---
title: "Toyota Grand Highlander Towing Capacity by Engine"
url: https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-towing-capacity-by-engine/
description: "Grand Highlander towing from Toyota's manuals: 5,000 lb for the 2.4L turbo and Hybrid MAX, 3,500 lb for the 2.5L Hybrid, GCWR and tongue weight."
platforms: [Grand Highlander]
category: Maintenance & Problems
author: Rob Krause
published: 2026-10-21T05:00:00Z
updated: 2026-10-21T05:00:00Z
---

# Toyota Grand Highlander Towing Capacity by Engine

> **Quick answer:** The Grand Highlander tows 5,000 lb with the 2.4L turbo engine, gas or Hybrid MAX, and 3,500 lb with the 2.5L Hybrid. Toyota's 2025 owner's manuals rate the gas truck at a GCWR of 10,600 lb, the Hybrid MAX at 10,500 lb, and the 2.5L Hybrid at 9,635 lb (2WD) or 9,750 lb (AWD). Unbraked trailers are limited to 1,000 lb on every version. Tongue weight should be 9 to 11 percent of the trailer weight. Toyota recommends its own hitch, and the hitch's rating can be lower than the truck's.

> QUICK ANSWER
>
> **The Grand Highlander tows 5,000 lb with the 2.4L turbo engine, gas or Hybrid MAX, and 3,500 lb with the 2.5L Hybrid.** Toyota's 2025 owner's manuals rate the **gas truck at a GCWR of 10,600 lb**, the **Hybrid MAX at 10,500 lb**, and the **2.5L Hybrid at 9,635 lb (2WD) or 9,750 lb (AWD)**. Unbraked trailers are limited to **1,000 lb** on every version. Tongue weight should be **9 to 11 percent** of the trailer weight. Toyota recommends its own hitch, and the hitch's rating can be lower than the truck's.

Most owners hear 5,000 lb and assume it applies to every Grand Highlander. It does not. The 2.5L Hybrid, the version that gets 34 to 36 mpg, is rated 1,500 lb lower than the turbo trucks. This guide lists each rating from Toyota's manuals and what the manuals say about hitches, tongue weight and brakes.

**Where these numbers come from.** The "GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR" tables in Toyota's 2025 Grand Highlander (OM0E111U) and Grand Highlander Hybrid (OM0E112U) owner's manuals. TWR is the trailer weight rating, the most the loaded trailer may weigh. GCWR is the most the truck and trailer may weigh together. We did not read the 2024 or 2026 manuals, so we are not claiming those years match, though the 2.4L engine is the same.

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<text x="20" y="40" font-size="11" fill="var(--ink-2,#555)">Trailer weight rating from Toyota&#x27;s 2025 owner&#x27;s manuals. Hollow bar = 2.5L Hybrid.</text>
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<text x="252" y="78" text-anchor="end" fill="var(--ink,#111)">2.4L turbo gas (T24A-FTS)</text>
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<text x="252" y="112" text-anchor="end" fill="var(--ink,#111)">2.4L turbo Hybrid MAX (T24A-FTS)</text>
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<text x="252" y="146" text-anchor="end" fill="var(--ink,#111)">2.5L Hybrid (A25A-FXS)</text>
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## Ratings by Engine

| VERSION | ENGINE | TOWING (TWR) | GCWR | UNBRAKED |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gas | 2.4L turbo (T24A-FTS) | **5,000 lb** | 10,600 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Hybrid MAX | 2.4L turbo (T24A-FTS) | **5,000 lb** | 10,500 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Hybrid, 2WD | 2.5L (A25A-FXS) | **3,500 lb** | 9,635 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Hybrid, AWD | 2.5L (A25A-FXS) | **3,500 lb** | 9,750 lb | 1,000 lb |

**Loading.** The manuals list vehicle capacity weight (occupants plus luggage) of **1,245 lb on 7-passenger trucks and 1,410 lb on 8-passenger trucks**. Your door-jamb label has the exact figure for your truck.

## Tongue Weight, Hitch and Brakes

- **Tongue weight:** distribute the load so tongue weight is **9 to 11 percent** of gross trailer weight. That is 450 to 550 lb on a 5,000 lb trailer, and 315 to 385 lb on a 3,500 lb trailer (our arithmetic).
- **Weight distributing hitch:** for the T24A-FTS turbo engine the manuals say to return the front axle to the weight it had before the trailer was connected, or, if you cannot weigh it, to restore front fender height.
- **Hitch rating:** Toyota says hitch assemblies have their own weight capacities and the lower number governs. It also says to use only the hitch position Toyota recommends and never mount a hitch on the bumper.
- **Trailer ball size:** class I uses a 1-7/8 in. ball, class II and III a 2 in. ball, and class IV a 2-5/16 in. ball.
- **Trailer lights:** the manual says to use the wire harness stored in the rear underbody. It also describes an auto cut-off that stops power to the trailer lights in an over-current event.
- **Brakes:** above **1,000 lb** the trailer needs its own service brakes.

## Gear

*Links below are affiliate links: toyotadata earns a commission from VEVOR and, as an Amazon Associate, from qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you.*

| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Class III receiver hitch made for the Grand Highlander | Receivers are fitment-specific. Match the model year, and make sure the hitch is rated for the trailer | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Toyota+Grand+Highlander+trailer+hitch+receiver&tag=1434042-20) |
| Tekonsha Primus IQ proportional brake controller | Any trailer over the 1,000 lb unbraked limit. Wiring harness sold separately | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P11SCM?tag=1434042-20) |
| Grand Highlander brake controller wiring harness | Fitment-specific plug-in harness for the controller | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Toyota+Grand+Highlander+brake+controller+wiring+harness&tag=1434042-20) |
| LED trailer light kit, 10 to 30 V | Replacement or utility trailer lighting, tested before every trip | [Shop at VEVOR](https://www.vevor.com/trailer-accessories-c_14175/vevor-trailer-lights-10-30v-led-trailer-tail-lights-kit-with-stop-brake-turn-tail-clearance-side-lamp-left-and-right-waterproof-tow-lighting-kit-for-boat-truck-camper-rv-snowmobile-bus-caravan-p_010197926035?lang=en&currency=usd&utm_source=inhouse&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=51756546&shortkey=20261021y5Zx) |
| Trailer hitch lock kit, fits 1-7/8, 2 and 2-5/16 in couplers | Locks the coupler at a campsite or parking lot | [Shop at VEVOR](https://www.vevor.com/tow-bar-c_11729/vevor-trailer-hitch-lock-kit-fits-for-1-7-8-in-2-in-2-5-16-in-couplers-heavy-duty-anti-theft-trailer-ball-lock-with-keys-prying-resistant-adjustable-height-design-for-rvs-boats-trailers-p_010931067955?lang=en&currency=usd&utm_source=inhouse&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=51756546&shortkey=20261021y7KU) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much can a Toyota Grand Highlander tow?

5,000 lb with the 2.4L turbo (gas or Hybrid MAX) and 3,500 lb with the 2.5L Hybrid, per Toyota's 2025 owner's manuals.

### Can the Grand Highlander Hybrid tow 5,000 lb?

Only the Hybrid MAX, which uses the 2.4L turbo. The 2.5L Hybrid is rated 3,500 lb.

### How much can the Grand Highlander tow without trailer brakes?

1,000 lb on every version.

### What is the Grand Highlander's GCWR?

10,600 lb for the gas truck, 10,500 lb for the Hybrid MAX, and 9,635 to 9,750 lb for the 2.5L Hybrid.

## Related Guides

- [Toyota Grand Highlander Maintenance Schedule by Mileage](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-maintenance-schedule-gas-hybrid/)
- [Toyota Grand Highlander MPG: Gas, Hybrid and Hybrid MAX](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-mpg-gas-hybrid-hybrid-max/)
- [Toyota Grand Highlander Oil, Tire Size and Fluid Specs](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-oil-tire-size-fluid-specs/)
- [Toyota Grand Highlander TSB List and Known Issues](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-tsb-list-known-issues/)
- [Toyota Grand Highlander Recalls: Every Recall 2024–2026](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-recalls-2024-2026/)
- [Toyota Grand Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-problems-nhtsa-complaints/)
- [Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-rav4-known-issues-nhtsa-complaints-by-year/)
- [Toyota Towing Capacity Chart: Every Truck and SUV](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-towing-capacity-chart-tundra-tacoma-4runner-sequoia/)

Sources: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., [2025 Grand Highlander owner's manual](https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/om-s/OM0E111U/pdf/OM0E111U.pdf) and [2025 Grand Highlander Hybrid owner's manual](https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/om-s/OM0E112U/pdf/OM0E112U.pdf), sections 4-1 and 8-1.

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Source: https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-towing-capacity-by-engine/