Tow Capacity: 5K v. 7K - Why??

[HuntRunner]

Trying to understand the 2,000 pound difference in the receiver hitch on the early model V8 4th Gen.:

I have read all the previous discussions on this but I am not sure I completely understand this. How does one reciever hitch have 2,000 pounds more capacity? They are both mounted to the frame, just in different ways. So isn't the frame carrying the same weight? How does the vehicle know the difference?

 

[bluewolf]

The box receiver is mounted to a cross-member. The WD hitch is mounted to the frame, allowing full weight distribution.

 

[HuntRunner]

But the cross member mounts to the frame.......distributing the weight
This is what I don't understand; on both setups, the frame still has the weight. What am I not seeing here???

 

[bluewolf]

The cross-member mounts to the frame, sure, but is not likely strong enough to handle the stress of a WD towing assembly, which uses the tongue weight of your trailer to "pry" the tail end of your vehicle upward. The frame rails run the length of the vehicle and are strong enough to handle this stress. A WD receiver bolts directly to the frame rails.

 

[HuntRunner]

So the weakness would be in the cross member/receiver box setup vs. the all one piece, tubular, construction of the newer receiver.
I have the old setup, which is very simular to a friends Doge and his tow capacity is higher than 5K. Though my owner's manual says my tow capacity is 7K, I was trying to tell him I could not tow his 6K lb. travel trailer.
Thanks for the help!

 

[bluewolf]

Hidden Hitch (brand) makes a receiver that is identical to the WD receiver Toyota now includes on every V8 model. I think it sells for $200.00 or so. I would consider purchasing and installing that one. Does your vehicle have a transmission oil cooler mounted in front of your radiator?

 

[HuntRunner]

I actually looked into the Hidden Hitch at a local shop. The guy looked it up and said that the hitch only had a 5,000 pound capacity and that I would not gain anything from installing it.
I guess he did not want to make a sale that day.

Yes, I do have the transmission cooler.

 

[bluewolf]

the hitch only had a 5,000 pound capacity and that I would not gain anything from installing it.

Interesting. I would swear that the one I looked at was rated to 7500 lbs. Makes me want to investigate...

 

[aljodoro]

I think that the key is the weight distirbuting hitch. This is from http://www.etrailer.com/faq/aboutwd.asp --- Weight Distributing Hitch Systems are designed to increase the capacity of the towing system when added to a Class III, IV or V trailer hitch. The idea is to distribute the load of the trailer evenly to all of the tow vehicle and trailer wheels. To accomplish this, spring bars are used to absorb load and level the trailer. This offers a more level ride, improved steering and increased braking control, all the while enhancing towing safety

So the issue is a change to a receiver on the vehicle providing a mount that allows weight distribution and this is conjunction with a weight distributing hitch allows allows the higher capactiry rating. Since Toyota did not indicate any other mechanical changes when this change was announced other than the hitch the vehicle was underrated as respects it's capabilities prior to the receiver hitch change. Or maybe Toyota decided not to be to conversative and to compete with the Toureg. My two cents. Al

 

[HuntRunner]

So the issue is a change to a receiver on the vehicle providing a mount that allows weight distribution

My friends weight distribution set up will work with my current receiver, it is part of the slide in. I just don't want to damage my truck by towing more than I should.

I mentioned before that my owner's manual says 7,000 lbs. Where does it say on the vehicle what the tow capacity is? I know the slide hitch has a limit stamped on it, but that is only rating the hitch. If someone knows where to find this, I would like to know if states something different on the 4Runners with the newer hitch.

 

[bluewolf]

My friends weight distribution set up will work with my current receiver, it is part of the slide in. I just don't want to damage my truck by towing more than I should.

The 7000 lb rating is dependant on the WD receiver. You CAN slide a WD hitch assembly into your box receiver, set it up properly and attempt to pull with it, but chances are the cross member will break under the stress.

 

[HuntRunner]

The 7000 lb rating is dependant on the WD receiver. You CAN slide a WD hitch assembly into your box receiver, set it up properly and attempt to pull with it, but chances are the cross member will break under the stress.

I'm not even considering towing more than 5,000 lbs.....just an observation on the hitch.
Now I am curios though, can I use the WD setup if I stay under 5,000 lbs. or would it still put the wrong kind of stress/pressure on the cross menber?

 

[bluewolf]

Now I am curios though, can I use the WD setup if I stay under 5,000 lbs. or would it still put the wrong kind of stress/pressure on the cross menber?

Toyota recommends NOT doing that. Must be the wrong kind of stress, like you said.

 

[leftyrb]

I just purchased a heavier travel trailer, that came with a WD hitch. The WD draw bar would not fit into my Canadian 2004 V8 model, factory hitch. The Toyota hitch has rounded corners, while the WD hitch has a square shank, thus not fitting. I have had no problem with the hollow draw bars, but they are not made for WD purposes. Seems that Toyota Canada wants me to install an aftermarket hitch to tow my trailer!