Toyota HiLux towbar and rear protection guide

A towbar’s primary purpose is to hitch up whatever you need to tow, be it a caravan, camper or a horse float.

There are many options that will perform this function with minimal fuss, but what about when you’re not towing? Us four-wheel drivers are a special breed who appreciate the extra functionality of a tow bar that can double as a recovery point or provide rear-end protection.

• What it is: A towbar for towing, and maybe more.
• Why you need it: To tow obviously, but also for rear protection and as an all-important rear recovery point. We need to be clear that the tow ball is not a recovery point, but the tow bar itself can act as a receptacle for a proper recovery point or have a built-in recovery point.
• Buying tips: The HiLux is rated to tow up to 3500kg, so make sure your bar is also rated to 3500kg. Those who spend time off-road will appreciate additional rear protection, while anyone accessing the roof will appreciate a built-in rear step.

Here are four products we recommend. They’re intended as a starting point, to give you an idea of what’s available.

JUMP AHEAD

• Hayman Reese X-bar
• TJM RB6
• ARB rear step
• Kaymar rear bar

Hayman Reese X-bar

This brand is so well associated with tow bars you would think it invented them. Hayman Reese have been building tow bars since the 1940s, and the X-bar is its best ever off-road model. Featuring fully incorporated recovery points rated to 8000kg, as well as a higher design said to improve departure angle over OEM by five degrees and up to 100mm.

Specifications

• Load rating: 3500kg
• Rear protection: No
• Recovery points: Yes, centre rated to 8000kg and sides rated to 4000kg each

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TJM RB6

Providing extra protection when off-road while also utilising the full 3500kg tow rating, this TJM rear protection bar should be near the top of the list for serious off-roaders. The T slots allow easy use of high-lift jacks, and the checkerplate steps allow easy access into the back of the ute or to the roof of the canopy.

Specifications

• Load rating: 3500kg
• Rear protection: Yes
• Recovery points: Optional hitch receiver

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ARB Summit rear step tow bar

A rear protection bar designed to look more like a bumper bar, but don’t be fooled as the tube underneath is as tough as they come. The bar has provisions for trailer plug wiring, a compressor outlet, trailer camera wiring, parking sensors, and a 50amp Anderson plug. The Summit Raw is also available to suit a factory-fitted Toyota tow bar.

Specifications

• Load rating: 3500kg
• Rear protection: Yes
• Recovery points: Optional hitch receiver

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Kaymar rear bar

The complete package for those who want to carry an extra spare tyre or an extra jerry can. Also the best option for those fitting auxiliary fuel tanks, as the Kaymar allows relocation of the factory spare. Kaymar is rear bar specialist and its bar for the new HiLux is no exception. It looks the business and you won’t find a tougher bar out there.

Specifications

• Load rating: 3500kg
• Rear protection: Yes
• Recovery points: Optional hitch receiver

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How we review products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles and aftermarket products for more than 40 years.

When looking for the best accessories for your make and model of 4WD, there are some things essential to making sure you have the best off-roading experience.

When we compare products, here are some of the things we consider:

• Warranty
• Build quality
• Value for money
• Time and ease to set-up/install
• Weight
• Fit and finish
• How well it gets the job done
• What materials they’re made from
• Corrosion/UV resistance
• Coatings
• Compatibility with other accessories
• Compliance with ADRs and vehicle safety systems
• Country of manufacture
• Load ratings, to determine what's the best product across each price point.

We also consider user reviews and our own experience with these products to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products that we do not earn a commission from.

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