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Old 12-05-2020, 02:51 PM   #1
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Smile Researching for purchase

Hey y'all! Looking forward to learning about RvIng prior to making my first purchase. Have tow capacity of 3500 lbs with my 05 Toyota Highlander. Any recommendations on what to buy?? All answers and advice appreciated!
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Old 12-05-2020, 03:40 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum. Good luck on your search for a camper. Later RJD
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Old 12-05-2020, 03:42 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jipsee View Post
Hey y'all! Looking forward to learning about RvIng prior to making my first purchase. Have tow capacity of 3500 lbs with my 05 Toyota Highlander. Any recommendations on what to buy?? All answers and advice appreciated!
Hi and Welcome to FRF, from Camano Island.
Your choices are going to be very limited because of the 3500lbs. Popups and A-frame trailers will be the most appropriate choice.
Does the Highlander have the factory tow package? If not, it doesn't have the 3500lbs towing capacity.
How many people will be in the car and how many will be camping with you.
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Old 12-06-2020, 12:28 PM   #4
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Along with Dan's preceding comments, you'll also want to pay attention to the rated payload of the vehicle. It's on the yellow sticker affixed to the driver's side door jamb.

The payload rating needs to take into account:
  1. The weight of the driver and all other occupants;
  2. The weight of the cargo placed in the truck;
  3. The weight of the hitch you are using;
  4. The tongue weight of the loaded trailer.
For many folks, the limiting number will be the payload rating and not the tow rating.
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Old 12-06-2020, 12:42 PM   #5
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Welcome to the forum, where there's a wealth of knowledge and information from very experienced owners willing to diagnose, help educate everyone. Enjoy, From Central NC
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Old 12-07-2020, 02:00 PM   #6
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At 3500#, pop ups and single axle small box style Travel Trailers are your choices. When looking at trailers, use the TT GVWR for your limits. It’s easy to load up a small trailer for camping. There are teardrop style lightweights (tab brand), A lines, and even a 2K# limit Runaway (like a low cargo trailer mostly for sleeping, no facilities). I’m more familiar with the Wolf Pup line.
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Old 12-07-2020, 03:05 PM   #7
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Trailers with 3500lbs GVWR ratings, almost always have very low cargo capacity numbers. Plus your car may a frontal area limitation, which should be listed in the car's owners manual towing section. Any regular travel trailer will often have a frontal area that exceeds the max amount.
OP, does your Highlander have the 4 cylinder or the v-6?
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 12-07-2020, 03:15 PM   #8
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The biggest bit of advice I can give you is this: Do not listen to the RV salesmen. They'll have you believing you can easily tow a 32' travel trailer, all you need is a weight distributing hitch. Don't believe it. There is a lot of intelligence and wisdom on this site, they will steer you right.
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Old 12-07-2020, 07:55 PM   #9
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Might be time to trade in that 05 Highlander. BUT, first decide what type of camping you want to do; overnight, weekend, weeklong, etc. and what type of creature comforts you want; heat, AC, hot water, bed size, how many beds, cooking facilities, bathroom facilities, etc.
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Old 12-17-2020, 07:50 PM   #10
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Casita, scamp, R-pod, popup, that kinda stuff...if I was shopping for a camper for the rest of my life, it would be a Casita hands down
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Old 12-17-2020, 08:54 PM   #11
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I agree with all the others...start small and get a feel for camping with a pod or pop up or trade the Highlander look at all trailers, find what you like and then buy a tow vehicle that will do the job
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Old 12-17-2020, 09:32 PM   #12
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It's been almost 2 weeks and this is the OP's one and only posts.
Not sure if they're ever coming back.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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