This practical and reliable SUV is perfect for a family with many children or someone who wants to pack it full of camping gear and head out for a long road trip. If, however, you’re hoping to pull a camper or trailer behind your vehicle, you’ll need to know the specifics of its towing capacity.

We will go through all the towing capabilities of the Toyota Highlander, including what you need to know to calculate the maximum capacity and how to increase its ability to handle heavy loads.

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How much can a Toyota Highlander tow?

Base towing capacity: 3,500 pounds

Maximum towing capacity: 5,000 pounds

Engines: 3.5-liter V6 (295 hp) or 2.5-liter L4HV (243 hp)

With three rows, a reliable engine, and cutting-edge tech features, this luxury SUV is a top pick, scoring an 8/10 from

Car and Driver

. Many people choose this vehicle for its ability to hold a substantial amount of cargo, but it does have the added benefit of being able to tow a good amount of weight.

If you choose the standard Toyota Highlander with a gas engine, you’ll be able to tow a maximum weight of 5,000 pounds. The

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

, on the other hand, has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. There are many different trim levels offered between the two models, but none of them have an impact on the towing capacity.

Trailer hitches for the Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander does not come with a

Toyota trailer hitch

kit, and none of the upgrades offer this feature. However, you can always purchase an aftermarket trailer hitch.

There are plenty of trailer hitches, both online and in-store, that are compatible with the Highlander. The

CURT 13200 Class 3

is a popular choice and is rated for up to 6,000 pounds gross trailer weight.

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How to calculate the towing capacity you need

The weight you pull behind your vehicle should be less than the maximum towing capacity. The size of the load that your vehicle can handle will vary depending on which model of the Toyota Highlander you own.

The exact weight of each trailer is different, but here is a general list of what the Toyota Highlander can tow:

Hybrid:

Canoe or kayak trailer (600 to 800 lbs.)

Motorcycle trailer (800 to 3,000 lbs.)

Standard:

Pop-up camper (2,800 to 4,300 lbs.)

Some utility trailers (up to 5,000 lbs.)

If you’ve got plans for a kayaking trip with the family, you should be set with the hybrid Toyota Highlander. But if you're hoping to haul a camper for a weekend getaway, you’ll want to stick with the standard model.

Before you decide on the size of trailer to haul, you’ll need to think about what the weight will be when it is fully loaded. That should include the weight of passengers and cargo.

How to increase towing capacity

Increase the towing capacity of your Toyota Highlander by utilizing the following tips:

Add a weight-distribution hitch to increase control and stability

Get new brake pads and rotors for safer stopping with bigger loads

Purchase a bigger radiator to improve the engine’s ability to eliminate heat

Install stronger axles for better support

It’s important to remember that if you choose to make some aftermarket upgrades to your Toyota Highlander, you could end up decreasing the towing capacity. For example, if you replace the wheels with larger rims, you’ll make the vehicle heavier, lowering the amount of weight you can tow.

While making certain

vehicle modifications

will improve its ability to tow, hauling something over 5,000 pounds won’t work in most cases. If you have dreams of hooking up a fifth-wheel trailer to the back of your vehicle, you may want to consider some other options. Some SUVs with impressive towing ability include the

Ford Expedition

, with a towing capacity of 9,300 pounds, and the

Lincoln Navigator L

, with a maximum capacity of 8,7000 pounds.

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How to find affordable car insurance

Whether you’re cruising backroads or hauling kayaks to the lake, it’s no secret that the Toyota Highlander is ready for any outdoor adventure. Either way, you’ll want to have it covered with the best and most affordable car insurance plan. And Jerry, a licensed insurance broker, makes this process super easy!

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FAQs

Is Toyota Highlander good for towing?

The Toyota Highlander is a three-row, luxury SUV with the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds with the standard version and 3,500 pounds with the hybrid. Pulling small trailers and campers under the maximum capacity is a fairly simple task for this vehicle.

Can you put a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander?

There is not an upgrade that offers a hitch kit for the Toyota Highlander, however, you can purchase a compatible trailer hitch online or in-store.

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