Wow, sounds exciting and heavy

There is a post with someone who was towing an medium yet good sized Airstream camper. He had very good feedback. It should be within the first few pages.

 

I tow my 18' Tahoe Q4 SS. I think it weighs about 2700 + trailer. Don't even hardly know it's back there. Shown in sig file behind my old Tacoma.

 

Congratulations on ordering your new HL XLE!

The 2015 Highlander XLE AWD's “maximum trailer weight rating” is indeed 5,000 lbs. per SAE Standard J2807. However, this specification is not absolute, as there are several associated “ifs”, “ands”, or “buts”.

Specifically, the US owner's manual includes this important note on page 209:

TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) is calculated assuming base vehicle with one driver, one front passenger, towing package (if available), hitch and hitch systems (if required).

In other words, if you want to "legally" tow a 5,000 lb. trailer, then there can't be many people or much stuff in the car.

Toyota's specifications for the Highlander XLE AWD verify this note. The GCWR is 9,900 lbs., and the curb weight is 4464 lbs. Assuming a 5,000 lb. trailer and a 50 lb. trailer hitch, that leaves 9,900 - 4,464 - 5,000 - 50 = 386 lbs. for the driver and a passenger and/or cargo. If you want to carry more passengers and/or cargo, then the trailer's weight must be correspondingly reduced.

However, if your loaded trailer is indeed ~3,000 lbs., then you should be OK, even if your highlander is loaded up as well (4,464 + ~1,400 + ~3,000 = ~8,864 lbs.)

There are several important operational limitations and considerations. For example, Toyota says to not use the compact spare when towing (you'll need to consider buying and carrying a full-size spare), and the maximum trailer weight rating for an unbraked trailer is 1,000 lbs. Toyota also recommends double axles for trailers over 3K lbs. You'll also need to check the maintenance guide for additional maintenance requirements.

The normally aspirated engine won't deliver full power at higher elevations due to reduced air density. And, you may want to experiment with 89 AKI (or higher) fuel when towing, especially in hot weather.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

I pull a trailer @ 5klb with my 2nd gen (7x16 enclosed) and typically pull near the GCWR of 10.8klb. Brake are identical between gens. You'll want trailer brakes, it'll stop without, but after a long time. Engine is also the same. You'll have adequate power for 65-70mph on flat land, hills will slow it down as it will be going WOT uphill and slow to 60mph or slower on real steep hills. As for suspension and things like that, I defer to the new crowd

 

I pull my 17 ft. Lund boat, approx.2500 lb. No trailer brakes and handles the boat like its not even there. Tows way better than the 2001 GMC Jimmy it replaced. The funny thing is that both vehicles have the same towing capacity, the HL gets way better gas mileage as well.

 

I tow my 1978 16' Alumaweld drift boat. Nicely balanced - can lift tongue with one finger.

Later this fall, I'm hauling a 20' Willies sled up to the Skeena in BC in search of steelhead...............big steelhead.

We have many natural sandy/cobbly boat ramps in Oregon, and I need something that will pull my boat out without getting stuck.

 

My HL has PCS (pre-collision system). I'm wondering if I should be disabling this when towing a trailer with electric brakes so the PCS doesn't trigger brakes everywhere? Or should this not matter and be ok to leave on? I wouldn't really have questioned it, but PCS was turned off by the folks I had wire in the brake controller today. It very well could have been an accident as the button was definitely in their path of work, but just wanted to check.

 

I would Not turn my PCS off for any reason... I don't have electric brakes but I do have surge brakes on the trailer. Think I would ask those installers why they turned it off. If I'm about to run into the back of somebody I would want the PCS to try and stop me regardless if towing something or not.

 

Also when towing, do we keep the tranny in overdrive or move it out of overdrive to keep the transmission cooled in higher RPM?

 

5& 6 are you overdrive gears. Leave it as high as possible unless its gearhunting, then lower to 5. If it still gearhunts, take it fully out of OD to 4th.

22 ft bay boat, about 3400 loaded with full tank. Tows, launches, and picks up fine. This was my number one concern - could I safely pull my boat and pull it out of the water with a FWD HL? Thankfully, the answer is yes.

I've nearly gotten stuck on a somewhat steep ramp with my FWD. I've only done it once helping a friend who's truck was dead, but I won't be doing that again. I have zero confidence if they aren't shallow ramps. The front axle being lifted by tongue weight just doesn't work on slick stuff.

 

22 ft bay boat, about 3400 loaded with full tank. Tows, launches, and picks up fine. This was my number one concern - could I safely pull my boat and pull it out of the water with a FWD HL? Thankfully, the answer is yes.

 

Good point. I've launched at my normal 3 places so far - all nice ramps. I don't think I'd try it on a very steep ramp or a gravel ramp for that matter.

 

I've nearly gotten stuck on a somewhat steep ramp with my FWD. I've only done it once helping a friend who's truck was dead, but I won't be doing that again. I have zero confidence if they aren't shallow ramps. The front axle being lifted by tongue weight just doesn't work on slick stuff.

Oh man, you guys are making me wish I still had my boat...........:crying:

 

Just wanted to Say thanks to all who shared their input in this thread. Really Helps put my mind at ease that we bought the right vehicle for the job.. the other option was a 2015 Sienna but I heard they dropped the tow weight to 1500lb or something like that..

 

...the other option was a 2015 Sienna but I heard they dropped the tow weight to 1500lb or something like that..

All 2015 Sienna FWD models are equipped with a tow prep package and are spec'd with a 3,500 lb. tow capacity.

The 2015 Sienna LE is the only AWD model factory-equipped with the tow package and the 3,500 lb. rating.

Source: http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2015/sienna_ebrochure.pdf

Not bad, but not as good as the Highlander. :wink:

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

 

^Shows the inherent weakness of minivan chassis being that open inside. The power-train is identical between the HL and Sienna (engine/transaxle/t-case & rear diff (90% sure those 2 are the same)).

 

Good thing they got rid of the 10 mile bridge and Hill east of Golden, now it is a much gentler grade but with a much longer bridge. Although I wish the side rails weren't so high as it would have been a great view. I would just take it easy up and down those big hills and on the twisty road before you enter Golden, but you should have lots pf clearance as the semis have lots. And they have tamed most of the falling rocks now too. Wish I was headed out that way too.:frown:

 

^Shows the inherent weakness of minivan chassis being that open inside.

Yeah, when you look at some key specs (i.e., load specs, GCWRs, tire load indexes, and max trailer weights), the Sienna seems to be a somewhat lighter-duty vehicle. Not a criticism, just an observation, perhaps allowing for different target markets, applications, and price points.

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

 

It's getting you have to purchase a 3/4 ton pickup to tow much of any thing.
Remember years back when all vehicles would tow anything......:wtf:

 

Many manufacturers are now certifying some of their vehicle tow ratings in accordance with SAE Standard J2807. It's a pretty severe test, but it allows for an apples-to-apples comparison. As a result, many new vehicles' US tow ratings seem to have been reduced.

According to their owner manuals, the tow ratings for both the 2015 Highlander and the 2015 Sienna comply with SAE J2807.

However, new 1/2-ton pickups are taking up much of the slack. For example, a new 2015 Ford F150 can be equipped to achieve conventional trailer tow ratings ranging from 5,500 lbs. up to 12,100 lbs.

For reference, the "old style" trailer tow rating for our 2000 F250 CrewCab Shortbed 4x2 with the 5.4L V8, 4.10 rear axle, 4-spd automatic transmission, and full factory tow package is 8,900 lbs. It couldn't do that if subjected to SAE J2807.

Note that the 8,900 lb. rating assumes a stripped truck with no other non-towing required options, a 150 lb. driver, no passengers, no cargo, and operation at sea level.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

towing

I tow my 2000lbs dry A Frame style pull behind camper with ease with my XLE
Seriously no problems at all even in mountains.
I had a '12 Highlander with the 4 cylinder and it also was really good towing it actually--but the XLE and V6 definitely do a more adequate job--don't even know it's behind me!

 

We pull an 18' car trailer with Corvettes and full size Chevrolets for loads. Plenty of power, runs in over drive, and still gets 19 mpg overall. The long wheel base gives it great stability.

 

17' Princecraft aluminum boat. Boat, motor, trailer, and extras weighs around 2500 pounds. Tongue weight is 320. 17 mpg per gallon on flat terrain.

 

Just bought a enclosed trailer to haul cargo for trip

 

Nice trailer, what size and make is it?
I just ordered a 7'x 10' RC trailer to haul my Goldwing trike.

 

Is only a 4x6, it is look trailer element model.

 

I took maiden voyage with single axle travel trailer(Rpod). Weighs about 3200# loaded. 150 miles RT with 1500 ft of elevation gain over 13 miles (Bend,Or to Mt. Bachelor). Speeds of 55-60 mph. Averaged 12.5 mpg. Drove some flat stretches in overdrive - no gear hunting. Elevation gains were in D4 at 3800-4000 rpm tops. Maintaing speed-55-no problem. Vehicle equipped with Equilizer WDH with 4 point sway control. 2015 HL Limited