Problems towing a 19 0r 21 with a Toyota Highlander?

[NCBill]

Backup is a poor choice of words, or at least gives the wrong impression. My wife currently has an aging SUV as her car (that only has a 1,500 pound tow rating). We are considering a mid-size SUV as a replacement. At that point, we will target the 5,000 pound tow rating class, so it will be able to tow both our Trillium and Escape 19. The F150 will continue to do towing service, but I can see on certain trips, the SUV might be the choice.

If/when I can no longer trust the F150, I will replace it with a similar but newer pickup. I'm just a pickup guy. I've had one since I got out of college.

We tend to keep vehicles for a long time and a lot of miles. Both are ten years old, one is approaching 200,000 miles, the other 150,000 miles. Doubt we will wear out either of them, but at some point, we will replace them. Although they are the same age, the F150 has a lot more comfort features.

[CarlNH]

I have been traveling full-time with my 2018 E19 towed by my 2017 Highlander for 2 years. In that time, I have towed the Escape approximately 25000 miles all over the country... deserts, mountains, etc. The Highlander presently has just over 60000 miles on it. There have been no issues with the Highlander at all. The Escape tows very well. I use the E4 WDH. Trailer weighs 4200 lb. I don't drive over 65 mph so am frequently passed by semis running 80+. No issues with sway or instability in those situations. Ditto for crosswinds. On steep mountain passes, the Highlander does struggle a bit and, of course, low gear is needed. Fortunately, I'm not in a hurry :-)

Regarding longevity... well, that's why I bought a Toyota. I don't doubt that constant towing is wearing it out faster than your typical family car usage. I have oil changed at half the recommended miles and plan to have transmission, transfer case and differential fluids changed in the next month even though Toyota claims this is not necessary. I guess time will tell if the Highlander will go the 300K miles my previous vehicles have managed! In any case, I'm satisfied with the Highlander as a tow vehicle for the E19.

[cpaharley2008]

The Highlander is very popular with Escape owners.......

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I can see a second vehicle as an alternative, when the SUV is a more suitable vehicle for the task of the moment (which wouldn't typically be towing), or an additional vehicle when two people want to drive different places at the same time, but as a backup? The only vehicle I've ever owned that I felt should have a backup to provide reliable transportation is our 1979 Triumph Spitfire; I hope an F-150 is much more reliable than an old British sports car and doesn't need a backup.

Ah Lucas electrics !

[Rossue]

My first job in CA was at Hollywood Yamaha in 1972- great place where the mechanics only spoke Japanese. We also had the Norton Commando and the joke was if there was no oil underneath on the showroom floor it was because there was no oil! they had Lucas as well.

[Great Eggstrications]

Originally Posted by oldwave

Ah Lucas electrics !

Lucas indeed - The Prince of Darkness.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Great Eggstrications

Lucas indeed - The Prince of Darkness.

I owned a 1960 and a 1970 BSA

[tdf-texas]

I rode a Norton Commando in the 70's. Nice bike but parts were a nightmare.

For example, broke the screw that holds the points. No problem, I'll just get another screw. Not so fast, that's a British Whitworth thread screw - only one on the whole bike and no one, not even the dealer, had one.

[Iowa Dave]

When my son was about three a friend of mine stopped by the house with a Norton. It was a nice looking motorcycle. He told me to take it for a ride. Making good decisions has sometimes been a problem for me. So I put my son on the tank and we rode two blocks in the paved alley and two blocks back. I told my son not to tell mom.
About an hour later at dinner he’s thinking about that big Norton and blurts out “Dad took me for a ride on Casteel’s motorcycle.” Not good. Last time I was on a motorcycle, 35 years ago.
Iowa Dave

[rjbny]

Up until this summer, we towed our 2017 19' using a 2012 Highlander w tow package and Fastway e2 WDH. Our trips were relatively local, so < 600 miles annually. Although we were quite happy with how the trailer towed using this setup, in July we made our first longer trip out to the Rockies (6,500 miles in all) and chose to use a friends 2020 Tundra. The Tundra was clearly more TV than we needed, but we'd probably do it that way again on our next longer trip. It just made a number of things simpler: loading/packing, no clip on towing mirrors, easier to clean out truck bed vs interior of TV or trailer when there is inclement weather, etc.

We've considered using a Tacoma, but it is also a V6 engine like the Highlander and I haven't been convinced that there is actually that much difference, even though the Tacoma has a higher towing capacity. Taco's are certainly not as comfortable as a Highlander, or the Tundra for that matter, over long distances. Has anyone done a detailed comparison of the current generation Tacoma and a Highlander?

[A&W]

Originally Posted by bobwirtz

Hello all, we are in line to purchase a 19 (or possibly a 21) and had decided to buy a low-mileage 2017 or 2018 Highlander with the towing package as our tow vehicle. We have just been told by a mechanic that the Highlander transmission is not robust enough for extended towing. This confused us because we have seen multiple posts by people who use the Highlander successfully.

Has anyone experienced problems towing 4000+ pounds with a Highlander when properly equipped, by which I mean all towing package elements properly installed? If so, what were the Highlander model years and what were the problems?

Thanks.

We used 2013 Highlander Sport with towing package installed when bought in 2016, added heavy duty transmission cooling kit, and after market trailer breaking controller. In 2018 we towed our Escape 19 from N Vancouver BC to St. John's Newfoundland and back with no issues except going up steep hills.
We decided to upgrade to 2018 Tundra Off Road model. We find towing is much easier and more stable even when windy, also braking is better with factory installed towing package. Also with more storage space in the truck with a canopy. Although we managed all right with the Highlander we prefer towing with the Tundra.

[Holly]

Originally Posted by bobwirtz

Hello all, we are in line to purchase a 19 (or possibly a 21) and had decided to buy a low-mileage 2017 or 2018 Highlander with the towing package as our tow vehicle. We have just been told by a mechanic that the Highlander transmission is not robust enough for extended towing. This confused us because we have seen multiple posts by people who use the Highlander successfully.

Has anyone experienced problems towing 4000+ pounds with a Highlander when properly equipped, by which I mean all towing package elements properly installed? If so, what were the Highlander model years and what were the problems?

Thanks.

My husband and I had transmission problems with our vehicle (rated for 5,000 pounds) after towing our Escape 19 for 4 years. The transmission specialist told us, that with the wind resistance and drag, we needed a vehicle that is rated for 8,000 pounds, not 5,000 pounds. We traveled up and down mountain roads all over the US and Canada. Your mechanic is correct. Bottom line, I certainly would get a vehicle that is truly meant for towing.

[sailnbike]

Add me to the list that tows a 19 with a late model Highlander with no problems or concern. I use the manual shift option when towing and keep at 65 on the highway. On steep passes I will downshift to let the engine rev as it is designed to do. I use a WDH.
We do not want to have a larger vehicle as our daily driver and feel that this is a good compromise all around.

[Rpcart87]

Hi - We have a 2019 Tacoma towing a 19' Escape trailer and it is excellent, lots of power and very stable on rough pavement and windy.

[solargary]

For around 5 years I've been towing my 2009 Escape19 with a 2008 Highlander Sport, EQ hitch. The Highlander had the tow prep package, and I installed the brake control and a Toyota receiver.

I've been pleased with towing, found I needed to drop down one gear most of the time to avoid frequent gear changing (unless a gradual downhill). There are times I'd like a pickup with canopy, for assorted extras, though I like the comfort of the Highlander. My highway mileage (60-65mph) without the Escape is about 22, which drops to an average of a bit more than 14 when towing. I stay at 60mph or a bit less when towing, except NOT uphill.

This is my first post, so I hope it works OK.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by solargary

For around 5 years I've been towing my 2009 Escape19 with a 2008 Highlander Sport, EQ hitch. The Highlander had the tow prep package, and I installed the brake control and a Toyota receiver.

I've been pleased with towing, found I needed to drop down one gear most of the time to avoid frequent gear changing (unless a gradual downhill). There are times I'd like a pickup with canopy, for assorted extras, though I like the comfort of the Highlander. My highway mileage (60-65mph) without the Escape is about 22, which drops to an average of a bit more than 14 when towing. I stay at 60mph or a bit less when towing, except NOT uphill.

This is my first post, so I hope it works OK.

Your experience mirrors ours when we towed the 19 with a 2012 Highlander. Never had any trouble. Now we are towing our 2013 Escape 21 with a 2018 Highlander XLE AWD. Works great for us. Adequate room, comfortable ride, acceptable milage, Highway and in-town.
milage is 23.6. Towing 13.8 to 14.5.
You are spot on.
Good Post
IowaDave

[Toad]

We tow a 27 foot Jayco 232 RB that "scales in at the last roadside DOT scale in Oregon" @ 4850 lbs when loaded with our belongings "we're conservative loading". This 21 day trip over the Sisque mountains + several other was very enjoyable and without stress.


Yes we did have to downshift into 4th gear and we crested the mountains at at 50 mph

"when is the last time you saw a long hauler going over the mountains at 50mph, usally lower gear and slower"?


We "over several years" have taken long journeys over many states with our 2018 Toyota Highlander xle AWD and had not the need to upgrade to a truck of larger size.


Now, is this the optimal tow vehicle for our TT, probably not, does it perform well, well enough, will our Highlander go 300,000 miles, probably not, but heh , it does a decent job.


As an added note, hitch load, Highlander is rated at 500lbs even with an equlizer hitch.


Somthing to keep in mind...👍
Happy travels

Originally Posted by bobwirtz

Hello all, we are in line to purchase a 19 (or possibly a 21) and had decided to buy a low-mileage 2017 or 2018 Highlander with the towing package as our tow vehicle. We have just been told by a mechanic that the Highlander transmission is not robust enough for extended towing. This confused us because we have seen multiple posts by people who use the Highlander successfully.

Has anyone experienced problems towing 4000+ pounds with a Highlander when properly equipped, by which I mean all towing package elements properly installed? If so, what were the Highlander model years and what were the problems?

Thanks.

[Eric & El]

Originally Posted by A&W

We used 2013 Highlander Sport with towing package installed when bought in 2016, added heavy duty transmission cooling kit, and after market trailer breaking controller. In 2018 we towed our Escape 19 from N Vancouver BC to St. John's Newfoundland and back with no issues except going up steep hills.
We decided to upgrade to 2018 Tundra Off Road model. We find towing is much easier and more stable even when windy, also braking is better with factory installed towing package. Also with more storage space in the truck with a canopy. Although we managed all right with the Highlander we prefer towing with the Tundra.

How do you find the mileage? Is it as bad as people say? Since the kids are getting bigger we are considering the same move. I borrowed a 19 Tundra crewmax from a coworker and we really liked it. I reset the meter and managed 16.5L/100km combined towing a short distance and running errands for the weekend, not too bad I thought. I find the highlander pretty much tows at 17 every trip that has hills but of course it’s much better the rest of the time. It’s the safety margin with a growing family we’d be after mainly.

Thanks,
Eric

[rjbny]

Originally Posted by Eric & El

How do you find the mileage? Is it as bad as people say? Since the kids are getting bigger we are considering the same move. I borrowed a 19 Tundra crewmax from a coworker and we really liked it. I reset the meter and managed 16.5L/100km combined towing a short distance and running errands for the weekend, not too bad I thought. I find the highlander pretty much tows at 17 every trip that has hills but of course it’s much better the rest of the time. It’s the safety margin with a growing family we’d be after mainly.

Thanks,
Eric

Currently towing with 21 Tundra 5.7 V8 for a longer trip but have used our 12 Highlander SE previously. Gas mileage when towing with Tundra is around 13 mpg. The Highlander was about the same when towing. The Tundra towing and camping experience is better. But it is a much bigger machine.

[CADreamin]

Towed our 19' Escape with our 2008 Tundra for many miles; however, in retrospect, we probably overextended the truck, which explains why the front axle broke ... twice. That made us rather cautious about weight so we purchased our 2018 Tundra when we ordered a 5.0. However, after discussions on this forum and doing more research, we weren't comfortable with the 'close' numbers as Tundras, in comparison to others, have low cargo carrying capacities, so we switched to a 21'. We love our combo and average around 11-13 mph overall.