I haven't pulled with an HL. My T100 has the same specs with a smaller V6 and it pulled about 4,200 lbs thru out the Rockies without issue but I do have a manual transmission. rarking would be a concern and wind, don't want the tail wagging the dog. Just have to plan ahead and drive accordingly.
My hitch weight loaded was a tad over #400. Nice trailer.

 

I hauled 4000+ lbs of motorcycles 1,200 miles from Nashville TN to Albuquerque, which is elevation over 5,000 ft., so uphill (gradually) all the way out WITH MY 2010. So, now I have a 2021 LE, and only haul a 1700 boat, but it does great.
The 2010 had an optional "tow package" that I ordered (larger oil cooler, bigger alternator, stiffer shocks ) that MAY be standard now, if you have the factory installed hitch. I did add some rubber stiffeners to the rear coil springs to help with tongue weight.
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maybe not needed, I just read horror stories of the front wheels lifted off the ground, etc! so I added these just in case.
Suggestion: if you haven't already: ask for a trial run, drive it around locally, maybe up some hills, and IN THE WIND, since you have a higher exposure than I did. This vehicle should handle that camper easily.

2010 HL with 4200 lbs/16' tandem trailer

• tncrna
• May 1, 2016

 

I hauled a 16ft v-nosed enclosed aluminum trailer with my 2017 XLE and had no problems. I ran it in "Power" mode, and you knew it was back there, but it had plenty of power to do the job. I did install a weight-distributing hitch which had anti-sway built in, and of course electric brakes. Trailer was 2200 lbs empty, and with some additions I made was probably closer to 2300 empty. I hauled motorcycles and equipment, probably around 3500 to 4000 lbs loaded.

One thing I did do on a particularly windy day was turn off the feature that would "nudge" the steering wheel as part of lane departure alert. The swaying wasn't all that bad, but the timing of the nudge would often exacerbate the swaying.

I'll be pulling the same trailer with my 2022 Platinum.

 

I pull an 18' "large" teardrop camper with my gen 2 Highlander (2010 SE, V6, 4WD, tow package). Trailer is about 2,400 empty with 320 lb tongue. GVWR is 3,300, though I've never weighed mine loaded. I'm guessing I'm several hundred under that. The trailer is 8' 8" tall, so probably less wind resistance than the trailer that you're renting.

I use the same Equalizer WDH that Big D uses. A must, in my opinion. The Highlander is too unlevel without it. Although I guess the sumo springs mentioned by tncrna would work, too, but you don't get any sway control.

Wind resistance is generally a bigger issue than weight. Top speed on the highway is about 65 mph, and that's on flat ground with no headwind. Well, it'll go faster than that, but it's probably unsafe and would require me to almost floor it all the time. Rolling hills or a modest headwind will cut the speed down further. I get about 8-10 mpg on the highway and about 10-12 on slower two lane roads. Transmission gets hotter than normal (even though I have a transmission cooler), but I've never gotten an overheat warning. You've got more gears than I have, so maybe yours would perform a little better? But you're also looking at a bigger, heavier trailer, so maybe not.

I'd be a bit concerned that you could be pushing the tongue weight limit, cargo limit, and maybe the trailer GVWR limit once the thing is loaded. Based on my experience with a smaller and lighter trailer, I would not want to tow that one any great distance. But it's possible your newer Highlander may perform better.

 

Can't comment on HL towing capability since we don't use ours for towing, but as previously noted tongue weight, payload will be your limiting factors for towing. Take GVWR of trailer (ignore empty weight and hitch weight from manufacturer, you only tow it once that way on the way home from dealer) and use 10%-15% of trailer GVWR to get anticipated loaded trialer tounge weight. Estimate your passengers and any weight added inside the car, added to tongue weight and compare to the payload capacity on driver side door jamb. Be careful if your estimated number is close to sticker since payload stickers can be higher then true number of final built vehicle (more options reduces payload) and car can be weighed at scale to get true payload left for a vehicle.

 

And don't forget that the hitch receiver and WDH (if you're using one) counts toward payload.

 

I tow a Jayco 17C with my 2022 Highlander V6. It did not come with a towing package so I added a hitch and installed the relay for the lights. Those are the only things the towing package gives you, cooling and alternator suitable for towing are standard.

My camper is similar to yours, probably close to 3500 lbs loaded. Mine is a bit shorter but that shouldn't make any difference; the wind resistance will be the same. However, when I first took the trailer for a ride the tongue weight felt way too heavy; it dragged the rear of the SUV down more than I was comfortable with. My hitch is not rated for spring bars and even if it was I'm not sure I would like using them on the unibody frame mounted hitch. I have a 30 lb propane tank and 2 six volt batteries mounted on the tongue frame and this is what causes my problems.

My solution: In our case, the only time the Highlander has to pull the trailer is when we go camping and also take our boat. This means my pickup truck which pulls the boat is available to handle any excess cargo without any problem. I put the propane tank and batteries in the truck and my tongue weight problem disappears. I put all our luggage and beer into the truck also, leaving the SUV with no weight except my wife (can't leave her behind, I need her to drive) and maybe some empty coolers. Our typical camping spot is 270 miles from home with a few rolling hills. It tows like a dream!

Because all campers need 12V to activate the brakes in case of a breakaway, I bring a spare 12V battery which mounts to the rear bumper and hooks into the camper's 12V system. This and a small 14oz propane cylinder also keep the 'fridge running so our food doesn't spoil.

 

I have been looking at what it takes to get the 5000 pound towing from a 22 highlander. Would you mind sharing which hitch and relay package you used. Have seen where several people added the 4pin, but like you I need a 7pin.
Glad to hear they already have the tranny oil coolers and bigger alternator.

 

Here are some pics:

 

So what I am hearing is that even though they say they can tow 5000 pounds, they do nothing to enable that. It is nice that they have the cooler on it, but wiring to the back like everything else that claims to tow would be nice. You cannot tow 5000 with a 4pin flat connector. You need trailer brakes. Toyota seems to be misleading people a bit with their claims on the 2022. Seems everyone has to do some rigging to actually get it set up.

Thanks for the info. A dealer quoted me 1100 to install the hitch, I need to make sure they mean with a 7pin and everything needed to hook up a brake controller. But I am going to look at the prodigy. Even though I have a very nice brake controller already.

And I want to tow multiple trailers with the vehicle. so have to get one of those wireless things for each trailer gets expensive.

 

I'm 99% sure the dealer quote is for a 4-pin. I'm not even sure they know how to do a 7-pin.

Yes, the Tekonsha probably isn't for you since you'd have to buy one for each trailer or move it every time you wanted to pull the other trailer. The Curt one that plugs into your 7-pin receptacle would work with your smart phone and would work with any trailer you had.

Do you have the foot-activated rear lift gate? If so there's a little more to adding the hitch since they need to hook up a different sensor to the left side of the hitch (it all comes with the kit). If not, it's not really that much work to install the hitch yourself. You can buy the hitch with all needed parts (excludes wiring) for $400 online from Toyota. If you want to buy it from the dealer it costs more - not sure why. But then you have to get the 4-pin wiring kit with the converter box - it does plug right in to your existing wiring though. Then in addition buy the 7-pin kit and install that.

I agree, it's kind of strange that they don't have a direct 7-pin wiring option.

 

I actually don't have a highlander now. I have been looking for something new. Considering the Highlander, Pathfinder and Palisade. 5000 pounds towing is enough for my camper, boat and other trailers. Figuring out what I need to do to be able to tow.

Palisade is best set up. Has complete wiring. There is a plug in the back to attach the 7 pin to and a plug under dash to attach controller. Just like most trucks you would get. Of course this one gets the worse MPG by a couple. And will spend way more time without a trailer than with it.

Seems Pathfinder probably has the wiring, but if you do not get one with a tow hitch already on it, it does not come with tranny cooler. Have to get a Premium package or Platinum trim for that. More money since I am not really interested in all the extras that come with those things. Dealers can only install a hitch with a 4pin flat, and is restricted to 3500 lbs. So even though wiring is not an issue would have to make sure I could add a tranny cooler if installing to tow max. Guess if dealer installs it should not affect warranty. ( I know it should not affect it either way but you know how they can be.)

Highlander (according to what I have found) comes with the cooler, but seems to be no factory way to get a brake controller attached. Will have to look into the Curt thing for use with that. Of course that is now extra money to get it to work.

If these things were easier to get like the old days could probably just order one with the features I needed. lol

Thank you for the insights and helpful information.

 

I actually don't have a highlander now. I have been looking for something new. Considering the Highlander, Pathfinder and Palisade. 5000 pounds towing is enough for my camper, boat and other trailers. Figuring out what I need to do to be able to tow.

Palisade is best set up. Has complete wiring. There is a plug in the back to attach the 7 pin to and a plug under dash to attach controller. Just like most trucks you would get. Of course this one gets the worse MPG by a couple. And will spend way more time without a trailer than with it.

Seems Pathfinder probably has the wiring, but if you do not get one with a tow hitch already on it, it does not come with tranny cooler. Have to get a Premium package or Platinum trim for that. More money since I am not really interested in all the extras that come with those things. Dealers can only install a hitch with a 4pin flat, and is restricted to 3500 lbs. So even though wiring is not an issue would have to make sure I could add a tranny cooler if installing to tow max. Guess if dealer installs it should not affect warranty. ( I know it should not affect it either way but you know how they can be.)

Highlander (according to what I have found) comes with the cooler, but seems to be no factory way to get a brake controller attached. Will have to look into the Curt thing for use with that. Of course that is now extra money to get it to work.

If these things were easier to get like the old days could probably just order one with the features I needed. lol

Thank you for the insights and helpful information.

I hear you! Apparently you need to buy a pickup or full size SUV for that. Which costs a ton and will get horrible mileage! I believe any hitch place should be able to install 7-pin wiring with what you want for a controller. The problem for me is, I'm kind of OCD about not drilling any holes into things that will rust, and not splicing into wires whenever possible - but I think most install places (and people in general) aren't as picky as I am...

 

It is not just that it was a cheap decision, which it was. But you cannot tow a trailer that is 5000 lbs without trailer brakes legally. How can they say you can tow 5000 when they don't provide a way to do it legally. They should only be advertising the amount you can legally tow with a 4pin flat, no trailer brakes. Their competition has tow packages with the proper equipment or at least they make it easy to install and support it. Makes me wonder what else they are saying that is not quite true.

 

Haven't read all these posts but have been researching this myself. For my preference I think the Tekonsha 22125 harness kit is what I'll be using...when I get around to it. It has everything, the interface module, harness up to the battery, fuses, brake controller plug, etc... Installation does look a bit involved. Funny thing is I got this Highlander to replace a Subaru Ascent that was totalled. It had complete 4 pin and 7 pin wiring included and integrated with the hitch...among other niceties.

TEKONSHA | 22125 | Tow Custom Harness, 7 Way Complete Kit, Compatible with Toyota Highlander

Tekonsha | Brake Controllers

www.tekonsha.com

 

I thought I saw online or maybe in owners manual you shouldn’t tow more than around 1300 pounds without trailer brakes?

 

Most states require trailer brakes above 3000 lb, but at least one is above 1000 lb. The manual has a bunch of info on it starting on page 190. Page 195 says trailer brakes are required over 1000 lb.

 

There are a few threads on here about wiring in a 7 pin harness, though the information is spread across them. Getting power is pretty straightforward, as others have mentioned here.
Here's a good post on finding a brake signal: Tow Package
And here's another: 7 pin tow connector

Here's a thread about getting reverse light signal, though I haven't done that myself: DIY reverse light connection on tow 7-pin connection

 

I think I've read most all the trailer hitch 7 pin connector posts. The Tekonsha kit I mentioned a few posts ago includes a reverse light hookup.

 

Have I overlooked surge brakes in this thread? You only need 5 pins if you use surge brakes. I cannot see how they are as effective as electric brakes but they are popular and widely accepted. Am I missing something?