Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I can post up some pics tomorrow now that I have finally changed mine over. I must say though that Hayman reese hitch is so much stronger than the toyota OEM version. there is a lot of extra steel work and it is considerably more substantial. I now have much more confidence in the hitch when towing the van.

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I can post up some pics tomorrow now that I have finally changed mine over. I must say though that Hayman reese hitch is so much stronger than the toyota OEM version. there is a lot of extra steel work and it is considerably more substantial. I now have much more confidence in the hitch when towing the van.

Yes please!

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I can post up some pics tomorrow now that I have finally changed mine over. I must say though that Hayman reese hitch is so much stronger than the toyota OEM version. there is a lot of extra steel work and it is considerably more substantial. I now have much more confidence in the hitch when towing the van.

You don't happen to have a definative answer for the difference in height between the Toyota and HR hutches?

Cheers,

Leachy

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I will look into it tomorrow as I still have my toyota hitch sitting on the floor in the shed, plus I will put up some pictures.....

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

OK, sorry I didn't get this posted last night but didn't get time......

Anyway, the difference in hitch height between the toyota and the hayman reese hitch receiver bars is approx 13mm. That is that the hayman reese version will sit about 13mm higher. This can been seen in the pictures below:-



In the above shot you can see that the top face of the square hitch receiver tube approx is 23mm below where the hitch bolts onto the cars rear subframe for the toyota bar. I'm sorry about the picture, but you have to add in the extra bit at the end of the ruler which I didn't notice until I put the pics on the computer, so yes the ruler is reading 20mm but you have to look at where the end of the ruler is flush with. (perhaps I better redo the picture if its too hard to follow!?)



And more clearly in this angle. taken from the side of the hitch receiver it can been seen that the hitch receiver square tube does not sit flush against the bottom of the cars rear sub frame.

But the Hayman reese version does, and if you take into account that the wall thckness of the square hitch receiver part is 5mm and there is a double wall between the hitch receiver tube and the rear sub frame,then the hayman reese hitch square tube will be 10mm below the rear sub frame and thus 13mm higher than the toyota version.

HOPE THATS NOT TOO CONFUSING!!

Looking at the hayman reese version from the side...



it can been seen how much more substantial it is with 4 bolts at the front and 2 both on the bottom and on the front.

It also has brackets for the fitting of andersons plugs etc..





Pity about the hole left in the bumper but I will put a piece of black rubber in there to tidy it up.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

DustyBum,

Thank you for the measurements and pictures it is greatly appreciated.
Did the bolts for the HR hitch come with the hitch, or did you need to buy them seperately?
Also what is the round plug on your towbar?

Cheers,
Leachy

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Yup all the bolts were included although it was a few washers short. It also inlcuded the wiring kit which I didn't need but might sell with the OEM toyota hitch.
The round plug is for the camera on the back of my van. Its the caravan/trailer pro quick disconnect kit from Aeropro, I had trouble finding a connection system for the camera which was robust enough and water/dust proof too and this one seems to do the job. I can send you a link if you like.
Cheers
Rob

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

The round plug is for the camera on the back of my van. Its the caravan/trailer pro quick disconnect kit from Aeropro, I had trouble finding a connection system for the camera which was robust enough and water/dust proof too and this one seems to do the job. I can send you a link if you like.

That would be great - I've been looking for plug/socket for a camera on the back of my camper that will stand up to offroad conditions.

Thanks,
Leachy

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

I used this connect kit

http://aerpro.com.au/list.php?pcode=CTX ... T&cat_sno=

http://aerpro.com.au/list.php?pcode=ARV ... D&cat_sno=

http://aerpro.com.au/list.php?pcode=PLA ... D&cat_sno=

as well as an extenion lead from them which I didn't see just now on their web page and I simply adapted it to suit the AV in on my in dash gps system. Works fantastic and I can check out the back of the van at any time. The connections are a plug and screw in system so they seal up pretty good.
I had the local Autobarn store order in the stuff for me and they also gave me about 20% off so I was very happy. :P :lol:

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Thanks for the pics Dustybum. I'll put my thinking cap on to how to cover the gap. I wonder what a new bumper skin is worth.

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

In this picture you can see the extra gussets that this hayman reese has at the front most section of the square tube where it will be in behind (and infront of ) the rear sub frame when mounted.



When I purchased this hayman reese hitch receiver I was told it is actually for the 150 series Prado but it will fit the 120 series and it has more gussets etc than the 120 series hitch receiver. As mentioned earlier it also has the brackets for attaching the andersons plug and trailer plug. There are also extra gussets mounted at 45 deg down the sides of the hitch tube.

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Is this the standard version of the hayman reece towbar? As i had thought that there was a considerable bit more bar work involved?
Such what may be found on a Light or Heavy duty version.

If this is the case, does anyone have any pics of such an install/arrangement?

Matt

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

Re: Changing from OEM tow hitch to Hayman Reese

Sorry about the last picture, the Hayman reese bar is on the right and yes it is considerably heavier in construction over the toyota one on the left. The hayman reese hitch receiver is rated at 3000kg and 300kg towball weight.

[FC_Holden Member Find all posts View Profile Close FC_Holden]

Bump, so I can find this with a search

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

any idea on approx price of hayman reece bar versus toyota bar?