The owner's manual for my 2003 SR5 V8 4WD says that it can pull a trailer weighing up to 7,000 lbs (p. 262). This is in agreement with the present capabilities of the 2004 models (http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/4runner/specs.html).
The manual also states to "use only weight carrying hitch hardware ... with the factory installed hitch" (p. 264). However, this does not make sense to me. A trailer weighing 4,000-7,000 lbs would almost surely need a weight distributing hitch, right?
On my 4Runner, the hitch receiver is a small block-shaped unit bolted to the rear frame cross member. Therefore, I suspect that it is not designed to handle 7,000 lbs. and that I would need to replace it with a heftier WDH to safely pull such heavy trailers. Do you agree?
Then a couple days ago, I dropped by the dealer to look at the current 2004 4Runners. They all appear to be equipped with a much heftier hitch receiver, one that shows a 7,300 lb. sticker. This hitch is bolted to the two side frame rails instead of simply to the rear frame member, like mine. I asked the Parts Department about this heftier hitch, and they replied that it is only available as factory installed option.
I don't plan to pull a 7,000 trailer, but I do want to pull one weighing at least 5,000 lb. with a WDH, so I want the hitch to be as strong as possible. I have looked all over the web for a equivalent hitch to the 7,300 lb. Toyota one, but I could not find anything. Is it just that the '03-04 4Runner is so new that third party hitch manufacturers have not gotten around to making one as hefty?
Thanks for the help.
The manual also states to "use only weight carrying hitch hardware ... with the factory installed hitch" (p. 264). However, this does not make sense to me. A trailer weighing 4,000-7,000 lbs would almost surely need a weight distributing hitch, right?
On my 4Runner, the hitch receiver is a small block-shaped unit bolted to the rear frame cross member. Therefore, I suspect that it is not designed to handle 7,000 lbs. and that I would need to replace it with a heftier WDH to safely pull such heavy trailers. Do you agree?
Then a couple days ago, I dropped by the dealer to look at the current 2004 4Runners. They all appear to be equipped with a much heftier hitch receiver, one that shows a 7,300 lb. sticker. This hitch is bolted to the two side frame rails instead of simply to the rear frame member, like mine. I asked the Parts Department about this heftier hitch, and they replied that it is only available as factory installed option.
I don't plan to pull a 7,000 trailer, but I do want to pull one weighing at least 5,000 lb. with a WDH, so I want the hitch to be as strong as possible. I have looked all over the web for a equivalent hitch to the 7,300 lb. Toyota one, but I could not find anything. Is it just that the '03-04 4Runner is so new that third party hitch manufacturers have not gotten around to making one as hefty?
Thanks for the help.
