Does 2019 Toyota Highlander Need Auxiliary Transmission Cooler to Tow Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD V6 /3.5L. I just bought a lightweight German horse trailer which is designed to be pulled by a smaller vehicle. The Highlander meets all the tow requirements and I successfully hauled it home. The trailer salesman, who is very knowledgeable, cautioned me to get an auxiliary transmission cooler installed before adding the weight of my horse to the load. No one to whom I have spoken at our regular auto shop or at Toyota seems to know whether I actually need one, or if the SUV has one already, or where to get/ install/ or locate a part number for it. We looked through the front grille of the truck and didnt see one in there as far as we could tell. Any information would be appreciated, as I would like to start hauling my horse soon!

asked by: Marie R

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Expert Reply:

An auxiliary transmission cooler isn't a necessity to tow with your 2019 Toyota Highlander, but it's absolutely a good idea to add one (your Highlander with a 3.5L V6 already has one so this would be an additional cooler), with the best cooler being from Derale:

- Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit # D13502

Towing a trailer creates more work for your car, and the more added weight, the more work it has to do. Think of it like going outside on a typical early summer day; if you decide to go for a run, your body is working harder so you'll start to sweat a lot to keep cool, right? But if you just walk, your body isn't working as hard so that doesn't happen. Same thing here - towing creates a lot of extra work, and thus heat, and an additional cooler helps keep that heat down and your Highlander's transmission in the best shape and wear down slower.

So I do recommend adding one, especially if you will be towing with any frequency; you can still haul your horse now even without the # D13502, but adding this cooler is going to be an excellent safeguard for your Highlander well into the future.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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Answer 1

Hey Pete, The Redarc Tow-Pro elite is compatible with your 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE, it's just a bit overkill for your vehicle so that's likely why it's not listed. If you're not running a 24v system or doing off-roading then the…

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Answer 2

As far as the mounting bracket, you can absolutely screw it directly to the hitch if you want. We do this frequently in our own installs and it will not compromise the strength of the hitch in any way. Now putting a few holes in the hitch does open…

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Answer 3

The stop light switch circuit on a 2019 Toyota Highlander which will be needed to install a brake controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part #90195 can be found by testing the bundle of wires attached to the brake pedal.…

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Answer 4

This Hopkins wiring harness does fit your 2019 Toyota Highlander. Since the location of the factory wiring is located inside the car and not under/behind the bumper, you will likely be limited to the current location of the wiring. That being said,…

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Answer 5

Yes, I will be happy to help add tow options to your 2007 Honda Odyssey. First you will need Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver #75270. This hitch has a maximum tongue weight rating up to 675 lbs and gross trailer weight rating up to 4,500…

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Answer 6

The maximum towing capacity is determined by the lower of the weight capacities for your vehicle and the hitch that is installed on it. So if the weight capacity of your vehicle is lower, that will be the limiting factor. The towing capacity…

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Answer 7

We are talking about 3 hundredths of an inch and a short distance using the hose included with many of the transmission coolers that we carry. The slightly smaller size should not be a problem. The most popular cooler for the 2009 GMC Savanna is…

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Answer 8

When comparing the Flex-a-lite Transmission Cooler #FLX400117 to the similar Derale Series 8000 Transmission Cooler #D13502, there are very few differences between them. Both have an aluminum construction, include all hardware needed, and are…

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Answer 9

You are a little on the warm side for your transmission fluid. If you can keep it under 200 degrees you will have the max life out of it. That being said transmissions really start to go downhill at 260 degrees. The Derale cooler part #D13503 with…

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Answer 10

You are exactly correct in that you can use either the Curt Installation Kit #C57186 or the Universal Installation Kit #ETBC7 to install a brake controller and fully functional 7-Way from the 4-Way you already have installed. These are both universal…

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Answer 11

Mounting a trans cooler in front of everything else, radiator and AC condenser, will yield the most cooling ability. The size of the heat exchanger is the factor that weighs most heavily on the cooling ability followed by location and…

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Answer 12

For some reason Toyota isn't very forthcoming with how to figure out if you have the tow package or not. From my understanding all of the V6 models of the 2019 Toyota Highlander have the tow package but it isn't specified as to what else…

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Does 2019 Toyota Highlander Need Auxiliary Transmission Cooler to Tow Trailer

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