Hitch for 2006 Highlander

jdayo · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2006, 02:34 PM

I bought an aftermarket class III hitch for my 2006 Highlander and HATE the way it looks. I posted some pictures in the members gallery if you want to take a look.
Does anyone here have pictures of the Toyota factory hitch part #PT228-69045 installed on their Highlander? I'd really like to see what it looks like before putting out any more $$$.

bob259 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdayo

I bought an aftermarket class III hitch for my 2006 Highlander and HATE the way it looks. I posted some pictures in the members gallery if you want to take a look.
Does anyone here have pictures of the Toyota factory hitch part #PT228-69045 installed on their Highlander? I'd really like to see what it looks like before putting out any more $$$.

I'll look, I don't think I do. While similar to the design you have the factory one looks much better. That is the reason I got the one from Toyota installed on mine.

bob259 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdayo

I bought an aftermarket class III hitch for my 2006 Highlander and HATE the way it looks. I posted some pictures in the members gallery if you want to take a look.
Does anyone here have pictures of the Toyota factory hitch part #PT228-69045 installed on their Highlander? I'd really like to see what it looks like before putting out any more $$$.

I'll look, I don't think I do. While similar to the design you have the factory one looks much better. That is the reason I got the one from Toyota installed on mine.

bob259 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdayo

I bought an aftermarket class III hitch for my 2006 Highlander and HATE the way it looks. I posted some pictures in the members gallery if you want to take a look.
Does anyone here have pictures of the Toyota factory hitch part #PT228-69045 installed on their Highlander? I'd really like to see what it looks like before putting out any more $$$.

I'll look, I don't think I do. While similar to the design you have the factory one looks much better. That is the reason I got the one from Toyota installed on mine.

I just uploaded a picture to my gallery. It's not real clear, but it should give you an idea. If not, PM me and I'll see if I can take some more for you.

gluesniffer · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2007, 10:02 PM

can you confirm that the hitch Toyota installed for you is pn PT228-69045? I have found a few sites selling these hitches, but I think they post a generic image of a car with a hitch. I want the same hitch as you have.. So i want to make sure I am getting it... Thanks..

bob259 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-15-2007, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gluesniffer

can you confirm that the hitch Toyota installed for you is pn PT228-69045? I have found a few sites selling these hitches, but I think they post a generic image of a car with a hitch. I want the same hitch as you have.. So i want to make sure I am getting it... Thanks..

I have nothing with the part number on it, as it was part of my deal and I specified a Toyota original equipment hitch. Call your local dealers parts department, or send a note to Carson's Toyota, one of the sponsoring dealers of this site and get the part number. Carson's will also offer internet pricing to members of this site.

LifeTech · #7 (**permalink**) 05-18-2007, 09:18 AM

There IS ONLY ONE factory hitch that Toyota makes for the HL and RX (same part #for the Lexus)to date. There should not be much confusion... and it looks perfect on my 06 HL. The reciever is FLUSH with my bumper without the tounge and ball inserted. A perfect bolton piece.
FYI the OE tow hooks get removed and discarded upon installation.
Don't hesitate, just shop a great price and get it. If yu are meticulous (as it seems yu are),this is the only hitch yu want!

LT

LifeTech · #8 (**permalink**) 08-27-2007, 06:33 PM

I have some pix of my OE hitch.(Port Installed)
Pix might be dark.At least they are on this old monitor.

The 4-pin flat plug is mounted to the left side of the Hitch.

The hitch is downwardly curved identical at both sides, and on the right side clears underneath the exhaust pipe perfectly.

Hope this helps.
The instructions used at port and by dealer is posted in the knowledge base section. I believe the Tow Prep package gives yu all wiring up to and including the Converter. The harness that comes from the converter to the Flat Pin plug might be included with the Hitch. I cannot confirm this yet.

It also is possible that a different part# for this hitch might have been used for 01-03 HL's, as the muffler and tailpipe IS different for the 3.0 V6 equipped HL's. Also the spare tire is mounted inside the cabin, so chassis clearance May be different as well for 01-03.

I'm looking for a part number on my hitch as we speak....

LT

ndabunka · #9 (**permalink**) 04-28-2008, 11:30 AM

FYI - Price has changed on this product (part number PT228-69045) to $247.25 for most all of these companies (even the ones online). I did find this online at Toyota World (Carson's Toyota in Houston) and although their site still shows $215.00 as the price, they won't honor it as they have none in stock and they (now say) that their price has gone up and haven't yet updated the price.

It kinda sucks that they don't want to honor their (current) online price but the reality is that shipping from there to here is $65 bucks so I can actually get it cheaper locally anyway. If I were local, I might try to get them to honor it but in my case, it simply isn't worth it. I do like this hitch MUCH better than the majority of the after-market ones but am starting to think that at these prices, it's simply not worth it.

I would LOVE to know who the ACTUAL manufacturer that makes these for Toyota might be as going direct would probably drop the price by 50%. I know it's a long shot but has anyone who has received one of these found an actual (non-Toyota) manufacturer's name on them anywhere?

LifeTech · #10 (**permalink**) 04-28-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndabunka

FYI - Price has changed on this product (part number PT228-69045) to $247.25 for most all of these companies (even the ones online). I did find this online at Toyota World (Carson's Toyota in Houston) and although their site still shows $215.00 as the price, they won't honor it as they have none in stock and they (now say) that their price has gone up and haven't yet updated the price.

It kinda sucks that they don't want to honor their (current) online price but the reality is that shipping from there to here is $65 bucks so I can actually get it cheaper locally anyway. If I were local, I might try to get them to honor it but in my case, it simply isn't worth it. I do like this hitch MUCH better than the majority of the after-market ones but am starting to think that at these prices, it's simply not worth it.

I would LOVE to know who the ACTUAL manufacturer that makes these for Toyota might be as going direct would probably drop the price by 50%. I know it's a long shot but has anyone who has received one of these found an actual (non-Toyota) manufacturer's name on them anywhere?

I installed several of the 04-07 HL OE hitches( It even crosses over to the RX 330-350 Lexus's). It is only one part number and although yu can be sure that this hitch is subbed out to a third party, I have never found any clue as to who is making it. Toyota subs out alot of the accessories it sells.

As an altrnative, there is an aftermarket hitch that CLOSELY resembles the OE's shape and all. It just has no Flat 4-pin plug on it. (from what I can see in the pictures) Class III rated.

The price is right.

Draw-Tite Round Tube Max-Frame Receiver 75153

This might be what yu want. It is as close to factory as I have found. Drawtite might even be the OEM supplier. Call and ask.

Good luck
LT

ndabunka · #11 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 01:33 PM

Well, I went ahead and ordered what looked like the Draw tight 75153 from a truck parts ebay store. The picture in the ad looks IDENTICAL to the Draw tight but doesn't mention it by model number. The description also does not say anything about it being different that the picture in the auction. Of course, when it got here it looks IDENTICAL to the Reese-style hitch receiver I already returned once but it is a different MFG (they must have the same template because I'd bet this and the Reese are within a few milimeters of each other). It was inexpensive $120 shipped and is made in the good ole USA so that's something. They did agree to pick this up on their dime with a full refund so we will be "playing nice on ebay" as he is doing what he should to protect his rep and I will not ding him as it seems that EVERYBODY is showing a different (standard) photo but each time they provide one of the Reese-style hitches. I guess this is simply a cost thing and the OEM ones may simply cost to much to sell many of them. Oh well...

I found out that the drawtight 75153 doesn't actually look like that picture either (argh!). You can open up that website and drill into the "instructions" section and discover that the drawtight 75153 is IDENTICAL to the Reese and uses that same "Big U" on the right under the exhaust. Still striking out.

Additional follow up - About a week ago I verified on the phone that the OEM one was in stock in Myrtle Beach, SC. That is about 3.5 hours away but I have a condo there that wasn't rented and I had other things to handle there anyway so I went ahead and had them hold it for me and swung by the next day. Guess what, they didn't have it but offered to sell me another one like was similar... you guessed it, they wanted to sell me the same Reese unit I had already returned to another Toyota dealership. At this point, I am getting tired of the chase. It's just no fun when EVERYONE lies... so sad...

LifeTech · #12 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 05:34 PM

Call Drawtite and get a picture with part number. They should give yu the lowdown on the one-piece tubular OE looking hitch.

ndabunka · #13 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeTech

Call Drawtite and get a picture with part number. They should give yu the lowdown on the one-piece tubular OE looking hitch.

I did call draw-tight directly. They are the ones who stated "The picture you see on theirs as well as all the websites is a STOCK photo and may not actually look like what you get shipped. To see what the actual part number looks like you have to open up the installation file for that particular hitch". I did that and that was when I discovered that it doesn't actually look like the OEM one. Here's a link to that online document. Go to this website. Click on the "Instructions" tab below the picture. and then on "Click here for instructions" and you will discover what I did... it doesn't look anything like the OEM one, unfortunately...
Draw-Tite Round Tube Max-Frame Receiver 75153

LifeTech · #14 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 01:07 PM

I agree with what yu are saying. I believe what yu see.

However I have seen several of these "pictured " Fully tubular hitches (aftermarket) on 04-07 HL's.

Ask DrawTite what application IS the one in the picture for!!!

Check with Reese Hitches.

The full tubular Hitch is a stronger design. I would not get one that is notched out with a welded in U bar that surounds the exhaust. It looks terrible.

BTW, on 01-03 HL's, the OE hitch is not fully tubular as I just discovered. It is a different Toyota Part number.
It has the U bar around the exhaust.

The exhaust pipe sits lower on these early HL's.

Maybe DrawTite has a mistake in their application. Maybe yu just spoke with an idiot. Maybe they have superceded the 01-03 application to the 04-07 HL's. This happens on occasion.
My thoughts.

Yu may have to look elswhere. Have yu considered a used OE tubular hitch for the HL? If yu find one...yu can even repaint it if needed. Just an economical alternative to OE new.

LT

ndabunka · #15 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeTech

I agree with what yu are saying....
Yu may have to look elswhere. Have yu considered a used OE tubular hitch for the HL? If yu find one...yu can even repaint it if needed. Just an economical alternative to OE new.

LT

Thanks for the continued info. I did get a RMA and a full credit from the ebay dealer so all is good there. Just waiting for them to coordinate a pickup date/time and then it will be sent back.

I would be VERY open to buying a used OE hitch but have not seen any available other than the "U" welded on ones so I am trying to figure out my options. Toyota World still has the OEM part number listed as $215 but shipping would be $60. Local dealer said they would order it for me for $250 so I guess that's a wash (after taxes vs. no taxes).

One thing I guess I may still need some clarity on is the wiring kit. I know my truck came with the towing package as it's a late year Hybrid Limited and as I understand it, all of those came with the tow prep already installed without a need to special order it. I also know that the OEM one comes with "something" in the wiring category but don't know if it's simply the plug on the hitch and I might still need more to go from the hitch to the "ready" wiring in the drivers-side bumper or not. I have seen others reference a $100 wiring kit but they also talk about having to run the wires all the way to the front firewall of the cabin. That seems crazy to me when all that you are suppose to need is already there at the rear of the truck, right?