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120 Towbar recall
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It's an escape clause to save them being sued, something they can do that is cheaper than a recall and redesign of the bar. Toyota used to have principals, now it's all about the money The Hamman Reece after market towbar bar values just went up if you asked me. AJ120, you about to get a flood of towbar requests from all those Grey Nomads with Vans hehehe.2[FONT=Arial Narrow]008 Prado GXL D4D Auto with Prado Pack
4x4 History: 2000 Prado GXL 90 Series 1KZ-TE, 1992 4runner 2.8 Motson turbo, 1985 Landcruiser 60 Series 3.9L Diesel, 1985 4Runner 2L 2.4 Diesel later mod. + 2.4T (Factory Turbo), 1982 Hilux 2.2L Diesel in Yellow (callsign 'Yellow Peril') later mod. + 2.4L engine[/FONT]
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Hi there,
I read an article in Caravan & Motorhome Magazine in Mid 2007 indicating that the "Gall Boys" had broken a Genuine Toyota 120 Prado Towbar on Fraser Island.
That prompted me to check mine, as I'd just returned from a trip Sydney to Darwin return, towing my caravan.
One of the bolts on the bottom of the towbar had snapped & fallen out & the towbar was twisted.
In August 2007, my towbar was replaced "No Charge" by Toyota, even though my Prado was out of warranty.
I was quizzed at the time re my van, WDH etc.
I replaced the vehicle in 2010 & even though I no longer owned the vehicle I was quizzed again about the towbar.
If you remove one of the "Bottom Bolts", you will see that the hole in the towbar & the chassis is much bigger than the diameter of the bolt.
You will also note that there is a recess in the towbar for the washer & the washer actually locates the bolt in the towbar.
I'll stand correcting, however I believe that because the bolt is not a "Snug Fit" in the towbar, as you stop & start the bolt gets "Worked Back & Forth", until it snaps & the towbar twists or breaks.
I have photos, however I can't work out how to post them.
Tar Trek.Last edited by Tar Trek; 15-10-2013, 02:51 PM.
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I no longer have an owners manual but I seem the remember it was clear that using a WDH with the Toyota tow bar would void the warranty. Over the years there have been a number of threads across numerous forums discussing failure of 120 Prado Toyota tow bars with WDH fitted. Kaymar also states that use of a WDH with their rear bars / tow bars will void warranty. This really should not be a surprise. If you want / need to use a WDH get a Haymen Reese tow bar which has been designed and tested to work with a WDH.
AJ - what is your position on the use of WDH with your bar?EX-Prado Owner
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Originally posted by leachy_9 View PostAJ - what is your position on the use of WDH with your bar?
Having said all that I believe mine would be stronger than the cast Toyota hitch.
Cheers Andrew[COLOR="#FF0000"]So Long and Thanks for all the Fish![/COLOR]
[url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3840-AJ-s-120-Prado]MY PRADO AND DIY CAMPER TRAILER[/url]
[url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3975-AJ-s-79-series-Cruiser-Ute]MY HZJ79 Landcrusier[/url]
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I picked up my 2007 Prado today after a 90 000k service and my tow bar had been replaced. They wouldn't call it a "recall" instead referring to it as some sort of "customer dissatisfaction response" as people had experienced cracking in the tow bar from using load distribution devices. I don't tow anything more than a 6 x 4 box trailer but my bolts were found to have signs of movement so they replaced the whole lot. Apparently it's a more heavy duty version of the old one. It looks the same as far as I can tell and comes with the warning sticker on it. The service guy said that letter's hadn't yet been sent out to customers regarding the issue.Morrie,
2007 GXL, 4.0L, Auto, Winch, spotlights, lightbar, snorkel, diff breathers, dual battery, CB, OME 2in lift, roof rack, Cooper ST Maxxis, fridge slide, cargo barrier, side awning, rear awning, overhead console, rear door table, external 12v supply.
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Originally posted by Tar Trek View PostIf you remove one of the "Bottom Bolts", you will see that the hole in the towbar & the chassis is much bigger than the diameter of the bolt.
You will also note that there is a recess in the towbar for the washer & the washer actually locates the bolt in the towbar.
I'll stand correcting, however I believe that because the bolt is not a "Snug Fit" in the towbar, as you stop & start the bolt gets "Worked Back & Forth", until it snaps & the towbar twists or breaks.
Tar Trek.
AdesSilver '04 KZJ120~Manual~GXL~Dobinson/Kings lift~Custom valved Ironmans~Detroit Locker~Endless Air~X9 Superwinch~Madman EMS1~TJM Dual Battery~Rhino Roof Tray~120W solar panel~Foxwing awning~Bushskinz UVP~Long Ranger water tank~Bushman fridge~Steinbauer P-Box~Beaudesert 2 3/4"~Airtec Snorkel~TJM Sliders~Prico Boost Gauge~BFG-KO2s~TPMS~GME TX3420~Front and Rear Cameras~Ultimate Camper hanging off the back!
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Originally posted by Tar Trek View PostHi there,
I read an article in Caravan & Motorhome Magazine in Mid 2007 indicating that the "Gall Boys" had broken a Genuine Toyota 120 Prado Towbar on Fraser Island.
Tar Trek.
It broke when the car went down a dip and as it started to come out is when the caravan was going in so you could imagine the forces pushing down on the towbar.Cheers, Leon
There's no such thing as a wrong turn... it's just the scenic route!
1998 VX Grande 95... gone, 2008 GXL 120... almost gone... 2017 GXL 150... blank canvas
Optix Photographix
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Ok checked the other day, it's not a safety issue so no official recall, but as stated above its a customer satisfaction issue. You won't be getting a letter.
If you own a Prado 120 with Gen. Towbar have it checked for bolt tension and any warping or cracking of the Towbar itself. If faulty you get a new Towbar
If you use a WDH, Toyota will replace it free of charge with their Genuine (recently released) WDH.
Pretty simple really, case closed.
Get the service guys to search their service bulletins if you get the common blank look.
(Edit: if you have non-gen Towbar then it doesn't apply)Last edited by Hendo66; 19-10-2013, 10:19 AM.
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Originally posted by yowie View PostIs the 150 tow bar the same design/measurement/number of bolts as the 120?
Cheers Andrew[COLOR="#FF0000"]So Long and Thanks for all the Fish![/COLOR]
[url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3840-AJ-s-120-Prado]MY PRADO AND DIY CAMPER TRAILER[/url]
[url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3975-AJ-s-79-series-Cruiser-Ute]MY HZJ79 Landcrusier[/url]
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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