BTC FAQs

What equipment comes with a BTC upgrade?
- Equipment supplied is car specific, but with every upgrade you will receive the HaulAce hitch and either a drop shank ball mount or weight distribution setup. In the case of the Prado there may be a towbar supplied as well.

My caravan came with a 4.5T hitch. Can I just use that instead of changing?
- Lovells' testing discovered that some equipment available in the market did not meet its advertised ratings. Their only solution was to develop a specific setup that could be tested and guaranteed to meet the higher standard. The condition attached to the upgrade is that the Lovells specified equipment is used when towing above the OEM rating.

Will the extra load cause issues with my drivetrain?
- The stresses in the drivetrain are created by the motor, not the load. If you're motor is standard then there are no additional stresses. The extra loads will require higher, or more sustained power/torque to move them and so we recommend paying attention to the manufacturer's service advice for harsh conditions. This is very much driver and terrain dependent however, a car towing through mountains will be under far more stress than one on a plain. Likewise, you can drive more gently and be kinder to your equipment than keeping up with the regular traffic around.

Do you I have to upgrade the cars' brakes as well?
- All our upgrades are tested and certified using the OEM brakes (in good condition). Trailers over 750Kg have their own brakes and, provided they're in good working order, should do the majority of the van braking and put minimal additional load on the car. If you plan to use the car in demanding terrain, eg mountainous areas, then a brake upgrade to a higher temperature rating may be advantageous or give peace of mind. We can recommend upgrades in-store.

Are there other modifications I should consider?
- All towing puts stress on the car, particularly the automatic transmission. Even if towing moderate loads under heavy conditions it's advisable to install a (bigger) transmission cooler. Some vehicles, eg LC200 and Prado, will also benefit from having a torque converter lockup system installed to prevent slippage and heat buildup. We can talk to you about those extra modifications in-store.

I have a special hitch for my camper. Do I have to change that to the Lovells hitch as well?
- No, if you're towing under the OEMs maximum rating you can continue to use any other hitch you have. It's only when towing more than the OEM rating you need to have the Lovells setup in place.