stock hitch question

[seans4R]

hey everyone! quick easy question.

what the heck is the difference between the hitch that came on my 2006 V6 4x4 4runner and the hitch people replace it with?

I've been reading about how if you need to tow something heavy you should upgrade the hitch. isn't the hitch on there a "big boy" hitch?

thanks!!!!

 

[eskimochaos]

hey everyone! quick easy question.

what the heck is the difference between the hitch that came on my 2006 V6 4x4 4runner and the hitch people replace it with?

I've been reading about how if you need to tow something heavy you should upgrade the hitch. isn't the hitch on there a "big boy" hitch?

thanks!!!!

The V6's dont come with a weight distribution hitch; however, you cant tow more than 5k pound so your hitch will suffice. You can replace it with a weight distribution hitch because I understand it will decrease sway.

 

[seans4R]

thanks for the quick reply.

well unless im missing something, my hitch is bolted right to the frame which leads me to believe that its a weight bearing hitch. Not just a hitch bolted to the bumper. So there's no reason to upgrade the hitch right if i need tow something over 5K?

thanks!!

 

[eskimochaos]

thanks for the quick reply.

well unless im missing something, my hitch is bolted right to the frame which leads me to believe that its a weight bearing hitch. Not just a hitch bolted to the bumper. So there's no reason to upgrade the hitch right if i need tow something over 5K?

thanks!!

They both are bolted to the frame. As I said the V6's didnt come with the WD hitch unless the PO on yours installed it.

 

[seans4R]

ok.. well i pulled out the manual and it shows the difference between a weight carrying hitch vs. a weight distributing hitch.

i got the weight distributing hitch. I have a V6 4x4 so how much can i tow? this is about as clear as mud to me lol

do i need one of these to tow over 5000 lbs safely?

"Weight Distributing Hitch's will improve your trailer sway, weight distribution, and lower stress for trailer safety, Equalizer weight distributing hitch."

 

[offshorebear]

I don't have the book in front of me, but I think the max the V6 can tow is 5000 pounds in any configuration.

 

[TechWrench]

thanks for the quick reply.

well unless im missing something, my hitch is bolted right to the frame which leads me to believe that its a weight bearing hitch. Not just a hitch bolted to the bumper. So there's no reason to upgrade the hitch right if i need tow something over 5K?

thanks!!

To the best of my knowledge, a WD hitch was not available from the factory with the V6. The stock weight bearing hitch is bolted to a crossmember just behind the rear bumper cover. It is not designed to take the load of a weight distributing hitch setup. If you actually have a weight distributing hitch, it will be a tube (round or square, which spans across both frame members, and is bolted directly to these frame members, not the rear crossmember.

 

[TechWrench]

I don't have the book in front of me, but I think the max the V6 can tow is 5000 pounds in any configuration.

According to my owners manual, my '03 V6 is rated for 5K with the factory installed weight bearing receiver, but the rating is increased to 6.5K with a weight distributing receiver and weight distributing hitch properly installed.

 

[seans4R]

see attachment...