tow hitch recommendations?

T

Trojan73

New member
Any recommendations for a good tow hitch/receiver for my '06 SR5?

I will use the hitch only for attaching my bike rack, so the towing capacity does not matter. Also, I'd like to get a model for which I don't have to cut the bumber at all.

thanks!
 
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Trojan73 said:
Any recommendations for a good tow hitch/receiver for my '06 SR5?

I will use the hitch only for attaching my bike rack, so the towing capacity does not matter. Also, I'd like to get a model for which I don't have to cut the bumber at all.

thanks!
Click to expand...

Check out Hiddenhitch
 
Trojan73 said:
Any recommendations for a good tow hitch/receiver for my '06 SR5?

I will use the hitch only for attaching my bike rack, so the towing capacity does not matter. Also, I'd like to get a model for which I don't have to cut the bumber at all.

thanks!
Click to expand...

I was in the same boat, no towing, just for accessories (primarily rear hitch step to protect my bumper) and maybe a bike and/or ski rack.

Hidden Hitch #70779 rated for 5000lbs or #70411 rated for 7000lbs. The tube on #70779 is straight and forms a 'V' at the receiver. The #70411 is curved and wavy, similar to the factory V8 hitch. I have #70779, as #70411 has been discontinued.

No trimming is required, even though the instructions call for cutting off the plastic bumper support tabs. The bumper is the same and just as stiff as before the hitch, since the hitch mounts slightly higher than the bottom bumper edge, thus removal of the brackets and the bumper tucks up slightly because of the hitch. Overall, you won't notice anything other than having the hitch. Installation is easy and straight forward, took me about two hours to install as the tow hook was a bear to remove and there's two other bolts that need to be dropped into the rear cross member. You will have to remove a few items, the tow hook on the left, the two bumper support brackets, and the wiring harness which will be relocated. A quick tip, get the passenger side in position and upto the frame first and then raise the driver side--the muffler gets in the way. And the most forward bolt on the passenger side is a PITA to screw in because of the muffler--a rachetting box end wrench for that one is golden.

I can post some pics if needed. Let me know if you have questions. Good luck.
 
Re: Re: tow hitch recommendations?

Uneek said:
I was in the same boat, no towing, just for accessories (primarily rear hitch step to protect my bumper) and maybe a bike and/or ski rack.

Hidden Hitch #70779 rated for 5000lbs or #70411 rated for 7000lbs. The tube on #70779 is straight and forms a 'V' at the receiver. The #70411 is curved and wavy, similar to the factory V8 hitch. I have #70779, as #70411 has been discontinued.

No trimming is required, even though the instructions call for cutting off the plastic bumper support tabs. The bumper is the same and just as stiff as before the hitch, since the hitch mounts slightly higher than the bottom bumper edge, thus removal of the brackets and the bumper tucks up slightly because of the hitch. Overall, you won't notice anything other than having the hitch. Installation is easy and straight forward, took me about two hours to install as the tow hook was a bear to remove and there's two other bolts that need to be dropped into the rear cross member. You will have to remove a few items, the tow hook on the left, the two bumper support brackets, and the wiring harness which will be relocated. A quick tip, get the passenger side in position and upto the frame first and then raise the driver side--the muffler gets in the way. And the most forward bolt on the passenger side is a PITA to screw in because of the muffler--a rachetting box end wrench for that one is golden.

I can post some pics if needed. Let me know if you have questions. Good luck.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info! pics would be really helpful.
 
There are eight bolts total. Six of them have welded nuts in the frame rails. Two of them are drop nuts in the rear cross member. You don't need to drill for the drop nuts, there are access holes in close proximity.

Here are some pics, I'll try and get better shots, if needed.

Installed
P5210108.jpg~original

P5210112.jpg~original

P5210113.jpg~original
 
Driver side mounts
P7270062.jpg~original

Cross member mount (drop nut)
P7270067.jpg~original


Relocated wire harness
P5210111.jpg~original

P7270059.jpg~original


With my rear hitch step pushed in all the way, it doesn't even come through the back of the receiver. Spare tire clearance
P7270068.jpg~original
 
Trojan73 said:
anyone has experience in following hitches?

http://www.reeseprod.com/fitguides/hitchsel_moreinfo.asp?vid= 7478&year= 2003

http://search.cartserver.com/search...34_receiv-01&maxhits=1&keywords=gl0046&GO=GO!

i'd like to get a model which provides a bit more clearance between the hitch and bumber (whereas the hidden hitches bends sligthly the bumber).

thanks.
Click to expand...

The Curt hitch might be the same as the Uhaul hitch, if I recall. There's a member here who's got the Uhaul hitch.

I can't remember, but Hidden Hitch and two other companies have the same hitches even down to the instructions.
 
Why not get one of the Toyota factory hitches?

The basic one should be sufficient for carrying bikes and is rated to 5000lbs. It install with 3 bolts and only attaches to the last crossmember.

They also make a class IV hitch rated for 8000lbs but I suppose that would be overkill for a few bikes.
 
mtnracer said:
Why not get one of the Toyota factory hitches?

The basic one should be sufficient for carrying bikes and is rated to 5000lbs. It install with 3 bolts and only attaches to the last crossmember.

They also make a class IV hitch rated for 8000lbs but I suppose that would be overkill for a few bikes.
Click to expand...

Probably because they cost a lot more.
 
mtnracer said:
Why not get one of the Toyota factory hitches?

The basic one should be sufficient for carrying bikes and is rated to 5000lbs. It install with 3 bolts and only attaches to the last crossmember.

They also make a class IV hitch rated for 8000lbs but I suppose that would be overkill for a few bikes.
Click to expand...

The V6 one is a $430 option from the factory for 2006. I asked my friend at the parts counter and he said the V8 weight distributing hitch is not available for order. Also, the bumpers have a cut out in them if they're originally equipped with a hitch. The Hidden Hitch doesn't require any trimming for the hitch. I got the Hidden Hitch for $125 shipped.
 
Uneek said:
The V6 one is a $430 option from the factory for 2006. I asked my friend at the parts counter and he said the V8 weight distributing hitch is not available for order. Also, the bumpers have a cut out in them if they're originally equipped with a hitch. The Hidden Hitch doesn't require any trimming for the hitch. I got the Hidden Hitch for $125 shipped.
Click to expand...

Great! I didn't think the OEM hitches were so expensive.
 
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