2014 Toyota TV - Highlander vs 4Runner?

[WildinMN]

Hi -

We will be towing a 1966 Safari Double - 22ft in the summer when the ice finally leaves MN! We have a 2002 Toyota Tundra but also looking to replace the other family vehicle. The Tundra has a pretty small back seat which was ok when the kids were very small but getting smaller by the month now that they're getting older. My musts are 3 rows of seats to carry at least 6 people (2 of my kids plus various neighbor kids, cousins, etc). We would only be towing with 4 of us though. I've narrowed it down to the Toyota Highlander Limited or 4-Runner Limited.
According to spec's, the Highlander is actually rated to carry a bit more weight than the 4-runner (5k vs 4700)

4Runner: http://www.toyota.com/4runner/ebrochure/
Highlander: http://www.toyota.com/highlander/ebrochure/

Is one clearly a better tow vehicle than the other? Are there any modifications I should plan on making to it right away to make it a better tow vehicle beyond the tow package?

[norcal bass]

I know you posted this a long time ago ... I'm sure you bought something by now. But, the Highlander is a superior tow vehicle to the 4runner. The new 4runner (2014) also has a hitch receiver that is not capable of weight distribution towing. And there are no aftermarket hitches available for it. The Highlander may have the similar class III hitch that can't do weight distribution, but you can get a beefier hitch for it.

Good luck!

[WildinMN]

Thanks Norcal for the insight - we have a highlander on order but it hasn't come in yet. We did talk to Toyota and they didn't mention the hitch issue but did mentioned that since we weren't looking for something for offroad usage, the highlander was going to be the better vehicle. Plus we were looking for something that had a 3rd row seat which has to be custom ordered in the 4-runner.

Highlander should be here in August so I'll let you know after that how it tows!