Will 2015 Toyota Highlander Tongue Weight Capacity be Increased if Trailer Hitch is Rated Higher

Question:

I have a 2015 Highlander XLE with a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. If I put a Curt Class III hitch with a rated tongue weight of 900 lbs, on my highlander, does that mean I can have a higher tongue weight than 500 lbs? The Toyota standard line is 5,000 lbs towing, 500 lbs tongue weight, but I dont know if that is meant with the Toyota installed tow package. With the Curt Hitch, I would never attempt 900 lbs tongue weight, but would like to go to 700 - 750 lbs. Would putting more than 500 lbs do anything to the frame of the Highlander or is a proper install of the Curt Hitch reinforce the frame?

asked by: Tom W

Expert Reply:

When looking at towing capacities, whether it be gross trailer weight or in this case tongue weight, you always go by the lowest rated item in the system. In this case, between the Curt trailer hitch # C13200 and your 2015 Toyota Highlander, the vehicle has the lower tongue weight capacity rating meaning you are limited to 500 pounds tongue weight. Vehicle capacities cannot be increased and the addition of the hitch does not increase the Toyota spec of 500 pounds.

If you plan on doing some towing I recommend etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

For trailer wiring, if the Highlander did not come with the factory tow package and has no converter under the dash then you can use # 118449 to add a 4-Way flat connector to the rear of the vehicle. If the vehicle does have the factory tow package with a converter under the dash then use # 56042. I have linked videos showing example installations of the hitch and wiring for you.