Towing with Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

[yardsale]

Have you towed with one? What mileage did you get?
Thanks,

[gklott]

2020 Highlander Hybrid lists maximum payload of 1,595 pounds and towing up to 3,500 pounds of cargo.

What do you plan to tow?

73/gus

[gbaglo]

Here's a consideration. The Hybrid costs more and as you age you are likely to drive less, so getting the added expense back will take longer.

My 2009 17B weighs 3,200 lbs. loaded. I like the margin I get with my 5,000 lb. tow rated gas Highlander.

[CADreamin]

We have a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and I doubt it would tow much of anything. I call it my gutless wonder. Don't get me wrong, I love my car; however, when towing our 21', our Tundra does a whole lot better ....

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by gklott

2020 Highlander Hybrid lists maximum payload of 1,595 pounds and towing up to 3,500 pounds of cargo.

What do you plan to tow?

73/gus

An 1800 lb trailer. Start up company called Cortez Trailers. Doubt I would try it with my 17B

[HABBERDABBER]

Cortez trailers

Just one fella's opinion, but I just do not like the look. Good attention to interior details, and it sure does look like a colored Casita clone to me. I owned a Casita, so no gripe there. Interior is slick, a bit clinical, but functional, but the exterior views give me an "ice cream headache".


YMMV.


The Cortez name carries a dubious legacy. Look it up.

[CADreamin]

To me, it looks like they based their design more on the Oliver than a Casita. It's slick and the interior has that same clean, shiny look of the Oliver. With a dry weight of 1800 pounds, it's probably towable with the Highlander (provided you have a tow package) but you'd have to pack very judiciously. Couldn't find any negative reviews (Cortes, not Cortez) but it has been reviewed in several magazines (https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-preview-...avel-trailers/ and https://boomers-daily.com/2021/07/11...amper-trailer/) and the CEO has posted on the Fiberglass Forum. It does, however, come with a price tag comparable to the Oliver ...

[oldwave]

I did read about a sec investigation and or indictments about this ceo ?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Here's a consideration. The Hybrid costs more and as you age you are likely to drive less, so getting the added expense back will take longer.

My 2009 17B weighs 3,200 lbs. loaded. I like the margin I get with my 5,000 lb. tow rated gas Highlander.

All good points.........

[HABBERDABBER]

The Cortez I referenced:


Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (c. 1485-1547) is best known for conquering the Aztecs and claiming Mexico on behalf of Spain.


Conquistadors don't carry a swell rep with many.



Slightly different spellings, or more likely an Anglicization of the Spanish.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

The Cortez I referenced...

Yes, that's the name connection... which was explored in some detail in a previous thread. And has nothing to do with using a Highlander Hybrid to tow.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Yes, that's the name connection... which was explored in some detail in a previous thread. And has nothing to do with using a Highlander Hybrid to tow.

Except that the Cortez/Cortes doesn't exist outside of pixels and the promoter might be up on charges ( or not ).
From FGRV:
You might be waiting a long time for your Cortez Camper: On June 8, 2021, Paul Spivak, Chief Executive Officer of US Lighting Group, Inc. (the “Company”) was arrested for conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Start reading around post #190, or earlier.
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...tml#post820994

[HABBERDABBER]

.

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Yes, that's the name connection... which was explored in some detail in a previous thread. And has nothing to do with using a Highlander Hybrid to tow.

It does relate to the post by the originator of this thread and his comments about acquiring a lighter weight Cortez fiberglass trailer in THIS thread, and the previous discussion & postings on the Cortez name were, it appears, on a different forum, which I do not regularly follow.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Except that the Cortez/Cortes doesn't exist outside of pixels and the promoter might be up on charges ( or not )...

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

It does relate to the post by the originator of this thread and his comments about acquiring a lighter weight Cortez fiberglass trailer in THIS thread, and the previous discussion & postings on the Cortez name were, it appears, on a different forum, which I do not regularly follow.

It's okay if someone isn't aware of the previous discussions of the Cortes (not Cortez) fiasco, but the trailer could be vapourware promised by a reincarnation of Attila the Hun and it still wouldn't make any difference to how well a Highlander Hybrid tows. Yes, the trailer weight matters, but that has nothing to do with the company's name or ethics.

The Cortes discussion here was easy to miss, as it was buried in a thread about another brand.

Perhaps someone has comments on how well a Highlander Hybrid handles trailers up to its rated capacity?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by yardsale

An 1800 lb trailer. Start up company called Cortez Trailers.

Assuming that this is intended to be the Cortes 17' Travel Trailer, I'll note that the claimed 1800 pounds is a base, dry and empty weight (as all published weights for trailers are, including Escape), so just as an Escape 17B isn't only 2640 pounds when it hits the road, this Cortes would be substantially heavier than 1800 pounds. The point is just to plan based on gross loaded weight rather than the published base dry weight, but I assume that this was already realized.

Originally Posted by yardsale

Doubt I would try it with my 17B

This trailer (if ever built) would likely be substantially heavier than 1800 pounds even in base dry configuration. There is no obvious reason why this trailer would be substantially lighter than a similarly-sized Escape; the aluminum frame will make only a trivial difference to total trailer weight. The claimed weight is likely promotional nonsense, so I would plan for greater weight, regardless of the brand of the trailer. With the Highlander Hybrid's rated trailer weight at 3500 pounds, I would want to seriously look at the Gross Combination Weight Rating.

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Except that the Cortez/Cortes doesn't exist outside of pixels and the promoter might be up on charges ( or not ).
From FGRV:
You might be waiting a long time for your Cortez Camper: On June 8, 2021, Paul Spivak, Chief Executive Officer of US Lighting Group, Inc. (the “Company”) was arrested for conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Start reading around post #190, or earlier.
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...tml#post820994

Oh oh.

[yardsale]

Very helpful responses folks.

My initial reaction to the trailer was its lighter weight and potential compatibility with the 3500 lb. tow capacity of the Toyota hybrid. Also like the honeycomb construction, double pane windows and aluminum frame as we use our trailer in the winter. I hadn't noticed the lack of legal lighting. Of course if none of this is real it doesn't matter. FYI I did reach out the company with several questions but the email was not responded to.

[yardsale]

Ok folks, can you suggest another trailer with bath, winter friendly that could be towed by a tug with 3500 tow capacity? We looked at an Oliver. The small one had VERY little storage capacity and the larger one is way too heavy.
Scamp is light enough but I doubt it is winter worthy. Also don't know about the quality.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by yardsale

Ok folks, can you suggest another trailer with bath, winter friendly that could be towed by a tug with 3500 tow capacity? We looked at an Oliver. The small one had VERY little storage capacity and the larger one is way too heavy.
Scamp is light enough but I doubt it is winter worthy. Also don't know about the quality.

I don't know of any all-molded towable that's four season with that weight limit. You might find something in the sticky world.

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by yardsale

Ok folks, can you suggest another trailer with bath, winter friendly that could be towed by a tug with 3500 tow capacity? We looked at an Oliver. The small one had VERY little storage capacity and the larger one is way too heavy.
Scamp is light enough but I doubt it is winter worthy. Also don't know about the quality.

Sadly, no. I don't think such a trailer exists.


Which is a huge opportunity. I'm going to hire a graphical designer and start a new, 4-season trailer company. I'm going to call it "The Attila". Details on how to become an early investor to follow shortly!