How to Determine if a 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited Can Tow a Trailer with a 5,250 lb GVWR

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Question:

Hi etrailer, I have a 2013 Toyota Hylander Limited and want to tow a 2007 Fleetwood Pegasus Ultralight 19 footer. I am not sure what weight of the travel trailer to use to gauge if my Hylander will be good enough to tow it, do I use the GVW, Dry Weight or the UVW? Here are the specs on my Fleetwood: GVWR - 5,250 Dry - 2,565 And a thread on your site encouraged me by saying I have a 5,000 lb towing weight, but it does not say the size of his travel trailer. Thx, ps- When I tow, all the fluid tanks will be empty, just traveling with standard cargo with wife and 2 kids. Thx

asked by: Ajay

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you have a 5,000 lb trailer towing weight capacity for your 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited and you will not be filling your tanks before traveling then you should be okay. The difference between your dry trailer weight and the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is 2,685 lbs. Since the GVWR is the max weight that your 2007 Fleetwood Pegasus Ultralite can weigh that means you have to take a lot of cargo with you.

Be sure to check your owner's manual to ensure that you do have a trailer towing weight rating of 5,000 lbs before traveling. If you have the model code ASU40L-ARTNKA for your Highlander then you can only tow 3,500 lbs. It would be worth noting as well that on page 256 of the online version of your owner's manual the trailer needs to have brakes otherwise the total weight cannot exceed 1,000 lbs.

If you don't already have a trailer hitch and wiring then I recommend using the Draw-Tite # 75726 and the Curt # 56042 if you do have the factory tow package or the Tekonsha # 118449 if you don't have the factory tow package. To utilize brakes you also need to install the Wiring Kit # ETBC7 and use a brake controller like the popular Prodigy P3 # 90195. I have attached an installation video of both of these products on a 2013 Highlander for you to reference.

For any trailer that weighs at least half of the weight of the tow vehicle we recommend using a Weight Distribution (WD) system such as the Fastway e2 # FA92-00-0800 which would be perfect for your application. You just need a hitch ball like the # A-90 or the # 19286 and a thin-walled socket like part # EQ70-00-4800 to install it.

Please check out the attached towing articles and review videos I have linked.

expert reply by: Jon G

1

Answer 1

Yes, the Curt weight distribution shank part #17120 is a fit with the Fastway E2 WD system part #FA92-02-4100 that you referenced. Thankfully nearly all of the weight distribution system manufacturers made their head and shank dimensions similar.

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Answer 2

The benefits of an Equal-I-zer hitch over the e2 is primarily the improved 4-point sway control of the Equal-I-zer. The 4-point sway control utilizes steel on steel friction at the arms as well as in the hitch head to stop sway. The e2's 2-point…

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Answer 3

I am not sure which video you are referring to but if you take a look at the 10:45 mark in the attached install video on a 2013 Toyota Highlander, you will see exactly where the bundle of wires are that you will need to tap into for the brake light…

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Answer 4

Yes, the Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank part #EQ90-02-4900 will work with the Fastway E2 weight distribution system such as the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control part #FA94-00-0600. As long as the 10" of rise and 6" of…

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Answer 5

The towing capacity of your 2015 Subaru Forester is 1,000 lbs if the trailer doesn't have brakes and 1,500 lbs if it does have brakes according to the owner's manual. Therefore, as long as the camper you are looking at has brakes or you add…

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Answer 6

Since Toyota has stated that your 2013 Toyota Highlander can tow up to 5,000 lbs that's the relevant figure to use for your overall towing capacity. This means that you can tow up to 5,000 lbs without having to worry about factoring in the weight…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

There is only one difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13176 and etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98909 that fit your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the finish. The Curt trailer hitch has a glossy black finish while the etrailer…

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Answer 10

Yep, so long as your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is not a hybrid both the Curt and etrailer hitches will fit: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13382 - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 The only difference besides price is the finish; the…

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Answer 11

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 12

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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How to Determine if a 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited Can Tow a Trailer with a 5,250 lb GVWR

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