Can 2014 Toyota Highlander Safely Tow a Fully-Loaded Lance 1985 Travel Trailer
Question:
I want to buy a new travel trailer and tow it behind my new Highlander. Is a fully loaded Lance 1985 ok to pull behind my Highlander?
asked by: Kathy
Helpful Expert Reply:
According to the Lance website their model 1985 travel trailer has a dry weight of 3660-lbs and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 5700-lbs.
Suitability of your 2014 Toyota Highlander for towing this trailer will depend on how it is equipped. The inline 4-cylinder version has a maximum towing capacity of only 1500-lbs, which makes it unusable for pulling this trailer. But if you have the V6-equipped Highlander it has a maximum rated towing capacity of 5000-lbs. Even if your equipment does not max-out at the 5700-lb limit for the trailer plus loaded gear, the V6-equipped Highlander would still be operating near its upper limit of 5000-lbs. All things being equal it is always a good practice to have some safety margin; in this case you would not have much extra capacity.
You can check your vehicle owners manual (or with your local dealership) and also check the safety sticker on your hitch to confirm the vehicle and hitch towing capacities. It is important that you not exceed the capacity of the lowest-rate component in the system.
I have linked two helpful articles on towing basics that might be useful to you.
