Vellfire Alphard GGH20 GGH25 ANH20 ANH25 Towbar solution 2008 to 2014

[threepot]

Those who have hunted will know, finding a towbar for a the 2008 onwards Vellfire / Alphard isn't easy.

You can order a "Suntrex Tugmaster" towbar from Japan, but they are best part of £600, plus shipping (£200), plus duty and VAT.... its over £1000 to your door

Or you could fabricate something from scratch if you are that way inclined.

 

But what I found was the Lexus RX300-400h tow bar from Witter is nearly a direct fit, but some modification are required. Part number TY135BU

 

First the main beam across the back is 1090mm long, and it needs to be reduced to 990mm end to end.

Simply measure 50mm from each end, mark it very accurately, then slice it with a slitting disc.

Clean up the end plates and re-weld them back on.

 

Then I made up two flat plates to sit on the inside of the boot floor to act as a load spreader.

 

And 6 spacer collars I made from some 20mm steel bar, that I drilled out with a 12mm bore for the M12x125mm bolts. These need to be exactly 81mm long. I made them on a lathe.

 

If you do nice job of it, you end up with a towbar that looks straight out of the factory, with a branded  e11 type aproval sticker on it 😂

 

Strangely, one of the bolt holes lines up perfectly with one of the factory holes and floor indentations. You only need to drill a couple of holes for the bolts. Spare wheel still fits perfectly. All looks like a proper one, whatever that might be.

 

Keep in mind the photos are mostly during the mock up fitting so the bolts haven't been tightened up.

 

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by threepot

[ALSALPHARD]

Hi, how did you get on with wiring it up  any pictures of that? Thanks

[ALSALPHARD]

On 7/9/2022 at 5:11 PM, threepot said:

Those who have hunted will know, finding a towbar for a the 2008 onwards Vellfire / Alphard isn't easy.

You can order a "Suntrex Tugmaster" towbar from Japan, but they are best part of £600, plus shipping (£200), plus duty and VAT.... its over £1000 to your door

Or you could fabricate something from scratch if you are that way inclined.

 

But what I found was the Lexus RX300-400h tow bar from Witter is nearly a direct fit, but some modification are required. Part number TY135BU

 

First the main beam across the back is 1090mm long, and it needs to be reduced to 990mm end to end.

Simply measure 50mm from each end, mark it very accurately, then slice it with a slitting disc.

Clean up the end plates and re-weld them back on.

 

Then I made up two flat plates to sit on the inside of the boot floor to act as a load spreader.

 

And 6 spacer collars I made from some 20mm steel bar, that I drilled out with a 12mm bore for the M12x125mm bolts. These need to be exactly 81mm long. I made them on a lathe.

 

If you do nice job of it, you end up with a towbar that looks straight out of the factory, with a branded  e11 type aproval sticker on it 😂

 

Strangely, one of the bolt holes lines up perfectly with one of the factory holes and floor indentations. You only need to drill a couple of holes for the bolts. Spare wheel still fits perfectly. All looks like a proper one, whatever that might be.

 

Keep in mind the photos are mostly during the mock up fitting so the bolts haven't been tightened up.

 

 

Hi, how did you get on with wiring it up  any pictures of that? Thanks

[threepot]

No pictures, but just pulled spurs off the rear left cluster for brakes, side light, indicator........ and pulled 2 spurs off the right cluster for indicator and fog light.

 

I found it easiest to pop both rear light clusters out, then I could fish some wires about without removing any plastics.

 

There is rubber bung in the floor under the carpet on the left of the boot which I drilled a hole in to pull the cable from the tow bar into the cabin.

 

And I used one of these bypass relay with built in beeper:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MFDM9SE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

For the permanent live I took a feed from the control box for the power tail gate, again you can see it if you pop the access panel off the left hand side of the boot load space plastics. There was a 10mm bolt into the body work in there too for the ground.

 

 

Towing on the Vellfire is fantastic! Much better than using my RAV4. The Vellfire is nice and heavy so the trailer doesn't push the van around. I've been towing my car transporter trailer with my MR2 track car on the back. It's luxury going in the Vellfire with cruise control and automatic gearbox. Visibility is really good too, because if I need to do any tight reversing, I can press the buttons to open the electric sliding doors and tail gate so I can see really well. The only down side is the 3.5 Vellfire is quite heavy on petrol towing compared to the Rav4, but at the same time it has bags of power so you don't really work it hard.

Edited August 22, 2022 by threepot

[MattG]

Great job in modifying your towbar.

 

For those who may search these forums in the future, and are looking for a towbar, I got mine supplied and fitted by https://towbarcentredorset.co.uk/. I think it was £375 all in and done in half day.

 

Cheers,

Matt 

[threepot]

On 9/13/2022 at 12:25 PM, MattG said:

Great job in modifying your towbar.

 

For those who may search these forums in the future, and are looking for a towbar, I got mine supplied and fitted by https://towbarcentredorset.co.uk/. I think it was £375 all in and done in half day.

 

Cheers,

Matt 

 

Hi Matt,

 

If I could have paid that to have it done I would have jumped at that service!

Can you post some photos of what they have made/fitted etc under the van?

 

Cheers,

Matt

[MattG]

 Here you go mate. 
Cheers,

Matt

 

[ALSALPHARD]

Appears to be a kit from Watling towbars who have now ceased trading:(

[StuVelly]

On 8/22/2022 at 3:17 PM, threepot said:

No pictures, but just pulled spurs off the rear left cluster for brakes, side light, indicator........ and pulled 2 spurs off the right cluster for indicator and fog light.

 

I found it easiest to pop both rear light clusters out, then I could fish some wires about without removing any plastics.

 

There is rubber bung in the floor under the carpet on the left of the boot which I drilled a hole in to pull the cable from the tow bar into the cabin.

 

And I used one of these bypass relay with built in beeper:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MFDM9SE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

For the permanent live I took a feed from the control box for the power tail gate, again you can see it if you pop the access panel off the left hand side of the boot load space plastics. There was a 10mm bolt into the body work in there too for the ground.

 

 

Towing on the Vellfire is fantastic! Much better than using my RAV4. The Vellfire is nice and heavy so the trailer doesn't push the van around. I've been towing my car transporter trailer with my MR2 track car on the back. It's luxury going in the Vellfire with cruise control and automatic gearbox. Visibility is really good too, because if I need to do any tight reversing, I can press the buttons to open the electric sliding doors and tail gate so I can see really well. The only down side is the 3.5 Vellfire is quite heavy on petrol towing compared to the Rav4, but at the same time it has bags of power so you don't really work it hard.

Hi Mate,

 

Great to hear someone with a similar van to me who is happy towing. Ive just taken delivery of the 2011 3.5v6 4x4 vellfire and I was a bit concerned when towing our 1.3t caravan up a small incline on the motorway that the auto box on cruise was changing up then maybe 15 seconds later change down then up etc and not keeping a set speed. More like dropping a couple of mph then picking up again. this was at 60mph on my converted speedo. Maybe if I tried nudging a bit faster Id get over the threshold of the gearbox thinking it should change down? Ive come from a 4x4 3.5 elgrand which did scream its head off on inclines so dropped the cruise off on that while we levelled back off so worst case is I do that.

 

Can you get a full size spare under in the spare wheel carrier do you know please?

 

Also, what roughly are you sitting at rpm round 60 on a flat please?

 

Im hoping for 15mpg similar to the elgrand but wondered what you are managing towing the car transporter please?

 

Ive just takent he plunge and spent quite a lot on this motor and having a few nervous thoughts i just want it to be right before moving the elgrand on. Ive a potential heavy steering issue when crawling speeds at the minute but we'll get there.

 

SOOO many question Im sorry

 

 

Thanks again

 

Stuart

[threepot]

On 10/17/2023 at 9:44 AM, StuVelly said:

Can you get a full size spare under in the spare wheel carrier do you know please?

 

Also, what roughly are you sitting at rpm round 60 on a flat please?

 

Im hoping for 15mpg similar to the elgrand but wondered what you are managing towing the car transporter please?

 

Thanks again

 

Stuart

 

I really have no fuel economy calcs done, but I can tell you I got from my house to Trac Mon in anglesey and back, on exactly one tank of fuel.... it was touch and go if I'd make it all the way home but I was deep into the fuel light and made it..... so that is 240 miles on 1 tank which took 55 litres to fill.... with a 1.4 tonne trailer, and the back of the van full of 2 sets of wheels+tyres, jerry cans of fuel, tools spares etc. Fully loaded! So doing the maths. 240 litres = 120.1 UK Gallons, so 20mpg! Which really aint bad, but it was clear all the way and an easy flat cruise.

 

Not sure on the RPMs while cruising, its low, lazy low. These have a 6 speed box that make them cruise better.

 

From memory the cage holds a space saver, its a pretty good one though. If you got the welder out you could make a deeper cage for a proper tyre. But my van is running 20" wheels from Lexus RX450h with 235/50R20 tyres, so it would have to be a massive cage 🤣

 

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by threepot

[StuVelly]

On 12/7/2023 at 12:51 PM, threepot said:

 

I really have no fuel economy calcs done, but I can tell you I got from my house to Trac Mon in anglesey and back, on exactly one tank of fuel.... it was touch and go if I'd make it all the way home but I was deep into the fuel light and made it..... so that is 240 miles on 1 tank which took 55 litres to fill.... with a 1.4 tonne trailer, and the back of the van full of 2 sets of wheels+tyres, jerry cans of fuel, tools spares etc. Fully loaded! So doing the maths. 240 litres = 120.1 UK Gallons, so 20mpg! Which really aint bad, but it was clear all the way and an easy flat cruise.

 

Not sure on the RPMs while cruising, its low, lazy low. These have a 6 speed box that make them cruise better.

 

From memory the cage holds a space saver, its a pretty good one though. If you got the welder out you could make a deeper cage for a proper tyre. But my van is running 20" wheels from Lexus RX450h with 235/50R20 tyres, so it would have to be a massive cage 🤣

 

 

Thanks for the info. So sorry I missed the reply!!! That is class MPG! all that weight and bulk. You cant ask for more than that. 20.s on it too. I love these machines. Im trying to find the part number and best place for the airlift1000 bags for the rear at present before we tow the caravan :).