uhaul trailer hitch needed (car novice)

[dustball]

hello all

I'm a rav4 owner, but for moving purposes come this fall I will (probably) be trading that temporarily for my mom's 2002 4runner. I'm trying to make this as cost effective as possible and was told by a friend who says he knows cars that I can find out what size ball is needed to tow the uhaul 5x8 trailer and buy that + the bar at autozone/walmart/pep boys and install this myself (therefore skirting the $200 uhaul hitch installation).

this is the equipment currently on my mom's truck.

now my rav doesnt even have that installed so i know it would be a hassle to get it to that point... anyone have specific information on the parts i'd need plus advice whether this is something i can do myself? or should i just take it to uhaul and have them do their thing while their hooking up the trailer?

thanks

 

[OUTRNNR]

Looks like all you need is a Class III/IV ball hitch. One side fits in the square hitch mount on the 4Runner and the other side hangs out with a ball to mount the trailer. You can find these at any auto parts store or at Walmart.

Looks like you have the wiring harness already. The Uhaul trailers run on 4 pin harnesses, which it looks like you have.

Just make sure you have the hitch in when you take it to them and they'll do the rest.

 

[mtnracer]

Your mom's 4Runner already has the proper hitch installed so all you need is the ball mount and ball. There are many, many options for this so be careful what you buy.

Those two parts are pretty cheap at U-HAUL ($50 total) and you'll be sure that it will work with the trailer you are renting.

 

[wolfgang]

My '03 4Rnr with OEM towing package came with the bar (with locking pin) included --- but no ball. There are interchangeable balls available - has a pin on which one of 3 supplied balls fit (1 7/8, 2, and 2 1/8). Did you check to see if she has the bar perhaps in the side pocket with the jack? You will need a bar that positions the ball so it is level with the trailer. It will probably lower the ball a few inches down from the hitch opening to accomplish this. ALSO remember it is extremely dangerous towing a trailer at speed or in windy conditions plus your brakes now need to stopp the trailer too (as most you rent don't have electric auxiliary brakes - nor is your vehicle likely to have the brack actuator). I love those signs on U-Haul trailers make moving a adventure. Not sure they had the car and triler flipped upside down in mind when they coined that phrase.

 

[adder70]

My '03 4Rnr with OEM towing package came with the bar (with locking pin) included --- but no ball.

I bought a nice stainless steel bar and ball not long after I got my used 2000, and only afterward discovered the hitch set up in the jack area under the right rear seat!:jaw drop: D'oh!!

ALSO remember it is extremely dangerous towing a trailer at speed or in windy conditions plus your brakes now need to stopp the trailer too (as most you rent don't have electric auxiliary brakes - nor is your vehicle likely to have the brack actuator).[/B]

I don't konw about the 5x8, but the 6x12 trailers usually have a hydraulic brake system that applies the brakes due to pressure when the vehicle slows and the trailers starts pushing forward on the hitch shaft. The down side is that you can't back them up a steep hill, because when you try to push the trailer, the brakes keep applying! (We need a smiley banging its head against a wall.)

 

[ironadrenaline]

(We need a smiley banging its head against a wall.)

....could of sworn we had one