That looks like the same exact size of my Reese ball mount. Hang on, I'll take a pic of it on the hitch...Thanks for the quick reply. But Toyota does sell one...
http://toyotapartspeople.com/search...8182695&year=10&productdesc=Towing+Ball+Mount
Ditto: Ball mounts can be reversed up or down.Just reverse the mount. Put it in upside down.
WHOA!I understand. The Toyota parts guy I called out of state indicated the distance on the factory ball to pin was 4 3/4". Quite a difference from the standard 8 1/2". I was just looking for confirmation of 4 3/4" as that seems kinda short. I don't want toyota pointing to something like that to void a warranty issue some how related to towing.
4 3/4 inches? I wouldn't trust that length. Even with my 8 1/2 inch ball mount on mine it still looks like my boat is gonna come through my back window.
I agree, the rear springs are too soft for towing. My snowmobile trailer has a tongue weight of about 200lbs, plus all your gear in the rear, makes it sag more than ideal. Not that it causes any significant problems other than your headlights are aimed too high if towing at night. I have the Sport which is supposed to have a stiffer suspension but I bet this is just a shock configuration vs. stiffer springs.Speaking of towing weight. I tow a boat that has a dry weight of about 2600lbs. I'm not sure what the tongue weight would be on that, but I do notice that when I have the boat hooked up to my HL, there is quite a bit drop in the back end of the vehicle. Don't these HL's have some kind of leveling shocks or something. I know in our old mini van if I loaded up a bunch of cargo in the back area, some pneumatic air would kick in and raise the rear end of the vehicle until it was back to level again.
I was going to recommend a weight distribution hitch. I have one to tow my approximately 4200lb loaded hybrid that likely has a tongue weight of around 500lbs and it is as level as it is with nothing hitched to it. In fact, the rear end sagged lower when I towed my 1800-2000lb hardtop (likely around 200lb tongue weight) without a WDH.I agree, the rear springs are too soft for towing. My snowmobile trailer has a tongue weight of about 200lbs, plus all your gear in the rear, makes it sag more than ideal. Not that it causes any significant problems other than your headlights are aimed too high if towing at night. I have the Sport which is supposed to have a stiffer suspension but I bet this is just a shock configuration vs. stiffer springs.
You can get air bags installed aftermarket like your old van had but I have no idea with this costs. Weight distribution hitches are an option but should this really be necessary for only 200lbs. Besides, there is debate whether or not one can be used for a unibody vehicle.
I’m considering a boat which will weigh 3,500lbs dry which I’m guessing will have a 350lb tongue weight and I’m concerned about sag.
i mean i understand trying to use soft springs to make the ride comfortable, but only 250lbs over the rear axle to make it compress seems somewhat low compared to over vehicles....^^ We noticed the same thing with ours when we took a trip to Madison WI recently. WE had the back loaded with two coolers, sleeping gear, suitcases and such and there was still, what I would call, significant droop in the rear end. I'm going to call our dealer about it and complain.
You don't equip an SUV with a 5000LB tow package that sags in the rear, that's for sure.
EDIT: I just called my dealer's service department. They have had no one else complain about this but he did confirm that if you put anything over 250lb's on the back axle, the vehicle is going to sag down. I told him that if I tow at night or am loaded with items in the back that I get flashed from oncoming drivers that think I have my brights on all the time. I said "So is my only solution not to drive at night with a full load or not tow at night?" He said no. But he will check into it to see if there are any other complaints and if there is a viable solution.
