Toyota Tow Bar rust

[Doctor Dog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Doctor Dog]

Had noticed a bit of rust starting to become obvious around the tow hitch on the Prado so it gave me cause to crawl under Prado today to examine it further.
Initially I thought it was just a little surface rust around the collar of the tow hitch ( genuine Toyota fitted at delivery I believe).
I started to spray a little Tectyl anti rust compound around the tow bar but the closer I looked the more concerned I became.
A large proportion of the black paint on the towbar is flaking off not only where there are stone chips but all over.
the rest of the car is fine -no obvious rust . The tow bar is going to be strong and resist this surface rust but it is a bit alarming -- Is this something I should be concerned about ?
Unfortunately I have covered most of the offending rust spots in Tectyl now !!!!!
Only got to worrying about it after I had finished the spray job!!!!!
Looking forward to some advice .

[Justo77 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo77]

I would definately be taking it back to the dealer, even though you have sprayed it. If you dont ask, you wont know, it may be a common problem.

[tweed prado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tweed prado]

I did notice that my tow bar the black paint did scratch easy, i will now go have a good look when i get a spare minute, mine is genuine as well.

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

Can't see the paint on mine from all the mud stuck to it. Mine has taken a few big hits on the tracks so I don't think I can blaime Toyota for that.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

E Series light bar is the brightest, most efficient LED light on the market and with patented hybrid reflectors, lights are 94% efficient, providing more light using less power and a 50,000 hour life expectancy.

huh!? what you talking bout

[sparksy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sparksy]

I had a brand new hayman towbar fitted as genuine when I bought my mazda work ute new and it started to rust after 6 months and the paint flaked off in sheets. It was all rusted before the powdercoat was applied. A bit of arguing with the dealer and a phonecall to hayman quickly saw a new bar fitted.

[waz2011 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close waz2011]

I had a Genuine Tow Bar fitted to my 150 in April this year, a couple of weeks after I purchased vehicle, as I sold my other tow vehicle (80 Series). When I had a look at the job done the next day, found that they had left out the 2 upper blanking plugs. I just horrified me at the time because the inside of the box section is not treated in any way to prevent the bar from rusting out from the inside out. I took the vehicle back and they fitted the upper plugs (plastic). Even sent an email to Toyota but they didn't even have the decency to acknowelge receipt of email, maybe I was a bit too strong in my wording. It just worries me if people use these vehicles around Salt Water and one of the 2 upper plugs is damaged or missing and the bar fills up with water, what will happen 5-10 years down the track, if you can't see what is happening.

I am planning on removing my towbar and welding tubing into the holes to seal up the bar, but still allow bolt/socket access from underneath (what I believe Toyota should do at manufacture), then drill and tap a 1/8"BSP hole into bar so I can spray/pour in some Tectyl, and then plug it up again.

Waz

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

huh!? what you talking bout

Wooley, you need to stop your conversations with spammers lol

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Wooley, you need to stop your conversations with spammers lol

I'm just trying to make friends...

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

I think you will find that most towbars are painted with a paint called "Chassis Black". This is a cheap paint and will not last, if you are concerned then I would definately repaint the bar as soon as you get it. Also if you fit an electronic rust prevention system this will protect the bar as well.

See ya on the tracks. Richo.