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Tow hitch rusting after only 4K miles

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by mattb, May 30, 2022.

  1. May 30, 2022 at 3:57 AM
    #1
    mattb

    mattb [OP] New Member

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    After only 4K miles, my 2022 is already showing rust on the surface of the tow hitch mount. Any suggestions? Worth contacting the dealer? Anything I can apply to slow it down and reduce how ugly it looks?


     
    Han4Run likes this.
  2. May 30, 2022 at 4:38 AM
    #2
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    I put fluid film on mine when it was new and reapply it every few months. Not sure what you could try now with rust.

    With my old Explorer I used to have a body shop spray on black undercoating once it got bad. Most guys seem to care less but a rusty hitch bothered me big time.

    Undercoating it may work well but to do a nice job need to remove bumper etal I am sure. My old Explorer had a non factory hitch fully visible unlike 4r.

    I would maybe try sanding that area and lightly brushing some black rust oleum Or better yet some POR 15. Then apply fluid film on a wax applicator pad.

    See if anybody else knows more about applying por 15 here. I never used it myself but had a body guy apply it to seams on my new frame that had surface rust before putting on fluid film on frame
     
    Han4Run likes this.
  3. May 30, 2022 at 4:46 AM
    #3
    Han4Run

    Han4Run New Member

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    Same with mine. I sanded it down, repainted it and put fluid film on it. It’s been good since.
     
  4. May 30, 2022 at 4:46 AM
    #4
    josephp732

    josephp732 New Member

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  5. May 30, 2022 at 4:54 AM
    #5
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    Or just get one of these and leave it and fluid film everything except the ball

    7C691E5E-C8DA-4E86-927F-1E2AAD7C4E6A.jpg
    249EC983-8362-4F5F-8578-9962281680A9.jpg
     
    kolter45 likes this.
  6. May 30, 2022 at 8:34 AM
    #6
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    I use wool wax on all the hidden areas, but just touch up the rust inside the receiver where the receiver gets contact wear, and the face of the square opening.

    I have a pint of rustoleum for stuff like this. Last year I brushed rustoleum where rust showed. This year I let the rust build a bit then applied rust reformer and then rustoleum.
     
    7385, Han4Run and Trail Runnah like this.
  7. Jun 1, 2022 at 4:58 PM
    #7
    skylinekin

    skylinekin New Member

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    I noticed this is very common with 5th gen 4runners. The e-coat paint they coat the frame in with the hitch attached just doesn't have much thickness on those Sharpe edges so the paint flakes off easily especially in winter conditions. I was able to avoid by applying fluid film to the hitch in the winter months.

    I would sand it down and apply some black paint OR throw a hitch plug in it and forget about it haha.
     
    kolter45 likes this.
  8. Jun 2, 2022 at 6:34 AM
    #8
    blue$

    blue$ FNG

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    On my '16, it started in short order, and I don't tow anything.
     
  9. Jun 2, 2022 at 6:23 PM
    #9
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    If it bugs you, wire brush it and hit it with a blast of black rustoleum once a year. But you will find it get hits by rocks and stuff on the bottom, so it's going to happen.
     
  10. Jun 2, 2022 at 7:21 PM
    #10
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

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    yup. wire brush...clean it. prime and rust oleum the bleep out of it...ye be cool
     
  11. Jun 2, 2022 at 8:01 PM
    #11
    T4R13

    T4R13 New Member

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    Mine has so much wool wax on it it gets on the whole family’s cloths every time we use it
     
  12. Jun 3, 2022 at 10:56 AM
    #12
    kolter45

    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

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    Take a cardboard box cut a square hole. Slide it on the hitch & hit it with some black rust prevention spray paint, then add a trailer hitch. Give it a little TLC every year with fluid film.

    Fluid Film (3 Aerosol Cans) Rust & Corrosion Protection; Metal Surface Penetrant & Lubricant, Marine, Automotive, Industrial, Home, 11.75 Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B93ZXGS?_encoding=UTF8
     
  13. Jun 3, 2022 at 11:24 AM
    #13
    Yoytota

    Yoytota New Member

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    Sacrificial anode
     
    blue$ likes this.
  14. Jun 3, 2022 at 12:45 PM
    #14
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    Fluid film so far works great for all the cheaply made shizzo these days. Who would guess I would use it on a $45k vehicle.

    First hinges on shed, pad locks and now SUV frames and trailer hitches.

    Amazing how much less quality we get for more money each year. Welcome to the new normal. This what you get and you’ll like it.
     
    kolter45 likes this.
  15. Jun 3, 2022 at 1:51 PM
    #15
    JerryC

    JerryC New Member

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    Good advice. I bought a used vehicle that the ball mount was rusted into the hitch. I couldn't hammer it out with a 10lb sledge after weeks of spraying it every few days with penetrating oil. Ended up rigging a soaker bucket with Evaporust and let it soak for a couple of weeks.

    Most people I know grease them, fluid film would be less messy.
     
    kolter45[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Jun 3, 2022 at 2:48 PM
    #16
    Matt83

    Matt83 New Member

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    Skip Fluid Film. I used it for years on all my trucks. Just switched to Wool Wax, much better product. Smell, longevity, application.
     
    kolter45 likes this.

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