Fitting a towbar to the Toyota Previa

This is a two part videoserie I've made documenting how to fit a towbar to a Toyota Previa / Tarago / Estima.

Hope you find it useful. :-)

The brand I used: GDW a complete kit.

Part 1


Part 2

The towbar has just been unpacked and trying it out.

Insert Points of towbar.

Close up, not to much rust.

Had to remove the plastic bumper and the framepart to fit the new nowbar "inside".

The bolts were pretty rusty, so had a work removing them and welding new nuts.

.

Roadspotting a Toyota Previa

On our way up to Dalarna I saw a Toyota Previa! Had to take a picture of it! They are not so common nowadays so always glad to see one! :-)

Enjoy!

Roadspotting a Toyota Previa by nice color. It looked to be in good condition.

Turned out that this KNO894 is a 1999 model, last year they were made. I could not see how many kilometers they speedo had in the last yearly car inspection though.



Happy Midsummer!

Roof Rack for Toyota Previa

This post is a gathering I've done about roof racks for the Toyota Previa.

Swedish Previa roof rack:
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Bild: Takräcken inkl insynsskydd rullgardin, passar endast Toyota previa 1990-2000
Pris: 500kr för allt på bilden, eller 300kr/st


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If you don't have rails this one might work:

Toyota Previa, MPV 1990 to 1999

Thule SquareBar 762  
Length: 135
Maximum load: 100 kg.



Thule Rapid System 754
Maximum load: 75 kg.


Kit 1135
Fit Cars:
TOYOTA Estima 5-dr MPV Panorama Roof 1990 - 1999
Previa 5-dr MPV Normal Roof, Glass Roof 1990 - 1999
Emina 5-dr MPV Panorama Roof 1992 - 1999
Lucida 5-dr MPV Panorama Roof 1992 - 1999

Thule Rapid System 754, the most recensent foot-system.

The logo is on the side of the 754, the logo on the 750 you cant see on this picture. "The main difference between the original 750 and the current 754 model is that the tightening & locking mechanisms are now integrated into the feet of the 754 and no longer on the end of the bar. The new 754 is supplied with an integrated torque tool which shows when the foot is correctly secured. This tool is housed inside the foot and can be locked away for added security & convenience.

In most cases the 750 foot pack is compatible with current fitting kits, to confirm compatibility with your vehicle please use our Thule Fit Guide." - source: https://roofracks.co.uk/r-news/what-is-the-difference-between-a-thule-750-and-754-foot-pack/


Screenshot from this: http://www.stilusosutazas.hu/custom/stilusosutazas/image/data/product/csomagtartok/Thule_Guide_2017.pdf

Nice picture taken by David Colley and his Toyota Previa with roof rack.

Some ads I´v seen in the search for some second hands roof rack for the Toyota Previa 00-99

Screenshot from this webpage: https://www.blocket.se/vasternorrland/Thule_takracke_69552833.htm

http://www.toyotaclubsweden.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12463

http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?2114-Roof-rack-rails-question

"the standard low rails already have mounting bosses for the OEM accessory crossbars"

http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?2114-Roof-rack-rails-question

Thule takräcke som suttit på en Toyota Previa
1990-99

Looks like Thule roofrack, Previa -99



Roof bars for Toyota Estima Areas Thule

Installing a towbar on a Toyota Previa

Since I´m considering doing this my self I have scouted the Internet for some Pictures and videos.

I´ve seen some different versions regarding the exhaustpipe (muffler). And this is something I have to measure well since I dont want to move the exhaust pipe. Lets get going.

Picture from ‎Jay Diamse.
 1996 SC DX previa towing a 1990 Maxum 18ft 2000+ boat no problem 

//In swedish //

Krav för att få montera
"Sedan 1 september 2013 är det nya regler som innebär att en typgodkänd personbil eller lätt lastbil, som får en typgodkänd dragkrok eftermonterad, inte längre behöver genomgå en registreringsbesiktning (gäller inte husbil.) De nya reglerna gäller för en EU-typgodkänd personbil klass I, när man monterat en typgodkänd dragkrok som är avsedd för fordonet, under förutsättning att uppgifterna om maximal släpvagnsvikt finns i vägtrafikregistret." https://besikta.se/kundtjanst/fragor-och-svar/vad-galler-om-jag-monterat-eller-tagit-bort-en-dragkrok/

Finns: Max släpvagnsvikt: 1600 kg

Dragkroken ska vara monterad enligt monteringsanvisningarna. De nya reglerna gäller även för en EU-typgodkänd lätt lastbil och kopplingsanordningen som monterats ska vara typgodkänd och avsedd för fordonet, samt ska uppgifter om maximal släpvagnsvikt finnas i Vägtrafikregistret.

Från och med den 1/1-2014 måste kunden vid registreringsbesiktningen redogöra för de ändringar som är gjorda på fordonet. Här finns blanketten
Ändringar Fordon.
"
Det är en PDF som du måste skriva ut och ha med ifylld.

                 (bilens totalvikt X maximal släpvagnsvikt)  X 9,81
D-värde = ____________________________________________________
                 (bilens totalvikt + maximal släpvagnsvikt)  X 1000


                 (2450  X 1600)  X 9,81        38455200
D-värde = ___________________ =_____________ = 9,4951111111111111111111111111111 (kN)
                 (2450 + 1600)  X 1000      4050000


"Den kopplingsutrustning man väljer måste ha högre eller minst samma värde, V- och/eller D-värde, som den beräknade fordonskombinationen."

GDW variant har 9,65 kN vilket alltså är OK.


Pictures from:
http://www.teoc.ws/community/topic/34219-towbar-bracket/




Pictures below from: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/85-previa-forum/352348-photos-factory-inch-reciever-hitch-previa.html





"I happen to own a Previa with the non-tow-hitch bumper, and one with the OEM tow hitch bumper." - celeron55
"The tow hitch one weighs like 4x more." - celeron55

Pictures below from: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?1431-Previa-Tow-Hitch-OEM-or-Aftermarket

picture from: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/toyota/other/auction-1230997256.htm

Video:


A few examples:


Beställa denna?
https://www.rameder.se/gdw-dragkrok-komplettsats-124835-03437-1.html

Ser vettig ut, enda bekymret är om avgasröret tar i. Samt vad utsticken på sidorna är för något.

fast med påskruvad kula inkl. europeisk version elsats, 7 polig universal
Släpvikt : 1600 kg
Stödlast : 75 kg
D-värde : 9.65 kN
Monteringstid : 3 h
lämplig för Toyota PREVIA
årsmodell 05.90 - 08.00

Finns i 7 polig, också, kanske bästa att köpa 13 poliga, då adapter ingår.

Blir totalt ca 2000 kr.

G.D.W manual: http://www.trekhaakshop.nl/cms/manuals/trekhaken/toyota/1088.pdf


7 polig, want 13 poles.
http://www.bilenochjag.se/produkt/dragkrokar/fast-dragkrok-toyota-previa-19902000-gdw-2/

Previa Yahoo group: 

"Ok folks, thanks to those who so kindly took the time to write and advice I am going to tell you the final methods and advice I have for hitch installation.

I bought a draw-tite hitch.  It was $89 plus shipping (about $15) from cheaphitches.com, and it came as promised in about 4 business days.  It is very nicely made pretty and strong.... but I don't think I would use this brand again and here is why.   If you look under the car at the frame-bumper situation you will see the tow loops held on by THREE bolts all of which have to be removed to get the tow loop out of the way (at each side of the car).  However, the draw-tite hitch only provides for replacing TWO of those bolts the other remains unreplaced... not good in my book.  Other hitches I saw later have three bolting points on each end of the hitch and therefore replace the removed tow loop bolts perfectly.  I just think three is better and apparently Toyota agrees since they used three to start with.  I found a "Putnam" hitch with three bolts on the Kwik-Hitch Hitchworks  site.

However this Putnam hitch was 129$.

On the actual installation, instructions call for lowering the muffler in order to get the hitch bar in above the muffler.  This is a pain since the bolts or hangers or whatever etc are rusted and un-cooperative.  I did it the more straight forward way: I put a metal bar well up the tailpipe and pressed down with my foot and then slipped the towbar in above the "depressed" muffler.  Once the bar is in place the released muffler neatly holds the bar roughly up in place for subsequent bolting.  And the hitch was on using 75lbs torque per each of the 4 bolts as called for in the instructions that were hidden up inside the actual hitch receptacle itself.

Several points:  when you remove those three bolts the bumper is now free to wander around and you will lose bolt hole alignment immediately.  I used a jack to hold the end I was working on in place and lined up the nut hole with a thin rod and all was well. 

The electric is neatly discussed by kevin in an earlier note but I will affix it here (citation to {Kevin, 2003} and thanks!):

"Also, for your trailer lights connector, you can access the lights 

on the driver side behind the rear tail light assembly. The right 

hand turn signal can be picked off the wire heading across the top 

of the rear hatch, which can be accessed by removing the inside 

trim. You will need to get to an Authentic Toyota manual to find the 

right color coding as there are a number there. Of course, there is 

always the trial and error method....

You can leave the connector inside and stuff it under the carpet 

until it is needed or there is rubber grommet located on the floor on 

the driver side, should you want to run it outside and under."

So that was the mechanical process and I will work on the electric this weekend I guess.  I also need to have my metal shop friends make up a plate that goes down to that third hole.... or am I being neurotic?       

Jerry

'97  AWD LE  133km"

Picture from: https://www.hitchweb.com/related/12304.pdf

Supercharged Previa towing. ungraded supercharger from a MR2, Denso 600cc fuel injectors, bigger intercooler, aftermarket tranny cooler, custom made cold air intake, welded rear diff, 19x12 rear wheels, 19x10 front wheels, big brake upgrade kit with slotted and drilled rotors, coilover kit, custom made solid engine and transmission mounts, aluminum drive shaft, and a 100 shot of Nitrous just to make things even more interesting. . The combination of all those makes for a Previa on Steroids. .

"I have a MkI Estima and tow a 1270Kgs (max) caravan.

 It tows well, but I've fitted a trans oil cooler and an extra radiator.
 Yeah, it slows down on some of the bigger hills, but it's always got me there." - Father Ted

Father Ted had added an extra trans oil cooler on his (automatic?) Estima.

Picture from: http://www.teoc.ws/community/topic/49987-safe-to-tow-caravan/

"My dad tows right at the 3500 pound limit all the time with his Previa." - gideon1331

Picture from: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/85-previa-forum/97887-towing-previa-2.html

"I tow my caravan with a 2.4 petrol-engined Toyota Previa, but find it has difficulty pulling up anything more than a mild incline. On significant hills it limps along at 30mph in second gear, but I can't get the speed any higher without the engine screaming. The maximum laden weight of the caravan is 1,450kg. I am thinking of changing to the new D4D diesel version but fear it might be no better, despite improved torque at low revs. What do you think?" - unknown

"My parents have a 96 model. Not bad tows a 1500kg boat good as well. I bit more power would have been nice, hence the new v6 but it was still a 2.4l 4cyc with about 110kw if I remember." - http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/805070

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Here is Ted Cobb pictures of his nice Previa and Camper. US style caravan.

It's a beautiful carriage.

Danish registered Toyota Previa towing a Kabe 560 Royal XL Ks.
Towing pressure (on the ball) is 90 kg and with of caravan 248 cm. The other trailer is a Cabby 620+ F3

Source: https://www.kabe.se/documents/pdf/news-kabe-bast-i-test-kabe-mot-cabby.pdf

[Edit 2018-02-25 This is my Previa towing a Solifer 5502i. Worked like a charm. No problem!
]