If you own or are considering a Toyota Highlander and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a Toyota Highlander tow a trailer?
Yes, a Toyota Highlander can tow a trailer or camper up to 5000 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a trailer or camper with your Toyota Highlander which we’ll cover below.
Towing A Trailer With A Toyota Highlander
So, can a Toyota Highlander tow a trailer? Yes: the Toyota Highlander towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, so as long as your trailer or camper is under 5,000 lbs your Toyota Highlander can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when pulling a trailer with your Toyota Highlander.
Toyota Highlander Tow Package
Does The Toyota Highlander Come With A Tow Package?
The Toyota Highlander does not come with a tow package automatically included, so may need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
Toyota Highlander Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your Toyota Highlander.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With A Toyota Highlander?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
Toyota Highlander Tow Package Cost
Toyota Highlander Tow Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Toyota Highlander trailer hitches run between $175-300.
Take a look at this recommended Toyota Highlander Hitch Kit:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 6,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 900 lbs. tongue weight, 8,000 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 900 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Toyota Highlander
A Toyota Highlander trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $30-$50.
- EASY TO INSTALL. No cutting! No splicing! This trailer wiring harness kit plugs into existing factory wiring on your vehicle and equips it with a standard, rear 4-pin trailer wiring connector for plugging in and towing a trailer
- STANDARD CONNECTOR. This plug-in 4-flat trailer wiring can be used to connect trailer tail lights, brake signal lights and turn signals. 4-way trailer light wiring is popular on a wide variety of trailers, adding versatile towing options for your vehicle
- VEHICLE-SPECIFIC. This aftermarket, vehicle-trailer wiring harness is designed for select years of the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX350 (factory tow package may be required)
- RELIABLE POWER. This 4-way trailer wiring harness is built with surface mount technology. This type of circuitry generates less heat, optimal light intensity and durable performance
- DUST COVER. To promote long-lasting use and weather resistance, this 4-pole trailer lighting wire harness comes with a rubber dust cover. It easily fits onto the 4-way flat connector when not in use, protecting it against the outdoor elements
Toyota Highlander Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Toyota Highlander (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Toyota Highlander Brake Controller Cost
Toyota Highlander brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On A Toyota Highlander? Toyota Highlander Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Toyota Highlander trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Tow A Trailer With My Toyota Highlander?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Toyota Highlander, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Trailers And Campers Can A Toyota Highlander Tow?
Your Toyota Highlander can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper under 5,000 pounds which is going to be most ultra lightweight campers.
The Toyota Highlander can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 5,000 lbs:
- Keystone Passport
- Starcraft Satellite 18MK
- KZ Sportsman Classic Ultra Lightweight
- Winnebago HIKE
- Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser
- Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite
- Coleman Lantern LT
- Forest River R-Pod Hood River 179
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of campers that can be towed by a Toyota Highlander.
Can A Toyota Highlander Tow An Airstream?
A Toyota Highlander can tow an Airstream under 5,000 lbs, which gives you some great options on pulling an Airstream with your Highlander:
- Airstream Sport Travel Trailer
- Airstream Caravel 22FB
- Airstream Bambi Travel Trailer
You’ll want to know the following specs when determining what travel trailers and campers you can pull behind your Toyota Highlander:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 5000 lbs so your Toyota Highlander can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 5000 pounds.
Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity
So, how much can a Toyota Highlander tow?
The tow capacity for Toyota Highlander is 5,000 pounds.
Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
Toyota Highlander GVWR: 5,830 lbs
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Towing Capacity
Note that the Toyota Highlander hybrid towing capacity is 3,500 lbs compared to the regular tow capacity for Toyota Highlander of 5,000 lbs.
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Toyota Highlander can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Toyota Highlander GVWR or Toyota Highlander towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A Toyota Highlander Tow A Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can tow a trailer with a Toyota Highlander as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 5000 pounds).
Toyota Highlander models don’t automatically come with a towing package installed, so you’ll likely need to add one to the vehicle. Once complete, you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Toyota Highlander, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful camper, travel trailer, and RV repair guides:
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- How to perform RV toilet foot pedal repair
- Our guide to RV roof reseal cost
- What to do if your RV heater is blowing cold air
- How to fix an RV microwave not working
- Our guide to motorhome fuel pump replacement
- How to replace RV window glazing bead
- How to fix an RV toilet not holding water
- How to fix a sagging RV slide out
- Preparing for an RV one night freeze
