Do you need to install a trailer hitch on your Toyota Highlander? How much does that cost?
You will need a hitch on the rear of your Toyota Highlander whether you plan to go camping or simply tow something. You must install a hitch if you don’t already have one.
Installing a hitch costs money, just like everything else in life, but there are alternatives.
One inexpensive method is to install the hitch yourself, as an illustration. If you are purchasing a new Toyota Highlander, you may also have it installed at the manufacturer, or you could have the dealer do it in its place.
What is the price of installing a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander? If you decide to install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander by yourself, you should budget between $350 and $400 for the hitch itself and about $175 for the wiring harness. If you want your hitch trailer installed by a dealer, the total cost will be between $700 and $800.
Continue reading to learn how much it will cost to install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander. Everything you need to know about installing a trailer hitch on this kind of vehicle is covered in this article. Let’s get going.
In This Article...
Can the Toyota Highlander have a towing kit added?
A Curt 13453 trailer hitch, a few simple tools, and a little length of time are all that are needed to install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander. The Toyota Highlander model years 202021 are compatible with this trailer hitch and installation procedure.
Start carrying trailers and other types of hitch-mounted accessories for your Toyota Highlander right now by following these simple instructions.
Tools required:
- Eye protection
- Wrench with 19mm socket for torque
- Sky Saw
- Driver of a flathead scew
- Energy Drill
- 11mm, 17mm, and 10mm Sockets
What is the price of adding a tow package?
The price of installing a trailer hitch varies greatly depending on the installer you select and the kind of towing vehicle you want to use. For a standard hitch installation, budget $100 to $150 for the service. Hitch installations that are more difficult and time-consuming could be more expensive. Remember that hitch parts can cost anything from $25 to $200, and they aren’t cheap either.
The Highlander tow package is what?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander can pull up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with the optional 3.5L V6 engine and tow package, making it simple to transport supplies and equipment around Georgetown. Performance characteristics like the following help to support all this power: 3.5L V6 engine with 295 horsepower is an option.
Are tow packages available on every Toyota Highlander XLE?
Each Trim Level, including the L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, offers a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for the 2021 Highlander.
Can a tow package be added aftermarket?
You can get aftermarket towing components fitted at a local auto repair shop that offers them. You might be able to save money by purchasing from an online auto part supplier that provides expert tow hitch installation services if you’re merely installing a tow hitch to your car.
A Toyota tow package: what is it?
Towing hitch receiver, 4.300 rear axle ratio, integrated trailer brake controller, TOW/HAUL Mode switch, transmission fluid temperature gauge, additional engine oil cooler, additional transmission cooler, heavy-duty battery, 170-amp alternator, and 4/7-pin connector are all included in the tow package.
Do I need a tow package to haul?
There’s no need to freak out if your tow vehicle lacks a tow packagewith a little bit of research and money, you can still have one put on your truck or SUV. The dealer is your best bet for getting an estimate on a tow package for your particular car model.
Another option is to do some research and buy the components you require on your own. You must first verify the pertinent parts that come with your standard, non-towing trim to obtain the list you require. Of course, that also entails having an appropriate receiver hitch and a wiring harness with 7 and 4 pins for the trailer’s electrical parts.
The changes for the tow truck come next. A rear load-leveling suspension is frequently included in factory tow kits, if not a complete upgrade for the front and rear suspensions.
For your car, you might also wish to research heavy-duty engine cooling or auxiliary transmission cooling packages. It’s usually a good idea to acquire a quote first so that you at least have a list of your components for the tow package you wish to install. This way, you won’t overlook an essential part of your custom tow package.
Does your car’s hitch increase its value?
If your car doesn’t already have a hitch, you’ll need to purchase one if you’re going to be towing anything soon.
No need to worry if you’re not an expert at towing!
Here is all the information you require regarding hitch installation.
What Is a Hitch?
A hitch is a vehicle accessory that is frequently mounted on the rear of your car and serves as the link between the car and the trailer. In other words, it establishes a safe and secure connection between your car, van, or truck and the object you are towing. Once installed, hitches boost the utilitarian value of your car and are typically regarded as permanent.
Types of Hitches
Hitch sizes and types come in a variety. You’ll tow a trailer with a receiver hitch, also referred to as a trailer hitch. Depending on your car and the load you’re towing, you’ll need to choose the best one. The design and installation technique of your hitch will vary depending on the variety of vehicles that can accommodate them.
rely upon
- ratings for weight (maximum tow capacity)
- Bumper designs
- access to the appropriate mounting locations on your car
- Appearance
There are three sizes for receiver hitches:
- 1-1/4 (for lighter loads like a bike rack)
- 2 (most common hitch size)
- 2-1/2 (for very heavy duty loads)
A variety of various weights can be towed by receiver or trailer hitches. Gross trailer weight (GTW) and tongue weight are the two weights to be concerned about (TW). The weight of the trailer while it is really being towed, fully loaded, is its gross trailer weight. The trailer’s downward strain on the hitch ball is known as the tongue weight. Typically, the TW represents 1015% of the GTW. Learn how to calculate your gross trailer weight and tongue weight capacities here. Based on your requirements and the towing capacity of your vehicle, U-Haul installs hitches with trailer weight ratings ranging from 2,000 lbs to 17,000 lbs.
Check out our towing dictionary for a detailed explanation of all hitch types as well as other towing jargon.
What to Expect
Don’t try to choose a hitch by yourself at a U-Haul location if that’s what you’re imagining. You won’t have to choose the hitch yourself, and you won’t have to put it on by yourself either. You can be confident that you are buying the appropriate hitch with the assistance of a specialist from the moment you enter one of the U-Haul locations. The hitch installation method involves the following variables:
1. U-Haul hitches are manufactured specifically for your car.
The majority of hitches are fastened utilizing pre-existing bolt holes and nuts and bolts.
When installing, a U-Haul Hitch Professional will inspect the area of your vehicle where the hitch will be mounted. If there are no existing attachment points, they are trained to construct ones using unique tools.
If any vehicle parts are blocking a hitch connection point, they will likely merely need to be temporarily detached and reinstalled after the hitch is in place.
The following components could be taken out and put back in:
- Fascia
- coverings for the body
- Brake beams
- a blow-bar
- Rear lights
- Muffler or an exhaust
- Extra tire
Sit back and unwind; any brief adjustments being made to your car will be explained to you along the way.
2. U-Haul is currently offering the appropriate pricing at the perfect hitchat. In most sites, U-Haul keeps more than 85 hitches on hand for popular vehicle applications. However, if your vehicle’s hitch isn’t in stock, don’t worry; we have more than 1400 locations across North America and 30+ warehouses to ensure prompt delivery of your hitch. You could even be able to go in and get your hitch put right away.
Online Scheduling
You can schedule an installation from your desktop or mobile device, if you’d like. In fact, booking an online hitch installation will get you a $10 discount. You can acquire the ideal hitch for your needs by just responding to a few questions about your car. From there, you can also choose whether you want your hitch fitted at a U-Haul facility close by or mailed to you. For only $5, U-Haul also offers an exclusive lifetime unlimited warranty on your hitch. For $10 more, the installed wire is covered for two years under our trailer wiring warrantyeven if the dog chews it off!
Does the towing capacity improve when a tow kit is added?
When it comes to learning about a subject that is unfamiliar to you, the online community is a fantastic resource. Given the abundance of information about towing regulations and best practices, it’s critical to get the facts from a reliable source.
To dispel some of these towing “myths,” Torklift International turned to its hitch and tow experts.
1) I can add aftermarket suspension items to boost my payload capacity.
False. The maximum vehicle manufacturer issued capacity ratings on your truck cannot be increased with a suspension improvement intended for towing or carrying, however there is a suspension option that can help handle large weight more effectively.
2) The difference between GAWR and GVWR is nonexistent.
False. It’s critical to understand the meaning of towing acronyms in order to tow safely. Here’s a little explanation:
GRASSO COMBINATION WORTH: Weight Rating is the combined maximum weight that should never be exceeded by the trailer and the tow vehicle.
The manufacturer-set maximum weight restriction for your particular car or trailer, including people and cargo, is called the GVWR and should never be exceeded.
The maximum weight that can be put specifically on a single axle is known as the “Gross Axle Weight Rating” (GAWR). Never go beyond this limit, which was set by the car’s manufacturer.
Gross Vehicle Weight, or GVW, refers to the actual weight of a vehicle when it is fully loaded with people, gear, and cargo.
The true weight of a car or trailer, including all of its fluids, full fuel tanks, fresh water tanks, and standard equipment.
Tongue Weight: The downward force or weight that the trailer’s tongue exerts on the towing vehicle’s hitch.
It should be noted that while the trailer’s total weight is not included in the vehicle’s GVW, the tongue weight is.
You can avoid the following by towing safely and maintaining under your weight limits: – General handling problems including a lack of steering responsiveness Overloaded weight weakens the brake system, which also affects tire wear and the possibility of a tire blowout. – A broken trailer hitch – Control loss brought on by rear suspension stress
3) By updating my trailer hitch, I may enhance the towing capability of my truck.
False. Your maximum vehicle manufacturer-assigned capacity ratings still apply even if your trailer hitch has a higher towing capacity. However, updating your trailer hitch can enhance your vehicle’s towing capacity and remove any restrictions imposed by your factory hitch ratings. For instance, if your vehicle has a 20,000-pound towing capacity but your hitch has a 15,000-pound rating, the most you can tow is 15,000 pounds.
Under no circumstances may the vehicle capacity rating specified by the manufacturer be exceeded. Find the receiver hitch with the right capacities to satisfy your wants for heavy towing by perusing the SuperHitch Towing Series. When utilized with a weight distribution system, Torklift International’s SuperHitch Magnum 30k is the highest rated hitch in the industry, with a capability of 30,000 pounds.
4) It is secure to make a tongue weight estimation.
False. Overloading your tongue weight is the main reason for hitch failure.
You might need to install a weight distribution system to prevent excessive tongue weight and make sure the weight of your load is spread equally across all axels.
With a capacity of 30,000 pounds and a tongue weight of 3,000 pounds, the SuperHitch Everest weight distribution system is the highest rated weight distribution system currently on the market. The tongue weight is redistributed via the weight distribution system onto the trailer axels, the tow vehicle’s rear axel, and the front axel of the tow vehicle, respectively. You now see why it is termed a weight distribution system because all the weight is being redistributed.
5) The tongue weight I haul is always 10% of the total weight.
False. Due to a variety of factors, a safe tongue weight ranges from 10 to 15 percent of the trailer’s weight. The tongue weight is significantly influenced by the location of the trailer axels and the distribution of the load on the trailer.
The majority of loads are frequently loaded into the front of the trailer closest to the hitch. This translates to the tongue carrying too much weight.
Installing the proper capacity and rated weight distribution system is crucial if a heavy tongue weight is an issue for your application. The SuperHitch Magnum 30K receiver hitch with weight distribution offers a tongue weight capacity of 3,000 pounds and 2,500 pounds tongue weight carrying for extraordinarily high tongue weights. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s suggested towing limits for your vehicle.
Without appropriate tongue weight, the trailer will swing significantly at speeds of up to 40 mph. Usually, increasing the tongue weight on your trailer by moving the payload forward (toward the trailer tongue) would decrease speed-related trailer sway. Sway control accessories for your trailer hitch can be installed to trailers where shifting the payload is not an option to help with this problem.
6) There is no upkeep required for trailer bearings.
False. Because they are exposed to the weather while being stored outside, trailer bearings need to be cleaned, inspected, and repacked with fresh grease every year. The most common reason for roadside trailer breakdowns, which disrupt vacations and necessitate expensive repairs, is trailer wheel bearing failure.
The bearings in the wheel assembly of the trailer require adequate upkeep. Well-lubricated and well-cared-for trailer bearings will aid in preventing friction and unneeded wear on your trailer parts since they are a crucial aspect of keeping your trailer riding smoothly when towing.
7) I need a hitch extension to tow my trailer because I have a truck camper. The towing extension might be of any kind.
False. Check to see if the tongue weight capacity of the receiver extension is enough. A shorter extension is under less strain and is better able to support weight. A lengthy extension can support less weight. The SuperHitch SuperTruss receiver extender from Torklift International has the biggest capacity in the market to guarantee that you are towing safely.
The SuperTruss receiver extension, which comes in eight lengths ranging from 21 to 60 inches, is only compatible with the SuperHitch or SuperHitch Magnum and has lateral support safety chains.
To determine the ideal size receiver extension for your application, consult our measurement guide.
If you have any queries about your towing requirements, feel free to contact our Tech Support at 800-246-8132. We have been hitch and tow experts for close to 40 years. Have your vehicle professionally evaluated to ensure that the weight ratings fall within the tow ratings specified by the car manufacturer if you are unsure if you are towing or hauling safely.