Toyota towbars

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 01:11

ThreadID: 73104 Views:3419 Replies:5 FollowUps:4

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Member - RobG J (WA)

Bumped into a 2006 Prado owner the other day who told me he broke the genuine Toyota towbar on his vehicle. I saw the broken bar and have photos but can't show because I don't know how to put them on the internet yet.
I am going to replace the genuine with a Parkside bar, made here in the West.
Has anyone else seen one these Toyota bars broken? The people at the local dealership whom I know; don't seem to be worried as this is the only one they've ever heard of breaking and seem to think it won't happen again and were a bit ticked off when I said if mine broke they could come and get me.
I probably won't buy another Toyota from that dealership as I thought their attitude was poor to say the least

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Reply By: Member - Johny boy (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 09:35

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 09:35

Hi Rob G ,
Have you ever seen the DVD series from the gall brothers who make Kedron Caravans, they have a DVD on fraser Island and I think it had a Scene where a Prado brakes the entire hitch off the bar, chains and tongue still attached,having said that I think that the WDH might have played a part in it but it was a top DVD to watch :)

Cheers.

AnswerID: 387561

Follow Up By: Member - A J- Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:18

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:18

Johny boy - spoke to a Ford owner just last weekend who had to replace his Hayman Reece bar because it was broken. Hayman Reece replaced it no questions asked - but he also stated that in his opinion it was the WDH that caused the problems on tight turns.

You can break anything if you try hard enough.

A J

FollowupID: 655085

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:22

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:22

They seem to look identical to the Hayman Reece bars so are probably made under contract for Toyota and other car brands.

Anything will break if you push it past its usage paremeters.

Have seen towbars bent when a boat and trailer Jacknifed at speed.

Which part of the bar broke its a fairly vague statement to say the "bar broke"

AnswerID: 387572

Reply By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:25

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:25

Hi Rob G,

You could raise this on the Prado or LCool forums and get a better perception of this.

If it was common, those forums would know and be able to comment.

I did a quick google and only found this one. Earlier thread about Hayman Reece

Would love to see photos because from your post there is no detail, did it totally fall off or part breakage?
Too many questions, was the tow ball load exceeded, to was the towing capacity too much? Although a genuine Toyota bar was it fitted by them?

If you believe that the Toyota Dealer had a poor attitude you should write to Toyota Head office in Australia. They do take things seriously.

AnswerID: 387573

Reply By: rags - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 13:50

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 13:50

The toyota bars for the 120 series prado differ from the typical hitch style offered by Hayman Reece,they are made from a cast section which the tow tongue inserts into.There have been reports of snapping and yes the safety chain is attached to the section that brakes off.I have also heard of a similar problem with the nissan pathfinders.
I guess it is a case of a locally sourced accessary being better for the job than original manufacturer accessary,the prado toyota bar or say an ARB version as an example.
Russ

AnswerID: 387580

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 14:38

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 14:38

I thought the Nissan problem was with a different model and was the bar pulling away from the chassis.

FollowupID: 655099

Follow Up By: Member - Johny boy (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 20:28

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 20:28

Yep Rags ,
you hit the nail on the head by stating that its a cast not steel RHS ,I think there is a big difference and I cant understand why the chain is not located somewhere other than on the casting ,but then again its easy for me to say that now ?

FollowupID: 655134

Reply By: Member - RobG J (WA) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 22:32

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 22:32

Thanks to all who responded. Sorry I wasn't more specific but Rags hit the nail on the head; the receiver is cast steel and the chain locators are on the part that broke away from the bit that remained on the vehicle. The two bottom bolt holes have cracks in them. Could have been caused by WDH but I'm not taking the chance and will fit another real towbar.
Sorry I can't send photos, will try to get swmbo to have a go sometime soon.

AnswerID: 387657

Follow Up By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 09:53

Monday, Oct 19, 2009 at 09:53

When you fit a "real towbar" ask the manufacturers warranty conditions first.

I know Kaymar do not warrant their rear bar/towbar if used with weight distribution hitches.

There may be others with similar conditions.

Geoff