Towbar On 2.2 T4 Tourer

February 1, 2008

I am towing a trailer on my next holiday (tent etc) so am looking at getting a towbar fitted. The local guy can do a Witter fixed but no swan neck , price incl. electronics pack (which I believe is required for the Avensis) would be £320.00. If I go to Edinburgh I can get a swan neck (Brink) for £270 fitted, I prefer swan as it looks better but I'd have to be away most of the day (and time = money...)

I have noticed that there could be an issue with the 2.2 tourer, Towequipe state that one Witter bar does not fit the 2.2 - I can not think of the 2.2 being any different at the rear than any other tourer.

Has anyone fitted a tow bar themselves ?? It certainly seems to be a 'bumper off job' and what about these 'electronics packs', a local garage told me 'you do not need them'. who's right?

And while I am on line, what about fitting reversing sensors? - easy or not? I have looked at www.parkitright.com , gear seems ok, as do prices.

April 3, 2008

I am towing a trailer on my next holiday (tent etc) so am looking at getting a towbar fitted. The local guy can do a Witter fixed but no swan neck , price incl. electronics pack (which I believe is required for the Avensis) would be £320.00. If I go to Edinburgh I can get a swan neck (Brink) for £270 fitted, I prefer swan as it looks better but I'd have to be away most of the day (and time = money...)
I have noticed that there could be an issue with the 2.2 tourer, Towequipe state that one Witter bar does not fit the 2.2 - I can not think of the 2.2 being any different at the rear than any other tourer.
Has anyone fitted a tow bar themselves ?? It certainly seems to be a 'bumper off job' and what about these 'electronics packs', a local garage told me 'you do not need them'. who's right?
And while I am on line, what about fitting reversing sensors? - easy or not? I have looked at www.parkitright.com , gear seems ok, as do prices.

I'm probably too late as you posted this a while ago, but I recently fitted a Witter Flange towbar to my 2.0 D4D Tourer and it was a pretty easy job. You don't need to remove the bumber, just a few of the clips and there is a little drilling required through the boot floor but it's very straight forward. The only messy bit is that there is a small amount of cutting to the plastic undertray and a bit of the bumper, but it's all well out of sight and no problem. As for the electrics, I've only wired up the 12N so far but used the Toyota wiring kit (£70 ish) and it's really neat and took about 1 to 1.5 hours to fit. I'm actually on here tonight looking for info on the 12S electrics so I can't advise on that I'm afraid. I can't imagine what the difference is with the 2.2 unless the exhaust is different as you do have to unhook the exhaust rear box and replace the heatshield retaining bolt.

Good luck, unless you've already sorted it!

Simon