Anyone know if possible to get US style reciever hitch?

[codlord]

I want to replace my UK tow bar with a US-style Class III receiver hitch, does anyone know if you can get one for a 2nd gen 1990 Surf or where to source one from? It must not interfere with the underslung spare wheel.

I want to do this for 2 reasons:

1 - I want to replace my existing motorbike rack (http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/workshop/rack.htm) with a better one with a ramp something like this:
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_carrier.htm

2 - I think I will get better ground clearance than with the current tow bar with bolt-plate which hangs down.

[rubblebags]

I want to replace my UK tow bar with a US-style Class III receiver hitch, does anyone know if you can get one for a 2nd gen 1990 Surf or where to source one from? It must not interfere with the underslung spare wheel.

I want to do this for 2 reasons:

1 - I want to replace my existing motorbike rack (http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/workshop/rack.htm) with a better one with a ramp something like this:
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_carrier.htm

2 - I think I will get better ground clearance than with the current tow bar with bolt-plate which hangs down.

Hi codlord

As for the clearence aspect I agree 100%. I intend to make my own rear reciver hitch later this year. I think that I read on this forum that what we are talking about is not recognised because it dose not carry a bs approval stamp. I think TonyN knows of a shop in bedford where they have them. But I might have that wrong, Im sure he'll tell me so.
I have just done abody lift on mine and there is a big gap between the bumper and the tow bar so its screaming at me to be done.

Best of luck
Geoff

[da SLUG man]

saw some at the 4x4 show the other week... think it was specialist leisure selling them...

[rubblebags]

saw some at the 4x4 show the other week... think it was specialist leisure selling them...

Hi Matt

just tried to get a web site for specialist leisure but got a blank. Do you know thier web address please.

Geoff.

[codlord]

I'm guessing its this one:

http://www.specialist-leisure.co.uk/

But can't see anything on their site regarding recievers.

Found a couple of potential ones but don't know if they ship to UK:
http://www.hitches4less.com/19toy4runcla2.html
http://www.hitchesonline.com/toyota_...nner_87-91.htm

Also there seems to be some need to drill to fit these (but have no idea where/what) and also if you have 31" tyre underslung a lot of them won't fit).

[da SLUG man]

I'm guessing its this one:

http://www.specialist-leisure.co.uk/

But can't see anything on their site regarding recievers.

Found a couple of potential ones but don't know if they ship to UK:
http://www.hitches4less.com/19toy4runcla2.html
http://www.hitchesonline.com/toyota_...nner_87-91.htm

Also there seems to be some need to drill to fit these (but have no idea where/what) and also if you have 31" tyre underslung a lot of them won't fit).

i'll have a look, picked up their cd rom catalogue at the show... it's still hidden beneath the junk in my boot, so bear with me!

[Linda]

You can get them from the states for the 4-runner , but they are not approved for use here in UK and are thus hard to obtain here. You can get round that if you have an import and pre 97 (might be 98) when law changed by saying it came in with it on. Might be worth ringing round suppliers as they may well not advertise them on the websites.

We've been after them for a while, but the shipping from the US is extorionate. Might have to wait for my next work trip unless you find someone in UK...

[da SLUG man]

um... the cd's about as much use as the site!... 104 pdf pages and no index!!


probably better emailing them.
but they definately had some just by the high lift jacks! (at the show)

[codlord]

Thanks for all the info people.

I have emailed Specialist Leisure and a number of US suppliers to see if I can get one in the UK.

I am after a a Hidden Hitch model 87508 (still fits with 31 x 10.5 R15 underslung spare wheel). Details and fitting instructions are available on their site too:
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Products/...?HitchID=87508

I will post back with the results of my queries...

[The Typsey Russell]

Try here: www.drawtite-hitches.com

They are in Yankeeland, but due to the good prices and exchange rate I got a new hitch and ball for my drawtite tow bar for around £40.00, which was a lot better that having to get a new one.

[codlord]

Thanks but the Draw-Tite one for the 1990 Surf will not fit with an underslung 31" spare tyre.
Hitches4Less said they can ship to UK but don't know how much yet, nobody else has replied yet.

[da SLUG man]

Thanks but the Draw-Tite one for the 1990 Surf will not fit with an underslung 31" spare tyre.
Hitches4Less said they can ship to UK but don't know how much yet, nobody else has replied yet.

ask if they ship here then mark the parcel as commercial sample with 0 value then you'll only have to pay duty on the postage.

[codlord]

An update for anyone whos interested:

Hitches4Less said they could provide a shipping quote after you place an order and then you can decide if you want to go ahead or not, so that's what I did and the shipping quote came through as $112.70 which is about £62 which I did not think was too bad. That makes the total order (Hitch, hitch cover, locking pin, tow ball and tow-ball drop-bar) $361.02 which is about £200 (not including import duty etc).

I estimate total cost will be about £260 once duty/vat is paid (not sure I want to risk getting it confiscated by trying the da SLUG man's method - naughty naughty).

It's going to be expensive for a tow bar but I think I am going to go for it anyway, becuase I want a decent motorbike rack and the convinence of using a single-pin reciever hitch instead of all the hassle of 4 nuts/bolts.

[codlord]

UPS tried to deliver the hitch today so I now know that the final total cost to me is £240 (import charges were £36.49).

I will get details on my site when I get around to fitting it.

Just gotta find a sensible shipping quote on a motorbike rack now, all the places I have contacted so far want nearly $300 just for delivery! Not sure why cos the rack is about the same weight as the hitch so I was expecting around $100 to $150 again, but no such luck yet! May have to try hitches4less again as they do sell motorbike racks but not the one I really wanted.

[codlord]

Full details of the hitch and fitting now on my site:
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/workshop/receiver.htm

The good news is: it gives more than 2" of extra ground clearance over my old tow bar.

The bad news is: it does not fit with a 31" underslung spare. Luckily although I have 31" tyres my spare is still the standard size so I could fit the hitch o.k., just have to stick with my "space saver" spare.