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Towing with the Highlander Hybrid

99 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2011 at 5:05 PM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Forum.

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

Messages Page 10 of 10

#90 of 99 Re: trailer wiring kit for 06 toyota highlander [rbowyer] by roxxgang

Oct 07, 2010 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: rbowyer (Oct 06, 2010 4:41 pm)
I had the R.V. dealer install it on my 06 HH and he had a lot of trouble. The toy dealer told me they would do it too. The toy dealer is probably the way to go as I do not think there is a plug in jack on the 06 HH.

#91 of 99 Re: Towing Travel Trailer With Highlander Hybrid 2006 [roxxgang] by casita

Mar 28, 2011 (7:45 am)

Replying to: roxxgang (Nov 03, 2008 4:45 pm)
Hello,
I'm about to buy a HH 06. I will want to tow my small camping trailer, about
1500 lbs. 2000 lbs loaded. I'm really confused if this is a good idea or not.
Some people seem to not have any problems and others have major problems.
The car i am looking at doesn't have a per prep towing package. It it nessary?
Can it be added?
I would also like to add electric brakes at some point.
 
Thank you for any comments or advice.
Casita

#92 of 99 Re: Towing Travel Trailer With Highlander Hybrid 2006 [casita] by roxxgang

Mar 28, 2011 (7:59 am)

Replying to: casita (Mar 28, 2011 7:45 am)
The 06 can tow 3500 lbs with the prep package it comes off the lot with. Add a hitch and brakes and you will have no problems. pypkinghotmail.com............ if you have more questions.

#93 of 99 Re: Towing Travel Trailer With Highlander Hybrid 2006 [casita] by stevegold

Mar 28, 2011 (9:09 am)

Replying to: casita (Mar 28, 2011 7:45 am)
Don't buy a 2006 HH or any other year. There is no savings and some owners are having $6-8,000 repair problems. We have a Prius which is great and an HH which works but produces no real savings.

#95 of 99 Buying Highlander Hybrid and Towing by pesto1

Apr 21, 2011 (5:59 pm)

#96 of 99 Buying a Highlander to Tow Camper - Hybrid? by pesto1

Apr 21, 2011 (6:05 pm)

Hello. I am about to buy a Highlander for the family. I have a medium sized camper that, honestly, has a fair amount of tongue weight since it has a storage compartment up front. I am interested in the hybrid, but am concerned about its capacity to tow and about reliability - I can't say I've knowingly ever seen one here in SW Michigan. I'd sure appreciate any advice. Thanks.
 
Dave

#97 of 99 Re: Buying a Highlander to Tow Camper - Hybrid? [pesto1] by wwest

Apr 22, 2011 (8:42 am)

Replying to: pesto1 (Apr 21, 2011 6:05 pm)
FWD vehicles, or even F/awd vehicles, are quite bad enough insofar as driving dynamics, driveability, are concerned. But a "high" tow tongue weight might well make matters much worse.
 
And remember that without self-braking of the tow during braking the torque "weight" will increase and lighten the front even moreso.

#98 of 99 Re: Buying a Highlander to Tow Camper - Hybrid? [wwest] by casita

Apr 22, 2011 (9:06 am)

Replying to: wwest (Apr 22, 2011 8:42 am)
what does "quite bad enough insorfar as driving dynamics" mean?

#99 of 99 Re: Buying a Highlander to Tow Camper - Hybrid? [casita] by wwest

Apr 22, 2011 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: casita (Apr 22, 2011 9:06 am)
With FWD you're relying on ONLY the traction of the front tires for both directional control, steering, and engine drive torque or compression braking. That's why when things get dicey, icy, a FWD has such a strong tendency to plow, understear.
 
The only known correction for that situation is to quickly slow the vehicle and thereby reduce the momentum that wants to take the weight of the vehicle in the direction it was just previously traveling. In the olden days a light touch on the e-brake would help to do that. Nowadays VSC, if you have it, automatically takes over the task of braking both rear wheels or braking only the rear wheel that "swings" the pendulum in the direction you wish to go.
 
Load up the rear of a FWD and you have effectively reduced front tire traction. That situation gets even worse during braking when the "weight" on the trailer hitch increases. That's why I would ALWAYS advise have some sort of braking on the vehicle/trailer you are towing, RWD or FWD.

Messages Page 10 of 10

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