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Old 02-13-2012, 08:32 PM   #1
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2004 highlander for a TV

Hello Escapees, being new to travel trailer towing my head is in a whirl. I have been towing my 3000# boat (maybe 80LBS. tongue weight) for years with a 2004 Highlander and no problems, it has plenty of power. Travel trailers are a whole different ball game though. I H/U to a Casita 17' and saw the HL go down about 3" right off the bat. I see the tongue weight on the Escape is a lot less than the Casita so I am looking at them now. My question is has anyone had any experience towing a 17B with an older (pre 2008) Highlander, and will it hurt the HL to tow it with the rear end quite a bit lower than the front? My manual says towing capacity is 3500# and 350# tongue weight, so it should be OK. It also says not to use a weight distribution hitch. Toyota doesn't have a thing to help out the suspension and I can't find any after market stuff either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 02-13-2012, 08:52 PM   #2
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Funny thing about the WDH. I have a 2008 Highlander and tow a 19' Escape with a WDH with no problems at all. On the Toyota Nation forum, there are some posts about Highlanders and WDHs. Many opinions from owners, dealers and even Toyota itself. There are a lot of Highlanders using WDHs towing Casitas, Scamps, boats and, of course, Escapes. I would have no problem towing a 17B with a 2004 Highlander with a WDH. There are also a lot of Toyota RAVs towing 17 foot trailers with a WDH. "Just do it!"
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Old 02-13-2012, 09:14 PM   #3
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Quote:
There are also a lot of Toyota RAVs towing 17 foot trailers with a WDH. "Just do it!"
Yup!
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Old 02-14-2012, 09:08 PM   #4
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

thanks, I feel better. looking at WDH's and one called 400 mini lite was recommemded to me, anybody heard of it? It has one bar and is rated 400 tongue and 4000tw. It is made by Reese Part number 66069.
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Old 02-14-2012, 09:10 PM   #5
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Vermilye, that Rav4 looks real good towing. what WDH do you use?
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Old 02-14-2012, 10:04 PM   #6
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

It is an Equalizer, supplied & installed by Reace at Escape.
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Old 02-15-2012, 06:30 PM   #7
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Well we went up to Chillliwack today and looked at all the models, we talked to Dave. They are all beautiful. I feel very confident about towing a 17B now. I have another question though. What about a 19'er? We kinda like that one the best. Do I need a new TV? With the dual axle it would ride more sturdy, and the tongue wt. is only 6lbs. more and 400lbs. more total wt.. Maybe I'm dreaming. I'd appreciate any feedback from all you experts.
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Old 02-15-2012, 07:37 PM   #8
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Hi: mark b... I would feel better towing a 19'er with a bit more margin of safety room in the tow cap. 4500#s-5000#s would be my feeling...but thats just me. Our 4X4 Nissan Frontier has a tow cap of 6100#s. Dry weight of the 5.0 is 2620#s total. Road ready to travel it's 3640#s at the Agro Mart scales so thats over 1000#s of food, water, propane, gear, and clothes. It can add up fast.
OTOH you already own the Toy. Highlander so what would you have to add to it to increase its tow cap? Suspension helpers, trans. cooler, equalizer hitch? The tow vehicle is the variable in the equasion. We kept the '02 GMC for a couple of years and then traded it off. Alf
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Old 02-16-2012, 12:32 AM   #9
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

I agree with Escape Artist. A vehicle with a bit more in "reserve" would probably be a good idea.

Be careful about adding helper springs or air bags etc. They may make the vehicle handle the weight better but they do not increase the towing capacity!!!!!

Cheers,

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Old 02-16-2012, 11:31 AM   #10
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Thanks you guys, I think the 19' will be too much for my little Highlander. I guess We were just dreaming.
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Old 02-16-2012, 12:09 PM   #11
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Re: 2004 highlander for a TV

Starting in 2008, the Highlander got a bit larger and the towing capacity increased to 5000 lbs. If I remember correctly, the milage stayed about the same due to the new VVT-i technology engine.
If you don't plan to drive this vehicle forever, and I doubt that you will, I recommend that you get the 19' if that's what you want and replace your tow vehicle a little earlier than you otherwise planned to. Tow vehicles come and go but a fibreglass trailer will be with you for a very long time.
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