Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Will Sabel
The installation of a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander will be covered in this article. Not all Toyota Highlanders have the same installation procedure. Because the underside of every Toyota Highlander model year differs. However, the installation process for the same generation is the same.
Toyota Highlander Trailer Hitch Installation
Model Year ( 2001-2007)
2001 to 2007 are the model years for the first generation of Toyota Highlanders. The process of installing a trailer hitch on a Toyota highlander (2001-2007) is below.
Required tools
Some tools will be required to install a trailer hitch to your Toyota highlander. The tools you will need are listed below.
- Torque Wrench
- Impact Wrench
- Safety glasses
- 14 mm and 17 mm sockets
1. Remove the tow hook
To remove the tow loop, unscrew the two bolts on either side by Using a 14 mm. The tow loop will not need to be reinstalled.
2. Remove the plug
On both sides, there is a plastic plug. Remove the plug using your hand.
3. Place the hitch
Place the hitch in position by lifting it. Insert the bolts through the hitch hole to the attachment hole on both sides. Tighten the bolts using the extension in the 17 mm socket.
Model Year ( 2008-2013)
Toyota Highlanders from 2008 to 2013 are classified as second-generation SUVs. The process of installation of a trailer hitch to these models is as follows.
Required tools
The tools you will be required to install a trailer hitch are listed below.
- Torque Wrench
- Impact Wrench
- Safety glasses
- 10mm, 14 mm and 17 mm sockets
- Flathead screwdriver
1. Remove the underbody panel
You have to remove the underbody panel of both the passenger side and driver’s side. The plastic panel is attached by four screws and two push pins on the driver’s side. A flathead screwdriver can be used to remove the push pin. Then take out the four screws with a 10 mm socket. Now pull out the panel.
On the passenger side, the panel is attached with one push pin and three screws. Remove the push pins with a flathead screwdriver and the two screws with a 10 mm socket. Using a 14 mm socket, remove the screw that is attached to the frame. Then pull the panel of the passenger side.
2. Remove the tow hook
There are two tow hooks attached with two screws on both sides. Remove the tow hook by removing the screws using 14 mm sockets.
3. Remove rubber plugs
Remove the rubber plug on the driver’s side with your hand. On the passenger side remove the two rubber plugs on the side with your hand.
4. Place the hitch
Lift the hitch to the desired location. To attach the hitch thread the bolts through the hitch hole on both sides. The 17 mm socket extension should be used to tighten the bolts.
5. Reinstall the underbody panel
The passenger side underbody panel must be reinstalled. The driver’s side panel cannot be replaced because the hitch will interfere.
Model Year ( 2014-2019)
The 2014 to 2019 model years of Toyota Highlanders are categorized as third-generation SUVs. The following is the procedure for installing a trailer hitch on these models.
Required tools
The following is a list of the tools you will need to install a trailer hitch.
- Torque Wrench
- Impact Wrench
- Safety glasses
- 19 mm, 12 mm and 17 mm sockets
- Slotted and Phillips screwdrivers
- Air saw
1. Remove the underbody panel
On the driver’s side remove the two plastic clips using the flathead screwdriver. Then using a Phillips screwdriver remove the three bolts. Now with a 12 mm socket remove the two nuts. Pull the panel to remove it.
On the passenger side remove the two bolts that hold the Cho hub with a 17 mm socket. Remove the metal plate by removing two bolts. Use 17 mm and 10 mm sockets to remove those bolts.
2. Trim the air deflector
You will need to trim the air deflector to make some room for the hitch. Mark the air deflector and trim it with an air saw.
3. Place the hitch
Lift and position the hitch in the proper location. To install it, thread the bolts through the hitch hole on both sides. Tighten the bolts by using a torque wrench.
Model Year ( 2020-2022)
Toyota Highlanders model years from 2020 to 2022 are classified as fourth-generation SUVs. The installation of a trailer hitch on these models is as follows.
Required tools
The tools needed to install a trailer hitch are listed below.
- Torque Wrench with 19 mm socket
- Impact Wrench
- Safety glasses
- 10mm, 12 mm and 17 mm sockets
- Flathead screwdriver
1. Remove the underbody panel
On the driver’s side, there are seven different fasteners attached to the panel. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the three push pins. Remove the three screws and two plastic nuts with a 10 mm socket and a 12 mm socket, respectively. Now pull the panel.
Remove the plugs on the frame rail with a flathead screwdriver.
On the passenger side remove the push pin that attaches to the tab with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the bracket on the frame rail of the passenger side. Two bolts holding the bracket. Use a 10 mm and a 17 mm socket to remove the bolts.
2. Place the hitch
Lift the hitch and bring it over the exhaust. Before placing the hitch make sure to pull out the plastic tabs so the hitch can stay behind them. Thread all the bolts through the hitch hole to attachment points on both sides. Tighten and torque all the bolts.
3. Reinstall underbody panel
If you want to reinstall the underbody panel then you have to modify the panel by cutting out two sections to fit it around the hitch.
4. Reinstall the tabs
Reinstall the two bumper tabs on both sides by securing the bolts.
Conclusion
Every generation of Toyota highlander has different procedures for installing a trailer hitch. Toyota highlander has four generations. I’ve detailed all four procedures above. You can easily install a trailer hitch on your Toyota highlander by following the instructions.
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