Hybrid Highlander - Towing a boat

Walt & Lynda Johnson <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote:
>
> Has anybody had any experience towing a boat trailer
> with a Highlander Hybrid?

Not yet. A friend bought one but, it is winter now.

> What happens when you try to pull a boat trailer out
> of the water up a 10% launching ramp.

Seems like it should work. Towing capacity is 3500#.
At least it *can* tow, which is more than you can say
for the Ford Escape.

> I just bought the Highlander Hybrid and am looking
> for answers...it is on the battery much less than I
> thought it would be.

Do you have 2WD or 4WD model? The 4WD model has
an extra 50 KW electric motor in the rear that produces
96 ft-lb of extra torque.

All,

Thanks all for contributing to this discussion.

Mine is the 4WD-I version. I believe that the rear axle
is totally electric but haven't climbed underneath to
check.

Walt

"Bill Tuthill" <ccreekinm> wrote in message
news:45bebdfb@news.meer.net...
> Walt & Lynda Johnson <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote:
> >
> > Has anybody had any experience towing a boat trailer
> > with a Highlander Hybrid?
>
> Not yet. A friend bought one but, it is winter now.
>
> > What happens when you try to pull a boat trailer out
> > of the water up a 10% launching ramp.
>
> Seems like it should work. Towing capacity is 3500#.
> At least it *can* tow, which is more than you can say
> for the Ford Escape.
>
> > I just bought the Highlander Hybrid and am looking
> > for answers...it is on the battery much less than I
> > thought it would be.
>
> Do you have 2WD or 4WD model? The 4WD model has
> an extra 50 KW electric motor in the rear that produces
> 96 ft-lb of extra torque.
>

Walt & Lynda Johnson <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote:
> Mine is the 4WD-I version. I believe that the rear axle
> is totally electric but haven't climbed underneath to check.

Really? You are saying that there is no driveshaft from the engine
to the rear wheels, thus no center differential, locking or otherwise?

> The hybrid Highlander weighs 5675# versus "only" 5360# (GVWR) for the
> gas-powered Highlander, so lack of driveshaft didn't help much to
> cut down weight! Jeesh that is one heavy vehicle.

Sorry, the respective curb weights are 3880# for traditional gas 4WD,
and 4190# for hybrid 4WD.

mrv@kluge.net <mrv@kluge.net> wrote:
>
> The 4WD Highlander Hybrid is the cousin of the 4WD RX400h. The hybrid
> system is a modified/upgraded version/meld of the THS (found on the
> 2001-2003 Prius) and the THS-C/E-four design (found on the 2001-2004?
> hybrid Estima). I don't recall the name of the new system, but THS-II-
> SUV comes to mind.
>
> The rear wheels are powered by an additional (3rd) MG (motor-
> generator) in 4WD mode. It's not completely 4WD, as the rear motor
> can't handle the load all by itself if both front wheels are stuck/
> slipping, but it does help provide additional control. It's not meant
> for off-road use, but some light off-roading (dirt trails that aren't
> mud bogs) should be fine.

Can you explain why the THS hybrid Highlander weighs so much more
than the gas-powered Highlander?

The 2G Prius is no heavier than a normal car its size. I don't believe
electric motors are ultra heavy.

"Bill Tuthill" <ccreekinm> wrote in message
news:45ca0bab@news.meer.net...
> mrv@kluge.net <mrv@kluge.net> wrote:
>>
>> The 4WD Highlander Hybrid is the cousin of the 4WD RX400h. The hybrid
>> system is a modified/upgraded version/meld of the THS (found on the
>> 2001-2003 Prius) and the THS-C/E-four design (found on the 2001-2004?
>> hybrid Estima). I don't recall the name of the new system, but THS-II-
>> SUV comes to mind.
>>
>> The rear wheels are powered by an additional (3rd) MG (motor-
>> generator) in 4WD mode. It's not completely 4WD, as the rear motor
>> can't handle the load all by itself if both front wheels are stuck/
>> slipping, but it does help provide additional control. It's not meant
>> for off-road use, but some light off-roading (dirt trails that aren't
>> mud bogs) should be fine.
>
> Can you explain why the THS hybrid Highlander weighs so much more
> than the gas-powered Highlander?
>
> The 2G Prius is no heavier than a normal car its size. I don't believe
> electric motors are ultra heavy.
>

Actually, electric motors are pretty heavy because the wires wound around
the rotor core are pretty dense.

A hybrid vehicle also has batteries, which are not very light.
--

Ray O