Adding a trailer hitch

[S35flyer]

Thanks for the replies. Yes there does seem to be some saying 7000 and some 5000. I guess either way it’s enough for what I need. We live by the lake and I put it in in May and take it out October and travel distance is about 10 miles to storage.

I am watching videos of guys taking off the rear bumper fascia, removing the factory hitch and installing a frame hitch. Is this a solution maybe?

 

[MikeinNH67]

You can certainly add one if you want. The old one may need to come off if it hangs too low. E-trailer does sell them for our trucks but you are well within specs with the existing hitch.

I'm curious also if you have the 7 pin connector to the left of the existing receiver. My 03 V6 has it.

2003 Toyota 4Runner Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com

 

[S35flyer]

Yes, I have the 7 pin wiring connector. I think I will do the e trailer hitch. This 4 runner is only used May- October and then stored, we might put 5000 miles a year on it so will have a long time, might as well get it setup so no worries.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Yes, I have the 7 pin wiring connector. I think I will do the e trailer hitch. This 4 runner is only used May- October and then stored, we might put 5000 miles a year on it so will have a long time, might as well get it setup so no worries.

Well that tells you they spec'd it to be able to pull a trailer heavy enough to need electric brakes. If it gives you peace of mind to swap the hitch though, go for it. Do yourself a favor and run a tap through the frame threads assuming it uses them for the installation, although being in Arizona maybe you won't have rusty threads.

 

[S35flyer]

Good point I hadn’t thought about it that way.

 

[mduganjr]

I am on my second 06 Sport V6 4runner this year. My first one had an OEM or port installed hitch. My current one has nothing. Can I just purchase a hitch off another v6 4runner and install on mine? Admittedly I'm being lazy and asking here. I haven't even gotten underneath it to see if anything is pre-wired or drilled.

 

[Piggity]

I am on my second 06 Sport V6 4runner this year. My first one had an OEM or port installed hitch. My current one has nothing. Can I just purchase a hitch off another v6 4runner and install on mine? Admittedly I'm being lazy and asking here. I haven't even gotten underneath it to see if anything is pre-wired or drilled.

Yes. Everything is pre-wired and drilled. If you're towing a travel trailer then I'd buy the V8 hitch which will give you a frame mounted receiver so you can use a weight distributing hitch. This increases the towing capacity to 6900 pounds IIRC (with a brake controller and an external ATF cooler).

 

[ArthurKotb]

I am on my second 06 Sport V6 4runner this year. My first one had an OEM or port installed hitch. My current one has nothing. Can I just purchase a hitch off another v6 4runner and install on mine? Admittedly I'm being lazy and asking here. I haven't even gotten underneath it to see if anything is pre-wired or drilled.

What are you planning on towing?
The V6 with a factory towing package is 5,000 lbs.
The V8 with a factory towing package (starting in 2004) is 7,000 (4WD) and 7,300 (2WD) (Full specs for 2004 model is attached)

Do you know if you have the towing package? Since you have the 7-pin connector I would say yes. Look in the driver's kick panel for a connector. That would be for the electric brake controller.

Toyota 4Runner Towing Capacity: Every Model Year’s Rating

2003 Through 2009

In 2003 the Toyota 4Runner hit the pinnacle of 4Runner performance and, in 2004, tow rating. That was with the introduction of the platform with the 4.7-liter DOHC 32-valve EFI V-8 called the 2UZ-FE that was rated up to 235 hp at 4,800 rpm and 320 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm. For 2003 the tow rating for the 4Runner remained 5,000 pounds for the V-8 cars and the 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve EFI VVT-i V6 or the 1GR-FE, which made 245 hp at 5,200 rpm and 283 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm. In 2007, with the caveat of a weight-distributing hitch, the V-8 powered 2WD 4Runners were tow rated at 7,300 pounds and 7,000 pounds for the 4WD vehicles. GVWRs ranged from 5,330 pounds (2WD V-6) and up to 6,005 pounds (4WD V-8).

 

[mduganjr]

What are you planning on towing?
The V6 with a factory towing package is 5,000 lbs.
The V8 with a factory towing package (starting in 2004) is 7,000 (4WD) and 7,300 (2WD) (Full specs for 2004 model is attached)

Do you know if you have the towing package? Since you have the 7-pin connector I would say yes. Look in the driver's kick panel for a connector. That would be for the electric brake controller.

Toyota 4Runner Towing Capacity: Every Model Year’s Rating

2003 Through 2009

In 2003 the Toyota 4Runner hit the pinnacle of 4Runner performance and, in 2004, tow rating. That was with the introduction of the platform with the 4.7-liter DOHC 32-valve EFI V-8 called the 2UZ-FE that was rated up to 235 hp at 4,800 rpm and 320 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm. For 2003 the tow rating for the 4Runner remained 5,000 pounds for the V-8 cars and the 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve EFI VVT-i V6 or the 1GR-FE, which made 245 hp at 5,200 rpm and 283 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm. In 2007, with the caveat of a weight-distributing hitch, the V-8 powered 2WD 4Runners were tow rated at 7,300 pounds and 7,000 pounds for the 4WD vehicles. GVWRs ranged from 5,330 pounds (2WD V-6) and up to 6,005 pounds (4WD V-8).

Thanks for the info. I’d really only tow a small utility trailer or use a hitch carrier. It would also be a rare occurrence. I have a Tacoma I could use to tow as well.

It may be a good idea for me to just find one of the small hitches and mount it up and wire it. I doubt it has the towing package.

 

[TXST8SR5]

Thanks for the info. I’d really only tow a small utility trailer or use a hitch carrier. It would also be a rare occurrence. I have a Tacoma I could use to tow as well.

It may be a good idea for me to just find one of the small hitches and mount it up and wire it. I doubt it has the towing package.

We are about to take the aftermarket hitch off of my son's 06 2wd. If you were in the Houston area I would hand it off to you.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Thanks for the info. I’d really only tow a small utility trailer or use a hitch carrier. It would also be a rare occurrence. I have a Tacoma I could use to tow as well.

It may be a good idea for me to just find one of the small hitches and mount it up and wire it. I doubt it has the towing package.

You can look for a hitch shop in your town. For a small utility trailer or boat I'm sure you'd be okay with a standard hitch. U-Haul does hitches too. They will be able to tap into your wiring for a light connector to the trailer.

 

[mduganjr]

We are about to take the aftermarket hitch off of my son's 06 2wd. If you were in the Houston area I would hand it off to you.

That’s very nice of you. I was just there a few weeks ago, not sure when we are coming back. Wife has family in Magnolia so we go a few times a year.