JasDmw

Folks, Toyota/Lexus does not manufacture hitch receivers! Just like tires and other components, they buy them from those that make them, like Curt. They may re-brand them or put them in a Toyota/Lexus marked box, but they don't make them. So if you buy from the dealer, you are paying huge markups for that packaging. No need for that!

toyotaman7

IMO The OEM hitch is a completely different design than aftermarket. I suggest you review both from under the car to judge for yourself.

WIZARD1325

iTrader: (1)

Then how come i cavent seen any 3rd party hitchs with the same amount of bolt/ hook up points?

gadgetman1

Its much the same as if you would have a building contractor build you a customized house to what whatever you wanted. Lexus contracts with an aftermarket hitch manufacturer(s) & specs out what they want & they sell it for twice what an aftermarket hitch sells for.

More contact attach points are always better, but the towing limits are only 3,500 lbs, it really doesn’t matter that much does it? Are you going to get $7-800 worth of towing out of that hitch? I tow maybe once or twice a year. If this vehicle could tow 5,000 lbs, I would tow much more regularly.

WIZARD1325

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I am in Florida and i have Stuff in storage in Wisconsin that will take me 2 trips to complete
A uhaul from North to South going one trip will cost me $2500+

buying a proper hitch and fuel would cost me around $1,200 round trip x2.

plus i have telescope equipment i can use the hitch to store the cargo. So i feel i will get my moneys worth and add value towards resale and people looking harder at my vehicle due to its all factory and not something someone did over a the weekend.

thats my thoughts.

Update*
The cheapest i found it online now is $726.00 at my local dealer free shipping and +50 for the sales tax.

If i went the cheap route i can order a hitch and wire harness and components i needs around the $300+ range.

so what do i get for spending and extra $400?

-OEM flushed look (hahahha)
- Better more secure mounting points for worry free operation (due to i will have now clue how much im hauling in weight im guessing 2,000LB max
- Parts design and engineered and approved by lexus
- A very nice placebo effect for my endorphins


whats my justification?

im crazy! i guess.

gadgetman1

You’re not crazy. You brought up some very good points. I’m not sure what you mean by the “OEM flushed look”. This is what my Kurt install looks like:

WIZARD1325

iTrader: (1)

flushed look with the bumper factory cut out and a place for the harnest

Makool

Hi all,

Recently a friend of mine is moving to US (I’m in Vancouver Canadá) he offered me this RV, then I made an appointment at Lexus to install a hitch, found a OEM on eBay great deal, but to my surprise they told me that the hitch can’t be installed, looks like there is a damper for stability right where the hitch will be installed, it’s called lateral performance damper, but according to them if I remove it, I’ll lose my warranty.

Question is, have any of you removed that damper to install the hitch? If so, Any impact when driving? Any changes at all?

It’s just stupid that you have an SUV, and a hitch can’t be installed, plus the threatening of losing my warranty.

Thanks in advance.

[img]blob:https://www.clublexus.com/fdf496f2-46f6-46cc-9b90-cb6b471901bc[/img]

JasDmw

Look up-thread, a guy installed one on his new 450H FSport and included a step by step video. Shows the damper pretty clearly.

The hitch bolts right onto the same mounting surface and uses the same holes as the damper. It will act sort of like the damper, except more as a stiffener, I guess, as it will stiffen the structure but won't allow any movement which the damper would in use. Unless you are constantly into tight turns at aggressive speeds, I don't think you'll see much of a difference.

Did the dealer tell you it would void the warranty?

Makool

Thanks for your reply, yes, I saw that video, I want to install it, but the dealer told me that if I remove it, my warranty will be voided and I lose any claim I can have in the future.

pentaprism

Say, after you move the performance damper to install the hitch, your Lexus has a problem with the headlights. Will the warranty be voided?

Again, if my dealer had its way, to keep the warranty, I'd have to use Lexus gasoline, Lexus oil for the vehicle, and myself had to breath Lexus air, drink Lexus coffee, eat Lexus bread.....

I did all sorts of things to my vehicles, and so far haven't had any warranty voided yet.

pentaprism

See post #280 above

Makool

Well, I can tell you that I was ready to proceed with the installation, they refused to do it, plus, they left a message on my file mentioning that customer was advice about the warranty won’t cover any fixes if the part is removed.

I will take a decision regarding if I remove it or not.

Thanks

Makool

Thanks for the help, I will take a decision if I proceed with the installation.

Thanks for your help and time.

gadgetman1

How about you guys contact Lexus corporate & speak to an engineer. You need the straight poop & not some diarrhea of the mouth from stupid dealers. Lexus service is just as bad as Dodge or Ford service, except it’s fancier & more expensive. The dealer’s argument has no merit if a customer buys the Lexus installed hitch. They still have to change the damper setup. This is a major fail for Lexus. If it were me, I would be talking with a lemon law attorney. There’s no hard & fast rule on getting satisfaction, but it would at least give you some leverage or indication that you need to dump the Lexus.