TechWrench
Senior Member
OK, I apparently miss-understood your intent. My Bad.
weight distributing hitch
- Thread starter drnick
- Start date
OK, I apparently miss-understood your intent. My Bad.
No worries. Thanks for the time you take sharing your knowledge.
Is there a preference between DrawTite and Hidden Hitch or a better alternative for a WD receiver?
https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2000_Toyota_4Runner.htm?style=&furl=-pc-5500_lbs_WD_GTW
Draw-Tite and Hidden Hitch are the same company. I have no idea why they maintain two brands. It seems stupid.
Just came accross that on another thread. Same goes for Reese. Cenquent is the owner. The receivers I see are the same except diiffernst deecals .
TechWrench
Senior Member
OK, according to the specs on the two aftermarket hitch's you refer to, the ability to use a WD system will only gain you an extra 500/50 lbs of towing capability. Considering the cost to buy the aftermarket hitch, and then buying the WD towing rig, that is a lot to spend for very little gain. Since you have a 3rd gen, which I am not familiar with the factory towing limits on it, I would check the owners manual for the limits and warnings on the vehicle itself, separate from the warning label on the hitch. It may very well be that the frame/suspension/drivetrain on the vehicle are the limiting factors for the use of a WD system. Also, I don't remember if you mentioned if the current hitch on the vehicle is a factory one, or aftermarket. If it is a factory unit, then the warning may be for the vehicle as well as the hitch.
Only having experience with 4th gen's, I can't give you any more specific help on this.
The receiver is a factory installed Reese. Limits are 5000/500 but the receiver is WT CARRY ONLY. Thats why I need to replace it with a WD capable receiver, not because I'm looking to gain towing capacity (I can't). I spoke with a technical rep at Reese (owned by some other company now). She said the reason for the WT carry only limitation has to do with the testing of the receiver and not the vehicle. I don't have the manual and haven't been able to find one online. All the links I've tried have been dead ends. Toyota's website has most of the manual, but not the section that covers towing.
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larrydj9000
New member
How about 5th gen 4runners?
I've been reading this thread to see its applicability to 5th generation 4runners. I have a 2016 SR5. I pull a 16' Bambi Airstream that has a measured weight of 3700# when fully loaded, and a hitch weight of 495# when lightly loaded. A full water tank will push it over 500#, the specified weight limit.
I talked to the Toyota rep and confirmed that WD hitches are OK with my 2016, (and probably all 5th gen 4runners). The tow package came standard, with 500/5000 pound hitch/carrying capacity. I looked underneath at the hitch, and see that there is a significant tubular crossmember that is welded to the outside frame rails. A receiver is bolted onto this member. To my eye, this is as capable as the 4th gen V8 hitches that bolt to the frame, as this extends the frame through a sturdy welded member. Also, note that there are no aftermarket hitches for 5th gen 4runners, so this cannot be removed or replaced. The only thing I can think to do more may be to weld the receiver to the cross member.
However, I'd like to load this up, perhaps with an extra battery, and I'll be in the 550 pound range, 50 pounds over. So why does this hitch have a 500# rating versus the 4th gen V8s with a 700# rating? My hunch is that the short wheelbase and lighter motor cause the 4runner front wheels to ride too high for stability if used without a WD hitch. Unfortunately, other than saying WD are OK, Toyota doesn't spec increased weight limits for using a WD hitch, though it certainly lowers the front wheels (my front wheel wells are only 1/4" higher when using the WD hitch versus being unhitched, they are pretty high if I don't have the WD bars hooked up). It's interesting to see that the 4th gen V8 hitches specified significantly higher tongue capacity with WD, but there is no such rating for 5th gen V6s. I THINK I'm OK to add the extra weight due to this, but I'm still cautious until I study this more.
Thoughts?
I've been reading this thread to see its applicability to 5th generation 4runners. I have a 2016 SR5. I pull a 16' Bambi Airstream that has a measured weight of 3700# when fully loaded, and a hitch weight of 495# when lightly loaded. A full water tank will push it over 500#, the specified weight limit.
I talked to the Toyota rep and confirmed that WD hitches are OK with my 2016, (and probably all 5th gen 4runners). The tow package came standard, with 500/5000 pound hitch/carrying capacity. I looked underneath at the hitch, and see that there is a significant tubular crossmember that is welded to the outside frame rails. A receiver is bolted onto this member. To my eye, this is as capable as the 4th gen V8 hitches that bolt to the frame, as this extends the frame through a sturdy welded member. Also, note that there are no aftermarket hitches for 5th gen 4runners, so this cannot be removed or replaced. The only thing I can think to do more may be to weld the receiver to the cross member.
However, I'd like to load this up, perhaps with an extra battery, and I'll be in the 550 pound range, 50 pounds over. So why does this hitch have a 500# rating versus the 4th gen V8s with a 700# rating? My hunch is that the short wheelbase and lighter motor cause the 4runner front wheels to ride too high for stability if used without a WD hitch. Unfortunately, other than saying WD are OK, Toyota doesn't spec increased weight limits for using a WD hitch, though it certainly lowers the front wheels (my front wheel wells are only 1/4" higher when using the WD hitch versus being unhitched, they are pretty high if I don't have the WD bars hooked up). It's interesting to see that the 4th gen V8 hitches specified significantly higher tongue capacity with WD, but there is no such rating for 5th gen V6s. I THINK I'm OK to add the extra weight due to this, but I'm still cautious until I study this more.
Thoughts?
RL Lemke
New member
I would have a close look at the hitch part I identify above and the hitch part you have to see how they are different.
The weight difference between the V6 and V8 shouldn't make any difference as they fit into the same frame on the same assembly line.
I also have RideRite airbags to keep my vehicle level.
Photo shows bike and hitch all together weighing close to 500 pounds.
The weight difference between the V6 and V8 shouldn't make any difference as they fit into the same frame on the same assembly line.
I also have RideRite airbags to keep my vehicle level.
Photo shows bike and hitch all together weighing close to 500 pounds.
RL Lemke
New member
When noticing hitches on the current 4Runners, it is obvious that the hitch bolts only to the frame crossmember in front of the bumber. Wimpy.
http://4runnerclub.com/i/4r_files/f...oyfsrm/accessory/installation/T-AI-0403-W.pdf
Note in the above installation PDF that the hitch I have is bolted to the frame in several places.
http://4runnerclub.com/i/4r_files/f...oyfsrm/accessory/installation/T-AI-0403-W.pdf
Note in the above installation PDF that the hitch I have is bolted to the frame in several places.
TechWrench
Senior Member
It's your vehicle, so you can load it any way you see fit, but I would be suspect of what the 'Toyota rep' is telling you. He 'may' be right, but if he isn't, and something goes wrong, what he 'told' you will not count for much in any possible legal action against you. I would carefully read through your owners manual for any info/warnings about towing capacity, specifically about using a WD setup with the standard hitch. I know your vehicle is a lot newer, but the manual for my '03 V6, it specifically warned against using any WD system with the standard hitch. Only the V8, with the HD hitch was rated from Toyota for WD use. I also would not automatically assume that the tube that the standard V6 hitch is attached to on your vehicle is as strong as the frame mounted HD system used on the 4th gen V8's. Just because it is welded to the frame rails, doesn't mean that it is rated to handle the torque loads that a WD system will put on it. It may be, but I would want to verify that in writing before I just accepted it.
As for the difference in tow ratings between the 4th gen V6 and V8's is specifically because of the way the tow different hitch systems are mounted on the vehicle, and the differences in engine performance.
What you are doing may work, and man not cause any damage to the vehicle, but that doesn't mean Toyota agrees with you, and I don't mean some 'Toyota rep' who may or may now know what he is talking about. There are too many instances to count, where a 'supposed' Toyota rep gave out bad info to a customer.
It is your vehicle, and your choice.
4Runner&Airstream
New member
I have a 2013 4Runner SR5 and am considering towing a trailer that weighs 4,300 with a hitch weight of 565. I better read my manual. I could go to lithium batteries to drop it by about 90 lbs on the tongue to 475 (hopefully).
zcruiser
Senior Member
I’m towing a small-ish camper. Last trip across the scales showed 3960 lbs trailer axle weight. Hitch weight is about 450 lbs.
I have a Fastway e2 WDH with square 600 lb trunion bars and an EBC and it feels really stable so far.
Will be adding a Derale transmission cooler this weekend, though.
Your hitch weight would benefit from a WDH.
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TacticalSpork
New member
I created this account just to share the page from my 2012 5th gen owners manual.
I think it’s hilarious because I read through all 8 pages of this thread and was convinced a WDH would twist my frame and total my ride. Then I’m like “I have an owners manual, durrr” and check for my self: It not only allows WDH, it even gives you helpful tips on setting it up!
I think it’s hilarious because I read through all 8 pages of this thread and was convinced a WDH would twist my frame and total my ride. Then I’m like “I have an owners manual, durrr” and check for my self: It not only allows WDH, it even gives you helpful tips on setting it up!
