath the dash, I wasn't looking for that box for those 3 HL's. Didn't matter though too bad of shape for my liking. But I will know what to look for in the future.

Also you may be right about the trailer hitch's 4 pin connector, it's quite possible they weren't connected at all.

Yeah as far as the rust. That did turn me off of a 4Runner. But now that I know as long it's not crusting and flaking off I should be ok.

Thanks.

 

Also, small rust spots could be touched up with rustoleum or POR-15 before they turn into a big problem. I should probably do that...

 

Quickest way to tell is look at the passenger fog light bezel. The one for the tow package has a cutout to vent fresh air to the cooler.