4Runner hitch question

I have a 2007 4Runner 4x4 It didn't come with a hitch.

What type of hitch should i get? I saw the factory hitch on other 4Runners it's just a small piece bolted on in the middle or they have the one bolts to the bottom of the frame.

 

At minimum, use a Class III, 2" receiver hitch. It bolts to the frame.
A good example can be found on eTrailer.com
They also have the electric brake controllers that should be used in conjunction with heavy (1,000 lbs. or more) loads. And that's for safety's sake.

 

I put a Curt hitch on my Land Rover LR3 when I had it. Bolted right to the frame and tucked in under the bumper nicely.

 

What about this the 4Runner OEM factory hitch what is this rated for?

 

As long as you have the same frame crossmember that runners with the factory installed hitch have, you should be able to bolt the OEM hitch right in and go.

Trickier question will be adding trailer wiring ( unless you just want it for things like bike racks)

 

For some reason, this looks fake or photoshopped.
Do yourself a favor and get a true receiver hitch.
It looks like there is more paint than actual welded material.

Also, what do you plan on towing?
Please don't be vague, this is your life and the safety of others.

 

So the hitch wiring is already there it's factory! I am planning to tow an off-road trailer Max 2000LB!

 

Have you checked your States laws for trailer brake requirements ?

 

You definitely want one that bolts to the main frame rails, the small "V6" hitch like the photo you posted only bolts to the rear cross member which is not all that strong, IMHO.

Not sure where you're located but there's a OEM "V8" hitch (the one that bolts to the frame) in Los Angeles, it was just posted on the other T4R forum, the OEM is the best hitch if you can find one and this one at $80 will be impossible to beat price wise.

Link

 

That is the Correct Hitch for the 2007 4Runner, Take a look at the back bumper and right in the middle there will be a square plastic cover that you can take off and see where it bolts up and in most cases the wires are already there in the back on the driver's side. Just make sure you purchase a Real Toyota one and they are a bit pricey however it is Made to fit and oh so much easier to install than the "Frame" mount units that you don't need and Make darn sure to get the factory bolts or be positive to get ones of the same rating!

 

That’s the same one we put on my son’s 2008. Six bolts into the back frame cross member. My son has towed a 5x8 enclosed u-haul trailer to school and back ( 600 miles one way ). He also picked up my dad’s old camper trailer in Las Vegas and towed it to Northern California with no problems. We did install a brake controller.

 

The real Toyota OEM should be good for 5,000 lbs but check with Toyota (this is one time I might actually ask a dealer svc department a question) to verify. I wouldn't trust my life to online forum advice. not even from me.

 

Mine came from the dealer and is rated for 5000lbs.

 

The onwer's manual has the tow rating for each hitch...but I would not tow the maximum tow rating with either hitch, the vehicle itself will not tow these maximum weights properly or safely unless modified with a very important IMHO "Weight Distributing Hitch"(this is an additional device and not the same as the hitches mentioned, do your own research to learn about this device, also this device will not work with the smaller hitch), brake controller (can only be use with trailers equipped with electric trailer brakes), and possibly air bags.

 

What "Smaller hitch" is being referred to here? since the weight distributing hitch unit will work with the Toyota Factory Hitch system that is Directly mounted to the Frame at one most ideal line not like most aftermarket ones that drop down 4 or 5 inches to come out under the bumper, also need to keep in mind the added weight of the both the after market hitch and the distributing unit should be considered as added weight though few ever do consider it.

Also if you follow the Toyota Factory Specifications for the Tow weight for the 2007 Toyota 4Runner Depending on how the vehicle is appointed ( V6 or V8 )it can be rated to tow 5000 pounds (500 Pound Tongue weight) or it may be rated for 7000 pounds and guess what they both still use the same Toyota Factory Tow hitch assembly that is bolted to the frame in the same way.

Brake Controllers with a trailer that has the Electric Brakes are a good thing to have if you are regularly towing hard loads that are near the limit of tow rating or highway driving.

number 35 is the Toyota Tow hitch assembly it bolts using number 36 to number 12 a sub assembly that is an actual part of the frame.

 

The smaller hitch I referred too is the #35 hitch in the diagram A.K.A the V6 hitch which is only attached to the cross member #12 which will not transfer any weight to the front of the vehicle when using the Weight Distributing Hitch, which will only transfer weight to the front via the main side frame rails of the vehicle, hence why it will only work when having the "V8" hitch that attaches to those main side frame rails.

The only 2 hitches I mentioned in my last reply were the "V6" and the "V8" hitches, both of which are OEM hitches, I never mentioned a after market hitch.

 

That is Just a added on " Center support bracket" for the V8 Models So if he has a V8 model and plans to Tow in the 7000 pound rating then that is what should be installed, as for not transferring any weight to the front of the vehicle you are saying that the cross member number 12 does not transfer the weight to the front via the main side frame rails even though it is Directly attached to the main side frame rails? and those who have the 4Runner towing in the 5000 pound rating cannot use the weight distributing hitch?

 

That's exactly what I'm saying the cross member #12 is not strong enough to transfer the weight to the main side rails and will flex if you try using a Weight Distributing Hitch with the V6 hitch, the V8 hitch is much more robust compared to the cross member and by design will not flex and thus the weight is transferred to the main side rails.