Rubber cover to cover this rust on the hitch?

I know there are hitch plugs which go inside, but is there any sort of black rubber/silicone cover which would cover it like a Tupperware glass bowl cover? Where I can sort of just cover it all and not just sit on top and block it.

Side note, is this normal for a hitch that isn't used in just a year of driving? I live in the northeast, so salt is definitely there, but the underside looks immaculate still except this hitch. Hasn't been used and I haven't backed into anything or anyone into me to scrape the paint off either.

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/early-rust-on-trailer-hitch.21183/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/tow-hitch-rusting-after-only-4k-miles.26278/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/le...les-and-hitch-is-already-rusting.35960/page-3

 

Normal, sand it and hit it with some Rust-Oleum or similar, that'll take care of it.

Also, you mentioned the underside looks immaculate. Have you had it treated with fluid film or similar yet? If not, it's not going to look immaculate for long, lol. I highly recommend having it treated.

 

My 2000 Limited came with a cover, I see they are found on Amazon too. Problem with the factory covers is that they are a slip fit and will eventually loosen and fall off.

Personally I would just sand, prime and paint over the rust before adding any type of cover. Clean, sand, wipe down (isopropyl), 2-3 coats of rattle can paint...around an hour of effort.

 

Hey OP
Good question
I've seen dudes GOING OFF about this exact location and how quickly it chips and rusts. Honestly it's pretty lame, but is what it is.
I'm in the rust belt myself, near ocean, lots of road salt.

Wish I took preventative measures early like you are trying to do. See photo haha

I see what you mean about the OE rubber hitch plug, in that it doesn't wrap around the edge like a Tupperware lid, it just plugs hole.
I wonder if wide automotive edge trim could be used here.
Goodluck

 

I put this rubber one on mine:

2 inches US Flag Tow Trailer...

2"es US Flag Tow Trailer Hitch Cover,Sturdy Rubber Hitch Plug Tube Plug Cap Fits to 2" Tow Hitch Receiver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBCFB7PR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Has holes on the side you can drill out to install a retaining pin of you’re worried about it falling off (I didn’t, seems snug and is cheap to replace). Personally prefer rubber versus metal on metal.

But also had the entire truck, including inside/outside the hitch received, treated with Krown from new. Recommend it.

 

This one looks like it might fit over and around the end of the receiver:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/CURT-2-...Zhftwg1jcCLrnIMkdjA13AeZbyKR4t85lAwSE#overlay

 

I have this style from Curt on several of my cars. The rubber is thick and good quality. USA made. Won’t get lost in a touch less car wash.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Covers/CURT/I-728.html

 

Definitely agree with fluid film. I put some on my hitch every time it gets washed. Only takes a few seconds. Once you paint it again I would just apply fluid film with a wax applicator pad.

 

That sure seems to be what the OP was looking for. Does it fit the same on the 4R hitch?

 

I'll grab a photo asap. It fits well on the 2023s and 2008 4Rs I have. I lost a couple OEM Toyota receiver hitch covers in touchless car washes as the fit wasn't snug enough.

 

Same here. I lost a Curt brand rubber plug somewhere...the current OEM Toyota plug is hanging in there at the moment. This version you're talking about seems like a great alternative.

 

Not a very elegant solution, I used a piece of copper wire thru the plug and turned it down on both sides. Should deter all but the most ambitious of thieves.

 

Here’s the Curt example on the 08. It’s been on maybe a year. Fits like a cap.

 

That's the one I have. No problems so far, but I'm sure my luck will eventually run out.

 

Remember, if you live in the Rust Belt as I do, adding any form of cover will just give the salt someplace to get trapped. Trapping salt between the cover and the incredibly poor paint job that Toyota applies is a recipe for disaster. Oh, and the cover will hide the issue until it's too late. I actually remove my rubber cover for the winter up here.

 

Thanks for the suggestion and images of use, but man no offense what the heck are you capping it for at that point. Looks insanely rusted behind it that you see it beyond the cap

 

You bet. Trying to be helpful. If I cared about your opinion on the matter I’d have asked. I don’t care about your opinion and invite you to post photos of your trailer hitch after it too has been daily driven for 16 years.

 

I'd do a little light sanding, hit it with rustoleum paint. I think the paint on the hitch is a satin but gloss will work. Flat won't look right. Then put a Toyota cap as shown. You don't want to trap moisture in there with a huge rubber plug.

 

Too bad you're getting my opinion it is the internet.

We all own the same vehicles, so I know my rust-STD will eventually grow. My point was you are basically covering your STD with a condom after the fact, what is the point?

 

I'm confused... didn't your original post ask how to cover the rust?

This isn't rocker surgery. You don't use your hitch often. It's not going to get nicked, scratched. Just sand it, prime with a rust converter (Por-15), and paint it. Stop the rust while there's very little.

 

You answered it in your question, because at the moment I have very little rust. A very hide-able amount.

 

but, you know how rust works... right?

 

Again, you answered it before. There is very little rust right now. Once it attacks the whole back of the 4Runner like that dudes, where it is visible completely past the cover, THEN it would be completely pointless right?

 

'That dude' did answer your question, though, in spite of you thinking it was pointless. Not sure why you had to go that direction...

 

My 2022 SR5 Premium came with this rubber Toyota hitch cover when I bought it pre-owned / certified last November. I’ve pulled it off to inspect the hitch, but my hitch has no rust at all. But then it’s been here in central Texas since new. No salt.

But my hitch also looks to never have been used by the previous owner- no scratches on the chain loops, and no wear marks inside the hitch receptacle.

I see most all 4RUNNERS running around without this hitch cover on them. They must not give a rat’s ass about stuff. But I am a stickler for the details, so I like keeping up with the little details like this.

I do go through a local touchless car wash with mine from time to time when I don’t feel like washing it at home. I haven’t lost this cover yet, but I guess I’d better take a closer look at securing it better to be safe. Or maybe I’ll just pull if off first before going through the car wash. Thanks for the warning. Never thought about that.

 

If ever a thread needed to be deleted.

 

Nope

 

At the risk of getting roasted, it seems to me that a cover for the receiver is of little value considering that the receiver has holes for the hitch pin. So, water and salt can enter through these holes and then get backed up behind a hitch cover, possibly making the risk for rust greater.