2010 Highlander hitch question

[diggitydo]

Does anyone know who manufactures toyota's oem hitches? I am thinking that I can buy it for less then just get the lower molding and then save a few hundred bucks.

Anyone try this or know how to replicate the oem hitch and molding?

2010 Highlander SE

[summerwind]

Try an online dealer price
I bought mine from TRDparts4u (there are others)

http://www.trdparts4u.com/Scripts/pr...product=297656

Also remember you need the wire kit as well.

http://www.trdparts4u.com/scripts/pr...product=297654

[fatomhd]

You may also want to try http://www.toyotapartsdelivered.com/...1000&year=2009
they have the hitch for $367 if you add it to your cart.

[benstan]

I have the OEM hitch but I'm not sure if Toyota fabricated it or another company. I did not recall seeing any other brandings on the hitch other than "Toyota". I will say that I'm extremely happy I bought the OEM hitch and not an aftermarket one. The OEM hitch looks like it's meant to be there because it integrates very well into the bumper fascia.

All of the aftermarket hitches go underneath the bumper. (You can probably find numerous pictures of both styles on this site so you can evaluate for yourself).

The other big (maybe biggest) consideration for me was that the height of the OEM hitch is about 3" higher off the ground than the aftermarket hitches. That might be a deciding factor for many people...especially those that need to tow larger loads on larger trailers.

[kramdunc]

benstan, thank you for the feedback. Your comments are the most helpful I've found on the site as far as tow hitches.

The height factor and look are very important for me. I just down sized from a Chevy Silverado 1500 to a SE and don't want my boat to be lower.

[benstan]

Hey, no problem. I also downsized but from a Ford Expedition 4x4. The change in scale of the vehicle is a bit difficult to get used to. I liked sitting above the traffic in my Expedidtion.

The distance from the ground to the bottom of the hitch receiver on my Expedition was 17.5" and I used a tri-ball mount (0" rise, 0" drop)...but on the Highlander with the OEM hitch it is 15 3/4" from ground to bottom of receiver so I'm using a 2" rise ball mount to compensate and get my boat trailer sitting level.

[kramdunc]

Cool.

I've decided on the OEM hitch and will DIY it. Despite the offer from my buddy to sell and install the reese hitch and harness for $315, I told them that he's gonna help me and all I'm buying is a case of beer and the parts.

He is checking with his suppliers to see if he can get the OEM parts on the cheap. If he does, I'll make sure to post his information.

[benstan]

It's a very easy job and the instructions provided from Toyota are very detailed. Do the hitch first, the harness second, and then cut and re-intsall the plastic splash covers last. (They provide you with instructions on how to do the cuts. All you need is a heavy pair of sissors or I used tin snips.) You can find the .pdf's on this site for the hitch and harness installations.

Honestly, the most difficult part of the whole operation for me was trying to install the new fascia cover. The instructions said to start in the middle and work both sides outward...I tryed that a couple times with no luck and then had an idea to start at one end and slowly and carefully work my way to the other end. I found it useful to apply pressure to the existing plastic bumper tabs from the back with a long stout flat-head screwdriver until I got the tab on the fascia to lock into place in the bumper slot. When you get started on this part you'll see what I bmean. Just take your time and be careful not to break off any of the plastic tabs on the fascia. A beer (or 12) along the way doesn't hurt. If you get too drunk then just start fresh again the next day.

[kramdunc]

Thanks again benstan...

Checked with my buddy and he can't get the OEM hitch from his suppliers

I just ordered the parts, but have to leave on a two week work trip

I'll post some pics in a few weeks.