[JB in AZ]

Wouldn’t you then have a large “hole“ in the middle of your bumper?

My intention would be to exchange the parts from the other car, which would replace the parts on my car. The other car gets the hitch and my rear bumper ends up looking like it did before they installed the hitch at the "port".

 

[Big D 66]

As JB said, you would swap the lower valance between the two - the hitch kit comes with a lower bumper valance that goes around the hitch.

 

[dbgeddes]

question for you guys - just purchased a preowned 20 highlander platinum with Toyota hitch on it (before the issue was discovered and corrected with kick sensor.) I'm looking to by the new sensor and bracket (and cover if necessary) to change it out and make sensor operable. Is the "bracket mount" for new sensor on the trailer hitch frame itself or is the mount for sensor on the new lower bumper cover piece? I know there are a lot of parts folks that have no clue on this from what I've been able to find in my area so I think you all probably know more than them lol. Trying to verify what I need to purchase to do this correction besides the obvious bracket and sensor.

It also appears that the "corrected" bumper cover comes in 2 pieces at it shows a left hand and right hand in the parts list? My current hitch bumper cover is a single piece with the cutout for hitch

 

[toto]

Here's the list of parts that may be needed above and beyond the hitch receiver itself.

The mount for the kick sensor is on the "lower bumper cover", clipping onto plastic tabs. So you'll want the correct lower bumper cover for your trim level to get the right color and a spot for the kick sensor bracket.

The left and rear undercovers are located beneath the car and are probably installed already.

The converter provides electrical signals to the hitch wiring harness. There's a 4-wire harness hanging under the car from the factory, but it does nothing without the converter box. That's something to be aware of when buying used; many people put on just the hitch receiver for a bike rack or some other accessory so they skip that step.

 

[dbgeddes]

Here's the list of parts that may be needed above and beyond the hitch receiver itself.

View attachment 395437

The mount for the kick sensor is on the "lower bumper cover", clipping onto plastic tabs. So you'll want the correct lower bumper cover for your trim level to get the right color and a spot for the kick sensor bracket.

The left and rear undercovers are located beneath the car and are probably installed already.

The converter provides electrical signals to the hitch wiring harness. There's a 4-wire harness hanging under the car from the factory, but it does nothing without the converter box. That's something to be aware of when buying used; many people put on just the hitch receiver for a bike rack or some other accessory so they skip that step.

Did I see on one of these threads where this process can be done without removing the whole bumper cover and just removing and replacing the lower bumper cover portion? I don't see how that is do-able in the little bit of investigation I did under our vehicle, but I remember seeing someone saying that in one of the many threads I've been digging through on this topic the last few days.

 

[dbgeddes]

As JB said, you would swap the lower valance between the two - the hitch kit comes with a lower bumper valance that goes around the hitch. View attachment 383697

I'm getting confused and seeing some contradictory info on the bumper cover color for the platinum trim. When you look at part list for lower bumper cover it specifies PT228-48206-01 for platinum and also says (dark grey). I thought and this picture seems to indicate that the platinum has the "silver" lower bumper cover. Which is "correct"? I've seen a couple 2020 and new platinums around town today and they had the "silver" color lower cover but the part number calls out dark grey for the platinum. Trying to order the correct part to move the kick sensor on my 2020 with hitch already installed.

 

[tim.lawlor]

Dealer Installed OEM hitch with revised rear body molding and re-located foot sensor (moved over to left side) is NOW AVAILABLE in Canada. Ontario anyway, I am scheduled to have mine installed at Whitby Toyota next week on '21 Platinum. $1635+HST. 4 hour install.

What are you pulling with that hitch? I want to put one on my 2021 platinum.

 

[hihysf11]

Did I see on one of these threads where this process can be done without removing the whole bumper cover and just removing and replacing the lower bumper cover portion? I don't see how that is do-able in the little bit of investigation I did under our vehicle, but I remember seeing someone saying that in one of the many threads I've been digging through on this topic the last few days.

wish someone would a post a quick video on how to do this part
it’s the only reason why i haven’t bought the oem hitch yet. and i don’t really like how the after market ones as it sits lower

 

[2VZ-FE]

wish someone would a post a quick video on how to do this part
it’s the only reason why i haven’t bought the oem hitch yet. and i don’t really like how the after market ones as it sits lower

The OEM one also sits lower. That's why the valence has a 1" lower extension to cover the hitch cross bar.

But it still doesn't sit as low as the aftermarket hitches.

 

[burnaz]

Here's the list of parts that may be needed above and beyond the hitch receiver itself.

View attachment 395437

The mount for the kick sensor is on the "lower bumper cover", clipping onto plastic tabs. So you'll want the correct lower bumper cover for your trim level to get the right color and a spot for the kick sensor bracket.

The left and rear undercovers are located beneath the car and are probably installed already.

The converter provides electrical signals to the hitch wiring harness. There's a 4-wire harness hanging under the car from the factory, but it does nothing without the converter box. That's something to be aware of when buying used; many people put on just the hitch receiver for a bike rack or some other accessory so they skip that step.

I have a 2021 Highlander AWD platinum hybrid. I want to add a tow hitch. Are these all the parts needed to do the project? I don't plan on towing anything other than bikes.

 

[OneHP]

Both the Limited and Platinum have foot-activated tailgate opener. This can be a problem for hitch installation. I would ask the dealer two questions: 1) how is this issue resolved after hitch installation and 2) what will the hitch opening on the rear lower bumper look like? You'd like it to look like it was done professionally.

2022 HL Platinum V6 , have no problem with factory installed hitch with harness and foot activation