1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Early rust on trailer hitch

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by wfxt, Jul 19, 2021.

  1. Jul 19, 2021 at 1:28 PM
    #1
    wfxt

    wfxt [OP] Still figuring it out

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2020
    Member:
    #17231
    Messages:
    101
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Wayleigh
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2021 MGM 4R TRD Pro
    So, I haven’t even had the chance to tow anything yet, and put an armored step in the hitch receiver since that’s useful to me — and today noticed that at 6000 miles with this thing mostly garaged, some of the black paint had peeled back at and around the receiver’s opening and it had started to rust at the edges.

    Is this just a lifetime battle with the hitch receiver? When I bought my old Ford Ranger, year’s back I just accepted the nonstructural rusty bits (like the tow ball) as “character”. Not so much on the new Runner.
     
  2. Jul 19, 2021 at 1:38 PM
    #2
    TXKK626

    TXKK626 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2020
    Member:
    #18033
    Messages:
    166
    Gender:
    Male
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Vehicle:
    2021 Venture Edition
    I noticed the same thing within the same number of miles, always garaged and hitch not yet used. There were a couple pieces of paint that flaked and fell off. I haven't done anything about it, buts curious what you'll find out.
     
  3. Jul 19, 2021 at 1:44 PM
    #3
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2021
    Member:
    #20442
    Messages:
    2,838
    Gender:
    Male
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    I had some paint flake off my never used hitch too.

    I cleaned it up and touched up with Krylon when nobody was looking. ;)
     
  4. Jul 19, 2021 at 2:30 PM
    #4
    ToyoTaco25

    ToyoTaco25 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2021
    Member:
    #20739
    Messages:
    65
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2017 Blizzard Pearl Limited
    It’s totaled
     
    Sin4R, Han4Run, Ripper238 and 7 others like this.
  5. Jul 19, 2021 at 2:32 PM
    #5
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    He might be able to sell it as a parts truck...
     
  6. Jul 19, 2021 at 3:58 PM
    #6
    wdsteven

    wdsteven New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18507
    Messages:
    730
    Gender:
    Male
    Get a Small Can of Black POR-15 clean the entire receiver real good then coat it with the POR-15 you just take a small 1/2 inch paint brush and apply it and be done with it.
     
  7. Jul 19, 2021 at 11:09 PM
    #7
    wfxt

    wfxt [OP] Still figuring it out

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2020
    Member:
    #17231
    Messages:
    101
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Wayleigh
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2021 MGM 4R TRD Pro
    Thanks, all. Just wondering. Figured I would hit it with some Rustoleum, but just wanted a quick gut check.
     
  8. Jul 20, 2021 at 3:46 PM
    #8
    Bonitobob

    Bonitobob New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2021
    Member:
    #19275
    Messages:
    123
    Vehicle:
    06 V8 Sport
    Just hit it with some fluid film.
     
    Han4Run likes this.
  9. Jul 20, 2021 at 8:24 PM
    #9
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    I see you're in New York.

    It's not going to be a lifetime battle with the hitch, it's going to be a lifetime battle for the whole truck, lol. Any metal exposed to humidity or road salt is going to rust. (on any vehicle really, but BOF Toyotas seem especially prone to it).

    I highly recommend you get the undercarriage Fluid Filmed (or similar) before winter hits. It's going to take some vigilance on your part to make sure it stays relatively rust free.
     
    newtotoyota and Bonitobob like this.
  10. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:16 AM
    #10
    Bonitobob

    Bonitobob New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2021
    Member:
    #19275
    Messages:
    123
    Vehicle:
    06 V8 Sport
    Agreed but Made in Japan never had the crappy frames like Taco. You want that fluid film done by a pro to first descale it and second make sure that the inside of the frame is sprayed thick. Fluid film is great because of the way it creeps and clings. It is not expensive.
     
  11. Jul 21, 2021 at 10:59 AM
    #11
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2020
    Member:
    #17452
    Messages:
    2,028
    A friend of mine suggested spraying fluid film on a wax applicator pad and putting on tow hitch, I also plan to do that on the bracket where the trailer wires go in.

    I need to find someone good to do fluid film. My dealers said to watch the the rubber seals though as they will expand. They recommended Ziebart which does not seem like good idea.

    Crazy...trying to find someone to trust who knows how to spray this (at least in Michigan the rustbelt for sure)
     
  12. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:22 PM
    #12
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Spraying isnt hard, it’s just a royal mess if you are going to be thorough. I got a cheap airless sprayer from harbor freight and a gallon of wool wax. I also got 4 cans with the wand to get inside of frame. Very messy. The airless paint sprayer worked ok, but was easy to over spray or under spray. Not very precise

    If I had to do it again, Id consider brushing the bulk product on, and using cans and wand to do inside of frame
     
  13. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:31 PM
    #13
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    No need to be all fancy with the fluid film, no need to use any wax applicator pads or anything. Just spray it directly on the hitch, it'll even itself out.

    I had mine sprayed before the winter at an off-road shop, a hundred bucks to do the undercarriage. They spray it from a spray gun and have a couple different wands that they used to get up around and inside the frame. Definitely worth it, considering a case of six spray cans is about 50 bucks.

    I would find a new dealer. Fluid film is lanolin based and does not attack any rubber seals or gaskets or lines, also Ziebart is complete trash. It looks nice on the outside, Meanwhile your frame is rotting from the inside out. Here's a little video that perfectly illustrates that:

    https://youtu.be/nXvl9nt57Kg
     
    Sin4R likes this.
  14. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:33 PM
    #14
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    Any body on frame Toyota got the crappy frames. If you live in a road salt area, it's going to happen. Look at 100-series Land Cruisers, those are made in Japan and those will rot out. Same with the 3rd and 4th gen 4Runner. I stopped looking for a 3rd gen in New England because all the frames looked like they came up off the Titanic.
     
  15. May 20, 2023 at 9:36 PM
    #15
    BlueRunner428

    BlueRunner428 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Member:
    #29689
    Messages:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 Nautical Blue ORP
    I have some spot rust forming on my hitch I am going to scrape off and paint over with Rustoleum. My question is, what color black is the hitch? Matte, satin, gloss, etc....? I want to get the correct color paint.
     
  16. May 21, 2023 at 3:31 AM
    #16
    Matt83

    Matt83 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2019
    Member:
    #10511
    Messages:
    750
    Northeast
    Most receivers I have seen have surface rust. POR15 if it bothers you?

    I remember the frames being fairly glossy on my 4Runner and Tacoma when delivered.
     
    wdsteven likes this.
  17. May 21, 2023 at 3:46 AM
    #17
    BlueRunner428

    BlueRunner428 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Member:
    #29689
    Messages:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 Nautical Blue ORP
    Yes glossy is I think how they look. Most receivers have rusting yes and it IMO looks terrible. So I want to fix mine.
     
  18. May 21, 2023 at 3:46 AM
    #18
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2020
    Member:
    #17452
    Messages:
    2,028
    I wish I could remember, mine is more shiny but I put fluid film all over it since new.

    On my old Explorer I had the hitch removed by a body shop, sanded it and it sprayed it with a rubberized undercoating and reinstalled the hitch. That was years ago and for me a great decision problem was solved.

    Once my 4R hitch gets that way that’s my same plan. Only difference is have to remove rear bumper to remove the hitch
     
  19. May 21, 2023 at 4:02 AM
    #19
    rmiked

    rmiked New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2023
    Member:
    #31156
    Messages:
    495
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Fort Mill, SC
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP, Lunar Rock , Moonroof, rear sliding cargo deck, cargo mat
    The hitch is bolted to the rear bumper steel, which is welded integral with the frame. The attached Utube shows rear bumper removal and it doesn’t look that bad. https://youtu.be/lrA6vKRzIAc
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2023
  20. May 21, 2023 at 4:18 AM
    #20
    Foothills

    Foothills New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2022
    Member:
    #29388
    Messages:
    274
    Planing on removing hitch receiver this summer, getting it prepped and powdercoated and replacing mounting hardware with stainless available at a local hitch shop.
     
  21. May 21, 2023 at 7:51 AM
    #21
    wdsteven

    wdsteven New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18507
    Messages:
    730
    Gender:
    Male
    I did POR15 on mine and it has not even shown a scratch since and I use it nearly every week end.
     
  22. May 21, 2023 at 9:18 AM
    #22
    BlueRunner428

    BlueRunner428 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Member:
    #29689
    Messages:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 Nautical Blue ORP
    From what I've been reading, POR 15 is for painting over rust; that is even what it stands for, Paint Over Rust, but does not bond well with raw metal. But I have no intention of just painting over the rust, I will remove the rust then paint it.
     
  23. May 21, 2023 at 1:22 PM
    #23
    wdsteven

    wdsteven New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18507
    Messages:
    730
    Gender:
    Male
    You use the Primmer that is from POR15 on Raw metal never will have to paint it again.

    And BTW I would never just simply paint over rust.
     
  24. May 21, 2023 at 2:29 PM
    #24
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    I’d just get used to painting it. I bought a little can of rustoleum that I use to touch it up every year with a little brush. It’s probably the type of high strength steel that wants to rust no matter what.
     
  25. May 21, 2023 at 2:30 PM
    #25
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    is there a particular priming product? I heard por 15 is considered a primer to begin with.
     
  26. May 21, 2023 at 5:02 PM
    #26
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2021
    Member:
    #20442
    Messages:
    2,838
    Gender:
    Male
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    I use gloss black for touch up. It will dull over time.
     
  27. May 21, 2023 at 6:41 PM
    #27
    DadOperator

    DadOperator New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2022
    Member:
    #28011
    Messages:
    157
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    22 Trail Special Edition
    Good info on the POR15. My receiver starting flaking and rusting within weeks of ownership. I do tow with it.
     
  28. May 21, 2023 at 9:04 PM
    #28
    tiap

    tiap New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2023
    Member:
    #30778
    Messages:
    22
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    13 Black 4Runner
    If you are going to use the receiver it is going to rust where the paint gets worn off on the inside. Can't avoid it.
    You can get some OSPHO or Phosphoric acid at any automotive paint supply or even some home centers to etch and prep the bare metal. Then Rustoleum brand metal primer and black gloss paint will finish the job. Will last a long, long time, touch up wit black when necessary
    After all it is only the hitch receiver, don't sweat it.
     
  29. May 22, 2023 at 2:38 AM
    #29
    wdsteven

    wdsteven New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18507
    Messages:
    730
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes how ever still need to clean for best results I have used POR15 for Boat trailers and other large applications (we did an entire car frame once too much work thought).

    upload_2023-5-22_3-37-53.jpg upload_2023-5-22_3-38-44.jpg
     
  30. May 22, 2023 at 10:48 AM
    #30
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Thanks! I’m making a steel roofrack right now out of square tube. I’m trying to keep it simple, but figured that should probably look into painting it properly to avoid rust stains on my vehicle paint. Etching as a seperate step vs self -etching primer…does it matter you think?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top