Towing with a Toyota HIghlander?

[lukenick1]

Hello.....I currently tow my Jayfeather 22Y with my 01 Tundra. However the Tundra has significant frame rust so I am afraid to pull the camper anymore. I just bought a 2018 Highlander and I know my camper is too heavy for it. Highlander can tow 5k pounds but my camper weighs 4200 dry. Have to trade in the camper for something lighter. What is the max weight camper I could safely tow with the Highlander? I do have brake controller and WDH. The Tundra pulled the camper terribly, the bed was way too light so the camper pushed my Tundra all over the place. White knuckles every time. Awful.

[Rustic Eagle]

I would start with confirming how much "available" payload capacity your 2018 Highlander has for supporting the "loaded" tongue weight of a given TT and WDH weight.

I would take your Highlander to a CAT scale (3 minutes and $9) and weigh it under loaded conditions (full fuel, passengers, typical camping cargo, etc.). Subtracting the CAT scale weight from your Highlander's specified GVWR will be your "available" payload capacity.

When looking at new TT's figure 15% of the TT's specified GVWR as a worst case scenario for your "loaded" tongue weight of the TT in question. An ideal loaded tongue weight should fall in the 13% to 15% range.

Also, when looking at new TT's look for the "yellow sticker" on the TT's outside wall specifying the actual "as-shipped" UVW...., ignore published UVW's (brochures, web sites, etc.) because as-shipped UVW's are always heavier.

Bob

[NVGun40]

Rustic Eagle is pretty much hitting the nail on the head. The only thing I would add, (and not saying any bad advice has been given, because you should know the as shipped UVW of the trailer) is do not factor your purchase or whether your TV can handle a trailer at the published (as shipped) UVW. Use the trailers GVWR. You are never going to tow that trailer at the UVW (as shipped). As shipped, they don't have full propane tank(s), and depending on the shipping method they may or may not have a battery. After you purchase that trailer and tow it home, you are going to load some camping gear and other items in it.