Genuine Towbar Options?

[DC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DC]

Hello everybody,

New Prado Owner (almost) - bought it yesterday, take delivery next week sometime. GXL Petrol Auto in Silver, with towbar and comes with the Advantage Service (capped at $180 for the fist six services). April 2008 build.

My question is about the genuine Toyota towbar. There were two options:

1) H/D Towbar
2) H/D Towbar to suit pintle hook

The second one was about $100 dearer. My understanding of a "pintle" hook was the old army style hook they used on the Landrovers and the army trailers - kind of like a hook on the car and a eye on the trailer hitch. However, the dealer told me that the "to suit pintle hook" option on the Toyota bar was the mounting points for the safety chain - you get two and heavier ones with the "pintle" hook option?

Any one shed any light? Anyone from Toyota know exactly what the difference is?

Thanks

Dan

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Hi DC, welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchase.

Never heard of a pintle hook, but from your description i think i bought an ex telstra van a few years ago that came with one. I ended up throwing it in the scrap bin.

I think they are used by Utilities companies and the like for really heavy duty towing. Not sure why they would try to sell you one apart from the extra $.

Save your money I reckon :wink:

[Crammy Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crammy]

Pintle hook is something like this


Not required unless you're going to be towing in excess of the normal HD towbar rating or you have something in particular that you tow with this towing arrangement. If you ever see a truck towing a compressor or generator they'll most likely be using one of these.

Go the standard HD towbar mate.

[DC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DC]

Pintle hook is something like this


Not required unless you're going to be towing in excess of the normal HD towbar rating or you have something in particular that you tow with this towing arrangement. If you ever see a truck towing a compressor or generator they'll most likely be using one of these.

Go the standard HD towbar mate.

Thanks - that's what I thought.

I rang the dealer back this morning (after speaking with the Parts dept) and they have changed it back to the standard fitting. I think the salesman didn't quite know what it was and thought he was doing the right thing.

Anyway, one phone call and it is all fixed.

Cheers

Dan