Tow Bars

[myoilburner Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close myoilburner]

I have been reading in the forums about the quality of the factory fitted "tow Bar" on the 2003 - 2009 Prado's. I've got a 2006 diesel GXL the tow bar is cast alloy not steel. Have seen and read about one which snapped in two. I tow a caravan about2 ton gross. Also use a WDH, Toyota say the tow bar is fine but will not give any grantee if I put the WDH on. Also have been told by a bar maker these bars are not much good Should I just take the risk? only seen one broken or should I get a new steel one

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Are you sure there cast alloy? I thought they were some sort of cast steel. I've got the factory one(08 model) and have used it for towing heaps. The last 8 months has been with a camper in tow weighing aprox 1600kg maybe more with towball weight of aprox 150kg. No probs so far although I've never used a WDH

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

If you're using a WDH swap it and yes it is cast alloy. Use a steel hitch in the alloy receiver and you're in trouble eventually. Every broken hitch receiver I have seen has been through using a WDH.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Ummm I assume by cast alloy you are saying it is aluminium. It isn't it is a cast steel. Put a magnet against the receiver. Of course steel is an alloy of iron so cast alloy is theoretically correct but I don't think that is what is being said.

[Guest Close Guest]

I thought it was cast iron...

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

amts you may be right I actually think it is an sg iron or similar cast steel but it isn't grey cast given the fracture pictures I have seen. I would also think that grey cast iron wouldn't be suitable for the service but could be wrong. Grey cast irons are magnetic but the machined 'hole' doesn't look like it. Happy to be corrected.

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

I think the main question is should he be worried towing with a WDH with a genuine Toyota bar which are a cast steel of sort rather than a steel section welded. Me think yes,if you can get a copy of the Kedron Caravan DVD on Fraser island you will see an example of one braking.
Russ

[myoilburner Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close myoilburner]

Thanks guys
Yes rags. you're right it's not an issue for me as to what the bar is made of but the safety factor in towing using my WDH. I have to use it as I feel without it the front end feels a little floaty. Perhaps I'm just being paranoid as usual. Also I have read of only 1 bar breaking that's not many in the big scheme of things and what was he doing to cause a snap. I am a black top woosy sorry guys I,m not gungho! so she always stays on the smooth maybe some secondary roads but thats about it. Now I'm trying to justify myself not to replace it.

[myoilburner Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close myoilburner]

Have just been reading owners manual over breakfast. Says on page 249
"quote" For towing purposes we recommend use of the following parts:
When towing a caravan trailer ect; use a distributing hitch "unquote"
I have seen it on forums that some folk are adamant that a WDH is a definite no no! So why is it in the Prado Manuel? It's a shame that some like to lead others down the proverbial garden path. To bad someone cant invent a forum BS blocker LOL.:shock:
PS to the admin man " I'm a lurker!!!!!" well !!!!

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Have just been reading owners manual over breakfast. Says on page 249
"quote" For towing purposes we recommend use of the following parts:
When towing a caravan trailer ect; use a distributing hitch "unquote"
I have seen it on forums that some folk are adamant that a WDH is a definite no no! So why is it in the Prado Manuel? It's a shame that some like to lead others down the proverbial garden path. To bad someone cant invent a forum BS blocker LOL.:shock:
PS to the admin man " I'm a lurker!!!!!" well !!!!

The Toyota manual isn't a bible. That was written before the vehicle was released and before there may have been problems.

I don't know or care either way as I don't own a 120, BUT usually people are just trying to help out and let others know what problems may arise.

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

Toyota's reply to the statement on page 249 is that the book is generic and covers all countries.Toyota Australia told me not to use a WDH of the type that is adjustable for height and distance from the receiver as this changes the dynamics of the vehicle and allows for greater stress.( the most popular bar on the market is this type ) I have seen steel bars brake the same as the cast ones and if you read the instructions from most bar manufacturers you will find they are very specific as to how they are used including not driving over speed bumps whilst conected, which basically means they are a lot of stuffing around to use correctly, and yes i know lots of Prado owners use them with great success.If in doubt contact Toyota.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Toyota's reply to the statement on page 249 is that the book is generic and covers all countries.Toyota Australia told me not to use a WDH of the type that is adjustable for height and distance from the receiver as this changes the dynamics of the vehicle and allows for greater stress.( the most popular bar on the market is this type ) I have seen steel bars brake the same as the cast ones and if you read the instructions from most bar manufacturers you will find they are very specific as to how they are used including not driving over speed bumps whilst conected, which basically means they are a lot of stuffing around to use correctly, and yes i know lots of Prado owners use them with great success.If in doubt contact Toyota.

Did they give you the measurements of where the ball must be in relation to the receiver?

Whether it's adjustable or not is irrelevant, you can buy non-adjustable hitches which sit 6 inches lower or higher or further out which add the same stresses.

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

Hi Wooley, no i did not get measurements, after talking to Toyota and Hayman Reece i decided not to go down the WDH path i upgraded my suspension instead, The current Mitsubishi utes are also having towbar problems, most of which seem to be related to the extra length hitches being used to clear the bodies. My daughters Pajero could not be used to tow a caravan with a standard hitch ,I think a better alternative in this case is the $70.00 lift bracket for the spare, you can then use a standard hitch and over come the strain problems.

[SWR Banned Find all posts View Profile Close SWR]

Damned If They Do And Damned If They Don't

Hi Guys

History "DOES" repeat ...... Ooooooh What a Feeeling! Theyal dump you!!! With full Honour! Lol

Toyota warranty requirements leave towing owners damned if they do and damned if they don't
http://www.goseeaustralia.com.au/art..._if_they_dont/

Current trend of Toyota Tow Bar PROBLEMS to be aware of....
http://www.bushtrackerforum.com/view...50c142f39d9ceb

PS It Sorta reminds me of the bull-bars!

[John Member Find all posts View Profile Close John]

Both links over a year old, and neither is related to the 120

The genuine towbar is made of cast steel (not iron). As I've posted before on this subject, I've towed an approx 2 ton tandem offroad caravan with the HR WDH over thousands of kays, with no problems whatsoever. One thing I always made a point of was removing the bars for really undulating terrain. This is just common sense for any towing combination (not just the 120) when using a WDH, because they aren't designed for the extreme angular displacements you might experience.

When exposed to extremes of movement, something has to give. It could be anything from bending the WDH bars, to the caravan A-frame bending/breaking, to the receiver or chassis bending or breaking.

Myoilburner, if you use common sense with the genuine towbar you should have few problems. You should also have your mounting bolts checked/tightened when you service the car (or get it serviced). That goes for any towbar on any vehicle...