Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

[rexie04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rexie04]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

I'm sure you will be happy with both the Product and the Service,

Don't forget to ask about Air Bag valve mounts, they welded a tab on for me at no extra cost and it's one of those things that isn't in the way if you don't use it but is bloody handy if you do

My 120 is a 2004 model and I have towed a quite bit of stuff and with the caravan loaded properly and the weight distribution bars the car sits very level so I have never thought about air bags - do you recommend?

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

If you don't need them then, no

With our Trackabout Safari on the back and with the car (120 GXL) loaded up it used to sit down at the back, I fitted the air bags (using info from this site) and that leveled things out, I only used about 10 psi max, so it didnt take much.

The reason I went with air bags and not stiffer rear springs is that most of the cars use was unloaded and I didn't want to lose the comfort of standard weight (lifted) springs.

Heavy duty springs would have been cheaper about $120-$140 the air bags were $275 at the time, about four years ago.

It worked for us, but I wouldn't say it's right for everyone nor every situation.

[an000 Member Find all posts View Profile Close an000]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

I have the toyota tow bar fitted today by the dealer to the 150 VX
While checking out the completed installation, the plastic clip for the cover popped out.
Which was a good thing, because as I tried to put it back, I found two missing bolts that are supposed to hold the plastic bumper bar to the frame.
I assume this is not intentional, can someone with a Toyota tow bar check this out for me?
Not sure why the photo here looks up-side-down

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

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Is that better? :wink:

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

I found two missing bolts that are supposed to hold the plastic bumper bar to the frame.
I assume this is not intentional, can someone with a Toyota tow bar check this out for me?

Check the first page of this thread where there is a photo of another install. The holes where the bumper tabs are, are cable tied back to the frame.

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Hi William
By the looks, the bracket under the bumper is still there on your car. It should be there and have a bolt through the bumper into the bracket. It's a 6mm bolt from memory. Is the one on the other side there?
Peter

[an000 Member Find all posts View Profile Close an000]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Thanks all,

I went back to the dealer and complained, the installer looked at the two empty holes, took the car back to Pre-Delivery and came out with the missing bolts now installed. I asked if he just took the bolts from somewhere but he said "They are the same ones from the car". So there were bolts laying around and he couldn't be bothered fitting them in properly. I wonder how many people have missing bolts from their installs but never realised!

I was planning to bring the prado there for regular services but I don't think I want to be back to this place any more

[rexie04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rexie04]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Just picked my Prado up from Wynnum Towbars - I can understand why everyone is so happy, they are a great family business. Nothing is too much trouble and neat as a pin. They did the towbar, electric brakes, video system for the van and tow hitch, outlet for my sat nav as well as 2 power outlets in the back for the fridge and anything else. All done in 1 day and then took me through everything just make sure I was happy. I haven't had service like that for a long time so I will referring others to them.
Thanks again to Leo, Jason and Matt of Wynnum Towbars.

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

G'day rexie04, What brand of towbar did you have installed by Wynnum Towbars?

[rexie04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rexie04]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

G'day rexie04, What brand of towbar did you have installed by Wynnum Towbars?

They make their own very strong and neat.

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Thanks for that info.

Regards
Bassett

[woody50 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close woody50]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Hi rexie04

Wynnum Towbars certainly do a good job - Have a had a number of bars done by them. Will be getting them to do much the same as you have done when my new prado arrives at the end of Jan.

Noticed your camera underneath - what a great idea for hooking up the caravan. Did it replace the camera in the centre of the spare wheel which obviously can't see the towball or are both connected up.

Also what Sat Nav System did you fit? My Iphone has GPS but not much use as every time I get in a spot someone rings the phone and I loose the GPS. So I am looking at fitting and indash system as the GXL screen is a bit small anyway so a good 7-8' in dash system seems to be a much idea .

Cheers
Woody

[rexie04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rexie04]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Hi rexie04

Wynnum Towbars certainly do a good job - Have a had a number of bars done by them. Will be getting them to do much the same as you have done when my new prado arrives at the end of Jan.

Noticed your camera underneath - what a great idea for hooking up the caravan. Did it replace the camera in the centre of the spare wheel which obviously can't see the towball or are both connected up.

Also what Sat Nav System did you fit? My Iphone has GPS but not much use as every time I get in a spot someone rings the phone and I loose the GPS. So I am looking at fitting and indash system as the GXL screen is a bit small anyway so a good 7-8' in dash system seems to be a much idea .

Cheers
Woody

Hi Woody,

The camera is addition to the camera on the spare wheel. I have another screen above the dash which switches between the undercar camera and the camera on the back of the van. I use the one on the back of the van as a rear vision mirror which takes away the need to have towing mirrors. I got the setup from Derek at Sidewinder.

GPS I just use a Tom Tom and had an outlet put under the dash so I don't have wires everywhere. I have just ordered a combination GPS, DVD, Radio etc that plugs into all the Toyota plugs and has a 8" screen, it fits perfectly into where the original radio and small screen are located. I have bought and getting it landed from China for around $550 not much more than a standard GPS and it takes my Tom Tom maps for Australia.

I will write a review after I have had it installed which may not be until after christmas now.

Mike

[woody50 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close woody50]

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

Hi Mike

Thanks for the info. That explained a few things.

Looking forward to your review of the new in-dash system.

cheers
Woody

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

Re: Anyone installed Toyota Factory Towbar

I just finished installing the factory tow bar kit. What a mongrel job! But I saved $$$$. I paid $600.06 for the tow bar and harness. I contemplated letting Toyota do it after I opened the box and seen what was involved but then I called them and they wanted $360 to fit it so I did it myself. It turned out very well I think. The worst part which was mentioned before in this thread is getting the rubber grommets on the wiring harness to fit correctly. It took a bit but I managed also done it with out removing the left hand rear interior panel.