Opinions Please

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 06:04 AM

We recently purchased a 2015 Jayco Whitehawk 20MRB and took it out for our first trip this past weekend. Our tow vehicle is a 2014 Toyota Highlander LE Plus. What are your opinions on this combination?

mike837go · 09-23-2015, 06:24 AM

I'd have to drive it first.

Ask yourself these questions and form an opinion for me...

Does the rig drive straight?
Is the trailer level?
Is the SUV reasonably level too?
Does the steering feel nice and tight when hitched up?
When passing (or being passed) does it feel stable?

If your answers are generally "Yes" then you are doing fine.

If you have a "No" or too many "Sort of", you'll need to make some adjustments.

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 06:38 AM

Does the rig drive straight? Yes
Is the trailer level? seems to be
Is the SUV reasonably level too? yes
Does the steering feel nice and tight when hitched up? A little light on the front end
When passing (or being passed) does it feel stable? Passing vehicles seem to make it sway a little.

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 06:41 AM

photo added

need-a-vacation · 09-23-2015, 06:42 AM

Need more info on both the truck and trailer.

Truck- What drivetrain combo do you have, motor, trans, and rear gear ratio?
GVWR
Yellow payload sticker amount in the drivers door jamb
How much do all passenger and cargo weigh- approx

Trailer
GVWR
Available payload per yellow sticker

Do you have a wd hitch with any type of sway control???

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 06:51 AM

Thanks for your reply. I will get this information later today off the stickers. We do have the wd hitch with the sway bar and braking controller.

mike837go · 09-23-2015, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabontte

Does the rig drive straight? Yes
Is the trailer level? seems to be
Is the SUV reasonably level too? yes
Does the steering feel nice and tight when hitched up? A little light on the front end
When passing (or being passed) does it feel stable? Passing vehicles seem to make it sway a little.

So, there is work to be done. need-a-vacation is bringing in the technical aspects, I use more of a by-guess-and-by-gosh process.

Sway bar may needed.

If the steering is noticeably lighter when hitched up, then you need a properly adjusted WDH.

DocBrown · 09-23-2015, 07:47 AM

Best to check your owners manual for towing specifications.

From what I gather the LE Plus does not have any kind of towing package, no extra cooling for towing, and has a limit of 2000#. You trailer has a GVWR of 5,950#. So even if you had a Highlander Limited (towing limit of 5000#), you'd still have the potential of being very overweight. Keep in mind that it may feel like it tows fine, but the lack of a proper cooling system and limits of the rear axle and suspension are what you need to be concerned about.

If you need an SUV look at a Suburban, Tahoe, Sequoia or the like. They are built for this kind of weight. That Highlander is fine for a pop-up or small hybrid trailer but is going to be greatly stressed by the Whitehawk. You might get away with short 2 hour trips on flat roads, but hill, wind, and distance are going to make you hate the towing experience.

My X20E has a GVWR of 4750#, and due to personal experience in towing close to my limits, I would not tow my current trailer with anything less than a 1/2 ton PU. Your trailer can weigh 1200# more than mine.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-23-2015, 08:15 AM

The Highlander has a max towing cap. of 5000#. Although your TT is under at 4385#, that figure is without battery, propane, dealer installed options, etc. IMHO you are getting close to max with gear added. The TT cargo carrying capacity puts the GVWR at 5950#.

RedHorse1 · 09-23-2015, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabontte

We recently purchased a 2015 Jayco Whitehawk 20MRB and took it out for our first trip this past weekend. Our tow vehicle is a 2014 Toyota Highlander LE Plus. What are your opinions on this combination?

Jayflight's numbers make me think you may be a bit overweight. The way to know for sure is a visit to the CAT Scale. Compare your actual weights against the weight limits on the sticker found on the driver's door jamb will tell the story. There're a couple of "sticky" posts that explain the weighing procedure and how to interpret your scale numbers.
The CAT Scale is your friend.

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 08:30 AM

We did add the transmission cooler per the dealer. We know we are at the limit with it. We don't have any extra passengers and are careful about packing anything extra. We do know we can't climb mountains with it and do stay relatively close within a couple hours travel.
I am used to towing a horse trailer with a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, so this setup feels so different that I don't know if I'm comparing it against that or not.

DocBrown · 09-23-2015, 08:38 AM

Sounds like you are committed this, so I'm curious as to why you are asking? I think you need to have the trailer weighed at a CAT scale. At the very least you are going to be at or over your payload. Small SUVs don't have much wiggle room in that area, they are built more for a family of 4 than towing a 5000# box down the road.

In my experience, once you get bit by the "bug", you'll be wanting to tow on longer trips sooner rather than later.

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 08:42 AM

Asking because of the difference in opinions. Dealer says that it will be fine to tow with it. Trying to decide if we need to buy a truck or if this would be fine for what we do.

DocBrown · 09-23-2015, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabontte

Asking because of the difference in opinions. Dealer says that it will be fine to tow with it. Trying to decide if we need to buy a truck or if this would be fine for what we do.

Which dealer? Toyota or Jayco? The trailer dealer will sell you whatever you want, they'll tell you that you can tow a 30' trailer with a VW Beetle just to get your money. The old saying is that a salesman never lies unless his lips are moving.

All I'm saying is that if you choose to continue towing with the Highlander, I think you'll be wanting something more beefy in 12-18 months. If you're questioning it now (as you should be), just suck it up and get a truck. It's a night and day towing experience and you'll never look back. Besides, what fun is it to watch every pound you pack in the trailer? Been there, done that. A lot more fun to be camping and buy something at a flea market, or what ever and actually have the capacity to haul it.

rabontte · 09-23-2015, 02:14 PM

Very true - actually it was the dealer and researching Toyota forums. Thanks for the info.

need-a-vacation · 09-23-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabontte

Very true - actually it was the dealer and researching Toyota forums. Thanks for the info.

Ask the dealer to put it in writing that your vehicle will tow your trailer just fine, without any issues. See if the story changes.

Murff · 09-23-2015, 05:03 PM

I tow a 2015 20MRB with a 2008 Explorer that has a 7100 lb. tow rating. This leaves me with some room as has been stated, the max of the 20MRB is 5950 lb.

Your Toyota has a max tow rating of 5000 lbs. The yellow factory sticker in my 20MRB states it weighs 4822 lbs leaving the factory with full propane tanks. By the time you add battery(s), any water, and your camping gear, you will easily exceed your tow rating. The Highlander does have a healthy payload capacity. Lastly, a friend had a Highlander he used to tow a 20 foot trailer and laid it on it's side on I-80 two years ago.

If you have access to the 2500 horse hauler, you might want to use it for a Jayco hauler.

My opinion and worth what you paid for it.

Murff

Rustic Eagle · 09-23-2015, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabontte

Very true - actually it was the dealer and researching Toyota forums. Thanks for the info.

As mentioned, only a CAT scale visit can eliminate all the guessing......, thus providing you with all the critical TV and TT loaded weight data under your personal loading habits. The CAT data will also confirm if your WDH is adjusted correctly as well.

CAT Scale "how-to": http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...v-tt-3871.html

IMO most RV Dealerships are clueless when it comes to truly discussing TV/TT loaded weight implications.

Bob

rabontte · 09-25-2015, 07:23 PM

Thank you for all the input. We traded the Highlander in on a 2015 Tundra Limited today. Now no more worries about towing our trailer.

clubhouse · 09-25-2015, 07:26 PM

That's a nice TV and will tow your TT well. However it's still a good exercise to make a run over to the scales. For little cost and little time you gain a lot of important knowledge.

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