Need to put a hitch on my GX 470 (06). Any recommendations on easy install? Would like one that does not require moving original factory wiring harness. Also looking for one with the most room for a spare (275/70/17) <-- may be a hopefull wish I know... but figured I'd ask. Thanks in advance.
GX 470 Hitch Recommendations
- Thread starter kablamo
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What do you plan on towing? All of them should be fairly simple bolt on installs and a 275/70 should fit either way. Neither require moving the stock wiring harness.
Heres the two main options;
Or something along the lines of this;
Should be easy to see which one can tow more, just depends on your needs.
Heres the two main options;
Or something along the lines of this;
Should be easy to see which one can tow more, just depends on your needs.
- Thread starter
- #3
I'm towing a 21ft travel trailer. 3,300 empty (and we don't carry much) GVWR is 4,700. Thanks for the info. I heard there was 1 or 2 aftermarket hitches that require moving original factory wiring. Any specific recommendations?
Check out etrailer.com, I wasn't aware that some required moving the original harness.
Buy from Lexus dealer, they will sell you a very nice Toyota hitch, mounts to frame and bumper beam, doesn't stick out far compared to aftermarket. Rated @ 6500 lbs.
1 person install, takes less than 30 minutes.
Includes bracket to remount wire socket closer to rear of bumper. Includes Lexus rubber plug for the tube. Just installed 1 on my 09. Nothing nicer !
1 person install, takes less than 30 minutes.
Includes bracket to remount wire socket closer to rear of bumper. Includes Lexus rubber plug for the tube. Just installed 1 on my 09. Nothing nicer !
Here is a inexpensive option rated to 3,000lbs. You can choose the finish bare or powder coated. Comes with mounting bolts. I own this one and order it from southerstyleoffroad.com
Product link: The “Lightweight” Hitch Receiver AKA “Lil Hitch” | Southern Style OffRoad
Product link: The “Lightweight” Hitch Receiver AKA “Lil Hitch” | Southern Style OffRoad
I got the oem hitch from the Lexus dealer, rated at 6500lbs Took less 30 minutes to install. Leaves the same amount of room for the spare as before.
i bought the OEM style that bolts to the cross member. The hardest part of the install is removing the bumper cover to get to the top bolts. I didn't want to pay Lexus pricing, so I ordered off Amazon. Here is the link to what I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GKMPAJS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The wiring proved a problem for me. On my 03, I was missing a relay to drive the brake lights and turn signals. I had my dad build me a relay because they OEM relay is not made anymore.
Hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GKMPAJS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The wiring proved a problem for me. On my 03, I was missing a relay to drive the brake lights and turn signals. I had my dad build me a relay because they OEM relay is not made anymore.
Hope this helps.
opps. Please delete.
So this has a 5,000 lb tow rating but only a 500 lb tongue weight rating. Anyone know more about trailers and how to figure the tongue weight out?
*EDIT*
Looks like you have to actually measure each individual trailer: Tongue Weight | etrailer.com
I found this one on ebay for mine. $148.00 shipped.
TOYOTA Genuine OEM 5190935011 03-14 4Runner Trailer Hitch 51909-35011
TOYOTA Genuine OEM 5190935011 03-14 4Runner Trailer Hitch 51909-35011
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All, I just wanted to post this up, because of my recent experience buying a receiver hitch:
1) The Southern Style Offroad "lil hitch" (listed above) would've been great, but it's back-ordered (like everything else right now)
2) I bought the OEM hitch from a Toyota dealer online...the cheapest I could find was ~$200 with hardware (6 bolts). This will work great, but $200?!?!
3) Here's the biggie!!! Somehow, in all my Googling, I did not run across the Metal Tech 4x4 hitch (only $90 with hardware!) until I looked on YouTube for an install video...I guess Metal Tech isn't high on Google's algorithm or something...anyway, I wanted to document it in case others are looking! I think this is an easy choice considering it's less than half the price of OEM & veerrrryyy similar!
1) The Southern Style Offroad "lil hitch" (listed above) would've been great, but it's back-ordered (like everything else right now)
2) I bought the OEM hitch from a Toyota dealer online...the cheapest I could find was ~$200 with hardware (6 bolts). This will work great, but $200?!?!
3) Here's the biggie!!! Somehow, in all my Googling, I did not run across the Metal Tech 4x4 hitch (only $90 with hardware!) until I looked on YouTube for an install video...I guess Metal Tech isn't high on Google's algorithm or something...anyway, I wanted to document it in case others are looking! I think this is an easy choice considering it's less than half the price of OEM & veerrrryyy similar!
I went with the MetalTech hitch as I don't have plans to max out the towing capacity. It's a solid build as expected from the folks at MetalTech. If you have slightly larger tires in your future and plan to mount it underneath here's a heads up. My only niggle is the bottom flange of the hitch (mounts to the lower side of rear cross member) extends forward beyond the fore/aft width of the cross member. This extra material pushes the spare tire forward a half inch or more. I went from over an inch clearance with 255/75r17's (~32") to the panhard to approximately 1/2" +/- when I pull the tire aft when cranking it up. If you have a slightly larger tire go with the OEM bolt on, or plan to massage the MetalTech unit with a flap disk or grinder and some paint.
Actually, the one from U-Haul is very stout. Also, if your GX did not come with a factory towing package you may not be wired for lights and brakes. The aftermarket 7 pin harness will attach real easily for lights BUT the brake controller will take a little more than work. Lastly, be careful if you add a Blue Tooth brake controller, to avoid wiring a controller, as they can be finicky to set up (like every time you leave a campsite) without a strong Wi-Fi signal for your phone.
