When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The full hitch option when ordered from the factory included everything except the hitch ball, in my case. Possibly hitch ball can vary based on what you are towing, or maybe they just forgot to include it.
That is definitely different from both my 4Runners which came with a ball mount for the factory (or port option) trailer hitch.
I went to U-Haul and had a Curt 2 inch hitch inserted for a total of $315, including labor and lifetime guarantee. I did not do wiring as I will only use it for my bicycle rack. Unfortunately, I lost my kick sensor. Went to Lexus to see if they could fix the sensor but the labor alone would be over $500 as they would need to remove the bumper. Overall, very pleased.
Curt hitch with Lexus insert Curt hitch Kurt hitch with Lexus insert
That seems really high. My labor for everything was 3 hours which is about what your price is. Pulling the rear bumper is 5 minutes so it can't take 2 more hours to add the different sensor and wire
Has anyone seen the ball mount for the OEM hitch. My dealer says it is PT228-48231 but that part looks like it belongs on a tank or something huge.
As with most of their accessories, the mount is overpriced. These are a very generic item and one just like it on Amazon is $26.12, as opposed to $63.50 at the dealer.
Just as another point of reference, I installed the Ecohitch tow hitch this past weekend and it was relatively straightforward. I'm pretty happy with the quality of the tow hitch.
The only issue is that I had to remove the bumper to be able to fit the bar in place. I was not able to put it in like the instructions mentioned. Removing the bumper only added about 30 minutes to the job.
OK - bit the bullet and had dealer install the factory hitch on RX350 Premium. To say the least there were a variety of rabbit holes they went down. I need to give huge thanks to Nally Lexus Smyrna, GA. I worked with the Service Manager and he worked with the Parts Manager to correctly figure out what was needed since Lexus absolutely botched adding this easily. it took them a few hours of looking up items to finally figure out the correct parts list. First, as already mentioned earlier, the confirmed that there is only one radiator and oil cooler. After that they found the following parts numbers
1. PT725-48230 - this is the converter that Lexus calls the Tow Package
2. PT228-48232 - hitch itself
3. 52108-0E240 - the new part for the rear bumper with notch
4. PT725-48231 - plugs into existing plug and provides 4 pins connector under car
5. 8910A-48011 - shorter cable for kick sensor
6.82182-48391 - Luggage room wire
Some thoughts - Item 6 still puzzles me. They used my VIN and said it was required. I can't really figure out what it replaced by searching but it was not that expensive in the big picture. The new piece for the rear bumper is huge. You only see about 3-4 feet of the black insert under the car. It runs the entire length of the bumper. They had two guys looking at the rear bumper after removing it so actually install the new piece. It took the service guys about 3-4 hours to do everything. For some reason I though the hitch kit came with the extension that has the trailer ball but it did not. Not an issue - have at least 2 of them lying around. Not a big deal but I would have preferred the 4 pins connections to be closer to the center of the hitch but it is where it is.
Looks good. I went with the Lexus solution versus a less expensive solution because i just wanted the OEM stuff and I got a really good deal on parts and labor since bought the car from them in June.
Quick picture - sorry for rain drops
I am in the market for the hitch as well for my 2025 RX350H Premium. It appears that Torklift is easy to install but maybe too expensive here in Ontario or maybe even harder to get. Going to call Rack Attack locations and get a quote. However OEM installation like this looks good too. The crossbar seems to be hidden behind the bumper, maybe a picture away from the vehicle will be helpful. The Lexus dealer here quoted for three parts (PT228-48232 + 52108-0E240 + PT228-48231) installed for CAD 1350. I can get Curt installed for the half of the price, but it is low profile and the crossbar is visible. When you installed, they did the wiring connector as well, correct? Do you know if the harness bracket can be removed and the cable tugged in behind the bumper? I will use the hitch 90% of the time for bike rack and/or cargo tray. May use to tow a small UHaul trailer once in two years, where I will use the electrical harness to connect the lights. So wondering if the harness bracket can be removed and installed when needed. Thank you.
I am not totally following your questions but here goes.
When you installed, they did the wiring connector as well, correct? - if "wiring connector" means what I call converter than yes. This fits on the right side of wheel well. I think Canadian versions come with it
If you meant what I called - PT725-48231 - plugs into existing plug and provides 4 pins connector under car? I haven't looked but I think that could be easily removed. IIRC it plugs into a plug by the left rear wheel and into the connector on the Lexus hitch. However I can't imagine why you would do that for the Toyota hitch. It is already tucked away and has no effect on my bike rack.
One item you did not mention in your parts list was lick sensor. If you have it I believe you also need the parts I listed to move it away from hitch. No idea if you need it for a non Lexus hitch
I am not totally following your questions but here goes.
When you installed, they did the wiring connector as well, correct? - if "wiring connector" means what I call converter than yes. This fits on the right side of wheel well. I think Canadian versions come with it
If you meant what I called - PT725-48231 - plugs into existing plug and provides 4 pins connector under car? I haven't looked but I think that could be easily removed. IIRC it plugs into a plug by the left rear wheel and into the connector on the Lexus hitch. However I can't imagine why you would do that for the Toyota hitch. It is already tucked away and has no effect on my bike rack.
One item you did not mention in your parts list was lick sensor. If you have it I believe you also need the parts I listed to move it away from hitch. No idea if you need it for a non Lexus hitch
Actually PT725-48231, or the less costly one from Curt, interfaces with the plug on the RIGHT REAR side, up behind the bumper cover, after you first remove the protective grey plastic cap. Also, if you purchase the Torklift hitch, you will NOT need to remove the bumper cover nor will you have to re-locate the kick sensor, as it will work fine right where it is. Don't be intimidated by the Torklift hitch. It is very easy to install, especially if you have a helper to hold it up in place while securing the bolts to the rear frame. I did it by myself but, I used my rolling hydraulic floor jack to hold it up there while I wiggled it into place. This is the grey plastic cap that needs to be removed to plug in the final pigtail harness for the trailer connection.
Last edited by StefanoS; May 24, 2025 at 03:13 PM.
Reason: add phoyo
I am in the market for the hitch as well for my 2025 RX350H Premium. It appears that Torklift is easy to install but maybe too expensive here in Ontario or maybe even harder to get. Going to call Rack Attack locations and get a quote. However OEM installation like this looks good too. The crossbar seems to be hidden behind the bumper, maybe a picture away from the vehicle will be helpful. The Lexus dealer here quoted for three parts (PT228-48232 + 52108-0E240 + PT228-48231) installed for CAD 1350. I can get Curt installed for the half of the price, but it is low profile and the crossbar is visible. When you installed, they did the wiring connector as well, correct? Do you know if the harness bracket can be removed and the cable tugged in behind the bumper? I will use the hitch 90% of the time for bike rack and/or cargo tray. May use to tow a small UHaul trailer once in two years, where I will use the electrical harness to connect the lights. So wondering if the harness bracket can be removed and installed when needed. Thank you.
Thank you for taking your time to respond. Sorry for the confusion. What I meant by "wiring" was that the other end of the 4 pin connector that is attached to a plate on the hitch. Does it have to be hard-wired to a fuse/controller box or is there another connector under the trunk/on the sides where it just plugs in? I know we just have to plug in the cable from the trailer to the 4-pin connector.
Also my RX does not come with kick sensor as it is Premium trim.
Thank you for taking your time to respond. Sorry for the confusion. What I meant by "wiring" was that the other end of the 4 pin connector that is attached to a plate on the hitch. Does it have to be hard-wired to a fuse/controller box or is there another connector under the trunk/on the sides where it just plugs in? I know we just have to plug in the cable from the trailer to the 4-pin connector.
Also my RX does not come with kick sensor as it is Premium trim.
The final harness from Lexus or the Curt equivalent, plugs directly into the factory wiring as shown in the photo in my response above. All you have to do is remove the grey cap. The Curt unit is far less costly and works fine.
Thank you for taking your time to respond. Sorry for the confusion. What I meant by "wiring" was that the other end of the 4 pin connector that is attached to a plate on the hitch. Does it have to be hard-wired to a fuse/controller box or is there another connector under the trunk/on the sides where it just plugs in? I know we just have to plug in the cable from the trailer to the 4-pin connector.
Also my RX does not come with kick sensor as it is Premium trim.
As others mentioned it plugs into an existing plug under the vehicle. I believe someone mentioned on the right side but I think it is on the left. Only climbed under once so I could be wrong. At least down here in the states you can have the kick sensor with Premium. I have it and had to add the parts to move it
As others mentioned it plugs into an existing plug under the vehicle. I believe someone mentioned on the right side but I think it is on the left. Only climbed under once so I could be wrong. At least down here in the states you can have the kick sensor with Premium. I have it and had to add the parts to move it
On the Gen 5 RX models, it is on the right (passenger's side of the vehicle). Vehicle side is always determined when standing behind the car and facing forward. This is the grey plastic cap that must be removed in order to plug in the final harness pigtail to illuminate the trailer lights.
Last edited by StefanoS; Jun 11, 2025 at 12:28 PM.