carrtommy

The plug is under the passenger side panel after you remove the tray as stated in the previous post. you need to reach up under the panel only a few inches. It may help for you to look at the converter connector so you know when you find the connector in the vehicle.

veey

I saw your post too late. Yesterday I installed wiring at U-Haul. They have same kit for $39.99 + $50 for the installation and optional $10 for 2-year warranty. Notable that Etrailer sent me a response that they don't have wiring for my vehicle.

carrtommy

I was told by the parts person at the Lexus Dealer that the trailer light converter was for the front wheel drive RX350 and that the AWD RX350 came with the converter. The Lexus parts guy was wrong on both issues. My 2013 RX350 did not come with the converter. The Lexus parts guy stated that the converter is the only converter that Lexus sells. The converter worked fine on my 2013 RX350 AWD without tow package.
As far as Red Trailer statement, they are only passing info on what they heard and it may be true for the 450H or the converter was faulty right out of the box.
The statement from Red trailer does not apply for the 2013 RX350 AWD vehicle without tow package. It works great on my vehicle!!!!!!
The e-trailer part for the connector with wire to flat 4 pin connector I previously stated worked fine. You can always spend more and purchase the Lexus cable with connectors because it comes with a bracket that you can mount to the trailer hitch so that the flat four pin end is nicely secured at all times to the trailer hitch. I could not see spending the extra so I purchased the e-trailer connector.
The proof is in the verification that the connector works properly when everything is installed.
What I think is nice about purchasing the converter from Lexus is that the converter output is over current protected so if a trailer light has a short, it should not cause the fuse to blow. The manual states just clear the fault and then again try the light function and it should restore and work as long as the short is no longer present. I believe the Lexus manual states that the light output will turnoff if the output draws or exceeds 7.5 amps.

carrtommy

The part number for the converter from Lexus is
Toyota p/n PT219-48101-TC.
I goggled the part number and found LEXUS OEM parts that sold it as low as $85.00. I paid with tax around $120.00. If I had the part number at the time, I would have tried to purchase over the internet. Oh well!
It works great. Oh by the way, E-trailer does have the connector/cable that fits directly to the OEM connector located under the drivers side rear located adjacent to the rear bumper. You need to remove the pan where the trailer hitch goes to get to the connector. See previous post.
The e-trailer part number was listed in previous post and it works even though it was not listed for a 2013 RX350, it was listed for a 2010 Lexus RX350 and it works fine.

carrtommy

This part is compatible with 8 vehicle(s).
Notes Year Make Model Trim Engine
2013 Lexus RX350 All All
2013 Lexus RX450h All All
2012 Lexus RX350 All All
2012 Lexus RX450h All All
2011 Lexus RX350 All All
2011 Lexus RX450h All All
2010 Lexus RX350 All All
2010 Lexus RX450h All All
Portions of the information contained in this table have been provided by concordlexus
Item specifics
Condition:
New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is ... Read more
Brand: Lexus OEM
Other Part Number: PT21948101TC Manufacturer Part Number: PT219-48101-TC
Lexus of Concord Visit my eBay store

carrtommy

The electrical connector part number from curt is 56083 and a picture is shown on the e-trailer web site. This is the correct connector.
The following part number was the e-trailer part number on the shipping box for the electrical connector;
016118026306

carrtommy

The electrical connector part number from curt is 56083 and a picture is shown on the e-trailer web site. This is the correct connector.
Sorry about the part numbers. I decided to see today exactly what I purchased from e-trailer. Fortunately a picture of the connector is shown.

BobAgain

Thanks for all the help, folks.

I was able to buy the towing converter relay (Lexus part 81985-WY010) at Rohrich Lexus here in Pittsburgh for less than $50. Popped right into that plug in the right rear. I've got it zip tied to the bracket. Connected the Curt T-connector 56083 (eTrailer for less than $20) into the harness under the left rear bumper. Tested good. Ran the harness inside the bumper cover up to the receiver box and then out between the facia pieces. I've got the rubber keeper attached to one of the safety chain connections and then over the harness plug so that it holds the plug securely.

Yee-haa we're in business.

elexusparts

Fitment for PT219-48101-TC Towing Options, Tow Converter

RX 350 2010 9424-NON/5DR/V6/4WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2011 9424-NON/5DR/V6/4WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2012 9424-NON/5DR/V6/4WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2013 9424-NON/5DR/V6/4WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2010 9420-NON/5DR/V6/2WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2011 9420-NON/5DR/V6/2WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2012 9420-NON/5DR/V6/2WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 350 2013 9420-NON/5DR/V6/2WD/6AT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2010 9444-NON/5DR/HYB/4WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2011 9444-NON/5DR/HYB/4WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2012 9444-NON/5DR/HYB/4WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2013 9444-NON/5DR/HYB/4WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2010 9440-NON/5DR/HYB/2WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2011 9440-NON/5DR/HYB/2WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2012 9440-NON/5DR/HYB/2WD/CVT - - - - - -
RX 450 H 2013 9440-NON/5DR/HYB/2WD/CVT

rrsiv

I'm new to the Club Lexus forum, but found this thread very helpful. I installed a hitch today and thought I'd share a couple things so it can help others.

I have a 2012 RX 450h without tow package. I installed the Curt 13143 hitch. This was pretty easy to install. Definitely helps to have another set of hands when attaching hitch to help hold the other end when attaching the first end. Below are some hints:

- there are two pieces of facia under the car. You only need to remove the larger piece going from driver's side to a little past the middle of the car.

- I read differing points on whether to unattach the muffler. I found I needed to do this in order to get the hitch in place.

- the video referenced earlier in the thread was very helpful. The picture of the facia made it look much larger than it actually is.

- the hitch fits perfectly and does not touch muffler (as others mentioned some other manufacturer hitches rub against the muffler)

- the only tool I did not have was a torque wrench. The 6 bolts need to be tightned to 86 lbs/ft. I purchased one from Amazon from Gorilla. It cost about $45 and worked great.

- on the facia, I cut about a 3" wide piece (vs. 4.5 inches in the instructions). As others mentioned, this gives a tighter, nicer appearance. You do need to cut all the way back (about 6.5") so it slips over the hitch. I also had to cut a corner off near the last two screws that allow the facia to be removed. This was needed because the facia was against the hitch and wouldn't fit correctly when I tried to reattach. I also made another notch to allow the wiring harness to come out of. With the cut at 3" wide, it was too narrow for the wiring harness to come out.

- as I said earlier, I did not have the tow package. I ordered part #118255 made by TowReady. This was all I needed to get the trailer lights working. There are two pieces to the kit. The first part connects under the driver side bumper while the facia is off. You need to remove the cap on the piece under the bumper and then attach the piece. The second piece needs to be attached in the back of the car (inside the trunk), near the passenger tail light (but much lower than the light). An earlier piece of this thread was very helpful in locating the wire and explaining what to remove inside the car. I ended up using a mirror and flashlight to help locate it. It is tucked pretty tight in a small space and I thought a little hard to find. After attaching the second part of #118255 to this the lights worked perfectly. I also checked the fuse box and already had a fuse in the correct location.

- I'm pretty much a novice with these things. It took me about a half hour to remove the facia, 45 minutes to get the hitch in place, an hour and a half to cut the facia and re-attach to the car. I cut the facia several times because I didn't want the spot to be very big. The facia is very easy to cut. I used a jig saw. It took me about 15 minutes to attach the second part of the wiring package (inside the trunk of the car). The longest part was finding the plug tucked in tight to connect to.

Hope this helps!

NorthGa

I have attempted to buy a Curt Hitch for my 2013 RX350 'base' with trailer option. Getting a hitch is no problem from any of the 'online' companies. Getting a wiring connector is another story. They all say that their part does not fit my vehicle? e-trailer, e-hitch, etc........... I tell them I have the trailer package and all I need is the "T" connector but they say what they have does not fit a 2013 even tho when you search on their site it comes up with a part number saying it fits a 2013?????
I would like one of ya'll to confirm that it worked for you? or do I have to go to Lexus to get the wiring harness?

I have updated this message. I have contacted Curt directly and they will not vouch for a connector except for a 2012 RX or older??? I have contacted Lexus parts at a dealership and they are telling me they DO NOT sell a separate connector?? They said the 'hitch package' for a RX comes with all the necessary parts and connections which includes the 'proper' electrical connector.

I am totally dumbfounded by all of this? the 2013 RX is a third generation model just like the 2010-12 and I am guessing the 2014. What could be different?

I hope one of you 2013 RX installers can verify everything was able to be completed even tho the 'sellers' won't verify such?

my1strx350

I have 2013 RX350. I am thinking to buy hitch from sewell and install on my own . Any suggestions on the same before I made the purchase, any better option available ? I went to dealership last week and they suggested me to get it done from local installers to save cost.

carrtommy

Buy the Curtis hitch and do it yourself. Read previous info for installation. If you are a do it yourself guy, you will have no problems in doing it. Although a previous person recommended two guys, I had no problems doing it myself with no other help. Go for it. The only thing you need to know about your vehicle is whether it came with the tow prep package. If not, you will need the prefabricated trailer wire with connector that is installed under the vehicle and the trailer relay module that is installed under the passenger side tail light. The wiring connector can easily be ordered online for under $20 and some others have had good success ordering the trailer light relay module online. I bought it from the Lexus dealer for around $100.00 but it sounds like a paid too much. Oh well, at least my lights and trailer hitch works fine. Good luck!

NorthGa

......You are handy with tools and don't have a problem with supplied directions. I too have a 2013 RX350 with FWD and I do have the towing package. I will buy the Curtis hitch and the wiring connector and do it myself. I've done it on a Toyota Highlander so this will be somewhat similar. My only suggestion is what a previous poster said "borrow a torque wrench". Having the correct 'snugness' will be important. Good luck and have faith.

Tuantvo46

I'm installing the Curt tow hitch for my 2014 RX450h .
Would someone please show me how to open the two fasten bolds closed to the exhaust to remove the lower facial. I did open 10 bolds. Total are 12 bolds not 13 as shown on the Curt instruction.
Thank you so much