Can I use the trailer hitch as a hi-lift point to life?

[MadeInMaine]

Hey everyone

I don’t have an aftermarket rear bumper nor sliders.
I was wondering if anyone uses the trailer hitch as a point to life the rear axle with a hi-lift.

or any other suggestions for lifting the rear end.

Thank you

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Hey everyone

I don’t have an aftermarket rear bumper nor sliders.
I was wondering if anyone uses the trailer hitch as a point to life the rear axle with a hi-lift.

or any other suggestions for lifting the rear end.

Thank you

Hmm have you considered using that wheel attachment they have?

 

[MadeInMaine]

Hmm have you considered using that wheel attachment they have?

I have, looks like a great tool.
Just checking if I don’t have to have another piece of hardware around.

Good suggestion
Thanks

 

[SpeedyKevin]

I have, looks like a great tool.
Just checking if I don’t have to have another piece of hardware around.

Good suggestion
Thanks

Hmm considering the hitch can be used to do a snatch recovery and is attached to the frame, I want to say you should be fine jacking from it. But when it comes to hilifts, I'm hesitant to recommend any procedure with them due to safety haha (I have one)

 

[ElectroBoy]

Well, the trailer hitch is not a Toyota approved method of jacking, see pic below.
For jacking the entire rear end you can use the OEM jack on the differential pumpkin. What I use for one rear wheel at a time is this adapter for a more secure grip of the axle.
Jack Adapters - Land Cruiser Products - LCP

 

[afkjustin]

Hitch should be fine to lift from.

 

[jp.vegas]

Yes, you can, but it can be pretty unstable since the whole rear of the car is pivoting on one point. It's potentially a tricky balancing act with the vehicle able to move in any direction and fall off the thing.

In an emergency, absolutely.

 

[Ogre75]

Hmm considering the hitch can be used to do a snatch recovery and is attached to the frame, I want to say you should be fine jacking from it. But when it comes to hilifts, I'm hesitant to recommend any procedure with them due to safety haha (I have one)

Pretty sure the OEM hitch is attached to the bumper, not the frame.

I'd be pretty leery of jacking using the trailer hitch. Seems like a real likelihood of the vehicle being off balance to one side or the other and it getting kicked out to the side, dropping the vehicle and injuring someone ro damaging your rig.

 

[Jetboy]

Yes. I've done it many times. It is not always stable and you should be cautious the jack does not tilt forward into the rear door if it tips over. Easy way to wipe out your rear hatch. If you need to - open the hatch first. I'd guess it's the most common place to use a high lift.

 

[jp.vegas]

Pretty sure the OEM hitch is attached to the bumper, not the frame.

I'd be pretty leery of jacking using the trailer hitch. Seems like a real likelihood of the vehicle being off balance to one side or the other and it getting kicked out to the side, dropping the vehicle and injuring someone ro damaging your rig.

Nope, it's bolted to the frame.

 

[Ogre75]

Nope, it's bolted to the frame.

but not the frame rails, like most trailer hitches.

 

[Sky]

but not the frame rails, like most trailer hitches.

Effectively it is.
The hitch receiver is incorporated into the rear frame cross member.

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Like Inspector Kemp said- "You had better make damn sure of what you are doing" Farm jacks have a mind of their own. The gross tongue weight on most hitches isn't rated for nearly what the vehicle weighs, so I would imagine lifting it from the hitch would only be for emergencies.

 

[weecho27]

This actually looks like a great idea.

 

[Ogre75]

Like Inspector Kemp said- "You had better make damn sure of what you are doing" Farm jacks have a mind of their own. The gross tongue weight on most hitches isn't rated for nearly what the vehicle weighs, so I would imagine lifting it from the hitch would only be for emergencies.

"What?!"
"Following in his grandvaters footschteps, footschteps"
:lmao:

 

[Friggin Idiot]

I was trying to think about this last night when I saw the post. The trailer hitch is indeed connected to the frame, however, it is meant for forward/aft towing. There is the maximum tongue weight of 550lb to consider. I'm sure this accounts for dynamic loads bouncing over potholes, so lifting from the hitch might be possible. However, because of the balance point and the fact you're lifting the frame not suspension, it's probably not all that useful as a lift point. If you're bottomed out scraping the hitch and it's the only point available, that's one thing, but hopefully if you're in that situation your recovery is more about reversing direction with a pull instead of a lift.

 

[Jetboy]

Guys - the rear hitch is easily strong enough for this. This isn't a close call. It's very common. And the rear hitch takes much harder hits any time you drop off a ledge onto it - and that happens pretty frequently if you're on rocky trails. The rear hitch is bolted to the rear cross member of the frame. It's as strong of a lift point as sliders or a front winch bumper. And it often acts as the rear slider.

The 500lb tongue weight rating has other factors such as the leverage on the hitch, forces experienced during all phases of driving including bottom outs, etc. Once you're moving the forces on the hitch are much higher than 500lb.

 

[LandCruiser]

Guys - the rear hitch is easily strong enough for this. This isn't a close call. It's very common. And the rear hitch takes much harder hits any time you drop off a ledge onto it - and that happens pretty frequently if you're on rocky trails. The rear hitch is bolted to the rear cross member of the frame. It's as strong of a lift point as sliders or a front winch bumper. And it often acts as the rear slider.

The 500lb tongue weight rating has other factors such as the leverage on the hitch, forces experienced during all phases of driving including bottom outs, etc. Once you're moving the forces on the hitch are much higher than 500lb.

My hitch took a direct impact from a car going 10mph.

They are tough af.

 

[Rack]

Well, the trailer hitch is not a Toyota approved method of jacking, see pic below.
For jacking the entire rear end you can use the OEM jack on the differential pumpkin. What I use for one rear wheel at a time is this adapter for a more secure grip of the axle.
Jack Adapters - Land Cruiser Products - LCP

It appears they are all out of stock.

 

[trey99ek]

My hitch took a direct impact from a car going 10mph.



They are tough af.

10mph. That's nothing. I was rear ended at 30+. My hitch was fine, their bummer wasn't.

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