120 Towbar recall

[dagree Member Find all posts View Profile Close dagree]

Well I was about to do the same myoilburner and spend a few hundred $'s to swap the towbar for a Hayman Reece so I could "officially" use the HR WDH bars with it.
No need to do it now as we just upgraded the caravan to a new model off-road with a trigg off-road hitch which cannot be used with a WDH system.
So instead of it costing me $400 - $500 for a new towbar I solved the problem by purchasing a $50K van and ordering $1,500 worth of suspension including airbags

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

I have just removed my Toyota towbar to fit a Hayman Reese. It took ages to get the bolts out as they were very nearly seized. Now I can't get the bolts out of the factory tie down point on the left side. No one puts any kind of lubrication on threads anymore.

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

So instead of it costing me $400 - $500 for a new towbar I solved the problem by purchasing a $50K van and ordering $1,500 worth of suspension including airbags

I'd still swap the towbar rather than having the OE piece of cr@p, you are towing $50K after all...

[dagree Member Find all posts View Profile Close dagree]

I'd still swap the towbar rather than having the OE piece of cr@p, you are towing $50K after all...

Thinking about getting new one and fitting it when I put the prado on the hoist when changing the suspension in a couple of weeks.

[3810pault Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 3810pault]

Hi All,
Been a bit quiet on this issue over the last few months due to an ongoing claim with Toyota, to get them to replace this Free Of Charge with A New Bumper Bar.
As you can imagine they are doing everything possible to get out of this because if one claim gets through, then everyone will be claiming.
Tried the ACCC but they do not deal with these issues, It is now with the hands of Department of Infrastructure and Regional development who is investigating this issue against ADR Rules and previous cases of failure.

After a few letters back and forth to Toyota, they agree that when using their tow system it is fit for purpose and complies with ADR (tow bar and LDH) however if you decide to use another hitch the claim is disregarded and is on your shoulders.
In fact you are probably better not going to Toyota to get the bolts changed or for the CSE, because once you do, you actually know of this issue and cannot go backwards and state you didn't know of a CSE (which should be labelled as a safety issue.)
I checked with insurance both car and caravan and even they will not cover you in the event of an accident as Toyota states only to use their product.

Moving forward, i have had enough... went to TJM Pakenham and replaced mine with a Class 4 HR Tow bar,($540 fitted) even the blokes at TJM could not believe what they took off as a factory approved tow bar, and it was only really worthy of the scrap bin.
To cover up the big hole left from the factory one i used a cover plate found on the 150 series rigs, (Part Number PZQ64-60160RC - Rear Cover Kit Toyota Prado 09) cost me $17.50 from Toyota and with a little modification the hole was covered up and I don't need a new bumper bar.

Overall the tow bar height is now lower by 35mm from factory, mine has a 2 inch lift kit so it now actually tows level with my off road caravan when using the HR drop hitch and suits me quite well.

Paul.

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

Just had mine in for checked and local Toyota replaced all 4 bolts and then took it for a TEST DRIVE. Not sure what they were testing.

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Just had mine in for checked and local Toyota replaced all 4 bolts and then took it for a TEST DRIVE. Not sure what they were testing.

Thats confidence inspiring Terry!

Were they testing that the four bolts wont fall out or something!!!

p.s there are SIX bolts not four...

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

To cover up the big hole left from the factory one i used a cover plate found on the 150 series rigs, (Part Number PZQ64-60160RC - Rear Cover Kit Toyota Prado 09) cost me $17.50 from Toyota and with a little modification the hole was covered up and I don't need a new bumper bar.

That's a neat idea, well done!

Any pics of the trailer plug mounting? I have the same HR hitch and my plugs are directly beside the loops for the chains.

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

I am sure they replaced all 6 - didn't realise that.

[sacred cow Member Find all posts View Profile Close sacred cow]

Hi All,


To cover up the big hole left from the factory one i used a cover plate found on the 150 series rigs, (Part Number PZQ64-60160RC - Rear Cover Kit Toyota Prado 09) cost me $17.50 from Toyota and with a little modification the hole was covered up and I don't need a new bumper bar.



Paul.

Thanks, Paul, for your invaluable input. I, too, have got nowhere with my complaint to Toyota. Imagine having a job in the Toyota "Customer Experience" department where you are paid good money to pretend their product is up to scratch.

Does the Rear Cover Kit Toyota Prado 09 come in one colour only? Is it supposed to be painted?

Glenn

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

after my car was serviced last week, they informed me they did the tow bar check. No new bolts, no sticker on the door or in the manual. I have a shiny new sticker on tow bar tongue, and a pamphlet on towing in the glove box. At least i know that they actually did something, as the plastic panels were not properly put back in place, so they must have at least taken them out. Doesnt instil much confidence in the standard of work to rectify a safety issue, when there isnt even enough diligence to reinstate the panels correctly.

As others have mentioned, all of the reading material inform me that any problems that may arise are my fault. Considering that this is a safety concern, a bit more customer engagement and education would be a good idea.

[3810pault Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 3810pault]

That's a neat idea, well done!

Any pics of the trailer plug mounting? I have the same HR hitch and my plugs are directly beside the loops for the chains.

Hi D4D,
Thanks mate, saw the 150 series with this on them and thought, ill give that crack, there is a little hole at the bottom but unnoticeable for someone who is not looking for it.
12 Pin Trailer Plug has been mounted about 200mm away from the chains on the LH side and screwed to the towbar rail you can see it in the pic above, not sure how it will go if the car was to bottom out during 4wding but.

[3810pault Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 3810pault]

Thanks, Paul, for your invaluable input. I, too, have got nowhere with my complaint to Toyota. Imagine having a job in the Toyota "Customer Experience" department where you are paid good money to pretend their product is up to scratch.

Does the Rear Cover Kit Toyota Prado 09 come in one colour only? Is it supposed to be painted?

Glenn

Hi Glenn
It comes in a black plastic which does not need to be painted, just screwed on the top and riveted through the plastic on the bottom to the bumper bar.
Not sure if you could paint them without the paint flaking off over time?

[dwr69417 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dwr69417]

Anyone heard of this before - talking to a guy at Opposite Lock today and he informed one of his fitters brother has a 120 Prado 2008 D4D and he took it to his local Toyota dealer for the towbar recall check and after they had finished they informed him his tow capacity had now been officially down rated to 2250kg?

Regards

Dave W
dwr69417

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

I took my 2006 Grande in for a 175,000 km service to Toyota service last week, and here are the details I was told about the Prado Tow Bar Recall.
I have a HR LL adjustable hitch, tow a caravan, and was told to not tow again until they take off the bumper. Then they use a Factory supplied Set Square and check tow bar, if it is >1mm out, it is taken off and replaced.

I was told that a tow bar snapped off as a 'van overturned, lucky that as the Prado was O.K. allegedly...

They keep my HR hitch complete, and replace it with a Toyota LL hitch and the LL bars and clips. Not sure what that is, but will report after recall is completed.