Dip Don

I picked up and installed my Lexus OEM hitch today. I had a pleasant surprise, the dealer quoted me $268.00 and I thought that was plus tax. They actually charged me $250.00 plus tax.

I will tell anyone who asks, spend the extra $50.00 to $75.00 and buy the OEM hitch it looks soooooo much nicer and bolts to the frame in four more places than the aftermarket ones. It also came with the Lexus rubber plug for the receiver hiole and the wiring, bracket and plug are already installed.

I also found a way to connect the wiring without disassembling the trunk....took me 15 minutes. I'm going to post how in a new post.

DakotaRX

I didn't add extensions or any thing else to my outside mirrors. Main reason was not to damage or scratch finishes. While having extensions would improve over the stock mirrors I really had no problem with the stock ones. In passing someone you will probably be about 300 ft. ahead of them before you fully see them in your mirrors. As for backing up that wasn't any real problem either. You should have another person there anyway to help backing into spots. During our trip we had to do a couple overnight stops and just pulled into motel parking lots where I had room to park across several spots. Don't try to do the pull ahead in one spot with the trailer behind in the other spot as the overall length will put you way out in the lane. I just go to a corner of the parking lot and park across several. You see trucks and even semi's do it all the time. If you have to back into loading or unloading areas then make sure you have someone to guide you. Even with mirror extensions it helps to have a guide. I have seen ads for mirror extensions that just fit over your existing mirrors and add another 8 to 10 inches of extension but have never actually seen them in use or know of anyone that has tried them.

2005 RX330 Thundercloud
1998 GS300 (previous and first Lexus)

LexyRexy

Hey guys, I recently bought a used oem hitch and the previous owner forgot to take off the bracket on the driver side. Do you guys think this will have any affect when I am towing two jet skis? Does anyone know if I can order that bracket itself? Any info is appreciated. Thanks ahead.

Dip Don

The OEM hitch is really overbuilt compared to the aftermarket models. The aftermarket ones only attach on the bottom side of the frame. The oem model attaches on the sides of the frame with two bolts. I think it would be easier to have one made. Make a template out of cardboard and get a friend to weld up a plate. It's just a peice of angle iron with two bolt holes on each side.

LexyRexy

Thanks Dip Don, I will see if I can have a sheetmetal shop make one for me.

pgaod

New owner and forum member. Mine came with the prep package but no hitch. This is all good info for me. Thanks