Tow vehicle

[Studebaker]

I have a 6x10 utility trailer with thick pressure treated wooden floor. I am guessing it weighs around 500 lbs. I rarely use it and bought it to carry a 750 lb motorcycle. It is more for in case the bike breaks down than anything else. Sort of an insurance package. I recently did a 500 mile round trip with it, carrying a 400 lb bike and it did fine, even through the WV hills. I was towing it with a 99 Jeep Cherokee, auto, 4.0 inline 6.
The Cherokee had 156,000 miles on it and was a great vehicle but the daughter is getting her license, and I figured this would be a safe vehicle for her. never burned a drop of oil and always got 20 mpg.
So now I have to get a trailer hitch on one of 2 vehicles.
#1 is a 2003 Jeep Wrangler, inline 6, 5 spd, with 120,000 miles on it. Great vehicle for around town, but after 2+ hours on the highway is very uncomfortable.
#2, The Cherokee replacement is a 2005 Toyota Highlander, awd, 4 sp auto, 4 cyl, with 32,000 miles.

Which would you use?

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
but after 2+ hours on the highway is very uncomfortable.


I don't necessarily find it overly "uncomfortable" ..but when I get out ..I sorta resemble a tin man that could use an oil can for about the first 100 ft or so.

 

[mpersell]

I find after a long trip in my Jeep that for the 1st 100 feet I walk like those human phased evolution drawings from before neanderthal to current.

 

[mrsilv04]

What does Toyota say that the Highlander can tow? If it is anything less than 1500 pounds, then, in my opinion, it is out of any consideration.

You might want to find out for sure what the trailer weighs. Call the manufacturer and ask them. They should know.

The Wrangler can do it, no question. The question is if the Highlander is up to the task....

 

[The_Jeff]

Go with the wrangler. The short wheelbase will kind of be uncomfortable if you go fast but conversely help it around town, backing up, etc.

Hitches should be plentiful and integrate beautifully with the frame/rear bumper/bumperettes.

 

[Studebaker]

Not real mechanically inclined. How hard are they to install?

 

[Chris142]

I think that my 02 Wrangler is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. It's one of the few that don't make my back hurt. Spent about 15 hrs in it yesterday out in the desert rescuing a stolen car and I'm fine today.

Honda's and Toyota's are the worst for my back. I can't drive a Civic 15 minutes w/o back pain.

 

[GMFan]

Isn't it bad to tow with a manual transmission?

 

[sciphi]

Not at all. A slight bit more wear on the clutch is about all that will come out of it. So instead of 130k miles you'll have to replace it at 115k miles. Assuming the vehicle has been otherwise taken care of and not abused. Plus, most of the wear comes when first starting out. Minimize those starts and you're fine. I knew a guy who towed regularly with a 5-speed 4 cylinder Accord, never had any transmission issues that I heard about.

Also, you won't have the transmission "hunting" for a gear up a long incline, and you can engine-brake down declines. Both pluses in my book.

An auto would need an auxiliary cooler and more frequent service intervals, since instead of one wear item in the manual the whole auto transmission is a wear item.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Studebaker
Not real mechanically inclined. How hard are they to install?


On a Wrangler? Easy for a HiddenHitch. Not rocket science at all. Now on something with a unibody

..then I might seek professional installation.

Your Highlander allegedly has a towing capacity of 3000-3500lbs depending on what site you reference.

Your Wrangler is limited to 2000lbs ..probably due to the wheel base. The two vehicles have about the same curb weight. The Wrangler weighs in around 3450+/- and your Highlander around 3750 (again according to net reference material).

 

[meep]

I'd expect a 6x10 trailer to weigh in at more than 500 lbs. I assume it's open? I'd think more like 800.

Toyota would probably be fine up to 1500 lbs and at that point they *might* want trailer brakes.

Jeep would be a stronger tow vehicle. If you tow often, I'd go with that. If it's just every now and then, the Toy will likely be fine. Check & see if you need to upgrade the trans cooler, and if toyota wants you to stay out of overdrive when towing.

M

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: Studebaker
I have a 6x10 utility trailer with thick pressure treated wooden floor. I am guessing it weighs around 500 lbs. I rarely use it and bought it to carry a 750 lb motorcycle. It is more for in case the bike breaks down than anything else.
(snip)
So now I have to get a trailer hitch on one of 2 vehicles.
#1 is a 2003 Jeep Wrangler, inline 6, 5 spd, with 120,000 miles on it. Great vehicle for around town, but after 2+ hours on the highway is very uncomfortable.
#2, The Cherokee replacement is a 2005 Toyota Highlander, awd, 4 sp auto, 4 cyl, with 32,000 miles.

Which would you use?

I recently drove cross country with a similar trailer (4'x8') heavily loaded (probably 2000-2200 lbs gross), towing it behind my Golf. Had to drive slowly to avoid "sway". I don't know if this would be a problem with a larger vehicle, or if it's the nature of the trailer.

But I think in your case, the Highlander would be the better choice. It would give you the option of towing for a longer distance than you might want to travel with the Wrangler.

 

[Aldaris]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
What does Toyota say that the Highlander can tow? If it is anything less than 1500 pounds, then, in my opinion, it is out of any consideration.
That wouldn't make sense. My old Toyota Cressida sedan was rated to tow 2,000 lbs. I'm sure a truck would be able to do more.