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Old 11-05-2013, 07:31 PM   #41
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never mind, another list shows 5000#, for the limited, just check your manual
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Old 11-05-2013, 07:44 PM   #42
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5000# towing. It is the Limited. We made sure to check that it had heavy duty radiator with engine oil cooler,transmission oil cooler w/water cooler, 150 amp alternator and pre-wire harness
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Old 11-05-2013, 07:45 PM   #43
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Scared me there for a minute
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Old 11-05-2013, 07:56 PM   #44
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does it have a brake controller?
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Old 11-06-2013, 05:38 AM   #45
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No, we might or might not want to install one. Any thoughts?
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Old 11-06-2013, 06:35 AM   #46
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Unless a trailer has surge brakes you need a brake controller to send a signal to the trailer to brake. It also allows you to balance the braking power of your tug and the trailer. We have a 2013 highlander and a 19 and we are very happy with the towing experience. My wife and I share the driving time but I do all the backing up. We had a Prodigy P3 installed when they did the wiring for the 7 wire connection.
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Old 11-06-2013, 07:12 AM   #47
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You have to install one in order to utilize the trailer brakes which are required.
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Old 11-06-2013, 07:22 AM   #48
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Well, I guess we sound like complete amateurs. We thought the controller was more for balancing the braking power of the tug and trailer -- the one we had in the airstream didn't do such a good job.
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Old 11-06-2013, 07:26 AM   #49
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Perhaps it was not not set up properly, but it's purpose is to balance the braking between the two vehicles and in the event of sway there is a bypass you can use that only applies the trailer brakes, which then pulls it in line behind you straight again. Electric brakes are mandatory for most trailers based upon weight, which the 19' exceeds. I'm sure we all can help you set it up correctly.
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Old 11-06-2013, 08:18 AM   #50
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Well, I guess we sound like complete amateurs. We thought the controller was more for balancing the braking power of the tug and trailer -- the one we had in the airstream didn't do such a good job.
Without the brake controller, your trailer brakes will not operate at all and you will be relying completely on your tow vehicle brakes for stopping your Escape 19.

Many vehicles are pre-wired for "plug n play" installation of a brake controller and you may simply have to buy an appropriate controller and plug it in to the cable under your dash (followed by appropriate setup of course). Other vehicles require a fair amount of work to wire them for a controller to operate. You should check to see which category yours falls under, and then definitely have a controller installed.
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Old 11-06-2013, 10:20 AM   #51
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Does the Highlander have a 7 blade trailer harness connector installed ?
Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Socket - Vehicle End Pollak Wiring PK12707
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Old 11-06-2013, 10:54 AM   #52
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I believe it is four -- and we convert to seven?
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Old 11-06-2013, 12:33 PM   #53
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The 7 pole Rv connector is necessary for Escape trailers.
If you have a 4 wire connector additional circuits are necessary for battery positive (charge) and the brake control. Discuss this with the vehicle dealer or a credible trailer service company.
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Old 11-06-2013, 02:59 PM   #54
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I had something similar to this installed so I could still tow my utility trailer with the 4 wire connector without an adapter.

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Old 11-06-2013, 07:48 PM   #55
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Does the Highlander have a 7 blade trailer harness connector installed ?
Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Socket - Vehicle End Pollak Wiring PK12707
Nope, no 7 blade connector on the Highlander. You either have it done or you can do-it-youself,

Wiring for 7 Wire Trailer Setup - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums
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Old 11-06-2013, 08:54 PM   #56
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Which model Ruthe? The spec's I found say 2000# towing?
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
never mind, another list shows 5000#, for the limited, just check your manual
Yes - definitely read the manual! Even though you know your basic towing capacity limit, there's a substantial section of towing information there. I download the PDF version, which I find easier to search than the paper copy.

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5000# towing. It is the Limited. We made sure to check that it had heavy duty radiator with engine oil cooler,transmission oil cooler w/water cooler, 150 amp alternator and pre-wire harness
The trim level (such as "Limited") probably doesn't matter at all to towing capacity; it is that towing prep package (primarily the radiator and engine oil cooler) that is required for the higher towing capacity. Non-Toyota lists could say anything, and may assume that the Limited always has the towing preparation package and other trim levels never do, even if that is not the case.

All V6 2007-2013 non-hybrid Highlanders have the 2GR-FE engine, which needs that engine oil cooler for maximum towing capacity... just like the Sienna with the same engine.
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Old 11-06-2013, 09:25 PM   #57
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Brian is correct. The model (trim) doesn't matter. The 2008 and later, non-hybrid, Highlanders with the factory tow package are rated for 5,000 lbs. Without the tow package, it's 3,500 lbs. The tow package is a US option for all models, including the Limited. In Canada, the tow package is standard.
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Old 11-06-2013, 10:11 PM   #58
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My tow, a '96 Tahoe, came with a brake controller, age/origin unknown, and 7-pin. There never seemed a problem. I always thought that blue wire was doing its proper job and the tow was charging the battery.

I opted for the Escape supplied brake controller.* The latest technology made sense to me. It took longer than usual for Reece's guy to do the install because it turns out the Tahoe wiring had not been done right, even though months earlier my mechanic checked it out at my request during routine servicing.

*best move of the day.
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