Tow package recommendation?

[Tinkerbelle]

Hi!
I'm new to this forum & new to owning a Toyota.
I just bought my very first NEW car last week & I'm so excited!
It's a Matrix '09 Silver, 1.8 l.

I would like to add a tow package to tow approx. 400 - 600 lbs maybe 3 or 4 times a year very max. about 1-200 miles. It would be a small boat on a trailer.

Could anyone give me some recommendations or suggestions on which tow package to get?

Also, any thoughts on "do it yourself" (or a more mechanically inclined friend) installation of said package?

Much obliged.
Thanks!

[jdhog]

Hi,

I've seen someone on the 10thgen corolla forum with a tow bar, you'll probably have to search around for one. should be able to get one for about $100-150 ish.

As far as install goes it should be fairly straight forward. There is a central jacking point at the back of the trix so you should be able to get under there ok, or use ramps or maybe even while it's on the floor.

the guy on the rolla forums used a bag of mulch to hold the tow bar in place while getting the bolts through! that's a stroke of genius right there.

I don't know if you were thinking of adding a wiring harness but I think you can get one that connects into the brake lights.

[Tinkerbelle]

Hi jdhog,

Thanks for the reply. Will start searching. Yes, I do need the wiring harness, too. I think I need to do more research on my own about this & then post more precise questions.

The mulch bag idea IS brilliant - will share.

Much obliged for your response.

[jdhog]

Hi,

Here's a link to the kind of thing might work for the wiring:
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-VWH~118386.htm

I think that what you do is unplug the tailights, plug the connectors into harness and then plug the harness back into the tailights on each side, which means no cutting or splicing.

[jdhog]

Also found some hitches for the 09:

http://www.autoanything.com/towing/20A50737A1.aspx

[Tinkerbelle]

Hello All, (Happy 4th of July!)
Hello to jdhog especially,

As a quick follow up - bought the Curt Mfg. Class II receiver hitch model 1228 for under $150.
Shipped super fast, was completely easy for me to install alone & am very happy with it!! (Haven't pulled anything yet, but will soon. Working on wiring... not sure how that happens yet...)

But here's a link to their site & the hitch that works for my '09 Matrix.

http://www.thehitchstore.com/hitches...s-c-20_22.html

Good experience with them.

And I'm loving this car!!!
So happy to be a first time Toyota owner. :-)

[jdhog]

Cool. If you get a chance, post some pictures.

[Esteban32696]

I just added a hitch on my 2010 Vibe. [2009 hitch works ]. I bought it here & it is a Curt hitch as well. It is NOT like the one in the pix displayed, but if you search about 1/2 down the listing, there is a small pix of the hitch I received. I used a simple kit that required splicing into the wires. I'll look that kit # up. But, there are kits that plug in but much more $$. Would be a lot easier, though ! NOTE. The access area to splice in at the driver's tailight is a very " TIGHT AREA !"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PONTI...Q5fAccessories

EDIT;
Here is the wiring kit I used. There is a harness plug-in in behind my driver's side tail light, if you can find the right wiring kit.

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1139

[Jimmie Boy]

Just installed the Curt Hitch # 12228. It's the best. Crossbar is completely hidden. Just the little black receiver shows. My car is black, so it isn't noticable at all. Install was easy. Bought from The Hitch Store. $199.34 US total with taxes and shipping to Canada included.