Tow Vehicle - 2015 Toyota Highlander LEPlus - R-pod Owners Forum

Author

Share Topic

Topic Search

Topic Options

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Topic: Tow Vehicle - 2015 Toyota Highlander LEPlus
Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 8:01am

Here's a thread from toyotanation on adding the "under the hood" towing upgrades to a Gen 3 Highlander that didn't come with the tow prep package. Looks like there is an engine oil cooler as well as the trans cooler.

The oil cooler assembly looks really spendy, so I doubt it would be cost effective to make this upgrade. And doxielover looks to live in Mesa AZ so she will probably need as much cooling capacity as she can get. Back when I lived in Tempe I had to put a triple core radiator an an oil cooler in my Toyota pickup to keep it from overheating going up the grade on 15 to Flagstaff carrying a slide in camper.

https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/333-highlander-3rd-generation-2014/1463466-adding-tow-package-parts-2015-le-plus.html

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 11:23am

doxielover,

So, just to confirm as I own one myself, here are the items that are different with the tow package:

Trans Cooler

Alternator

Radiator

Radiator fans, motors, shroud, and controller

Oil cooler

There are no changes on the chassis itself except of course the trailer connector and the receiver hitch. Those are easily done aftermarket. And Toyota only gives you a 4 pin connector, you'll need a brake controller and 7 pin connector anyway.

This is true of both the Gen 2 (my 2012) and Gen 3 (your 2015) Highlanders.

I think the alternator could be excluded, the rest of the items are all cooling related and would be needed, especially in AZ.

The parts (no labor) would run about $3-4K, not including the hitch. My dealer said a Toyota dealer wouldn't quote the labor so you'd have to find someone who would. I'd guess it would take a couple of days to do the work, the oil cooler particularly is pretty involved.

Your best bet is probably to go back to the Toyota dealer where you bought your Highlander and tell them you were misled and want to exchange for an equivalent Highlander with the tow package, 5000 lb rating, and AWD, and see what kind of deal you can negotiate.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 11:59am

There has to be something else to this tow capacity issue. Having issue with how these five items increase the tow capacity 3000 lbs.

Agree with your suggestion to OP, however I never saw the OP answer how their vehicle is equipped.

Whether you agree or disagree with other forum posts I don't see Toyota answering the questions. I got the fact that Offgrid is towing a 179 over hill and dale.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 1:19pm

mcarter, Toyota is not going to keep answering questions from a crank or an idiot. This guy appears to be both, and obviously just wants $$ from Toyota. He's even complaining they didn't provide him with a 7 pin connector! Not to mention that this is all just hearsay, he can't replicate what he claims occurred.

Instead he's asking for proprietary in house test data. No manufacturer is going to provide him with that. I really don't see what questions a reasonable person would ask that remain unanswered.

There are many instances of a big variation in tow ratings within the same model vehicle. We came across one just last week with the gentleman who has the jeep cherokee, 2000 vs 4500 lbs.

A product is only as good as its weakest link. In this case, the weak link is drivetrain cooling. The chassis components, which have very expensive tooling, are hard to change but use cheap materials, so they're designed to be good for 5000 lbs. The cooling components, which are easy to change on the assembly line but are expensive parts, are different depending on what tow rating you have.

I guess I just don't see what the concern is here?

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 3:36pm

Well, I'm glad I'm not shopping for a tow vehicle, but I know what it wouldn't be. Admire your Toyota loyalty, people that question things are not always cranks and idiots, especially with no reasonable explanation. I recall the Jeep posts but the answer was explainable, like a F150 and a F350. Toyota can't even do that among their own product lines. Nuff said on subject as far as I'm concerned, good luck and I would still like to hear from the OP. Hey, maybe we know why your rear brakes are so hot:)

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

doxielover View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 20 Oct 2018
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 3:50pm

OMG. What a pickle I am in. Yes, I have FWD. I already had the tow bar, wiring and brake controller installed last week. This makes me sick. I will definitely go back to the dealer.

Diana
Soon to be R-Pod owner

Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 3:51pm

Consider the direction this went may deter the OP from ever coming back.

Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 4:37pm

Doxielover,

Not convinced you are done yet, lot of forum discussion over the vehicle, looks to me like you will need a WDH and still not sure what engine option you have? From your original post I take you are not in the deal on a Pod yet, so time to fix.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 4:49pm

I too would like to hear from the OP on whether she has the FWD or the AWD version.

I really don't think there is anything for Toyota to explain, and neither do millions of other Highlander owners, lots of whom tow and some of whom are on this forum (besides me). I think I would have noticed if my front wheels had departed the pavement, and I have about 100 lbs more tongue weight than that guy claims he did. So all I can conclude is that either he was lying or he was way overweight because he tried to pull a huge trailer (way bigger than an rpod) and/or he had something wrong with the way his wd hitch or brake controller was set up. Either way, just another guy looking for a handout who doesn't want to take personal responsibility for his actions. World is full of them.

But, we all have our favs I guess. No doubt if you choose to tow with a midsized unibody SUV as I have there will be limitations on what you can and can't do vs a heavier body on frame vehicle. To each his own, and the great thing about the rPod is it allows the choice. If you put in the effort to become knowledgeable, I was for example astounded about the misinformation out there about wd hitches and their effects, and had in the end to do the statics calcs myself to be sure I had it right.

As far the Jeep was concerned (also a unibody vehicle) if there was an explanation of the 2000 vs 4500 lb tow variation in the "small" Cherokee I missed it then. So I looked it up now and after some searching found that there is a "tow prep package" which looks like it includes (Jeep doesn't advertise what's in it):

Oil cooler, extra tranny cooling, hitch receiver, 4 and 7 pin wiring, full size spare. There is also extra sway control programmed in. And shorter final gearing.

Hmm...sounds pretty familiar, but at least Toyota also gives you a bigger radiator and cooling fans, and a full size spare is standard....but dang them, they don't give you a 7 pin connector, the scoundrels!

Re the rear brakes on my Highlander, they were hot because the trailer brakes weren't doing anything to help stop the rig. Controller gain was set way too low and one brake wasn't working at all. Problem solved now hopefully.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

lostagain

Senior Member

Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2587

Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 6:11pm

All this makes me glad I'm plugging away with my little old Dodge Dakota. Nice and stable on the road, enough power to make it up the steepest of hills (if I take my sweet time), cheap to buy, relatively easy to maintain. It's old, has lots of miles but keeps on truck'in. And, I get to visit a lot of really nice gas stations along the way. Confused

Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Topic: Tow Vehicle - 2015 Toyota Highlander LEPlus Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 8:01am
	Here's a thread from toyotanation on adding the "under the hood" towing upgrades to a Gen 3 Highlander that didn't come with the tow prep package. Looks like there is an engine oil cooler as well as the trans cooler. The oil cooler assembly looks really spendy, so I doubt it would be cost effective to make this upgrade. And doxielover looks to live in Mesa AZ so she will probably need as much cooling capacity as she can get. Back when I lived in Tempe I had to put a triple core radiator an an oil cooler in my Toyota pickup to keep it from overheating going up the grade on 15 to Flagstaff carrying a slide in camper. https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/333-highlander-3rd-generation-2014/1463466-adding-tow-package-parts-2015-le-plus.html
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 11:23am
	doxielover, So, just to confirm as I own one myself, here are the items that are different with the tow package: Trans Cooler Alternator Radiator Radiator fans, motors, shroud, and controller Oil cooler There are no changes on the chassis itself except of course the trailer connector and the receiver hitch. Those are easily done aftermarket. And Toyota only gives you a 4 pin connector, you'll need a brake controller and 7 pin connector anyway. This is true of both the Gen 2 (my 2012) and Gen 3 (your 2015) Highlanders. I think the alternator could be excluded, the rest of the items are all cooling related and would be needed, especially in AZ. The parts (no labor) would run about $3-4K, not including the hitch. My dealer said a Toyota dealer wouldn't quote the labor so you'd have to find someone who would. I'd guess it would take a couple of days to do the work, the oil cooler particularly is pretty involved. Your best bet is probably to go back to the Toyota dealer where you bought your Highlander and tell them you were misled and want to exchange for an equivalent Highlander with the tow package, 5000 lb rating, and AWD, and see what kind of deal you can negotiate.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 11:59am
	There has to be something else to this tow capacity issue. Having issue with how these five items increase the tow capacity 3000 lbs. Agree with your suggestion to OP, however I never saw the OP answer how their vehicle is equipped. Whether you agree or disagree with other forum posts I don't see Toyota answering the questions. I got the fact that Offgrid is towing a 179 over hill and dale.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 1:19pm
	mcarter, Toyota is not going to keep answering questions from a crank or an idiot. This guy appears to be both, and obviously just wants $$ from Toyota. He's even complaining they didn't provide him with a 7 pin connector! Not to mention that this is all just hearsay, he can't replicate what he claims occurred. Instead he's asking for proprietary in house test data. No manufacturer is going to provide him with that. I really don't see what questions a reasonable person would ask that remain unanswered. There are many instances of a big variation in tow ratings within the same model vehicle. We came across one just last week with the gentleman who has the jeep cherokee, 2000 vs 4500 lbs. A product is only as good as its weakest link. In this case, the weak link is drivetrain cooling. The chassis components, which have very expensive tooling, are hard to change but use cheap materials, so they're designed to be good for 5000 lbs. The cooling components, which are easy to change on the assembly line but are expensive parts, are different depending on what tow rating you have. I guess I just don't see what the concern is here?
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 3:36pm
	Well, I'm glad I'm not shopping for a tow vehicle, but I know what it wouldn't be. Admire your Toyota loyalty, people that question things are not always cranks and idiots, especially with no reasonable explanation. I recall the Jeep posts but the answer was explainable, like a F150 and a F350. Toyota can't even do that among their own product lines. Nuff said on subject as far as I'm concerned, good luck and I would still like to hear from the OP. Hey, maybe we know why your rear brakes are so hot:)
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

doxielover Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Oct 2018 Location: Mesa, Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 3:50pm
	OMG. What a pickle I am in. Yes, I have FWD. I already had the tow bar, wiring and brake controller installed last week. This makes me sick. I will definitely go back to the dealer.
	Diana Soon to be R-Pod owner

Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 3:51pm
	Consider the direction this went may deter the OP from ever coming back.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 4:37pm
	Doxielover, Not convinced you are done yet, lot of forum discussion over the vehicle, looks to me like you will need a WDH and still not sure what engine option you have? From your original post I take you are not in the deal on a Pod yet, so time to fix.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 4:49pm
	I too would like to hear from the OP on whether she has the FWD or the AWD version. I really don't think there is anything for Toyota to explain, and neither do millions of other Highlander owners, lots of whom tow and some of whom are on this forum (besides me). I think I would have noticed if my front wheels had departed the pavement, and I have about 100 lbs more tongue weight than that guy claims he did. So all I can conclude is that either he was lying or he was way overweight because he tried to pull a huge trailer (way bigger than an rpod) and/or he had something wrong with the way his wd hitch or brake controller was set up. Either way, just another guy looking for a handout who doesn't want to take personal responsibility for his actions. World is full of them. But, we all have our favs I guess. No doubt if you choose to tow with a midsized unibody SUV as I have there will be limitations on what you can and can't do vs a heavier body on frame vehicle. To each his own, and the great thing about the rPod is it allows the choice. If you put in the effort to become knowledgeable, I was for example astounded about the misinformation out there about wd hitches and their effects, and had in the end to do the statics calcs myself to be sure I had it right. As far the Jeep was concerned (also a unibody vehicle) if there was an explanation of the 2000 vs 4500 lb tow variation in the "small" Cherokee I missed it then. So I looked it up now and after some searching found that there is a "tow prep package" which looks like it includes (Jeep doesn't advertise what's in it): Oil cooler, extra tranny cooling, hitch receiver, 4 and 7 pin wiring, full size spare. There is also extra sway control programmed in. And shorter final gearing. Hmm...sounds pretty familiar, but at least Toyota also gives you a bigger radiator and cooling fans, and a full size spare is standard....but dang them, they don't give you a 7 pin connector, the scoundrels! Re the rear brakes on my Highlander, they were hot because the trailer brakes weren't doing anything to help stop the rig. Controller gain was set way too low and one brake wasn't working at all. Problem solved now hopefully.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2587	Posted: 29 Oct 2018 at 6:11pm
	All this makes me glad I'm plugging away with my little old Dodge Dakota. Nice and stable on the road, enough power to make it up the steepest of hills (if I take my sweet time), cheap to buy, relatively easy to maintain. It's old, has lots of miles but keeps on truck'in. And, I get to visit a lot of really nice gas stations along the way.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost