- #2 of 84
-
Towing Experience
by jslate
-
May 23, 2006 (8:14 pm)
-
|
I just got back from a little trip towing a 4000lb trailer from Eugene, OR over the Cascades into south central Oregon (a little town called Paisley). Tow vehicle - 4wd HiHy, towed vehicle - Fun Finder 189FBR trailer. Here are the results.
First - towing was a dream. A couple of times, got a little tail-wag at 65MPH - I shouldn't be going that fast! Hit the trailer brake and it straightened right out. Went up the hills (mountains) with power to spare. Elevation change was from about 700ft to 4500, with some passes slightly higher.
Total round trip is 450 miles - this was the number of miles towing.
Total miles driven is 730 miles.
Therefore, about 60% of the mileage was towing.
Total average MPG was 16.7
Since I didn't figure out the separate MPG for towing or not, I don't have the exact numbers, but I usually average 28MPG when not towing, so do the math. OK - I'll do the math.
730 miles at 16.7 MPG = 43.71257 gallons
280 miles at 28.0 MPG = 10.00000 gallons
That leaves 450 miles and 33.71257 gallons which works out to 13.34813 MPG during the towing part. Note, your mileage might vary!
I know that I am slightly over the total towable weight for this vehicle, but I felt that it could easily handle the load in braking, handling, and acceleration - especially the acceleration!
Jim
|
- #3 of 84
-
Re: Towing Experience [jslate]
by mroczka
-
May 24, 2006 (3:05 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: jslate (May 23, 2006 8:14 pm)
Jim I,m going to purchase a Highlander Hybrid, and I could,nt figure out how to install a hitch, I won,t be towing a traler, but i,m thinking of a bike rack, that hooks on to a traler hitch, if theres something out there for the bike rack on a highlander hybrid. The highlander hybrid i,m looking at shows no towing package, on the manufacture list thats on the window. Did you install the hitch yourself or had it installed professionally. Frank
|
- #4 of 84
-
Re: Towing Experience [mroczka]
by jslate
-
May 24, 2006 (8:07 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: mroczka (May 24, 2006 3:05 am)
Professionally done through the dealer. I think it looks quite nice. The exhaust is in the way, so it takes a custom hitch to fit. I think it was the same as the one for the regular Highlander.
Jim
|
- #5 of 84
-
Re: Towing Experience [jslate]
by cdptrap
-
May 24, 2006 (9:21 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: jslate (May 23, 2006 8:14 pm)
Thank you for all the specific info, what a post!!!
Do you have a 2-inch hitch?
From your very detail report, it looks like towing on freeways is a breeze. That really adds to our confidence level.
Thanks!
|
- #6 of 84
-
Re: Towing Experience [cdptrap]
by jslate
-
May 24, 2006 (11:46 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: cdptrap (May 24, 2006 9:21 am)
Yes - it is a 2"er Class III. Nothing smaller will handle the weight I am towing. Brake controller is also a must, in my opinion (and many states agree.)
Jim
|
- #7 of 84
-
Re: Towing Experience [jslate]
by shilohlady
-
May 24, 2006 (12:08 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: jslate (May 24, 2006 11:46 am)
Did you have to request the brake controller? Mine came with the hitch installed but it's only a 4-flat electrical so I doubt it has the brake ocntroller. I'm not planning on towing much but would be nice to have "in case" - just wondering about the incremental cost if adding the brake controller functionality.
|
- #8 of 84
-
Re: Towing Experience [shilohlady]
by jslate
-
May 24, 2006 (1:35 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: shilohlady (May 24, 2006 12:08 pm)
Yes, I had to request it. I don't remember the cost - it was all done as a package deal by the company that installed the hitch. I'm guessing that it was around $150 - $200 installed for a better quality unit. If the trailer you are going to tow doesn't have brakes, the brake controller won't have anything to control! Also, I believe you need the 7-pin wiring to include the braking capability.
Jim
|
- #9 of 84
-
More on Towing -- What is Standard on the Hybrid?
by jsymons
-
May 31, 2006 (8:34 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: jslate (May 24, 2006 1:35 pm)
I just today bought a Highlander Hybrid AWD, bare bones. The dealer said that the towing hitch is not an option because the car i bought does not have the optional towing package (oil cooler, wiring, and he says larger radiator, etc). The literature seems to say that the hybrid has standard capacity to 3500 lbs. Which is right? what do I need to add to the standard hybrid to be able to tow 3500 lbs safely other than the hitch? Is it wired all the way to the rear bumper already?
J-
|
- #10 of 84
-
Re: More on Towing -- What is Standard on the Hybrid? [jsymons]
by shilohlady
-
Jun 01, 2006 (7:12 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: jsymons (May 31, 2006 8:34 pm)
Mine came installed by the dealer - I have the non-limited HiHy but I *do* have the option package. I believe that the hybrid comes with the "towing prep" as standard, however the wiring and hitch need to be installed. There have been threads at HiHyChat.com and GreenHybrid.com regarding installing hitches as an aftermarket option.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles 
