Tow Bar

[BenRM]

Hi,

I've read previous threads on tow bars but I'm still not clear about the best option. Been quoted around £1000 (to fit towbar and electrics to my Rav4 4.3 XT4) by two different Toyota dealerships. One of them admitted to me it was a crazy amount, but they couldn't do anything about it.

It's considerably cheaper to go to an independent towbar specialist, but I'm a little concerned about letting them mess with the electrical side of a car that seems (to me) so complex. A *****-up on my Focus, when the worst that can happen is I lose an indicator or break light, wouldn't worry me so much... but the whole 4WD system on the Rav4 seems so tied to the electrical system the idea of somebody non-Toyota snipping and soldering worries me.

So while I've been getting quotes I've been suggesting to independents that I supply them with the original Toyota towbar loom, but they seem reluctant. Here's what one said:

With regard to the electrics we tend to use universal electrics rather than specific kits as you may incur an added expense by having to take the vehicle to be recoded at a Toyota dealer. The universal kit is fully type approved and we use all necessary relays. We solder all joints and the towbar comes with a life time guarantee for as long as you own the vehicle (requirements have to be met) and the electrics are guaranteed by ourselves.

So - what do you think? Does that make any sense? Am I being massively overcautious? Should I just trust an independent specialist?

All advice, recommendations (I'm in Gloucestershire), much appreciated.

Thanks. B

[Davrav]

Hi Ben and welcome to the club - maybe we can start the Gloucestershire chapter :D

Can't advise specifically about towbar fitting but others have done the whole job, some have fitted the bar and had electrics done by a specialist. Fitting the bar is pretty straight forward I think.

Can't see why your chappie isn't keen to use genuine loom as everything you need is there and should be 'plug and play' as far as I can see. As far as I am aware, if you use the Toyota kit there is no need to cut or solder anything.

Search the AIM site for your model to get an idea for what is involved: LINK

LINK

Kingo is your man for parts.

Someone who has 'gone before' will no doubt be along in due course.

Good luck with the bar and fitting.

By the way, you're not in the market for some new side steps and a front A bar by any chance? See 'For sale' section or PM me if you are. ;)

[BenRM]

Hi Davrav,

Thanks for the "hello". Are you anywhere near Stroud? (I'm afraid, though, with £1000 quotes from Toyota, I'm not in the market for extra Rav4 parts right now!)

If anyone could comment on the whole "re-coding" claim/whether they sound competent from that/whether I should trust an independent towbar fitter with my Rav4 electrics, I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers...

[local hero]

Hi Davrav,

Thanks for the "hello". Are you anywhere near Stroud? (I'm afraid, though, with £1000 quotes from Toyota, I'm not in the market for extra Rav4 parts right now!)

If anyone could comment on the whole "re-coding" claim/whether they sound competent from that/whether I should trust an independent towbar fitter with my Rav4 electrics, I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers...

Hi ben you certainly dont need to pay £1000 for a tow bar all the known towbar people Indespension etc will do them for under £400 using there own electrics.. I believe toyotas own loom for twin elecrics is £100+ I was told the wiring of the electrics on the Rav is very basic which is why most fitters don't think a specific loom is needed, provided they are happy to guaranty their work I cannot see a problem, but you could always buy the wiring kit yourself + ask your chosen fitter to fit it for you..Stew

[daveh_rav4]

Well, I fitted my own tow bar on my Rav (4.1), I purchased the Toyota tow bar wiring loom which... just 'plugged in'! That cost £36. I then purchased a 3rd party tow bar for £80 from an on-line tow bar supplier. Four hours to fit (taking the internal rear side panels off was the hardest part), job done... total outlay under £120

£1000 for a tow bar is a joke!!!

DaveH

Hi Davrav,

Thanks for the "hello". Are you anywhere near Stroud? (I'm afraid, though, with £1000 quotes from Toyota, I'm not in the market for extra Rav4 parts right now!)

If anyone could comment on the whole "re-coding" claim/whether they sound competent from that/whether I should trust an independent towbar fitter with my Rav4 electrics, I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers...

Hi ben you certainly dont need to pay £1000 for a tow bar all the known towbar people Indespension etc will do them for under £400 using there own electrics.. I believe toyotas own loom for twin elecrics is £100+ I was told the wiring of the electrics on the Rav is very basic which is why most fitters don't think a specific loom is needed, provided they are happy to guaranty their work I cannot see a problem, but you could always buy the wiring kit yourself + ask your chosen fitter to fit it for you..Stew

[anchorman]

They quote £1000 because there is a lot of labour involved in running wires under trim from back to front but it is really not so bad if you have the courage!

The wiring kit is really simple to install even if you set aside a day to fit - it is worth it and we can find you the instructions, You can use any of the readily available brackets.

[three5]

Hi Ben and welcome to the club - maybe we can start the Gloucestershire chapter :D

Can't advise specifically about towbar fitting but others have done the whole job, some have fitted the bar and had electrics done by a specialist. Fitting the bar is pretty straight forward I think.

Can't see why your chappie isn't keen to use genuine loom as everything you need is there and should be 'plug and play' as far as I can see. As far as I am aware, if you use the Toyota kit there is no need to cut or solder anything.

Search the AIM site for your model to get an idea for what is involved: LINK

LINK

Kingo is your man for parts.

Someone who has 'gone before' will no doubt be along in due course.

Good luck with the bar and fitting.

By the way, you're not in the market for some new side steps and a front A bar by any chance? See 'For sale' section or PM me if you are. ;)

Hi Ben,

fitted my own towbar and electrics to my 4.3 xt5. The electrics were dead straight forward using a Toyota loom from Kingo ( see post about fitting the fuse in the "other" holder though ). Only scary bit was removing the rear bumper which I started with some trepidation - it was also straightforward when you stick to the instructions. Used a removable Thule towbar which is the same one that Toyota fit ( they Badge it as Toyota ), which I bought from Halfords of all people as they were cheapest at the time. If you haven't got a trim removal tool, it's worthwhile getting one. They only cost about £3 and save a lot of hassle with the trim clips. No problems at all with the electrics on the vehicle and DEFINITELY no recoding required. Keep us posted as to how you get on.

[bothwell_buyer]

for £1000 you can buy 3 landrovers to tow with... and when one breaks down, you throw it away and use the next.

[BenRM]

Thanks, everyone.

Bothwell_Buyer... funnily enough, after receiving those quotes I actually considered that. I wouldn't even need a trailer. I could just dump the rubbish in the back.

If I had more time I'd try doing it myself, but just at the moment I don't get many free days.

You've convinced me, though, that it's okay to trust a non-Toyota towbar specialist with the electrics.

Cheers, again,

B

[local hero]

Thanks, everyone.

Bothwell_Buyer... funnily enough, after receiving those quotes I actually considered that. I wouldn't even need a trailer. I could just dump the rubbish in the back.

If I had more time I'd try doing it myself, but just at the moment I don't get many free days.

You've convinced me, though, that it's okay to trust a non-Toyota towbar specialist with the electrics.

Cheers, again,

B

If you are intending to just use it for towing a trailer then you only need single electrics which should be significantly cheaper, however if you intend at some stage to tow a caravan then it might be as well to go for the twin electrics..Stew