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Towing with the Highlander Hybrid

84 messages,  Last post on Sep 16, 2009 at 1:27 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Towing, SUV

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#32 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [stevedebi] by igh Oct 03, 2005 (4:27 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (Oct 03, 2005 3:10 pm) This discussion was in the context on plug-in hybrid vechicles. (See thread)   The 3500 and 3950 lb weights mentioned are for the non-hybrid highlanders. A plug-in highlander hybrid can have effective gas mileage of 100 mpg. A plug-in Prius can have effective gas mileage of 150-200 mpg. I do not know if 100 mpg is good enough for you. If not then HH will not be an option.   A hybrid vehicle is more efficient than a pure ICE vehicle but all the energy comes from gas. This is not a long term solution as gas will run out. A plug-in vehicle gets its energy from external electric grid and gas - hence multiple sources of energy. If gas can be replaced with bio-fuel then it becomes a long term solution.   Once all the sources of energy that you use are renewable and eco-friendly (solar and bio-fules) it is not necessary to be very efficient in its use. There is enough solar energy in this world to meet global energy needs 1000 times over.
#33 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [stevedebi] by wwest Oct 04, 2005 (9:58 am)
Replying to: stevedebi (Oct 03, 2005 10:52 am) The question really isn't the inability of the I4 to be beefed up to move a heavier platform, but why the 3.3L V6 wasn't "leaned" down, say using the atkinson cycle, to achieve even better fuel economy than present.   Look at all the RX300 and RX330 clear majority of customers who are perfectly happy with the ~200 HP V6 in those.   Yes, there are a few of those will be thrilled with the extra BOOST of 268 HP, but wouldn't the majority of us, even pre-$3 gas prices, have been happy with less HP and stellar fuel economy?   Personally I think I'll pass on the Rx400h until Toyota wise's up and converts to the atkinson cycle. Or I find a custom cam grinding shop, grind the heads down to 13:1 compression, and do it myself.   Or just thow a KGE3500Ti genset in the back and continously charge the hybrid batteries more economically, dramatically moreso, than the OEM ICE.
#34 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [dalemed] by jslate Oct 11, 2005 (9:59 am)
Replying to: dalemed (Sep 29, 2005 1:52 pm) Wow - this thread really got hijacked!   Back to the original questions - I tow a ~3000lb tailer behind my 4wd. It is a Shadow Cruiser 189FBR, dual axle. The trailer tows very smoothly behind the Highlander. My only complaint is there seems to be towing mirrors available for the Highlander (except the generic ones that don't look or work very well).   My only trip so far has been into the mountains about 100 miles from home. I got about 15mpg on that part of the tank while towing. The electric doesn't kick in much on the level, mostly is used for more power on hills, so you don't get many 'free' miles out of it. I got the 4wd for occasional snow, not for towing, but I assume it can't hurt to have the extra HP and traction for towing.   I doubt you could get 20mpg under almost any situation while towing. The 15mpg I got was mostly 55mph to 30mph.   Jim Replies to this message: gazguzler (Oct 11, 2005 1:47 pm) cdptrap (Oct 11, 2005 2:48 pm) 650vac (Oct 11, 2005 3:11 pm) gone2fish (May 16, 2006 12:13 pm) 82415 (May 16, 2006 7:14 pm) 82415 (May 16, 2006 7:15 pm) 82415 (May 16, 2006 7:24 pm)
#35 of 84 consumption up the junction by gazguzler Oct 11, 2005 (1:47 pm)
Replying to: jslate (Oct 11, 2005 9:59 am) I'm noticing a precipitous increase in consumption. We had terrible rains over the weekend and the temperatures have plummeted. The annoying engine-starts for no reason are more frequent. In the rain, it seemed that (maybe my imagination) when I went through deep water that would cool off the CC and then the engine would start again to warm it up. If I find the thermostat for that I'm sticking it in the cigarette lighter to fool the computer. I was getting darn close to a 30mpg average but it’s going to head back down now, I can tell. And all for this maddening reason of using the engine as a heater for things that could be heated when they’re actually used and needed.   Anyone else getting this? Anyone know where the sensor for the CC is? Replies to this message: cdptrap (Oct 11, 2005 2:48 pm) 650vac (Oct 11, 2005 3:11 pm)
#36 of 84 Re: consumption up the junction [gazguzler] by cdptrap Oct 11, 2005 (2:48 pm)
Replying to: gazguzler (Oct 11, 2005 1:47 pm) No clue where the sensor is but have now encountered frequent engine warm-up cycles as well when starting and driving in cold temperature (hi-40's) last week.   Instead of warming for 30 seconds, the engine stays on longer now. It also comes on twice more in the 3.5 mile drive to the freeway. I used to be able to nurse it on electric all the way to the freeway without the engine, no longer true.   Each 30-sec burn eats up 0.2 MPG. Each >30-sec burn (1 min?) eats up 0.3 MPG. So in our 3.5 mile trek on a cold morning, after a total of 3 burns, we are losing 1 MPG due to engine warm-up.   I read somewhere it is warming not just the CC but also the engine oil. Because the engine has to turn ON and OFF instantaneously without some sort of pre-spin (idle), the engine oil needs to be warmed properly to protect the engine when it spins up to high RPM to provide power. if I can find the source again, will post this info.
#37 of 84 Re: consumption up the junction [gazguzler] by 650vac Oct 11, 2005 (3:11 pm)
Replying to: gazguzler (Oct 11, 2005 1:47 pm) Just a guess but if it doesn't take engine oil temp into account I would think it may get the temp from the O2 sensors.
#38 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [jslate] by gone2fish May 16, 2006 (12:13 pm)
Replying to: jslate (Oct 11, 2005 9:59 am) I'm considering buying a HH and wondering about towing a 3400lb tent trailer with brake controller unit. Have you wired a break controller unit on yours? does your trailer battery charge while driving? How is all this working for you? For the 5 times per year I tow a trailer on vacation, I'd be happy to get 15mpg, if I could increase my gas mileage when not towing. Replies to this message: 82415 (May 16, 2006 7:14 pm) 82415 (May 16, 2006 7:15 pm) 82415 (May 16, 2006 7:24 pm)
#39 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [gone2fish] by 82415 May 16, 2006 (7:14 pm)
Replying to: gone2fish (May 16, 2006 12:13 pm) There was some experience towing with HH. Check out this link:   http://www.hihychat.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85
#40 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [gone2fish] by 82415 May 16, 2006 (7:15 pm)
Replying to: gone2fish (May 16, 2006 12:13 pm) There was some experience towing with HH. Check out this link:   http://www.hihychat.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85
#41 of 84 Re: Trailer Towing experience [gone2fish] by 82415 May 16, 2006 (7:24 pm)
Replying to: gone2fish (May 16, 2006 12:13 pm) Also check out message # 1924 in this forum on towing and mpg..

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