Hitch damaged...

[4RunnerinSB]

After installing my bike rack I noticed that the supports for my trailer hitch seem to be bent. As you can see from the picture, my bike rack sags quite a bit when installed on my 4Runner. The rack sags so much that it bottoms out when I go through big dips in the road, forget about off road with it. I'm assuming the truck was rear ended at one point before I got it. See the C clamps? Well, I put them on I think after I hammered the frame back into place? A few questions:

-What are the supports for the hitch in pictures 1 and 3 called with the two nuts at the bottom?
-Can anyone tell by looking at the pictures if these two support pieces in pics 1 and 3 are bent?
-If I replace the two supports, my hitch should level out?

Thanks!
JB

 

[crash813]

I doubt you've ever been hit, you're just exceeding the max tongue weight for the receiver. Basically you've put a 4 foot crowbar with a heavy weight and then bounce up and down on it when you drive. Its just too much bending the frame rails and the receiver. The receiver hitch is usually aftermarket from somewhere, not sure if these came stock. I know the one on mine doesn't look like that one. Personally, I would get the frame ends boxed up for added strength and then either try and straighten the receiver or just go buy another one, possibly one with a higher tow rating. If you continue to run the 4 bike rack, try and load the heavier bikes closer to the vehicle.

 

[4RunnerinSB]

Thanks, that makes me feel better that maybe it has not been rear ended. I only ran the rack on it with bikes once so far, it hangs too low. I've only had the truck about a month. Anyone else know the name of those two supports (pictured above) that hold the hitch?

Thanks, JB

 

[nevada]

Thanks, that makes me feel better that maybe it has not been rear ended. I only ran the rack on it with bikes once so far, it hangs too low. I've only had the truck about a month. Anyone else know the name of those two supports (pictured above) that hold the hitch?

Thanks, JB

you could try loosening all the mount bolts, put a jack or something under the bumper to lift it up. then retighten everything. it may have just shifted down over time.

 

[4RunnerinSB]

you could try loosening all the mount bolts, put a jack or something under the bumper to lift it up. then retighten everything. it may have just shifted down over time.

Good call. I tried that and it seems better. Thanks.

I think maybe now I will look into some kind of a mild suspension lift in the back. Maybe 1 inch?