Rav4-3

February 13, 2009

With Spring approaching, I am once again giving thought to caravanning. I feel the tow hitch is an important part of the set up, and should be a genuine Toyota part and fitted by a dealer. In doing this, do the technicians fit an isolating switch so that the reversing sensors can be turned off when towing.

I am also concerned about some of the extension mirrors I have seen whilst out on the road. Many look as though they are about to fall off and rip up the paintwork of the car. Can any one recommend the best set up please.

Many thanks, John

February 13, 2009

With Spring approaching, I am once again giving thought to caravanning. I feel the tow hitch is an important part of the set up, and should be a genuine Toyota part and fitted by a dealer. In doing this, do the technicians fit an isolating switch so that the reversing sensors can be turned off when towing.
I am also concerned about some of the extension mirrors I have seen whilst out on the road. Many look as though they are about to fall off and rip up the paintwork of the car. Can any one recommend the best set up please.
Many thanks, John

Apparently the switch is an option so you may have to pay but its very easy to fit if you fancy a go.

You'll have to wait for the caravan guys for opinion about the mirrors.

February 13, 2009

With Spring approaching, I am once again giving thought to caravanning. I feel the tow hitch is an important part of the set up, and should be a genuine Toyota part and fitted by a dealer. In doing this, do the technicians fit an isolating switch so that the reversing sensors can be turned off when towing.
I am also concerned about some of the extension mirrors I have seen whilst out on the road. Many look as though they are about to fall off and rip up the paintwork of the car. Can any one recommend the best set up please.
Many thanks, John

Hi John, like you i have been pondering about a caravan but with the current financial situation, I'm afraid its been put on the back burner for the foreseeable future.. However i did quite a bit of research on towbars mirrors etc..official toyota towbars fitted at Mr T will set you back £600+, the same towbar,its made by Brinks fitted elsewhere will cost you half of that + you get a lifetime guarantee, Its up to you..If you do a search their is a lot of debate over this.. Also if you PM Frank Ashworth he is a really nice helpfull guy who has been caravaning for years + will advise you on mirrors + towbar, he fitted his own witter detachable towbar and is very knowledgable..hope this helps :thumbsup:P.S do you have room at home to store a caravan?

February 13, 2009

The isolating switch for the rear sensors was already there on our XT4 but as said it mentions it being an option in the handbook. I wasn't going to pay the £600 plus for a "Toyota" towbar and had a detachable fitted by a well established local fitting place- £320 with full electrics. If you didn't realise it a 4.3 with a spare on the back door should have a detachable bar as a fixed obscures the number plate and is illegal, the XTR/180 have an offset plate so can have a fixed bar if you want but a detachable is always the better bet if only to stop you knocking your shins on it :rolleyes: .

Milenco mirrors are about the best, I've got the Aero model, others fit the larger Grand Aeros. Some people like the stick on sucker ones but I'm a bit dubious about the weight of a mirror stuck on the OE glass along with the vibration causing damage to the motor mechanism.

February 14, 2009

I just use el cheapo elasticated mirrors that clip on the existing ones. Never had much of a problem If they are tightened properly. It's only when they aren't that they slip. The solution is simple. Pull over and tighten them up. The only other issues is that sometimes the eletric adjustment on the car mirrors gets obstructed with the slighly thicker clips. Again not a massive inconvenience. I've had the same set four years on the same car and am quite happy with them.