towbars and suspension

[ABOUT TIME Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ABOUT TIME]

Hi …I have a 2009 -120 series (petrol) and I am in the process of ordering a caravan…..
I have read the past discussions on the 120 seriesToyota tow bars having problems.
I have a Toyota tow bar fitted and considering using a HR hitch …..I know that it will not fit without some slight alteration.
My van ( pop top) will weigh about approx 2300 kgs ( loaded - it has not been built yet)……it is heavy and I know that this will make me close to the 2500kg towing limit…
The GVM and the ATM will still be within the GCM
Can I get some advice on the following?
1) Should I remove the Toyota tow bar completely and buy a new HR bar
2) Will the standard suspension be ok….if not what should I fit
Ray

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: towbars and suspension

Hi …I have a 2009 -120 series (petrol) and I am in the process of ordering a caravan…..
Can I get some advice on the following?
1) Should I remove the Toyota tow bar completely and buy a new HR bar
2) Will the standard suspension be ok….if not what should I fit
Ray

1)replace the toyota towbar for the HR bar (as you may run equalisers and i have seen a toyota broke with this pressure),

2) we just got back from towing our van. the heavy duty suspension worked awesome. the extra ball weight and shocks from the van (hitting potholes) really gave the rear all the support and sterdyness it needed.
i think with the original suspension, it is just too soft and would allow the rear to twitch and this is not good at 80-90

[ABOUT TIME Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ABOUT TIME]

Re: towbars and suspension

thanks for that....knowing nothing about suspension ...what heavy suspension are you running.
Is it better to go to say ARB or TJM as against someone like Pedders

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: towbars and suspension

we used to use pedders at the toyota dealership when customer wanted upgrades,
but we found they sagged after about 12mths.
i currintly run old man emu heavy and it is great when towing the van.
either TJM or ARB will have equally good suspension packages available.
stick with the bigger guys as if you have a problem (not likely) they have many sites across aust to get to going again

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: towbars and suspension

1 - yes
2 - no, I fitted OME medium and polyairs, I tow 1.5T

[ABOUT TIME Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ABOUT TIME]

Re: towbars and suspension

Thanks guys - appreciate your advice......new HR tow bar and upgrade suspension on the to do list.

Happy new year to you both and all members and visitors....Ray

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: towbars and suspension

1. Yes
2. I run Iron Man constant load mediums in the back
I also tow approx 1.5 tonnes loaded.

I do not know about the d4d motor but i have the old diesel and based on its performance i will be going 100 or 200 series next as i feel 1.5 tonnes is a very slow drive

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

Re: towbars and suspension

Hi. My 120 series has now done 40000 km. 15000 towing. after discussions with toyota re the WDH and looking into the towbar failures, and finding Toyota are not the only ones with issues, i settled on, King Springs standard rate springs, Bilstein dampers and poly airs at 20 psi. This means no issues with towbars or WDH. we tow 2200kg with comfort, and also have a great ride when empty.Try a few variations with P.P. members before buying, it is expensive if you get it wrong.
Cheers Bribiejohn

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

Re: towbars and suspension

1. Yes change it

2. I tow a 2.2 ton van on the standard suspension and find everything ok,and i sit on the speed limit.
The only time i have a problem is when the road has ruts in it,then i wish for better suspension