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HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Hitch for 2006 Highlander", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
Ndabunka,PT228-69045 is the correct part number for the full tubular Hitch. Yes, if yu have the Tow prep pack the converter is in there already. Yu will have nothing else to buy. The converter is in your HL just waiting for the OE hitch.
My dealer had the PT228-69045 for $297 list. I managed to get it for $250 even (tax incl.) Installed it on an a friends 04 HL with Tow prep already installed. Converter (blue Box) was under the rear storage compartment. Since yours is a Hybrid. The convertermay be in a slightly different location due to Hybrid battery location. The Hitch comes with the wiring and harness and great Toyota instructions.
Could you post a copy of the instructions for installation as well as the specs for the bolts? I got a used one with no hardware and need to see how it goes on. Thanks.
Update - The box I got had been opened prior to my receipt so I guess I will be calling the dealership tomorrow primarily to get instructions and secondarily to see if they can provide whatever might be missing (nuts, bolts, etc). I had a smaller box inside my large box but the only thing in it was the plastic "Toyota" cap. There were two plates that were loose in the larger carton so I assume they came out of that smaller box as well but there were no nut, bolts nor any instructions.
I decided not to let this stop me from getting this thing onto the vehicle. Took me about 30 minutes to "bolt it up" to take off the old tow hooks and put this in. I used the original box as a brace to hold the hitch up until I could raise it with one hand and bolt it in with the other. Was VERY simple. Of course, now that I have done it, I see were the missing metal brackets as well as more bolts/nuts are needed. I will call up the shop in the morning and get them to order them for me but at least it's on the truck now (only held on by four bolts that were already used for the tow hooks)
PS - I have taken pictures of the two hitches side-by-side and will be posting so that others can see the differences more easily. There is a WORLD of difference between the two as far as quality. The OEM one is TRUE power coated and looks like it will stand up well against the weather. The other one was more like a Krylon "spray paint" job by some guy they are paying minimum wage.
Jimmy - You don't really need any instructions for it. Just get under the truck and look at the bolts. You will see that you need a total of six bolts to secure it just like the after-market ones. If you did get the additional plates/brackets then you can also (pretty easily) see how those would go on. No instructions really needed at all.
I would take closeup pictures of mine but it is raining cats and dogs over here.
These plates wrap around the outer frame rails and the bolts go through the plate>frame rails>then Hitch. They essentially go where the Tow Hook plates were.
I did mount this but am waiting on the balance of the hardware prior to placing the hitch in actual service (i.e. the boat will have to wait one more week before it goes in the water). Here is a picture of the two hitches next to each other. These photos show the additional two side pieces that are included in the OEM package as well as the part numbers associated with each (if you really do want to order them) and then photos of how to install them correctly (off the RX400h forum). The bolts coming down from the top on the left-hand side photo (non-exhaust) are the ones that are already built into the smaller bracket).
PS - Please ignore the advertisements at the top of that public page (You are NOT the 10,00000000th person and there is no "reward" waiting for you. I HATE those things but what can we do..)
Great photos. It's a huge help. When you get the extra hardware and the instructions, please let me know what size bolts are needed to attach the side plates to the frame. I'll assume that the 6 main bolts are the same as for the aftermarket hitch. I tend to agree that the OEM looks over engineered, but better safe than sorry. Thanx.
Great photos. It's a huge help. When you get the extra hardware and the instructions, please let me know what size bolts are needed to attach the side plates to the frame. I'll assume that the 6 main bolts are the same as for the aftermarket hitch. I tend to agree that the OEM looks over engineered, but better safe than sorry. Thanx.
How can yu consider an OE design over engineered?
It is the way Toyota built it. Why would yu compare it to any aftermarket Hitch.
How can yu consider an OE design over engineered?
It is the way Toyota built it. Why would yu compare it to any aftermarket Hitch.
I think yu have things somewhat backwards.
Look at it this way. The after market vendors would not be allowed to sell their hitches if they had not proven them to be fully capable of supporting the "mandated by law" load capacities. They only have six bolts securing their device to the bumper. These EXACT same contact points are there for the Toyota hitch so that is probably all that is REALLY required in order to have safe operation. Toyota did go a couple of steps beyond by adding the addiional side-mounted brackets. Does this help meet the load requirements...nope. Does it help make it a better mount, certainly. But these additional mounting points may well not be necessary. Rather, they seem to be more of a "nice to have". I personally think that the looks alone make the OEM hitch a better design. The fact that it "tucks" under the chassis is also a benefit. The fact that it is actually "finished" properly (paint) also adds to that. Given the options of a $117 OEM hitch (what I paid for the one I attempted including shipping) plus the cost of the aftermarket wiring harness (another $40) and the time it takes to execute the after-market harness, the $250 I paid for the OEM hitch receiver and the biult-in wiring components) and the few minutes it takes to hook up the OEM version, I think the OEM version is the right way to go. In the end it's probably $100 more expensive but it also takes about 50% less time to install. OEM looks better (underneath the truck). OEM will last longer (i.e. not rust), etc. The ONLY ones who will consider the after-market ones are the ones that only see the initial purchase price (i.e. about 85% of most Americans).
Point well taken. Your argument is was based on sound knowledge and executed well.
What I believe yu meant by over engineered was taken out out of context to some extent.
In aftermarket terms it may be used more freely. I just feel that since the OE hitch is Toyotas own designed application that one cannot truly reverse engineer it to the extent of saying that it is over engineered.
Upon close examination of the OE hitch....yu have a valid point in any event.
I just bought a 2007 HL and would like to add the OEM hitch. However, after looking at the pictures and under the car I don't see how it will go over the tail pipe. Is there a trick?
Edit: I see from a pic in another thread the OEM one goes under the tail pipe like the cheap one. I was thrown by the apparent typo in the factory instructions -
1. Slide hitch over muffler pipe into installed
position. (Fig. E 1)
I finally got my used hitch installed. After I fed the attached wiring with the rubber plug through the hole on the rear drivers side, I proceeded to take apart the interior to make the electrical connection. My 2007 HL has the 3rd row seat, so the interior configuration may be a bit different than others. I found a female plug near the rear light wiring that accepted the hitch plug. Is this all I need to do, aside from adding the fuse? Or do I need to do something with the "converter", where ever that is? How do I test the connection? I don't have a trailer yet, but would like to know if I'm hooked up correctly.
I finally got my used hitch installed. After I fed the attached wiring with the rubber plug through the hole on the rear drivers side, I proceeded to take apart the interior to make the electrical connection. My 2007 HL has the 3rd row seat, so the interior configuration may be a bit different than others. I found a female plug near the rear light wiring that accepted the hitch plug. Is this all I need to do, aside from adding the fuse? Or do I need to do something with the "converter", where ever that is? How do I test the connection? I don't have a trailer yet, but would like to know if I'm hooked up correctly.
The hitch harness /plug goes to a plug hole that is drivers side and forward closer to the left rear wheel. There are two plugs. Use the one closer to the wheel.
The Convertershould be just above the hole going into the vehicle. Yu must remove the cargo area trays and all. It should be a Blue plastic box. It will be there if yu have the Tow prep package. Then there is nothing else to do except plug the harness into it. It needs nothing else like fuses etc. Instructions for the OE hitch indicate this.
Re: Hitch for 2006 Highlander
It's a huge help. When you get the extra hardware and the instructions, please let me know what size bolts are needed to attach the side plates to the frame. I'll assume that the 6 main bolts are the same as for the aftermarket hitch. I tend to agree that the OEM looks over engineered, but better safe than sorry. Thanx.
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