Fitted a hayman reese towbar

[MattyV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MattyV]

Re: Fitted a hayman reese towbar

Thanks everyone for all your help and with photos etc
HR towbar is now on and seems to be happy.
Have used it to attach a new bike rack - a Thule Ridgeline. Not exactly a cheap unit for carrying bikes at $495, but built tough and works well. Would recommend it if anyone is looking for a hitch mounted bike rack. Has an extra strap/cradle built in to stop the bikes swinging forward and back which is handy an also angles down a bit to give at least some access to the back door once mounted on the vehicle.
Matt

[a_grade Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close a_grade]

Thanks

There is a wiring harness available from Toyota dealers that plugs into the original vehicle harness & is a easy fit (the instructions probably say to remove the lh 1/4 panel inner trim to fit it but you can just remove the back mounting screws & pull the rear edge out far enough to gain access)

Make sure when you install it that the 2 grommets on the harness are fitted correctly into the holes in the body (not a great fit) or you will have dust leaks into the rear

To remove the rear bar cover is simple (from memory as i haven't done one for a couple of months) remove the floor carpet scuff plate, remove a couple of rivet type clips from the front underneath edge of the bar cover ,flick the cover off & remove the check strap bolt where it attaches to the body(while the rear bar cover is off temporarily reinstall the check strap bolt so the back door doesn't swing open to far) ,remove the black trim that runs across the back that covers the bar cover top mounting bolts,remove these 5 or 6 bolts,remove the 2 bolts underneath that hold the bar cover & separate the bar cover ends from the rear of the flares by pulling outwards on the bar cover while pushing in on the flares & it will unclip & the bar cover will come off (i think i have covered everything & it is easier to do than it sounds like from my description)

I hope i haven't confused you

Regards Don

Thanks Don,
Your instructions were very helpful.
My first post - have had the Prado for 5 years, but installing a Toyota towbar is the first bit of work I have done to it.

I didn't have to cut out the bumper because the previous owners had traded it at 1yr/50000km for the next year model and they took all of the accessories - even the trim around the bumper cutout!

It took me many hours over the weekend because when the removed the towbar, they must have had trouble with one bolt and they just ground it flat - that's not something you look for when buying a car. We I tried an easy-out, but it didn't work. I ended up buying a 12mm drill bit and drilling right through the frame and installing a 90*M12 bolt and nut. That'll probably be the only bolt holding the towbar on when the car falls apart.

I have a question - how do you mount the relays in the panel with the jack ?

[BigAussie Find all posts View Profile Close BigAussie]

Hi, new Prado owner, 2014 GX that I am setting up for touring. Fitted a Hayman Reese tow bar and wiring that came off Toyota Engineers 1 yo 3 door company car which he was handing back in. Had all instructions, read all the forum notes. Easy job. Couple of engineering changes to installation notes.
- chassis members have 2 bolts with captive nuts already in each side
- engineers tip, remove rear guard as final step by pushing up and in at top of flare on each side to unclip panel at top was spot on o/wise may damage upper clip on bar was spot on. Only tricky part, take carefully.
- small changes in retaining bolts and scrivetts but easy
- need to take off mud flaps each side as must be change here
- wiring straight forward, plug adjacent to jack so need to get in there
- floor grommet just outside of jack compartment. Approached from bottom, Cut grommet, fed up and wife (excellent apprentice) fed plug through and into compartment. Straight plug in from there. Plenty of silicone on grommet should seal it
- no captive nuts on inboard side of cross member, used h-r supplied wired female plates here (2). Fiddly but apprentice (little hands) did Ok.
- every bolt on bar accommodated ok
- had to modify mount point, plate for wiring plug on bar itself, easy.
Took us 3 hours being very careful.
Read up on snorkels and think that is next job....just to make sure it is done properly!
Oh, the H-R bar sits very nicely below rear guard, no cutting.