Safety Glasses
Nitrile Gloves
WD-40
Ratchet and Socket Set
Torque Wrench
Socket Extensions
Exhaust Removal Pliers
Flathead Screwdriver
Hacksaw
Tape Measure
Utility Knife
Phillips Screwdriver
Wheel Chocks
Trailer Hitch
Towing Starter Kit
5/8-inch Receiver Lock
2-inch Hitch Ball
5/8-inch Pin and Clip
Park on a level surface. Chock the front wheels and use a jack and jack stands to lift and support the rear end of the vehicle. Remove the spare tire to give yourself room to work.
Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle
Step 2: Create An Opening
Locate the flap near the exhaust outlet and use your hacksaw to trim the outer edge. Make sure you’re cutting toward the passenger side.
Step 3: Remove Your Underbody Panels
Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the push clips securing the underbody panels on the driver’s side and the passenger side, if needed.
Step 4: Remove Your Fascia Tabs and Push Clips
Locate the four plastic fascia tabs at the rear and remove the plastic push clips securing them to the metal bracket.
Step 5: Remove Your Tow Hooks
Remove the tow hooks from the frame rails using your ratchet and 17mm socket.
|
Do It Right: You may also have to remove this metal bracket on the frame rail to expose the weld nuts you’ll be using to secure the hitch. |
Step 6: Remove Your Frame Rail Plugs
Use your flathead screwdriver to remove the plugs on the bottom of both frame rails.
Step 7: Inspect and Clean Your Weld Nuts
Check the weld nuts for rust and debris, and use a wire brush to clean them if needed. If excess caulk is present, remove it with your utility knife.
Step 8: Position Your Hitch
Have a friend help you raise the hitch into position.
|
Do It Right: Be careful not to pinch any hoses on the outside of the passenger-side frame rail and not to scratch the fascia. |
Step 9: Secure Your New Hitch
Align the hitch over the existing weld nuts and install the M12 bolts and conical washers with the teeth side of the washers toward the hitch.
Step 10: Reinstall Your Metal Bracket
Reinstall the metal bracket between the frame rail and the hitch.
Step 11: Reinstall Your Fascia Tab
Reinstall the existing fascia tab between the frame rail and the bracket.
Step 12: Tighten Your Bolts
Use a torque wrench to tighten all M12 bolts to 76 foot-pounds.
At this point, you may need to raise your underbody panels into place to determine where you need to trim to accommodate the hitch bracket.
Mark the points that need to be trimmed and use your hacksaw to remove material as needed until the panels fit with some clearance over the hitch.
Step 13: Reinstall Your Underbody Panels
Reinstall the trimmed underbody panels using the hardware you removed earlier.
Put the spare tire back into place and make sure it’s secure.
Step 14: Secure Your Ball Mount
Slide the ball mount into place and secure it with the pin and clip.
Step 15: Lower Your Highlander
Lower the rear end of the vehicle and remove the wheel chocks.
|
Do It Right: It’s a good idea to pick up a receiver lock to secure your trailer when you’re away from the vehicle. |
