hitch center bracket question - Toyota 4Runner Forum

boarder · 03-06-2008, 04:41 PM

I have an 07 V6 that came without a hitch. I want to install an aftermarket weight distributing hitch (similiar to the V8 model).

Do I need to have an OEM center bracket even if I use an aftermarket hitch (such as Hidden hitch etc) ?

My 4runner has no hitch or bracket (no cutout either). I can't tell from the online hitch manuals if they attach just to the frame rails, or to both the rails and the bumper center bracket.

Uneek · 03-06-2008, 10:18 PM

HiddenHitch model# 70411 has an attachment point in center on the rear most cross member. The 70411 has been discontinued, you might still be able to find it. It's rated for 7000lbs.

Model# 70779 attaches to the frame rails. There isn't any attachment points in the center. It's rated for 5000lbs. No cutting is required, but you will have to remove two support brackets that bumper tabs attach to on the rear most cross member. The brackets are about a third of the way in from the sides.

CJ3Flyr · 03-07-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Uneek
HiddenHitch model# 70411 has an attachment point in center on the rear most cross member. The 70411 has been discontinued, you might still be able to find it. It's rated for 7000lbs.

Model# 70779 attaches to the frame rails. There isn't any attachment points in the center. It's rated for 5000lbs. No cutting is required, but you will have to remove two support brackets that bumper tabs attach to on the rear most cross member. The brackets are about a third of the way in from the sides.

The label on my 70779 says 600/6000lbs(dead weight) and 730/7300lbs with weight distributing hitch. On my 4Runner I am limited by the V6 4wd to lower values; 500/5000lbs and 62 or 6300lbs (I forget what the manual says) w/ weight distributing hitch.

My 70779 looks good and light plug bracket is in a very functional, safe and cosmetically acceptable position. Some 4Runner hitches have the hitch plug so far under you may need and extension to reach the trailers' plug or I've seen them so that the plug is the lowest part creating an angle-of-departure issue. Good Luck

Uneek · 03-07-2008, 10:48 PM

CJ3Flyr,

Does your hitch look like this?

Label

Relocated hitch wiring plug

CJ3Flyr · 03-08-2008, 04:05 PM

My hitch is as follows:

Upon further review the hardcore off-roader may not like my hitch. The light plug does hang down some, not as bad as others I've seen though

Check this on towing limits for the V6... LV4R's reply sums it up. It's about the 12th one down. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=41389

Hope this helps

EDIT Here's another hitch option with the same hitch rating:Hitch Installed!

PS- My hitch was purchased Oct '07, shortly after I got the T4R.

Uneek · 03-10-2008, 11:59 PM

CJ3Flyr,

HiddenHitch must've made some changes/upgrades to it. I would think they did since they discontinued the 70411 and there would be no reason for a V6 owner to upgrade to their 70779 if the capacity is the same as stock. Mine doesn't relocate the hitch harness either. The bolt and plate is all they provided to mount the hitch, thus I no longer have the tie down in the rear.

My bar code label like yours says 17/02/06, but the tag with capacities show 02/20/06. I got the hitch in May '06 a couple months after getting the 4Runner.

Yours appear to be the same shape/style as mine, even to how it pushes the bumper up slightly too. At least no cutting is required.

CJ3Flyr · 03-11-2008, 09:29 AM

I'm very satified with mine.

I towed a poorly balanced 4300-4500lb the other day with zero issues. It was poorly balanced in the sense I was light on the tounge, light enough that I could lift it. I'm guessing a squeak over 200lbs. The 4Runner was stable and smooth to spite a pretty stiff breeze.

boarder · 03-12-2008, 02:52 PM

thanks for the info guys.

I did a little digging of my own, and it seems Hidden Hitch along with many of the other hitch companies are all owned by Cequent Towing Group. And so, the 70779 series has different models or "revisions" now. Depending on which revision you get it could be listed at 5000/6000 or 7000 lbs for WD.

Now I have to decide if I should get Toyotas V8 hitch (and bracket) or just get one of the 70779 models.

CJ3Flyr · 03-12-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boarder
thanks for the info guys.

I did a little digging of my own, and it seems Hidden Hitch along with many of the other hitch companies are all owned by Cequent Towing Group. And so, the 70779 series has different models or "revisions" now. Depending on which revision you get it could be listed at 5000/6000 or 7000 lbs for WD.

Now I have to decide if I should get Toyotas V8 hitch (and bracket) or just get one of the 70779 models.

If you're curious mine (with the high rating) has 4 bolts on each side for a total of 8.

Uneek · 03-12-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boarder
thanks for the info guys.

I did a little digging of my own, and it seems Hidden Hitch along with many of the other hitch companies are all owned by Cequent Towing Group. And so, the 70779 series has different models or "revisions" now. Depending on which revision you get it could be listed at 5000/6000 or 7000 lbs for WD.

Now I have to decide if I should get Toyotas V8 hitch (and bracket) or just get one of the 70779 models.

I found that out too when I was looking at different hitches. I don't remember exactly, but Valley and Reese might be under Cequent. I believe my HiddenHitch was dropped shipped, and the box it came in said Cequent all over it.

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