Ask the Car People.SM


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 11 of 11

#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 11 of 11

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement