4.3 2007 Towbar & Electrics

[Helirazor]

I am looking to fit a towbar on my (new to me) 2007 4.3 D4D. Can anyone say if it is as easy as a 4.2 (i.e just splice into the rear brake light wires) or do you need a special harness, as I know newer vehicles have more complicated electrical systems?

Basically I'm trying to weigh up if it's worth doing myself or paying for a towbar centre to do.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[three5]

Hi James,

I have fitted many towbars over the years, the last one being to my 2008 RAV. The RAV was the first one where I used a wiring kit specific to the vehicle and I would NEVER go back to splicing/Scotchloks. The job was much easier and the connectors used are completely waterproof. If you PM Parts King he will give you a quote for the genuine Toyota wiring kit ( the one I used ).

AFAIK Toyota don't actually make Towbars, they Badge ones by a reputable maker. Generally these are obtainable from towbar specialists at a significant discount over the Toyota price so that is worth investigating. Mine is a Brinks ( the company was taken over by Thule several years ago ) and the cheapest place that I could find to buy it was ( don't laugh! ) Halfords.

I started the job over a full sized pit but soon realised that it was actually easier without the pit! There is a good set of instructions for fitting on Toyota Techdocs in the accessories section if I remember correctly.

[Parts-King]

Scotchlocks should be banned, they create far too many problems

The genuine wiring kits are made to fit with correct automotive quality connectors, fit it once, forget about it forever, more than can be said for a Scotchlock

Kingo

[Helirazor]

Hi Chris, thanks for the info I only need single electrics and have been quoted £175.00 for a fixed and £260.00 for a demountable, fitted and working by a local (ish) towbar centre. How does this compare to the DIY route?

[three5]

 

Hi Chris, thanks for the info I only need single electrics and have been quoted £175.00 for a fixed and £260.00 for a demountable, fitted and working by a local (ish) towbar centre. How does this compare to the DIY route?

 

Morning James,

price seems pretty good - from memory I paid about £250 for the demountable bar and wiring kit. Be aware that if you have a door mounted spare wheel with your number plate below the "bumper", a fixed towball will obstruct the plate. I don't think that the lads in blue have ever been too worried about this in the past but with the increased use of number plate recognition cameras that could easily change quite suddenly!

The Brinks/Thule swan neck demountable is a well engineered bit of kit and clips on and off very easily. I only have a single ( 12n ) socket as the towball is used almost exclusively for carrying my bike(s). Good luck!

[Helirazor]

Thanks again Chris!

The number plate is on the back door so no worries about obstruction issues if I go for a fixed one.