Towbars & Multi Cycle Carrier Assistance Please

July 9, 2010

Hello & HELP!!!

I am the proud owner of a new model RAV 4 June 2010!

I have a Mount Blanc triple cycle carrier which I have been extremely lucky to have been gifted by a friend who no longer requires it.

So, I thought all I needed to do was organise a towbar. However on further investigation I find myslef asking more questions?

Fixed or Detachable? (would prefer detachable), will my back door open? Will I need a piece cut out of my bumper? I've also read that unless this is completed by Toyota the 5 year warranty could be voided?

I could ask dealer to fit but on checking they are looking for nearly £900 to fit a detachable one and to be honest I really cant afford this

Can anyone help with further info please?

July 9, 2010

Hello, congratulations and welcome!

The topic of towbars has been extensively covered in this forum - if you do a search you will find plenty of posts about dealer fitting, aftermarket units/services, and DIY.

We have a 2007 model on which it is impossible to have a fixed towbar as it obscures the view of the numberplate. It may be different on the latest model. It does not get in the way of the door, and no surgery to the bumper or any other part of the car is necessary. Jockeywheels and handbrake levers on trailers do tend to get in the way, though.

We too found the price quoted by the dealer rather steep so bought the bar and wiring from Toyota and fitted it ourselves. The kind people on this forum helped us to find the instructions on the Toyota website, without which it would have been almost impossible to do. However, since then there have been reports from people who got towbars fitted for not much more than we paid for the parts, so that may be a better deal.

We checked about warranty and were told it was not affected by a DIY towbar so I imagine it would be the same for aftermarket fitting. If you don't fancy doing it yourself (it took my husband and me the better part of a day and it was quite an invasive sort of job) then I would suggest getting the Yellow Pages out and ringing around.

Whichever option you take, good luck and enjoy!

July 10, 2010

Hello, congratulations and welcome!
The topic of towbars has been extensively covered in this forum - if you do a search you will find plenty of posts about dealer fitting, aftermarket units/services, and DIY.
We have a 2007 model on which it is impossible to have a fixed towbar as it obscures the view of the numberplate. It may be different on the latest model. It does not get in the way of the door, and no surgery to the bumper or any other part of the car is necessary. Jockeywheels and handbrake levers on trailers do tend to get in the way, though.
We too found the price quoted by the dealer rather steep so bought the bar and wiring from Toyota and fitted it ourselves. The kind people on this forum helped us to find the instructions on the Toyota website, without which it would have been almost impossible to do. However, since then there have been reports from people who got towbars fitted for not much more than we paid for the parts, so that may be a better deal.
We checked about warranty and were told it was not affected by a DIY towbar so I imagine it would be the same for aftermarket fitting. If you don't fancy doing it yourself (it took my husband and me the better part of a day and it was quite an invasive sort of job) then I would suggest getting the Yellow Pages out and ringing around.
Whichever option you take, good luck and enjoy!

Hi Lorna,

the "Toyota" towbar is manufactured by Thule ( - used to be Brinks )and is available from many sources on the www. When I bought mine the cheapest place was Halfords ( don't laugh! ) so that is where I bought it. The hardest bit of fitting is summoning the courage to prise off the rear bumper connection to the wheelarch. The instructions say apply a protective tape to avoid damage. I followed the instructions to the letter and had absolutely no problem. The other minor difficulty is the side panels in the "boot" area - they have quite heavy duty clips which I was sure would break - Anchorman recommends the use of a trim removal tool ( made by Silverline, cost about £3 ) and that solved the problem with no fuss. Doing it on a new motor will be much easier than on an old one as nothing will be rusted so I would definitely encourage you to have a go. As far as electrics go - PM Parts King on this forum and buy the Toyota wiring kit from him. It's brilliant and absolutely foolproof ( no insult intended ) as it just means seperating plugs and sockets on the existing car loom and plugging in the wiring kit. With two of you working on the job it is an easy days work and very satisfying. Maria is dead right, a few of us have tackled this job and come through unscathed. You don't even have to jack the rear up to do the job. I started with the RAV over a full sized pit but put the cover back on it after 10 minutes when I realised how easy the access is to the parts you want.

You have definitely picked the right way to carry bikes on the RAV although others do carry them sucessfully on the roof. Mine has been to the Mediterranean and back with two fairly heavy Marin East Peak full suspension bikes with no problems. You can do it! - just have a go.