Factory Trailer Hitch Question

M

mikexj1020

New member
Hello All!

My name is Mike and I am new to this forum. I am here for my father who recently purchased a 2005 Toyota 4Runner Sport w/ V6 Engine. I am Jeep guy and spend a lot of time on the jeep forums but I am hoping you guys over here can help with a quick question.

We recently purchased a 22 foot boat. Probably weighs 3500# max (full tank, boat and trailer). My concern is the factory hitch on there.
Can it support hauling the boat??
The hitch does not have the bars going along the side to the frame rails and its just a small unit off the middle of the truck.
Here is picture http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=434707&stc=1&d=1278998980

The vehicle does have the electric for a trailer hook up.
However, nothing is stamped on the hitch, we have no owners manual on the vehicle, and I have been searching for a while and cannot find anything specific on this small hitch. It seems to me that it is a class 1, but what do your guys factory hitches look like? And is this thing even factory?

Any insight would be great thanks!

-Mike
 
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That doesn't look like any factory hitch I've seen on a 4runner. I'd go get an aftermarket hitch that you bolt to the frame. My last 4runner didn't have a factory hitch and I went with a Curt. Worked great. Bolted right on, just had to remove the factory tow hook that's back there.
 
That's the OEM hitch that comes on the v6's (and 03 v8's). It's identical to what's on my 03. Tow rating (if 4x4) is 5000 pounds so you should be fine.
 
cangler said:
Did you have to adjust your spare tire any or does it just fit snug against the tire?
Click to expand...

Nope, didn't have to adjust the spare tire to get it in. It didn't touch it once it's in place. Two of the bolts on the passenger side took a little longer to get in because the exhaust is in the way. I still put it on by myself in 30 or 45 minutes.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
That's the OEM hitch that comes on the v6's (and 03 v8's). It's identical to what's on my 03. Tow rating (if 4x4) is 5000 pounds so you should be fine.
Click to expand...

Okay, it does seem kind of small you must admit. Have you hauled any thing big enough and long enough where you definitely trust it?

I just don't want the thing to rip off and then find out the hard way why the load just got lighter :zoom:
 
jimithing said:
Nope, didn't have to adjust the spare tire to get it in. It didn't touch it once it's in place. Two of the bolts on the passenger side took a little longer to get in because the exhaust is in the way. I still put it on by myself in 30 or 45 minutes.
Click to expand...

I have modified my exhaust, cut off the resonator and put a nice big tip angled a bit out the side/corner. Do you think the curt hitch would still mount properly by looking at this photo?

2j5h180.jpg
 
cangler said:
I have modified my exhaust, cut off the resonator and put a nice big tip angled a bit out the side/corner. Do you think the curt hitch would still mount properly by looking at this photo?
Click to expand...

Yeah, from what I remember you should be good. In your pic I think you can see the passenger frame rail. Those holes in the rail are what you bolt to so it may even be easier since yours seem to be exposed now. Go look under the back of your truck tomorrow and you should see similar holes on the drivers side.
 
I remember from looking at it earlier, on the driver side beam... there is a tie down loop with two bolts, guess that would need to be removed for the hitch.
 
From the size of the opening....it looks like a Class-III receiver. Class III receivers are rated up to 5000lbs. Shouldn't be a problem.
 
cangler said:
I remember from looking at it earlier, on the driver side beam... there is a tie down loop with two bolts, guess that would need to be removed for the hitch.
Click to expand...

Correct. Mine was in there tight. I had to bang on the wrench with a hammer to get them going.
 
I have that same bolt on hitch plate and it'll handle that boat trailor fine. pulls my 20 foot nitro fish and ski all day weighs in at 4300lbs 500lb toung weight with surge brake trailor brakes no issues.
 
jimithing said:
Correct. Mine was in there tight. I had to bang on the wrench with a hammer to get them going.
Click to expand...

They probably torque them down heavy.

Another question regarding the curt hitch, I've seen some hitches that move the wiring harness onto the actually hitch and you can see it looking at the back. Does the curt not do this, and how necessary is that? I don't see a spot on the curt to bolt the wiring harness onto etc
 
The Toyota hitch is pretty beefy and it bolts to the box beam of the rear frame. This is how Toyota certifies it for that weight and class..

I challenge you on the weight of your boat though. I have a 18' that weights 3500 lbs. add 4' and lots of fuel and got to be into 4000lbs..
 
FWIW, I just installed the curt 13345 last week on my 07 sport. The factory wiring plug is up under/ behind the hitch {hard to access but can be relocated or used as is}. The tailpipe can be pulled to the side by a friend and allow the passenger side bolts to go in easy. I removed the factory tow loop with an impact gun and installed the curt hitch by hand with a torque wrench. Me, friend, air tools = 20 min install.

curt hitch has a nice finish but man I wish it was titaium metallic paint to match the runner.

personal opinion.
 
cangler said:
They probably torque them down heavy.

Another question regarding the curt hitch, I've seen some hitches that move the wiring harness onto the actually hitch and you can see it looking at the back. Does the curt not do this, and how necessary is that? I don't see a spot on the curt to bolt the wiring harness onto etc
Click to expand...

Nope, the factory harness stays where it is. You can still reach it with the hitch in place. It's mounts far enough back that it doesn't cover the wiring harness. The downside (if you want to call it that) is that it sticks out a little further than the stock hitch.
 

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jimithing, I didnt get the curt hitch hole cover with mine. Was I supposed to? or was yours optional? Also its very easy to remove that ugly orange sticker. I reloacated mine to the rear of the tube so its still there, just not visible.
 
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