Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

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

Hi all,

I'm thinking of swapping my standard dealer fitted Toyota heavy duty hitch receiver for a Hayman Reese heavy duty hitch receiver after reading about the toyota hitch failing when being used with a HR weight distributon hitch.
With the dearler fitted tow hitch a section of the rear bumber has been cut out to accomodate it. It appears that with the hayman reese hitch it doesn't require as much of the rear bumber being removed.
What have others done in this situation? Does it look ok with a hole in the bumber above the hitch? Any suggestions or comments???

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I've been waiting for somebody else to do this so I can see what it looks like

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I had Hayman reese send me the fitting instructions and in there it shows that the rear bumper needs a section 60mm high and 80 mm wide removed, This is quite a bit smaller than what has been removed already by the toyota guys. Really don't know how its going to look......

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I'm wanting to do the same but like D4D waiting for someone else to go first. We are looking at getting a camper trailer (possibly a Trak Shak Majestic) and I want a real tow hitch, not some cast iron rubbish. When I've had a quick look at some other Hayman Reece hitches they don't seem to cut up as high as the Toyota one into the rear bumper as they come straight out where as the Toyo one has an upward angle.

[FC_Holden Member Find all posts View Profile Close FC_Holden]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

If you are using a flat tow plug and anderson plug socket you could mount them above the hitch in the space left by removing the toyota hitch, this would serve the dual purpose of filling up the space and getting the plugs away from the ground and minimise the chance of removing them with a rock whilst on the tracks

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

If you are using a flat tow plug and anderson plug socket you could mount them above the hitch in the space left by removing the toyota hitch, this would serve the dual purpose of filling up the space and getting the plugs away from the ground and minimise the chance of removing them with a rock whilst on the tracks

"Ideas" Man

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

If you are using a flat tow plug and anderson plug socket you could mount them above the hitch in the space left by removing the toyota hitch, this would serve the dual purpose of filling up the space and getting the plugs away from the ground and minimise the chance of removing them with a rock whilst on the tracks

"Ideas" Man

Yeah I really do have to agree with you there, that's a bloody good idea FC Holden! Now you got me thinking, and that could be dangerous. I'll see how it works and post up my results in due course.. Thanks must go to FC Holden for the top idea though!

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I bought an installed a Curt Hitch from a Lexus GX470 from the US. It fit perfectly, the only problem is that the secondary holes do not line up, easily taken care of by your average handy man. Good luck.

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

The Prado hand book recomends using a distribution hitch, however if you contact Toyota they will advise against a hitch saying it could void warranty.This is the case with a Toyota bar and a hayman bar, hayman warranty is for the bar and hitch only,not damage to the vehicle.The RACQ and the Caravan Industry Assoc.recomends using a hitch on a Prado. It seems you are stuffed both ways.It seems some people have been using a hitch when off road and twisting the tow vehicle.I think I will change the suspension and sell the hitch.

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I have Hayman reece style bar fitted to my 120. It was fitted by Vic Park towbars after I quized the dealer about whether the factory towbar was rated for snatching. When the dealer replied that the factory piece was not rated I had them fit the bar at delivery. It's covered under the NCW. It also came with a Toyota tongue and ball and a rated recovery bit with shackle. And it was actually cheaper than the factory option!

There are 6 bolts: 2 per side into each rail and 2 bolts in the middle of the rear cross member. There is no cutting nor removal of the bumper required for fitting. Most of the bar sits up under the rear of the bumper with mostly only the central hitch receiver and trailer plug exposed.

I have performed several snatches using the supplied recovery receiver fitted into the hitch.

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

It really does sound lilke I will be changing my tow bar over to a Hayman reese hitch, regardless if I'm putting on a set of the weight distribution bars.
Looking at the instructions from Hayman Reese though it definitely does show that a section of the rear bumper needs to be removed.

I'm interested Bushbasher in any pictures if you have them of your towbar fitted without any of the rear bumper removed??

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Wierd ...my Hayman Reese towbar needed a section cut out of the rear plastic as pictured ....they did it with a Stanley knife ..



as for the rusting hitch pin it's not Hayman Reese but SuperCheep's locking pin, guess ya get what ya pay for. :?

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Thanks ozwapet2, Thats about what I expected in terms of the cut out as your picture shows it, pretty much the same as in the instructions from Hayman Reese. It is quite a lot smaller than the cutout that has already been made in my rear bumper which has been made to suit the Toyota bar. As suggested earlier in the thread by some very smart forward thinking person, I might make use of the extra cutout to mount the various tow plugs.

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Ive got the Haymen reese one only difference to take into consideration it seems to sit higher when lined up with the toyota one

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Somebody posted pics of the resulting gap but I can't find them now...