Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **gypsy97** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:36 pm

I just sold my 2002 Ford F-350 and bought a 2006 V6 Highlander. Now I am hoping to find a teardrop that will suit both me and the TV. I will need to have a hitch installed, but is there anything else I should look into? Does anyone tow with a Highlander? Any comments and suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

Gypsy

by **caseydog** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:36 pm

You will have no problem towing a teardrop with a V6 Highlander. A hitch and wiring should be all that you need. I know people tow their teardrops with four-cylander Honda Accords, Mazda Miatas and Mini Coopers.

CD

by **Shadow Catcher** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:57 pm

I remember your story and congratulate you on "right sizing". The only advice I will give is make sure that your tear has brakes and the Toyota has a brake controller.
We are towing a 1540# teardrop with an H6 Subaru and when I had a problem with my controller this weekend and I could not believe how much more effort it took to stop.

by **asianflava** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:43 pm

We used to tow our 5X10 with our 01 4-cyl Highlander. Our economy dropped, but it did fine.

by **H@nk** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:32 am

You must be kidding. Are you affraid, you can't tow a teardrop? With such a big machine?

by **gypsy97** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:32 am

H@nk wrote:You must be kidding. Are you affraid, you can't tow a teardrop? With such a big machine?

I'm not afraid of anything. I just want to know what I might need in addition to a hitch - such as brake controller, sway bar, etc. I've never towed anything except a 5th wheel.

by **asianflava** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:05 am

Hopefully you have the tow package. Oddly enough, Toyota's tow package doesn't include a hitch. In my case it was an upgraded transmission cooler, and wiring for the lights. I still had to get another harness to plug into the control box and the hitch.

Brakes aren't a bad thing, if you want them then add them. I don't run brakes because my trailer doesn't have them. The harness is a 4-pin flat so it doesn't support brakes. Brakes would have added extra expense and complication.

by **H@nk** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 3:59 pm

Sorry, I was just thinking, you had a question about towing with a big six cylinder like that. I don't know anything about the rules for towing in the USA. I guess, you can tow with a car like that, unbraked, over 1000 lbs. Better said, look in your drivers manuel.
And call for Toyota for a hitch and wiring, that must be the right adress.

by **aggie79** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:13 pm

Not the same, but our Honda CR-V towed the teardrop fine...that is until I was in an accident and totaled the CR-V.

by **caseydog** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:32 pm

gypsy97 wrote:
H@nk wrote:You must be kidding. Are you affraid, you can't tow a teardrop? With such a big machine?

I'm not afraid of anything. I just want to know what I might need in addition to a hitch - such as brake controller, sway bar, etc. I've never towed anything except a 5th wheel.

I don't think you will need trailer brakes or a sway bar with a highlander. That is an almost 4,000 pound vehicle with four wheel disc brakes. Nor should you need a sway bar.

If you get a teardrop with a granite countertop in the galley (it has been done), then you might need brakes.

I tow mine with an Audi crossover that is similar in size to Shadow Catcher's Subaru, and I can stop easily without trailer brakes.

Don't over-think this. Your Highlander is more than adequate for towing 95-percent of the teardrops out there.

CD

by **caseydog** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:38 pm

Shadow Catcher wrote:We are towing a 1540# teardrop with an H6 Subaru and when I had a problem with my controller this weekend and I could not believe how much more effort it took to stop.

Really? There must be something wrong with your car. 1,500 pounds of trailer behind any Subaru that is available with a six is pretty simple towing. :thinking:

CD

by **Kens** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:47 pm

I tow a 1,100 lb TD with a FJ same drivetrain as your car. Works great no need for brakes.

by **Shadow Catcher** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:00 pm

Yes it will work but I can feel a real difference, it is back to, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

by **Carol Reed** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:59 pm

I have an '01 4-Runner, 4WD, pushing 150,000 miles; pulling a 4 x 8 Woody. It is a smaller 6, but does quite well; Florida, California, etc. I have recently developed a concern due to a current transmission issue. It has been suggested to me that I turn off the overdrive when towing, or at least when climbing. Being faced with an $1800 rebuild, the mechanics continue to tell me that I cannot beat a Toyota, so go for it.

IF I were to change vehicles it would be another Toyota; either another 4-Runner or the FJ.

HAPPY HIWAYS !!! :pinktear:

by **emiller** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:13 pm

Our Equinox tows the tear just fine but really sucks the gas in the mountains or head winds that is when I miss our large V-8 truck. And actually our Nissan Titan got 19-20 MPG compared to te Equinox 17-19 MPG towing

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Towing a Teardrop with a 6 cyl. Toyota Highlander

Towing a Teardrop with a 6 cyl. Toyota Highlander

2001 4-Runner

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