would like to do the 'hitch flip' but don't have the right hitch

[Charlene]

Oh no the bumper still contains all the strength it had before. I mean I'm sure it's weaker, but I wouldn't see it bending downward because of too much weight. That metal is pretty dang strong.

 

[Houli]

You could always go for a different aftermarket hitch. Get the extra clearance without cutting the bumper.

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

Looked around for a bolt together hitch but did not find one in my area of rural Michigan right now. Fab shop quoted me $150 to do the reweld hitch flip (cut, flip, reweld, remove current tow chain loops and reweld/relocate 2 new ones, clean cutout in bumper).

Again number 1 priority is raising the receiver height to match the trailer height which has an almost 10" disparity.

So flipping the hitch and raising the receiver height by ~6" for $150... Worth it in my books.

Will post back the finished flip, assuming once they have the 4runner in the shop it's still a go.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

View attachment 242054

If getting your tongue higher is one of your goals, you should- at minimum- flip the ball on your existing stinger. That will give you 3+ inches of lift whout costing a penny. I think that hitch posted above(red rig) that has the receiver in the center of the main tube looks much better than the flipped hitches.
You can get different size stingers to adjust tongue height as well.

 

[T4R2014]

If getting your tongue higher is one of your goals, you should- at minimum- flip the ball on your existing stinger. That will give you 3+ inches of lift whout costing a penny. I think that hitch posted above(red rig) that has the receiver in the center of the main tube looks much better than the flipped hitches.
You can get different size stingers to adjust tongue height as well.

I'm just face palming at the entire thread.

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

Need to hook this 4runner, up to this trailer, so that the coupler height is high enough to clear these types of rollers


Can't afford after market bumper.


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[Thenatoriousbig]

Okay so there is probably more to this story than I originally layed out for everyone...

The trailer used to have 14" wheels and much smaller tires (think standard trailer tires). So in the old picture the ball and hitch did provide a level hookup and tow which was desirable. If the ball would have been flipped the trailer would not have been level and the rear end of the trailer would have ridden closer to the ground due to the trailer tilt - which would have made the rollers just as difficult to clear.

Since the first picture in the woods was taken though, the trailer was upgraded to run 265/75/16 tires as pictured... After making this change to the trailer, the coupler height need to change as well.

So from all this...my desire to to do a hitch flip solves two issues:
1) Raises coupler height to match the new tires on trailer for a more level tow.
2) Improve ground clearance by changing the low point on the hitch.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

A different stinger alone though would not improve ground clearance as the lowest point on the hitch would remain the same (more likely to dig or get hung up).

And an aftermarket hitch, while it would raise the low point on the hitch about 3", would only add 3" of coupler height.

Hitch flip adds 6" of coupler height and 3" ground clearance.

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[Thenatoriousbig]

Welded OEM Hitch Flip Complete

$150 later and my hitch flip is complete. Clean welds. New powdercoat. New chain loops. Hooks up and pulls perfectly.

For my needs, budget, and application - I couldn't be happier then with how it turned out.

 

[reelamin]

If getting your tongue higher is one of your goals, you should- raise you chin....at the minimum it will give you 3'" of more territory covered...at the cost of a little neck discomfort...QUOTE]

hahahahaha....late to the party...but I had to because "I FN LIKE IT SO THERE!!!"

 

[T4R2014]

LMAO. $150 to weld an old hitch. There's a sucker born every minute. Cheapskate/fail thread of the year.

 

[Back4More]

Interested in doing a 1" BL and looking to not have the gap. Was hoping for a bit more but these are still ideas.