Reese WDH Toyota Highlander

[Shortcut]

Yet another WDH posting from an RV newbie--sorry. Still learning the ropes on our 2021 2720 QB TM. On our FWD Toyota Highlander, we have a TWR of 5000 pounds and a tongue weight maximum of 500 pounds. We had the TM out several times without a WDH and FWD traction was noticeably reduced and I was spotting raccoons in the trees at night. I measured the tongue weight at 350-400 pounds (loaded) and all things considered, we are much closer to the vehicle ratings than I expected.

From the Forum discussions, it seemed that most TM owners were using either the Anderson or Reese 600# WDH. TM Dealer indicated Anderson was suggested, but not necessarily recommended by TM.

In the end, I opted for the Reese 600# WDH system (the Reese 400# unit is undersized for the TM2720--look carefully at the Reese data sheets). Some other brands had spring bars that were too short. Check installation diagrams for allowable distances from ball to spring bar brackets. To make room for the Reese frame brackets, I needed to move the TM breakaway switch forward about an inch, and the safety cable backward about an inch.

Now with the WDH installed, I scarcely know the TM is in tow. Vehicle is level, traction is restored, and handling just right. I never had concerns about sway, but the Reese WDH gives a little more confidence about that.

Now....I need to be really careful about loading and approaching the tongue limits of the Highlander. I know that the WDH adds to the tongue load, but the load distribution is worth it for us. Hope our experience helps others.

[Shane826]

The physical WDH may add to the tongue weight, but the physics of the WDH will actually reduce the tongue weight. Go to a CAT scale and check your axle weights with the trailer unhitched, the trailer hitched but the WDH disconnected, and the trailer hitched with the WDH connected. It’s pretty amazing how it moves the weight off the rear axle of the tow vehicle and out to the front axle and trailer axle.

[momto4girls]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

I know this is an old thread, but if the OP is still around...what year is your Highlander?

[rich2468]

Originally Posted by momto4girls

Thank you for sharing your experience!

I know this is an old thread, but if the OP is still around...what year is your Highlander?

Looks like the OP, Shortcut, hasn't been around since last Fall, but I tow my 2922KB with a 2020 Highlander (AWD with a factory hitch) and a Curt Weight Distribution Hitch (with 600 lb bars).

I've used the Curt hitch for two and a half years, but am converting over to an Andersen hitch to save some weight and to hopefully have a WDH which is a little easier to hook up.

Storage of the Curt WDH head and spring arms (when not under tow) takes up a significant amount of space in the rear of my Highlander, as well. I'm hoping the transition to the Andersen will allow me to discontinue carrying a sizable tool box which homes the Curt WDH.

Rich and Lynn
2021 2922KB

[Bill]

Although Shortcut didn't say so, all of the Highlanders, since at least 2010, appear to have 5000 pound tow rating. So that is probably what Shortcut had. Collective wisdom here on the Forum seems to agree that 5000 pounds is adequate.

We had a 2002 Explorer, then a 2006 Explorer, both V-8's rated at about 6500 pounds. Our WDH was a Reese Trunnion hitch (we never did add the anti-sway option to that hitch). We had 1200 pound bars, which were too stiff. I would have preferred 800 pound bars because we tend to travel heavy, but 600 is said to be adequate for a more common setup. I wouldn't go lower, though. The chain and snap-up bracket on the WDH were perfectly easy to set up and take down, and we never has an issue with it. We kept the cheater bar in the rear bumper compartment of the TM, since we had to get into it anyway to reach the sewer hoses.

When we were camping, we always left the hitch head right on the vehicle, with a rubber cup on the ball to keep grease off my pants. I suppose a lockable hitch pin would have been smart, but I never did it. And we always slid the spring bars and the McKesh tow mirrors under the TM, out of sight. So there was no need to put any of it in the bed of the truck or the way-back of the Explorers. Never had a problem.

We have a different tow vehicle today, so the towing arrangement is different. But if I could go back to those Explorers, I wouldn't do anything different except downsize the springbars.

Bill

[TomBeckman]

Hello Fellow Highlander (HL) owner
I currently have a WDH that's rated to 10,000 lbs. I have received some feedback from owners who think that a WDH of that size could cause problems for a TM that is only 3,200 fully loaded (might bend the frame.) The only way I can level the two is by jacking up the HL and TM prior to installing the WDH. This allows me to tighten the WDH significantly tighter than I am able to tighten it when not jacked up. However, this puts much greater stress on the WDH and perhaps the frame when the jack is lowered. I have a swivel hitch on the TM which only allows me to place the WDH bracket on a 5" space on the TM A-frame. The chain-type Husky WDH I installed fits into that space. My worry is that the WDH may cause some problems down the road due to its 10.000 lb. rating or being super tight. The HL bottoms out when leaving driveways or going over humps in road when not tightened super tight.
My HL is weighted to 5000 lbs. U-Haul installed a tow hitch which sits below the bumper. The difference between a Toyota installed tow hitch, which is installed in the middle of the bumper, and the current placement on my HL is 4". I have 245 60 R15 tires and the height from the ground to top of the wheel well is 32". When not towing there is 4 inches of clearance from top of tire to wheel well wheel well. When towing with the WDH fully cranked tight there is about 1- 1 1/2 inches of clearance.

Please provide me with a few details regarding your HL and your TM hitch, and how you were able to level your TM and HL. How does it compare with the figures above?.
Incidently, Paul, the owner of TM told me that none of the TM trailers need a WDH if the vehicles are level with each other prior to hitching. He expalined that the axel is designed so that weight is distributed very well which reduces sway. That makes me wonder: If I buy and Anderson ball mount with an 8' rise that brings the HL up to the level of the TM that perhaps I may longer need a WDH hitch?

Any thoughts from other Highlander folks would be greatly appreciated.