Just got a weight distribution hitch, but it doesn't fit. What to do?

[gkatmar]

I just bought a weight distribution hitch for my 2003 4Runner. When I slide it into the receiver the hole doesn't go all the way in because of the tire.

My question is, would it be ok to drill into the weight distribution hitch to make a new hole? Would this cause any problems?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I would suggest cutting the hitch the least amount possible to get the hole to line-up. The farther in the hitch goes the better. The goal should be to have the hitch go in so that it hangs through just a hair when the hole is lined up.

By doing this you'll have less of a lever arm on the receiver. A band saw should do it. They are chunky metal but usually not that hard.

I have drilled several too. If the new hole is greater than the pin diameter away from the old hole it should be fine. I have re-drilled for the sole purpose of getting the hitch to go in farther.

:cheers:

 

[Kmvreter]

I just bought a weight distribution hitch for my 2003 4Runner. When I slide it into the receiver the hole doesn't go all the way in because of the tire.

My question is, would it be ok to drill into the weight distribution hitch to make a new hole? Would this cause any problems?

I realize from your pics that you have a beefed up A/T as a spare but I would first try loosening the spare slightly. See if you can shift it forward to give you as much clearance as possible. Then cut the length, but just to what you need to make it fit.

 

[maine runner]

I second Chris's statement above on cutting a new hole.

Make sure there is enough metal left from the new hole to the end of the hitch. Use the distance from the current hole to the end of the receiver as a guide.

If me, I would play with the spare and try trimming the end of the receiver a bit first. Hard to tell how far off the alignment is in the photo.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

It would be better to cut off the excess length than to drill a new hole. Two holes = higher stress, which could lead to failure. Better safe than sorry.

 

[MikesToy]

I say, return that hitch and buy another one that will fit.

 

[TechWrench]

From the pics you posted, I noticed that you have the 5K weight carrying hitch, not the 7500# weight distributing hitch. The item you are having a problem with is the ball mount, not the hitch, and it will NOT increase your towing capacity. It may have come from a weight distributing hitch setup on another vehicle, but it will not change your hitch to a weight distributing one. In order to get a weight distributing tow setup, you will have to replace the existing rear hitch (the receiver you plug the ball mount into) with a weight distributing unit. If you attempt to hang a weight distributing ball mount with the compensating bars and chains or cam setup on the existing receiver and haul a heavier trailer, it may twist the rear frame cross member.

I just recently upgraded my hitch to a WD model from Valley. It works great, but the install is a bit of a chore. Removing the old oem receiver requires you to remove the rear bumper to get at all the mounting bolts.