Towbar

[NWUK]

Hi all,

How hard is it to fit a tow bar? I also have a motorcycle and a tow bar would be of great use. I am always willing to have a go, but I have very little experience when it comes to mechanical things, so if it is too hard I guess I would pass. That being said I cannot really afford to get it done by a mechanic, so I may have to try anyway :)

My Rav version is the XT4, pictured here. Quick secondary question, which version is mine? I know it says XT4 on it, but I assume there have been different ones as a few things do not match the downloadable specs sheet on this forum.

Thanks.

[redlew]

If you put "towbar" into search for this forum, you will find several threads. I think it is a case of knowing your limits. I have no inclination, tools or ability to work on a car. Others have all of those. I think it is recommended that you use the dedicated Toyota wiring kit.

[Paulus17]

Yes we usually have a towbar fitted to our cars,but after doing a search on here when we first bought a Rav,i t hink theer was summat i read taht suggested it's best done by Toyota because of the wiring.Thats if i read it correctly.

Your Rav is a 4.2 model.4.3s came out in 2006.Graet colur by the way ;)

You can see all the Rav models in Anchormans Rav guide in the pinned section on the front Rav page

[NWUK]

hmm, that's depressing :)

Oh well, if it has to be then it has to be.

Thanks

[local hero]

hmm, that's depressing :)

Oh well, if it has to be then it has to be.

Thanks

Just ring around some towbar fitters including mobile ones and get your best quote, then phone the one you actually want to do the job and tell them your best quote, they will usually match it, On my 4.3 ihad a Thule formerley Brinks detachable, including hidden electrics (they swing down from behind the rear bumper on a little bracket) supplied + fitted with twin electrics, by Indespension for £395.. The only sign that it has a Towbar is a 2" sq Badge with Thule on it that covers the detachable mounting, and you would need to be on all fours to see that, your 4.2 should be cheaper and if you do not need a detachable cheaper again, hope this helps Stew

[webleymk3]

hmm, that's depressing :)

Oh well, if it has to be then it has to be.

Thanks

Just ring around some towbar fitters including mobile ones and get your best quote, then phone the one you actually want to do the job and tell them your best quote, they will usually match it, On my 4.3 ihad a Thule formerley Brinks detachable, including hidden electrics (they swing down from behind the rear bumper on a little bracket) supplied + fitted with twin electrics, by Indespension for £395.. The only sign that it has a Towbar is a 2" sq Badge with Thule on it that covers the detachable mounting, and you would need to be on all fours to see that, your 4.2 should be cheaper and if you do not need a detachable cheaper again, hope this helps Stew

I've got the detachable Thule one with the 13pin socket which hides away completely. Also great for off road as on my last rav I kept skelping the electrics as they off the ground!

[Paulus17]

That looks really good

It was a mobile fitter that fitted our last three towbars so i might give em a ring and ask about having one fitted now.

I thought i read though that having independant fitters fit one caused problems with the electrics,and was best using Toyota???

[IanXT4]

Below is the text from a post a few years ago, this was for a 5 door 4.2 2004 XT4 there is tons of info on this subject if you do a search. I only had the tow bar fitted by Toyota as the car was under warranty. If you are handy with a socket set and regular car DIY this job should be relatively easy using the genuine Toyota wiring harness, but only you know your limits. My guess it would take best part of a day.

I have attached the installation instructions at the bottom, these are available free from Toyota's website

www.toyota-tech.eu

(Please check all part numbers yourself with Toyota/Brink before purchasing etc)

********************************* Old post *********************************

I looked into tow bars a while ago, because I wanted a detachable towbar but also wanted to be able to open the door with it connected.

Toyota do two towbars, a fixed bar that allows the door to be open and a Brink detachable bar (sold as Toyota OEM) that has to be removed when the door is opened.

I called Brinks technical support line Tel 02476 355 820 and spoke to one of their technical people and it seems that Brink do two detachable towbars for the RAV4 (4.2 model)

Apparently, there is a legal range for the towbar height, the detachable towbar supplied to Toyota and resold by them is at an optimum height but does not allow the door to be opened.

They also do another tow bar that is 20mm lower and allows the door to be opened, this tow bar is at the lower limit of the legal requirement and may be to low for some towing combinations.

I bought the lower detachable bar and have found it to be great for my requirements, tows ok and door opens. I am not sure I would recommend it for a Caravan, I use it for towing a glider Trailer (9M long) and it is slightly nose down, but is very stable (and I have been to Germany & back)

Brink do not sell this part directly, you have to buy it through one of their recommended suppliers. I was recommended towing Equipment UK Ltd by their tech department (Sales@Towstore.co.uk) 00 353 1 456 4093/4159.

They are based in Dublin but the goods are shipped directly from Brinks stores in the UK. When I bought it two years ago it was around £180.

The part numbers are:

Brink part Number for detachable bar supplied to Toyota (OEM) 4089 (Door does not open)

Brink lower detachable bar 3669 (The one I bought, door does open)

The installation for the Brink lower bar is identical to the Toyota bar, I had mine fitted by my local dealer (I supplied the Bar). I would recommend that you buy the Genuine electrical kit From Toyota its about £70 and it neatly plugs into the RAV wiring loom in a number of places. (Its not a simple wiring installation, you can find the wiring installation on www.toyota-tech.eu)

The Brink website has the installation instructions for both bars go to www.brinkweb.com select country then select “search” enter “Toyota” you want RAV 4 (2 & 4WD) details and manuals are downloadable.

Hope this information helps, please check part no’s etc with Brink Technical Guys before placing an order as things may have changed.

***********************************************************

Any advice given is meant to be helpful and in good spirit. No liability is accepted for loss , damage or injury. WORK SAFELY

Tow Bar wiring PZ457-X0563-00.pdf

Detachable Tow Bar RAV4 PZ408-X0557-00.pdf

[Big Kev]

I have absolutely no need for a towbar, and am no genius with tools, but bet the OP is like me.....could do the physical bit of bolting on a towbar, but would baulk at the doing of the electrics....always a stumbling block for us "little knowledge is a dangerous thing" types.

So go ahead and bolt the thing on, but have a friendly auto electrician do the wiring safely.

Big Kev

[IanXT4]

If you buy the Toyota electrics kit its all designed to plug into existing connectors to maintain the reliability of the electrical systems. The difficultly/effort is taking off all the internal trim to get to the connectors.

These OEM connectors are far more reliable than splicing into the wiring loom with scotchlok connectors.

[local hero]

Below is the text from a post a few years ago, this was for a 5 door 4.2 2004 XT4 there is tons of info on this subject if you do a search. I only had the tow bar fitted by Toyota as the car was under warranty. If you are handy with a socket set and regular car DIY this job should be relatively easy using the genuine Toyota wiring harness, but only you know your limits. My guess it would take best part of a day.

I have attached the installation instructions at the bottom, these are available free from Toyota's website

www.toyota-tech.eu

(Please check all part numbers yourself with Toyota/Brink before purchasing etc)

********************************* Old post *********************************

I looked into tow bars a while ago, because I wanted a detachable towbar but also wanted to be able to open the door with it connected.

Toyota do two towbars, a fixed bar that allows the door to be open and a Brink detachable bar (sold as Toyota OEM) that has to be removed when the door is opened.

I called Brinks technical support line Tel 02476 355 820 and spoke to one of their technical people and it seems that Brink do two detachable towbars for the RAV4 (4.2 model)

Apparently, there is a legal range for the towbar height, the detachable towbar supplied to Toyota and resold by them is at an optimum height but does not allow the door to be opened.

They also do another tow bar that is 20mm lower and allows the door to be opened, this tow bar is at the lower limit of the legal requirement and may be to low for some towing combinations.

I bought the lower detachable bar and have found it to be great for my requirements, tows ok and door opens. I am not sure I would recommend it for a Caravan, I use it for towing a glider Trailer (9M long) and it is slightly nose down, but is very stable (and I have been to Germany & back)

Brink do not sell this part directly, you have to buy it through one of their recommended suppliers. I was recommended towing Equipment UK Ltd by their tech department (Sales@Towstore.co.uk) 00 353 1 456 4093/4159.

They are based in Dublin but the goods are shipped directly from Brinks stores in the UK. When I bought it two years ago it was around £180.

The part numbers are:

Brink part Number for detachable bar supplied to Toyota (OEM) 4089 (Door does not open)

Brink lower detachable bar 3669 (The one I bought, door does open)

The installation for the Brink lower bar is identical to the Toyota bar, I had mine fitted by my local dealer (I supplied the Bar). I would recommend that you buy the Genuine electrical kit From Toyota its about £70 and it neatly plugs into the RAV wiring loom in a number of places. (Its not a simple wiring installation, you can find the wiring installation on www.toyota-tech.eu)

The Brink website has the installation instructions for both bars go to www.brinkweb.com select country then select “search” enter “Toyota” you want RAV 4 (2 & 4WD) details and manuals are downloadable.

Hope this information helps, please check part no’s etc with Brink Technical Guys before placing an order as things may have changed.

***********************************************************

Any advice given is meant to be helpful and in good spirit. No liability is accepted for loss , damage or injury. WORK SAFELY

Very informative post Ian and worthy of a star IMO, My Thule formerly brinks tow bar (on my 4.3 XT4) allows the door to open but once hitched up the Alko stabiliser limits the amount the door can open, You are correct about using the Toyota wiring harness if DIY but for the 4.3 its about £100+ also the rear bumper has to come off Which detered me from doing it myself (although Anchs seems to do this for fun) I think for the cost of the Towbar itself and the wiring loom its worth paying to have it all done, but then again i am bone Idle.. Stew

[NWUK]

yes, great help, thanks

[graham63]

Hi, fitted my Witter towbar & twin electrics last summer to my rav4.2, quite an easy job, only 4 bolts, 2 are on the towing eye, the other 2 I had to tap out due to being rusty( tapped out to original size)The electrics, bit more involved as had to remove rear trim side panels, then just used the little blue cable locks, job done total cost of fixed witter towbar with twin electrics £112.00(lifetime guarantee while you own the vehicle)and the rear door still opens, but not with the van on, bought the towbar from Atlas towbars in Wigan, very friendly people. I'm near Blackpool if I can be of any further help.

[graham63]

P.S. Atlas Towbars are part of PF Jones Manchester, but they can be collected at any of their 5 outlets, and they are still doing the Rav4.2 for £111.46,or only £96.51 with single electrics, bargain!!!!!

[Paulus17]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

[redlew]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

I think that if you have any toys such electrical stability then you do need the Toyota loom. I'd double check with a Toyota dealer before letting a mobile fitter loose.

[graham63]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

I think that if you have any toys such electrical stability then you do need the Toyota loom. I'd double check with a Toyota dealer before letting a mobile fitter loose.

Is'nt £181.00 a bit steep for labour for a couple of hours work!!!!!!!

[Paulus17]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

I think that if you have any toys such electrical stability then you do need the Toyota loom. I'd double check with a Toyota dealer before letting a mobile fitter loose.

Is'nt £181.00 a bit steep for labour for a couple of hours work!!!!!!!

It would seem so Graham,same hourly rate as Toyota

Is the single leccy witter towbar you quoted a detachable one??

As i say we have had CDF fit a towbar to our last three cars and i think the dearest was £160,and that was for a Meriva.

So the rav price does seem expensive,unless there is more work involved on the Rav??

[IanXT4]

One observation regarding "simply splicing trailer electrics into the rear electrical loom" that may or may not be relevant depending on your application. If you look at the installation guide for the Toyota loom, a significant part of the installation is installing a 10amp direct power feed off the Battery.

I had always assumed that this was because the existing wiring was not up to the potential worst case extra load provided by the trailer electrics, but there may be another reason. I never bothered measuring the existing wiring loom diameter/s or doing the maths, as I used a Toyota harness.

Does anyone know any other reasons why Toyota go to the effort of a direct feed ?

[graham63]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

I think that if you have any toys such electrical stability then you do need the Toyota loom. I'd double check with a Toyota dealer before letting a mobile fitter loose.

Is'nt £181.00 a bit steep for labour for a couple of hours work!!!!!!!

It would seem so Graham,same hourly rate as Toyota

Is the single leccy witter towbar you quoted a detachable one??

As i say we have had CDF fit a towbar to our last three cars and i think the dearest was £160,and that was for a Meriva.

So the rav price does seem expensive,unless there is more work involved on the Rav??

Hi Paul, the witter price quoted is for a fixed towbar, bit extra for a detatchable, don't see the point in a detatchable, bit of protection for the rear end with a fixed,(experience with a previous rear end shunt lol) but I found mine quite easy to fit, dedicated wiring kit is £137 extra!!!!!!fitted about 10 towbars to previous vehicles, cheers Graham

[Paulus17]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

I think that if you have any toys such electrical stability then you do need the Toyota loom. I'd double check with a Toyota dealer before letting a mobile fitter loose.

Is'nt £181.00 a bit steep for labour for a couple of hours work!!!!!!!

It would seem so Graham,same hourly rate as Toyota

Is the single leccy witter towbar you quoted a detachable one??

As i say we have had CDF fit a towbar to our last three cars and i think the dearest was £160,and that was for a Meriva.

So the rav price does seem expensive,unless there is more work involved on the Rav??

Hi Paul, the witter price quoted is for a fixed towbar, bit extra for a detatchable, don't see the point in a detatchable, bit of protection for the rear end with a fixed,(experience with a previous rear end shunt lol) but I found mine quite easy to fit, dedicated wiring kit is £137 extra!!!!!!fitted about 10 towbars to previous vehicles, cheers Graham

Thanks Graham

I was thinking of a detachable as we have very little room in the garage behind the Rrav when its in there.How much does it protrude past the spare??

[Hoovie]

Hi,

I fitted my Towbar on the RAV4.2 myself - took about 90 minutes of non-rushed time, but I did happen to already have a couple of mounting plates already in place as they are also used by the chrome bar. If you need to add them, add in maybe 30 mins.

If you go for the Brinks (now badged as Thule), then that really is a bolt-on job and very straightforward. I do not believe that the towbar ball sticks out any further then the actual spare wheel does, so not a factor there, although IMO the detachable is a much better option unless you are towing very frequently as 1) the rear end simply looks better without the bar and 2) you will avoid banging your legs on it as you take stuff in and out the boot.

I also went for the lower towball as it is a lot more convenient when going down the tip with stuff in the boot as well as in a trailer; and if you think about it, if a FIXED towbar is suitable for the vehicle, why on earth should the lower detachable be EQUALLY as suitable as they both are the same ball height.

Wiring wise, I think maybe for the RAV4.3 the official wiring kit may be handy, but on the RAV4.2, tapping into the rear lighting loom for the basic rear light, stop and indicator functions is very easy and most towbar suppliers seem to throw in a basic single electrics kit free of charge anyway.

[graham63]

Just as an update from me i phoned CDF mobile fitters for a quote and they recommended the Witter tow bar,detachable,single leccys at a cost of £273,fitted,and there was no need to get the Toyota loom,they said.

I think that if you have any toys such electrical stability then you do need the Toyota loom. I'd double check with a Toyota dealer before letting a mobile fitter loose.

Is'nt £181.00 a bit steep for labour for a couple of hours work!!!!!!!

It would seem so Graham,same hourly rate as Toyota

Is the single leccy witter towbar you quoted a detachable one??

As i say we have had CDF fit a towbar to our last three cars and i think the dearest was £160,and that was for a Meriva.

So the rav price does seem expensive,unless there is more work involved on the Rav??

Hi Paul, the witter price quoted is for a fixed towbar, bit extra for a detatchable, don't see the point in a detatchable, bit of protection for the rear end with a fixed,(experience with a previous rear end shunt lol) but I found mine quite easy to fit, dedicated wiring kit is £137 extra!!!!!!fitted about 10 towbars to previous vehicles, cheers Graham

Thanks Graham

I was thinking of a detachable as we have very little room in the garage behind the Rrav when its in there.How much does it protrude past the spare??

Only sticks out about 100mm/4"