Parts Needed to Tow a Trailer with 2020 Toyota Highlander  

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We have exactly what you're looking for. In order to tow a travel trailer you will need a hitch, wiring harness, ball mount, hitch ball, plus a hitch pin and clip. If your trailer has brakes you'll need to add a 7 way connector and a brake controller to power the brakes. Then, if your trailer weighs more than 50% of the weight of your tow vehicle then you'll likely want to start thinking about adding a weight distribution system.

To start, for a hitch you'll want to use the Curt # C99FR you were looking at, which is the only hitch that has been confirmed as a fit on the 2020 Highlander. Curt hitches have an extremely durable powder coat to help keep the scratches to a minimum and keep it protected from rust.

For a wiring harness, you'll want to use the Tekonsha # 22119, which will give you a 4 way flat connector to power the trailer lights. If the trailer has brakes, you'll need to add a 7 way connector on top of your 4 way using the # ETBC7L to provide you with the trailer connector to operate the brakes. For a brake controller I recommend using the Curt Echo Mobile Brake Controller # C51180, which is the easiest to install and use brake controller and is controlled by any smart phone with either Android 4.4 or newer, or iOS 8.0 or newer.

If you're towing a smaller trailer that doesn't require a weight distribution hitch, you can use the etrailer Ball Mount Kit # 989900 since it provides you with 2 ball mounts to cover varying rise/drops you may encounter, 2 hitch balls (1-7/8" and 2"), hitch pin, clip and storage bag. I really like this kit since it gives you a lot of flexibility to carry multiple trailers or have everything ready to go if you don't already have a trailer picked out.

When it comes to weight distributing hitches, if you're going to be towing a trailer that is greater than 50% of the total weight of your tow vehicle, you'll be getting into a range where you may need to consider weight distribution with sway control to help safely tow. Heavier trailers put more weight on the rear axle of your vehicle, which creates issues with handling and steering, as well as straining your vehicle's suspension system. Weight distributing hitches are chosen depending on the tongue weight of your trailer; the tongue weight of your trailer should fall between 10-15% of the total loaded weight of the trailer for the safest condition. For example, towing a 4000-lbs trailer, you should have a tongue weight between 400-lbs and 600-lbs. For a trailer of that size I would recommend using the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083 which also provides sway control with dual cams that will help fight sway events before they start. This system does not come with a hitch ball and requires one with a 1-1/4" shank like the A-90 (2" hitch ball) or # 19286 (2-5/16" hitch ball).

I've linked some review videos of these parts, as well as some helpful articles on weight distribution that you may want to have a look at to learn more about how they work and decide whether or not this is going to be necessary for your trailer.

expert reply by: Erik B

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