Help! I only have a 2018 Highlander Hybrid XLE. What can I do?

[ser3nitynow11]

Hello everyone!

I just discovered overlanding not long ago, and decided that it is something I really want to do.... I'm very experienced in travel logistics and camping, plus I'm a good driver, so overlanding is right up my alley!

The 1st problem I have though, is that I don't know much about vehicle mechanics/performance upgrade modifications yet, but I really want to begin the journey towards building my own overland vehicle.

My 2nd problem is that the only vehicle option I have to work with is a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE with V6 engine and AWD.

I know it will have limitations, so I don't plan on doing anything extreme like rock climbing or mudding, but I would like to be able to drive it through moderately steep and rocky trails sometimes.

I've driven it in the Santa Cruz mountains quite a few times, and to my surprise, the Highlander made it through steep inclines with deep ruts and lots of rocks with no major difficulty, but I know it's most definitely going to need some upgrades if I ever plan to drive it like that while loaded with a bunch of camping equipment and possibly even towing a really light weight trailer as well.

Does anyone have any advice or information that can help me figure out what upgrades I need to make in order to enhance it's off-road capabilities?

 

[phsycle]

Your Highlander will take you to plenty of backcountry areas. They’ve got decent ground clearance.

I’d say get some decent all-terrain tires, some recovery gear and go at it. (Bonus if you can go with a friend with a more capable rig). I don’t think there is much underbody protection so be careful there. And you won’t be desert running at high speeds. But it’ll take you to a lot of places.

If you’re going to be doing a lot of steep and/or high-elevation trails, you really want to look at something with low range. Easier on your drivetrain and the trails.

 

[dman93]

I owned a Land Cruiser 80 for many years, but for various reasons replaced it with a Subaru Forester, which in the big scheme of things is similar to your Highlander: AWD, lower ground clearance, street tires etc. I was always impressed with what it could do with some care to avoid tire-cuts and underbody damage. And the smaller size and more sprightly performance were advantages in many places. Mine was a stick shift so I tried to avoid crawling situations and slipping the clutch, which taught me about line choices that had been irrelevant in the Cruiser. Since it seems like you’re in central California, there are lots of forest roads, desert etc in your area, so go for it, just take care. Oh, and bring a tire repair kit and 12V compressor. Also, familiarize yourself with how the hybrid/AWD system works ... you don’t want to be stuck in 2WD if the electric motor overheats.

 

[ser3nitynow11]

I owned a Land Cruiser 80 for many years, but for various reasons replaced it with a Subaru Forester, which in the big scheme of things is similar to your Highlander: AWD, lower ground clearance, street tires etc. I was always impressed with what it could do with some care to avoid tire-cuts and underbody damage. And the smaller size and more sprightly performance were advantages in many places. Mine was a stick shift so I tried to avoid crawling situations and slipping the clutch, which taught me about line choices that had been irrelevant in the Cruiser. Since it seems like you’re in central California, there are lots of forest roads, desert etc in your area, so go for it, just take care. Oh, and bring a tire repair kit and 12V compressor. Also, familiarize yourself with how the hybrid/AWD system works ... you don’t want to be stuck in 2WD if the electric motor overheats.

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate all the info and tips I can get, especially since Highlander hybrids are not a common overland vehicle. I've already been busy reading the operation manual and scouring the internet trying to learn as much as I can about the Highlander's systems so that I can safely drive it to its' best abilities. My current curiosity is the "sport mode" drive function, which is basically an automatic car's answer to stick shift... Even though I know how to drive stick, I haven't found much to convince me if using it in off-road situations with the Highlander would be a good thing or not. Sport mode aside, my past experiences driving through Santa Cruz have been great, and what I've been currently learning about the Highlander, I'm confident that it can take me to many awesome places as long as I drive carefully just like you said. I don't plan on doing anything extreme with it anyways, and I don't want to risk reducing gas mileage too much, so I've come to the conclusion that keeping the vehicle's stock parts will be best.
I ran my own camp at Burning Man for over 5 years, and I think that overlanding seems to be very similar to Burning Man in many aspects... The most important lessons I've learned for myself from "burning", and keep coming across while researching overlanding are to plan ahead, be prepared for problems that may occur, choose gear/supplies wisely, create a good organization/storage system, and to take care of the vehicle, especially in terms of tires, fluids, weight distribution, and following the maximum payload specifications. Burning Man and overlanding makes it waaaay too easy and exciting to get sucked into extravagant camp/transportation set-ups, and the possibilities are endless! I've gone the extravagant route before, but I've also done the minimalistic approach, and for me, I think a happy medium is perfect! I plan to focus on and have fun creating a good storage, kitchen, and tent build instead of spending time and resources on the Highlander's mechanics like I was originally thinking about. I want to camp semi-luxuriously while being able to comfortably fit myself, my husband, and our two Dogo Argentinos (big lazy dogs!) in the vehicle during travel. I may eventually add some extra undercarriage protection, but I would rather get out there to explore sooner than later!

 

[llamalander]

Hollister Off Road Park is just down the road from you, go check it out before it gets muddy (and afterwards, but dry first is better).
Lots of different trails rated by difficulty and a few playgrounds to try technical driving.
Again, having a friend to spot or tug will make it much more fun, but it's a great place to start learning what you can do and what you should do very carefully.
As Phsycle said, more off-road tires can improve your grip & clearance, being able to deflate for traction or inflate afterwards (& for repairs) is invaluable--so a cheap alligator clip model (not an underpowered cigarette lighter type) and a tire gauge should probably be a part of your kit.

 

[LionZoo]

The latest Overland Journal podcast can really help you out. Check it out!

The Overland Journal Podcast

Welcome to the Overland Journal Podcast, where we share our experience overlanding on all seven continents, along with our insights into the industry- its technologies, products, and innovations. Each episode features in-depth discussions on topics ranging from equipment to travel destinations...

overlandjournal.com

 

[ser3nitynow11]

Hollister Off Road Park is just down the road from you, go check it out before it gets muddy (and afterwards, but dry first is better).
Lots of different trails rated by difficulty and a few playgrounds to try technical driving.
Again, having a friend to spot or tug will make it much more fun, but it's a great place to start learning what you can do and what you should do very carefully.
As Phsycle said, more off-road tires can improve your grip & clearance, being able to deflate for traction or inflate afterwards (& for repairs) is invaluable--so a cheap alligator clip model (not an underpowered cigarette lighter type) and a tire gauge should probably be a part of your kit.

I'm in LA now, but I'll definitely check out Hollister Off Road Park next time I go up north. I am thinking about getting Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT tires once I start going on more trips, but I'm getting conflicting info on how much gas mileage is actually reduced by having all-terrain tires and if it is worth it right now since I won't be doing difficult trails in the Highlander. A good air compressor and gauge is on my must have list though! lol

 

[Tex68w]

Lots of people are starting to modify the Highlander and the Rav4 as they are similar to the Subaru offerings which are quite popular in this segment. Use what you have aka "run what you've brung" and get out and enjoy your surroundings. In time you'll find your limitations and what you need to modify next, enjoy the process.

 

[gmtech]

look up softroadingthewest youtube channel. guy has good videos and I think captures the "overlanding" concept good.

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

I am thinking about getting Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT tires once I start going on more trips, but I'm getting conflicting info on how much gas mileage is actually reduced by having all-terrain tires and if it is worth it right now since I won't be doing difficult trails in the Highlander.

There is a reason that the expression "where the rubber meets the road" is used to convey the sentiment "this is what really matters". A tire puncture is the #1 most likely error scenario you'll encounter in the wild. While you may see some decrease in fuel mileage you will gain an enormous amount of comfort and confidence if you aren't constantly thinking about your tires. Added traction is nice but the real benefit of a good AT tire is added *strength*.

The first thing I do when I get a new vehicle off the lot is replace the factory tires with a good set of ATs (yes,I've gotten rid of a lot of brand-new tires). It's just not worth it to play "will these particular passenger tires hold up to abuse or will I be changing a tire on the trail, on an off-angle, in the rain..."

 

[Kmrtnsn]

There is a reason that the expression "where the rubber meets the road" is used to convey the sentiment "this is what really matters". A tire puncture is the #1 most likely error scenario you'll encounter in the wild. While you may see some decrease in fuel mileage you will gain an enormous amount of comfort and confidence if you aren't constantly thinking about your tires. Added traction is nice but the real benefit of a good AT tire is added *strength*.

The first thing I do when I get a new vehicle off the lot is replace the factory tires with a good set of ATs (yes,I've gotten rid of a lot of brand-new tires). It's just not worth it to play "will these particular passenger tires hold up to abuse or will I be changing a tire on the trail, on an off-angle, in the rain..."

It‘s not the tread that matters so much, AT vs MT, etc. it’s the tire construction, LT vs P-Metric that matters when it comes to off-road survivability.

 

[direwolf82]

Lots of people are starting to modify the Highlander and the Rav4 as they are similar to the Subaru offerings which are quite popular in this segment. Use what you have aka "run what you've brung" and get out and enjoy your surroundings. In time you'll find your limitations and what you need to modify next, enjoy the process.

Yes! I agree emphatically!!
How many of us have been in the middle of nowhere only to see a little 4 door sedan abandoned somewhere? How did it get there? Chances are someone drove it there. You don't need the biggest gnarliest truck to get out and enjoy the dirt, awd/4wd is nice to make sure you get home though.
My buddy had a 2wd s10 back in the day, we made it to every woods, field and mud party we tried getting to and got back out again. I took my stock truck out many times before I even got tires for it and that was only after I had traction issues, the trails I ride told me what I needed to upgrade. Saying that I usually upgrade the problem area immediately after finding out it was a problem area because...well, I guess I'm just that way.
Run what you brung and smile!!

Edit: I've been pretty interested in reduction gears in the t case, I would think that would be helpful in climbing hills especially with a trailer and won't affect your high range mileage at all, only changes your low range gearing as far as I'm aware.


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk