Towing a 4,500lb Jayco Travel Trailer With a 2012 Buick Enclave and 2013 Toyota Highlaner

Updated 05/12/2021 | Published 05/10/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(1791)

$160.94

Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness for Tekonsha and Draw-Tite Brake Controller 12" Long

(725)

$16.33

Draw-Tite Max-E-Loader Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(248)

$240.86

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$155.20

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW

(840)

$825.00

Replacement Head for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 600 lbs TW

(9)

$281.33

Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 12" Long - 7" Rise, 3" Drop - 600 to 1,400 lbs TW

(491)

$128.52

Replacement Bolts for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Head - 6,000 lbs to 14,000 lbs GTW

(92)

$43.24

2" Hitch Ball for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 8,000 lbs

(215)

$28.63

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3397)

$121.19

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(4)

$80.91

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(107)

$85.37

Replacement Mounting Bracket Kit for Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller

(279)

$13.85

Question:

My daughter and my son-in-law 2 separate families want to tow the same travel trailer. It is a 4,500 lb Jayco, single axle with drum brakes. They both need the hitch, wiring, and brake controller. One car is a 2012 Buick Enclave without the factory wiring. The second is a 2013 Toyota Highlander again without any factory wiring. Im thinking ease of wiring is best without using Bluetooth. Can you make recommendations for the hitches, wiring package, and brake controllers? Thanks

asked by: Rob V

Expert Reply:

I recommend the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75528 for your 2012 Buick Enclave. This will install without any drilling or trimming of panels, but the door panel on the rear of the Buick will need to be removed and not reused.

The Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness # HM11141615 will give you a 4-way flat trailer connection. The Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller # ETBC7 will provide you with the other wiring and parts necessary for installing a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. This brake controller features a quick release mount that will allow you to remove the brake controller easily and be used with both vehicles.

The 2013 Toyota Highlander will need the Draw-Tite Max-E-Loader Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75726. This will require trimming of panels for installation.

The Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness # HM11141845 will give you a 4-way flat trailer connection. Again the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller # ETBC7 will provide you with the other wiring and parts necessary for installing a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. But if you wish to share the brake controller the Replacement Mounting Bracket # TK5906 and Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness # 20127 will allow you to quickly remove the brake controller from both vehicles. The Brake controller can be left in the trailer for whichever vehicle will need it for towing the Jayco.

I recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37060ET for both vehicles as this will help to keep the towing vehicle level when towing. It will also reduce the sway that occurs during windy conditions as well as from large trucks on the highway. Since both vehicles hitch heights are different(13" vs 18") you will need a separate Head # EQ90-02-0600, Shank # EQ90-02-4100, Ball # EQ91-00-6080, and the Hardware # EQ90-02-9100.