HR tow bar fitting concerns

[Woody Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Woody]

Hi all,

I just had a HR hitch receiver fitted to my VX.
The install looked neat and tidy, but when I got home I put a spanner on the accessible mounting bolts just to be sure, and guess what?
I figure if I can put a quarter turn extra on an M12 bolt with a short open ended spanner, then it wasn't tight enough to start with.

Closer inspection revealed another potential problem: The 4 mounting points on the bar which are accessible when the plastic bumper is re-fitted are all slotted holes to allow for easy fitting. No problem there, but the installer had put the bolts in with a split retaining washer only and no flat washers. The problem here is that the split washers distort into the slotted hole as you tighten them and they never really do what they are supposed to do. Initially I just tightened them up a bit more, but the washers distorted more and it obviously didn't help.

Eventually, I bit the bullet and pulled the four accessible bolts out and re-fitted them with new spring wasers, large flat washers and Loctite 270 for that extra level of insurance.

I also checked the mounting bolts which are hidden behind the plastic bumper. They do have flat washers in place and they were also tight. I'm glad about that, as I really didn't want to pull the plastic bumper back off.

This is what the install looked like from the fitters:



This shows the split washer distorting into the slotted hole. The more I tightened the bolt, the more out of shape the washer became:



The slotted mounting holes:



And the final result after I added some thick plate washers for the split washers to seat on:



I haven't mentioned who installed the bar as I don't think it's relevant. I've seen this type of thing many times before (that's why I check......) and it isn't restricted to one particular installer or company. I don't think the bar was about to fall off, but it wasn't right either.

I suggest anyone with a HR tow bar might want to invest 5 minutes of their time and crawl under the rear of the car and at least check that these bolts are tight!
Hope this helps someone.

Woody

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

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Hmmm looks like HR have gone back to the 120 Toyota OE style towbar for the 150, interesting.

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

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Hi

Are they the only bolts holding the bar on?

Regards, Richo.

[Woody Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Woody]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Hi

Are they the only bolts holding the bar on?

Regards, Richo.

There are 8 bolts in total.
Four are on the back of the rear crossmember and not easy to get to as they are covered by the plastic bumper.
Two are on the front (i.e. towards the front of the car) of the rear crossmember and two are underneath the crossmember.

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Good one Woody I got the same HR tow bar fitted. Its a neat and strong hitch, I'll check my installation after your good advice.

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Looking at the HR I'm happy that I went with the Wynnum Towbars one, as has a bar that bolts onto the right and left chassis. A much better spread of force rather than just the centre of the vehicles crossmember.

Paul

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

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Looking at the HR I'm happy that I went with the Wynnum Towbars one, as has a bar that bolts onto the right and left chassis. A much better spread of force rather than just the centre of the vehicles crossmember.

Paul

Paul, could we get some photo's?

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

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Looking at the HR I'm happy that I went with the Wynnum Towbars one, as has a bar that bolts onto the right and left chassis. A much better spread of force rather than just the centre of the vehicles crossmember.

Paul

Paul, could we get some photo's?

Hi Hutch

On the 150 series thread there are photos of mine and Pauls towbars, a really good design by a company that has been doing custom towbars for 30 years. Don't be put off by the low budget premises, top tradesman.

Regards, Richo.

[FROGS1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close FROGS1]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Hi all, I am a new owner (and member of Pradopoint) of a Dec. 2010 Prado GXL with 200Km on the clock.
I have been following the discussions regarding tow bars and the use of a WDH.
I have noticed that earlier Toyota factory tow units of cast (iron/steel) design which only attached to the rear cross member behind the plastic bumper and, from this discussion group, I understand there has been at least 1 failure.
These pre 2010 factory units look neat and I am sure when fitted and used within their limits are satisfactory.
I note the new tow bars offered by Toyota for thr 2010 Prado consists of a steel (non Cast) unit and connects to the outer longitunial chassis rails. This is very similar to 95% of tow bar fittings.
The Hayman Reese units I have seen for a 2010 Prado are similar to the earlier factory units in that they only connect to the rear cross member. They look neat but needs a good fitter to clean up the cutout in the plastic bumper.
Personally, I could put up with the 'tow bar look' of the factory unit if it did the job and did not comprise the warranty.
I would appreciate any constructive discussion on this issue.
FROGS1

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

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Hi Frogs1

Have a look at the photos of Brains and my towbars from Wynnum Towbars and you will see what I believe one of the cleanest looking and strongest bars available for the 150 Prado. Bolted to the rear cross member and the chassis rails without drilling new holes. The only drawback is that with a trailer connected the reverse park sensors go off when reversing (push the button and turn them off for reversing), I understand that the original Toyota bar doesn't do this.

Regards, Richo.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Hi Richo,

I have the Toyota bar and when the trailer is connected the reverse park sensors do go off when reversing. So as you said in your post switch the reverse parking sensors off when the trailer is attached. Not really a problem, just remember to switch them on again.


Cheers
REV

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Frog1,

Here is the link to the Photo's of Richosen's and my Wynnum Towbar. I counldn't be happier with mine glad I got it over the genuine and HR.

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=8353

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

Re: HR tow bar fitting concerns

Frogs1,

Here is the link to the Photo's of Richosen's and my Wynnum Towbar. I am extremely happy with mine, glad I got it over the genuine bar or HR.

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=8353