offroadtrd

Hey Folks, Just bought a 2009 Rx350, Was really looking at buying a Rav4 V6 & ended up with this baby at a good deal. Love the 2GR FE, Looking to have a hitch installed, preferably a hidden hitch to have a good ground clearance. I am surprised how low the exhaust cat is like 7in from ground, really worried taking it on to the cottage roads. Any tips from guys who hav experience with hitch hunting appreciate. Thanks.

Felix

Have you checked out the oem hitchs? Possibly U-haul as well. Ist thing I'd be checking out if the oil cooler lines have been replaced w/ metal lines, If not that'd be one of the 1st things to do as well as the bank one vvt line,since its spiced w/ a rubber hose. Things to do, Change thhe trans fluid & filter as well as clean the 2 magnets in the trans pan. Change the transfer case oil & rear diff oil. One Wix trans filter, a gallon of Maxlife trans fluuid, 2 qtrs of 75-90 synthec gear oil. A great cost effective upgrade is the gen 3 front brake upgrade....Pads/rotors & a pr of reman brake calipers for a 2011 rx gen3= direct bolt one, swap out the brake hose for new as well as flush the old fluid for new dot 3.......Welcome to CL........Oh the 3 converter isn't reallythat low. I swapped mine out for a magna flow hi-flow converter, 2.5 tubing & a hi-flow muffler.....

MattRX

You could put a 2001-2003 Highlander hitch on if you're willing to tuck the exhaust up a little at the back. Those have more clearance and are more recessed

evident

I have an OEM Hitch from a highlander installed since 09 and it works great. I usually tow the small uhaul trailers for moving stuff.

I'll warn you that it does rust. I took it off the car last fall to grind off alot of the rust and resprayed it.

Leeper

Years ago I needed a hitch went a place called "Hitch Masters" to have one in stalled on a Acura Intergra they did an amazing job the cost was very low. That was years ago but the same may stkill apply. They know what they're doing

My RX330 came with the tow pacakge and hitch already installed with additional trans cooling, as most do I believe.

offroadtrd

Thank you all, I hope you are referring to Curt 13429 meant for 2001-03 highlander. I guess that s the way to go? Lexus oem ones are C$580 too expensive.

Pierregirard

If you're worried about ground clearance, going for a hidden hitch is a smart move. It keeps the clearance good while giving you the towing ability you want. Just make sure the hitch is made for your specific vehicle. This way, it will fit right and work properly without needing any changes.

MheityRX

Hello! I put an oem hitch on my 2004 RX 330. I looked up the Lexus part and ended up purchasing the Toyota equivalent for way less. Mine has both the Lexus and Toyota part numbers stamped right next to each other. Here is my Toyota order info: (PT22869045 1 $ 258.00 Towing Options, Hitch. Tow Hitch.). The OEM is a bent tube vs a bar with a cutout for the exhaust on the right side. Not that you might need, but the oem swoops down on both sides - so you could run twin tips exhaust. Oem also comes with a plug in wire harness and a fixed plug in point for trailer wiring on the receiver left of the hitch point. You should check if you have the optional tow package. Easy to check for this up front on driver's side: there is a small auxiliary radiator to keep tranny cool while towing. You should be able to see it through the air channel opening in front near the left front wheel. MattRX talks about replacing the corroded lines for it in one of his posts. The tow kit also consists of a wire harness under the back left inside tool nooks. Once extracted you can plug the oem right into it. No splicing or adapters. Info on towing is scattered through the users manual. For instance, at one entry it states to not tow in D, but stay down in 4.

Tow limit is 2500lbs or 3500lbs with tow package options. I also went with coilovers because my 2004 was perhaps the tallest and softest suspension they offered on these. Even an empty trailer was tossing it around. My trailer tires run at 51lbs and I have towed up to 4500lbs. It becomes limited by the brakes and tires bowing on trailer. You should be fine with loads around 3000 without the tow package's extra radiator (?) - just watch out for excessive tranny shifts in hilly areas and get on those brakes early. The stock mirrors stink for towing and often folks can't see the trailer behind the car. Lastly, I got some more ground clearance by putting in a new exhaust Y pipe and sport muffler ($$). The back bend before the rear resonator is now my low spot. The front sub frame is camry low too. Good luck!!!

offroadtrd

Looking at your reply i ended up buying Curt 13429 (meant for 2001-03 highlander) but curt site says the ones that fit are 13530 (meant for 2006-07 highlander), doubt if this is gonna fit have to go under truck to break the suspense.