Prado 120 Recall - Tow Bars/Load Distribution Hitches
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 01:01
ThreadID:
105445
Views:
6503
Replies:
2
FollowUps:
4
This Thread has been Archived
The Explorer
Hello
Most original owners would of have been notified I assume, but received this letter in the mail today which stated (in part) ...
"We are contacting you to advise, customers who use aftermarket Load Distribution Hitches when towing and incorrectly operate the vehicle with a Load Distribution Hitch engaged, such as when traversing over steep driveways, spoon drains or large undulating road surfaces may experience the tow bar mounting bolts loosening and in some circumstances result in damage or breakage of the tow bar tongue or hitch receiver."
While the excuse may be debatable, lets not dwell on that..rest of letter
Toyota Recall
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message
Moderator |
Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 07:55
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 07:55
A few years ago Greg we had a post on here which ended up referring to 3 seperate Prado / Van rollovers and I don't think we even got a real explanantion.
Wondering if this and that are related ?
AnswerID:
522875
Follow Up By: The Explorer - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 14:06
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 14:06
Hello
I think you attributed the accidents to the number 41 :)
Without knowing any details of the specific incidents it is impossible to say it is related to this (tow bar) issue (or any other) but its a possibility. Would have thought it would have been recognised as a significant problem long ago though if it was causing/contributing to rollovers - 120 Prados have been around for over 10 years. I wonder if 90 and 150 owners also got a letter?
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message
Moderator |
FollowupID:
804094
Reply By: rusti2 - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 08:36
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 08:36
why would i swap my HR towbar and HR WDH for a Toyota one ?
AnswerID:
522877
Follow Up By: 944runner - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 08:47
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 08:47
Only mentions replacing a 3rd party Load Distribution hitch, nothing about replacing an aftermarket towbar. So I assume if you are using a Toyota towbar with HR WDH then they will replace the HR WDH with a Toyota one.
FollowupID:
804067
Follow Up By: Ross M - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 11:06
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 11:06
Who makes the towbars and WDH for Toyota?
Is it the WDH which is faulty, the receiver in the towbar, or the bolting of the towbar to the chassis?
Nearly all loose towbars are caused by poor fitting by fitters who can't fit.
FollowupID:
804072
Follow Up By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 11:27
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 11:27
Ross,
On the Prado point website, I have seen photos of receivers wrenched from their mountings by HR wdh equipment.
First of all, these hitches shouldn't be used over rough ground as anyone who has seen the Kedron videos will have witnessed the same problem with the 100 series hitch also being wrenched off when driving over rough ground. Having said that, the photos on Pradopoint were of the Toyota cast receivers, which literally broke apart under the stresses of the wdh. I believe there have also been instances of the bolts coming loose. The best fix, as far as I remember, was to replace the Toyota cast receiver with a steel HR one.....but why anyone would employ a wdh over such terrain and travelling at low speeds is beyond me. I suppose it's just a case of bothering to de-hitch and hitch up again as conditions demand.
FollowupID:
804075