Bill S.
Indian River, Delaware
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Joined: 03/06/2001
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I just received the latest issue of "Highways" magazine over the weekend, and in it is a letter from someone who also has experienced transmission failures on a Toyota product (Lexus RX300), and womdered if they knew if anyone else did. The response from Highways was yes, there have been other reports, and they further added what was already posted here: Toyota will take the position that none of their vehicles will be towable 4 down. This will be in the 2002 owner's manuals. Highways also recommended that anyone that you have your transmission "checked frequently by the dealer" if you are presently towing a Toyota. With all this new information, and Steve's experience, I have decided against a Highlander. I will be looking at the Trailblazer and a few others in the coming weeks. (BTW, I was also told at a Chevrolet dealer that although the Trailblazer IS towable, the 2002 BLAZER is NOT!)
Bill, (aka Capt.Bill)
Indian River, De
2002 Horizon 36LD, Cat 330
Practicing retirement! 
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Grendel
Pittsburgh, PA USA
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Joined: 10/10/2001
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Did you say ALL Toyotas?? I just bought a little Echo (don't need a 4-wheeler)with a manual. Can't imagine that having a problem, but.. now I'm having some doubts. Anyone advise?
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Bill S.
Indian River, Delaware
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Joined: 03/06/2001
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Manual transmission is no problem. The trouble comes with the automatics. I stopped at a Toyota dealer today, and I had the salesman let me look at the owner's manual of both a 2001 and a 2002 RAV4. The 01 stated that 4 wheels down as a dingy behind a motorhome is fine and dandy. The 02 manual flatly stated that dingy towing with an automatic trans is NOT ALLOWED, but the manual trans was. I'm sure the same goes for the Highlander. They didn't have an 02 Highlander there, but I'll bet when they get one it will say the same thing. (By the way, the 01 Highlander manual siad that the automatic trans could be dingy towed, just like the RAV4)
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tdore
Portland, Oregon 97070
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Joined: 11/16/2001
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I tow an Automatic 2001 Toyota Highlander behind my Monaco Diplomat. The manual stated that it will dinghy tow with 4 down. At 3,500 miles I towed it for the first time to the coast (125 miles). When I arrived at the coast the transmission was ruined and Toyota put in another one. They had it for 35 days for the repair. According to the Oregon Lemmon Law if the dealer has it more than 30 days in the first 12 months they have to take the car back. Anybody have any take on the lemon law? I checked the 2002 manual for the Highlander and it states NO 4 wheel down towing! I have since towed it to Los Angeles twice (2,500 mile roundtrip) with no problems. I never exceed 55 and I start it for 5 minutes every 100 miles or so.
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OTTO
Western Washington/Gold Canyon, AZ
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Joined: 11/01/2001
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Dear TDORE,
I just read your post and you are the first one that I actually heard had a problem with the Highlander trannie. I have heard all about the RX300's and new RAV4's but as I say, this is the first Highlander disaster I heard of. I'm not sure I understand how many miles you towed it prior to the problem. Was your trip to the coast the very first time you towed it? What were the initial symtoms?
While I have towed my Highlander for approx. 2500 miles I have had no problems. I no longer use it as a dinghy because of all the bad press but am curious as to what the first signs are that something is wrong.
Gary
2001 Monaco Knight
2002 Honda CRV Toad
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Guinness
Hilton Head Island,SC 29928
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Joined: 07/02/2001
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Greetings to all you Toyota would-be's, have-been's and wanna be's: We hitched up our 2001
RAV4 2WD to our Safari Trek via Blue Ox and Brake
Buddy. Took off for 10 days in N.Carolina mts. and
850 miles, with great trepidation (car already had
1500 mi.on it)..partially because it's our 1st tow
and mostly because of other helpful info from you.
Piece of cake (so far). We contacted Toyota and local dealer. They said they'll stand behind it as
long as we adhere to 55mph limit and stopping for engine runs as directed. Dealer also told us 2002 manual does say it's OK to tow 2002 RAV4,4 wheels down. And...what ARE the first symptoms of tranny problems? I'll be so disappointed if we have problems cuz I love my car (gutsy,fun and responsive..also automatic). Happy Thanksgiving to
all and let's hope our Toyotas don't turn out to
be the real turkeys!
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SteveT
Setauket New York USA
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Joined: 09/21/2001
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To Guinness: I have a copy of the 2002 RAv4 manual and it says that that the automatic is NOT TOWABLE. Toyota seems to be happy to fix the transmissions, at least the first time. They won't tell me if they will cover it the second time. The problem however is; What am I going to do with a $25,000 extra car and why did I have to pay the extra bucks to set-up an other car for towing? Suggest you run your question by the dealer one more time. Good Luck and please keep us posted if you run into any other problems.
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tdore
Portland, Oregon 97070
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Otto,
I see you’re in Western Washington, greetings from Portland, Oregon. The first time I towed my Highlander was when the Highlander had 3500 miles on it. I towed it over to Newport, Oregon, approximately 125 miles. I adhered to the 55 MPH and had it in neutral with the key on so the steering wouldn’t lock. When I got to Newport I unhitched it and let it run for about 5 minutes. We then drove towards Sea Lion Caves (South of Newport) and whenever we would hit a small hill and the automatic transmission went to shift down, the transmission would slip and the tachometer would read about 6,000 RPMs for a few seconds until the transmission would engage. Basically sounded like it was in neutral for a few seconds. I notice that if I manually take off the overdrive (button on shifter) then it wouldn’t do it. With the new transmission I have towed it to Los Angeles twice about a 2500 mile roundtrip with no problems. I now have 11,000 miles on the Highlander. I just hope it isn’t an accident waiting to happen.
I spoke with Remco about a transmission pump and they stated that they have tried it on the Lexus RX300 and the Highlander and that it didn’t help. In other words some transmissions were still ruined. They stated that they believe it is a cooling issue and not a transmission fluid issue. They also stated that if I strictly adhere to the 55MPH and start the motor every 200 miles or less for a few minutes then I probably will be ok with the new transmission since I have towed it for 5,000 miles without any problems. By the way I tow it behind a Monaco Diplomat with a Sterling Roadmaster hitch.
Tim
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Bill S.
Indian River, Delaware
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Joined: 03/06/2001
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Steve is absolutely right. I stopped at a dealer, and was told that the 2002 RAV4 is towable, just like the 2001. I asked to see the owner's manual, and he said that they couldn't get one. When I explained that IF the 2002 manual stated that 4 down towing was ok, that I would buy one from him, he disappeared for 5 minutes and returned with stated manual in hand. The 2002 manual, both for RAV4 and Highlander clearly and emphatically states that NO dingy towing allowed unless on a trailer, with all 4 wheels are off the ground!
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Grendel, not all standards are towable with the drive wheels down. You need to see if the tranny is lubricated with a pump on the output shaft or the input shaft. Output shaft you are OK.
Ken W
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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