Prado 150 Tow Bar Issue

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

I installed a genuine Toyota tow bar to my 150 Prado 5 door today, everything went well and I thought the job was finished until I inserted the hitch tongue into the receiver. It seems that the hole for the locking pin in the tongue is drilled about 10mm too short, therefore preventing the locking pin passing through the tongue.

I have contacted the dealer I purchased the bar though and am waiting a response from them, but I was just curious if anyone has seen this before. The tongue I have is only drilled with 1 hole on one side (obviously the one that is too short) and the hole on the other side appears to be marked by the laser cutter, but not actually cut out.

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

I installed a genuine Toyota tow bar to my 150 Prado 5 door today, everything went well and I thought the job was finished until I inserted the hitch tongue into the receiver. It seems that the hole for the locking pin in the tongue is drilled about 10mm too short, therefore preventing the locking pin passing through the tongue.

I have contacted the dealer I purchased the bar though and am waiting a response from them, but I was just curious if anyone has seen this before. The tongue I have is only drilled with 1 hole on one side (obviously the one that is too short) and the hole on the other side appears to be marked by the laser cutter, but not actually cut out.

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I have seen this before. It was not that the hole was in the wrong place, it was that the tongue was too short. The tongue for Nissan Pathfinders is made shorter than normal due to the location of the spare wheel. If you try this shorter tongue on just about any other vehicle you will find that the hole does not line up.

Hope this helps


Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

That silver trim that makes it look pretty isnt in the way is it ?? Just looking at the picture on the angle you have taken it, the distance between the silver surround and the metal plate looks about the same distance the hole is short stopping the pin going through ?? Just an observation thats all. If you remove that silver surround do you have any more leeway allowing the hitch to go in further ?? Cheers Steve

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

The silver bit is just a trim that sits over the end, barely a couple of mm thick. You need a different hitch to suit the towbar.

[Guest Close Guest]

Looks like a Friday afternoon towbar tongue. The fact that there is no corresponding hole on the other side makes you wonder what's wrong with the rest of it.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

And how does warranty go later on down the track as it was fitted by yourself ?? Would this be an issue even if it was say a cracked weld or some thing is there a come back on yourself as you fitted the item and not the dealership ?? Just wondering. Not saying in any way you didnt fit it correctly, Im just curious thats all. Cheers Steve

[boomer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close boomer]

And how does warranty go later on down the track as it was fitted by yourself ?? Would this be an issue even if it was say a cracked weld or some thing is there a come back on yourself as you fitted the item and not the dealership ?? Just wondering. Not saying in any way you didnt fit it correctly, Im just curious thats all. Cheers Steve

Steve are you a conspiracy theory fan? If the bar is fitted correctly according to the instructions supplied with it there will be absolutely no problems. All the problem needs is a firm hit on the trim (as per instructions) so that the tongue can go in far enough. Failing that take the tongue back for replacement. It seems much too easy to make a mountain out of a mole hill nowadays.

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

My initial thoughts were that it was something to do with the trim cover, but as Mjrandom said, its only a trim piece that is a few mm thick and presses up against the front of the reciever. I did atrempt to pull it off but it is held by some serious plastic lugs and I doubt I could get it off without destroying it, so i have left it until i here from the dealer. As others have said i am fairly confident its the wrong or a faulty tongue.

Steve M, as for the warranty issue whilst it is something i did keep in mind, i opted to do the install myself as i am confident in my ability to do the job as per the toyota provided instructions and purchased a genuine product from a toyota dealer which will be protected by a statutory warranty, so i doubt there would be any issue, and i would happily fight it if there was.

When you hear all the horror install/service/repair stories from supposed qualified mechanics, toyota and other dealers (and even experiencing a few myself with other vehicles), why wouldnt someone who has (an expanding collection) of the correct tools, a toyota service manual, a bit of free time and some common sense want to give it a go?

At the end of the day I get the products installed on my vehicle the way "I" want it done with the job not rushed through a dealer just to get the next vehicle in, I get to learn valuable infomation about my vehicle that will help me when something breaks in the middle of nowhere and most importantly I get to save a bit of money, if that has to be at the risk a warranty claim may not be so simple, then so be it...

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Rwo is there anyone you know if a 150 and factory towbar that you can trial fit another hitch, or even one at the dealer? I don't have a 150 so no idea if the hole in the towbar is in the correct position or not.

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

Rwo, can you supply measurements of the tongue, some on here can compare to what they have and see where the difference is.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

No conspiracy theory fan, just was wondering about any warranty issues. Just relating back to an issue I had with holden in regards to a towbar I bought from then but fitted myself. Turned out in my favour but not without a fight, Was an issue with alignment of actual bar not the tongue. No conspiracy............Cheers Steve

[Kowolski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kowolski]

Discovered the perfect towbar solution for the 150...

I bought the Hayman reece towbar (better bar by far)

And the Toyota wiring loom. Better loom than the HR one, cheaper than the HR one, and avoids any warranty issues.

[Tar Trek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tar Trek]

Hi there,

There is an advantage of having Bull Bars, Tow Bars, Dual Battery Systems Etc fitted by The Dealer BEFORE DELIVERY & that is they become part of the New Vehicle & are covered by the New Vehicle Warranty.

In the case of a Prado, three years or 60,000 kms Toyota Warranty.

Tar Trek.

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

Ok, sorry for the delayed update...

It turns out they shipped me the wrong tongue, swapped with the correct one and no surprises, it fits!

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Hi there,

There is an advantage of having Bull Bars, Tow Bars, Dual Battery Systems Etc fitted by The Dealer BEFORE DELIVERY & that is they become part of the New Vehicle & are covered by the New Vehicle Warranty.

In the case of a Prado, three years or 60,000 kms Toyota Warranty.

Tar Trek.

I would doubt that the dealer would cover my TJM bullbar or dual battery if it was fitted by TJM even if it was fitted prior to delivery.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.