Tow Hitch Receiver Labels

[charlier180]

With the unusually warm weather here in Pennsylvania the last few days I decided to check the air pressure in the spare tire of my '04 4Runner (V8). While doing this I noticed not one but two labels on the Hitch Receiver mounted on my 4Runner. Both labels say the max towing capacity is 7,300 lbs and the max tongue weight is 730 lbs. Interesting how the Toyota literature states the weights are 7000/700 for the '04 V8 4Runner.

Has anyone else noticed these labels on their 04's?

Did Toyota make a change to the receiver (or the mounting bolts)sometime during 2004 that increased the towing capacity?

 

[charlier180]

Just found out that the 2005 4 Runner Sales brochure lists the 2WD, V8 as 7,300 lbs Towing capacity. I guess somehow my '04 V8, 4WD got a hitch receiver with the incorrect label on it.

 

[TeryT]

Towing Numbers Clarification

Actually the change came mid-year thru 2003 on the V8. Some engineer figured out that they could tow more if a weight distributing hitch was used. So they went from a class 3 to a class 4 hitch receiver, and increased the tow from 5000 to 7000. This made sense since the V6 was also rated at 5000. The V8 was only limited because of the hitch receiver on it.

My class 4 hitch receiver sticker says the tongue weight should be no more than 1050 - but that is the rating of the hitch receiver itself. The vehicle rating of 700 is what's important.

The ratings vary slightly from Sport and 2 wheel & 4 wheel drive, due to suspension & hardware weight. The 05's have a slight suspension modification so that Toyota can claim the 6000 lb. gross moniker for the 4R.

Bottom line, if you plan on towing more than 5000 lbs, get a weight distributing hitch (which goes on the trailer).