SkyHigh

Lexus wants $420.00 for a hitch and I can get a Draw-Tite 2"x2" hitch for $165.00 and wiring harness for $20.00. Does anyone know if there is a difference?

subal

I don't know about the Lexus hitch, but I've used Drawtite's for years towing 16-20' boats and never had any problems.
Allan

salimshah

For $20 wiring harness, I think you get the wires and terminals only. The Lexus kit comes with an islolator block. What is inside the block I really dont know {active components or passive? }

Maybe WWEST can shed some light.

The other nice thing about the Lexus kit, is that you do not need to splice any wires. Worth the $ difference? You decide.


Salim

HarrierRX300

Guys,
I was thinking of getting the tow hitch too. My reasoning is for people to not hit my bumper. Does it stick out enough so others know not to hit my bumper? I know, I know, they can hit the side of the bumper, but head on? haha... What do you guys think?

SkyHigh

Here's the wiring harness from Draw-Tite. Looks like an OEM fit to me or am I missing something?

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...egory_Code=VWH

mbmorgan

Yes, the tow hitch does protect the bumper in an accident.

I was rear-ended a couple months back. Fairly low speed. The tow hitch took the brunt of the impact with only minor damage to the bumper. It also made a mess of the Audi that hit me. Pushed the bumper into the grille and possibly the radiator as well.

I noticed that the bumper of the Audi hit directly at the level of the tow hitch and not the RX bumper. Which makes me wonder how far under the RX the Audi would have gone had the tow hitch not been there.

Matt

salimshah

1. I am not trying to say Lexus kit is better. For all I know the isolator block could be a dummy and all it does is provide wiring taps. 3 set of wires connect to the block. 1 leads to the hitch connection. The other two, you have to hook up to the left and the right turn/stop bulb assembly.

2. With the hitch, all the impact energy is transferred to the uni-body and occupants through the hitch. Depending on the collision, you may be worse off with the hitch on.

Don't forget ..... the bumpers provide a function.

Salim

cephraim

Where can you get the best price (delivered) on the Drawtite 2x2?

Thanks,
Eph

mikey00

You may want to check out Hidden Hitch #70777. It is available from bageco.com for about $110. Toyotaguys.com has a plug in wire harness for around $20. I only use my hitch for a bike rack so I only installed the hitch, not the harness.

JJ_BPK

Hi Just joined the club, Purchased 2002 RX300 two weeks ago, I am a very happy puppy,,,,

I just purchased a class III Hidden Hitch #70777 and harness from etrailer.com. From my homework, looks like about the best deal available. The harness picture shows what looks like a OEM version of the Lexus connector...

70777, Hidden Hitch Class III Round Tube Receiver,$99.95
18245, Replacement Vehicle Wiring Harness,$13.70
Shipping:$28.81

Hope this adds,,,,

Question,, Does anyone have a list of the C-BEST options for the RX300. I am going in tomorrow for my 1K check and I am interested in what I may or may not want to change??? As I live 130 miles from the dealer, I don't get a chance to go up to the big city to often and want to take advantage of all opportunities.

Question,, I received a "tires for live" warrantee(let the dealer do ALL the std maintenance and they will replace tires forever),,, Has anyone else received this service?


Thanks
Jimmy
An Old Parrot Head
In the Conch Republic,
Just South of Reality

CK1_RX3

Interesting question... The towing hitch DOES NOT stick out far enough to look like it offers any protection UNLESS you leave the ball on all the time (I always take mine off and either replace with the rubber Lexus seal or my preferred hitch lite, which is a brake light that plugs into the receiver that's attached to my OEM lexus hitch)...
Now, that said, I had a guy in a real low rice mobile (it was an old integra I think) hit me about 10 months back - low speed (5 mph) and he just bumped me enough to knock my head back into the headrest... Got out to inspect damage and there wasn't any to my car, but his front end was a bit scraped.... Now, I THINK his care was low enough that it came under mine and hit the towing package instead of the bumper, but either way, the structural soundness of the hitch must have offered some protection.
Hope that helps.
Later,
ck