Install help / Towing with with OEM receiver for 03-04 GX470

[Mike NXP]

Anyone working with the OEM ball mount? Looks a bit stubby but cheaper than aftermarket.

I'm seeing a few part numbers floating around.... based on my year I see PT228-89340 but I think the newer style receiver I installed for 05+ calls for PT228-89445.. Can't imagine how they can be any different but who knows, maybe the hitch pin is in a different spot for the older style receivers

Image below shows GX470 on tag, think I might go for the 89445 option

 

[aztoytec]

2003-2004 used a short receiver so it didn’t hit the spare tire. 2003/2004 only came with the small hitch that bolts on to the rear cross member. 2005 and up had the full trailer hitch (6500lb) option. That’s where the center brackets are also different. I would buy the long/full size receiver now that you have a full size trailer hitch.

 

[stupidchicken03]

I didnt find installing the hitch to be too bad of an install, took myself in the garage probably about 90 mins... but I was also OCD cutting the hitch bumper cutout thing.

We also just recently got a camping trailer 18ft single axle box (21ft to the tongue) and 3,080 dry. Rednexus and I have gone back/forth a bit between his and my build threads about trailers. Im also on the original OEM airbags. Ive got 195k miles. Mine have not leaked and look decent, but im thinking about replacing the bags in the near future to try and prevent a future blowout while towing.

I cannot give any personal experience about these cheap ones: Amazon GX airbags but they have good online reviews and fair amount of folks in the GXOR FB group have had them for years without issue. Ill be getting those a shot when I decide to swap out.

I also installed a Redarc break controller a few months ago. Ive never towed with one previously, so I dont have any personal comparisons, but I really enjoy the Redarc. A nice small knob/button vs the pinch boxes.

 

[stupidchicken03]

Also, if you decide you want/need a weight distribution hitch, those are their own thing. Look into the WDH, if you chose you would want one, you wouldnt have to buy a basic one first (if that makes sense).

 

[Rednexus]

I run generic Curt ball hitches in mine (about $30-40 with a ball), but also have a Shocker hitch (for towing heavy stuff w/o WDH) and of course a WDH too. Any aftermarket hitch shank should work in the later-model 6,500# receiver you have. My local farm store seems to have Curt stuff priced the cheapest and has a lot of different options for receiver drop and ball size.

 

[Mike NXP]

2003-2004 used a short receiver so it didn’t hit the spare tire. 2003/2004 only came with the small hitch that bolts on to the rear cross member. 2005 and up had the full trailer hitch (6500lb) option. That’s where the center brackets are also different. I would buy the long/full size receiver now that you have a full size trailer hitch.

Roger that, yep will do. My current setup has too much drop so was on the hunt for a good straight receiver. OEM option seems good , aftermarkets were double / triple the price in some cases

I didnt find installing the hitch to be too bad of an install, took myself in the garage probably about 90 mins... but I was also OCD cutting the hitch bumper cutout thing.

We also just recently got a camping trailer 18ft single axle box (21ft to the tongue) and 3,080 dry. Rednexus and I have gone back/forth a bit between his and my build threads about trailers. Im also on the original OEM airbags. Ive got 195k miles. Mine have not leaked and look decent, but im thinking about replacing the bags in the near future to try and prevent a future blowout while towing.

I cannot give any personal experience about these cheap ones: Amazon GX airbags but they have good online reviews and fair amount of folks in the GXOR FB group have had them for years without issue. Ill be getting those a shot when I decide to swap out.

I also installed a Redarc break controller a few months ago. Ive never towed with one previously, so I dont have any personal comparisons, but I really enjoy the Redarc. A nice small knob/button vs the pinch boxes.

Yeah true, it wasn't too bad I just hate messing with bumper clips and juggling stuff around on a gravel driveway

I'm glad to be a test subject on riding out original bags until something happens, at least for now lol. Do they really just collapse out of nowhere? Anyone actually have a failure? I feel like they would slowly leak, I'd hear compressor running more often, and other symptoms would show up first but IDK

and at $175/bag from partsouq I'd just go OEM if the time came to replace

All that being said I'm sure a coil over bag setup would be more reliable but I don't want to take away the things that make this truck unique

I'll report back on the RedArc. It seems pretty slick so far and I ended up just velcroing the controller to the kick panel . I need to calibrate and test soon

I don't think I'd need a weight distributing hitch but who knows, will need to do some test runs. at 2600-3000 lbs I'm hoping she pulls ok

I run generic Curt ball hitches in mine (about $30-40 with a ball), but also have a Shocker hitch (for towing heavy stuff w/o WDH) and of course a WDH too. Any aftermarket hitch shank should work in the later-model 6,500# receiver you have. My local farm store seems to have Curt stuff priced the cheapest and has a lot of different options for receiver drop and ball size.

Roger that, I did get a Curt with a 2" drop but I'd like to get something with no drop since my trailer sits a bit high....and I'm a sucker for OEM so when I saw that option for $30 I figured it was worth a shot. Otherwise need to search for another straight shank option, harbor freight has one for $17 lol seems risky

 

[Mike NXP]

I got a few test rides in with the trailer hooked up and wanted to post some final notes and part numbers

• Newer / only style trailer receiver available is - PT22860540
• Found that 03-04 GX470 will need to update center hitch mount support to - 08925-35870
• My trailer sits just about right to work with Toyota ball mount - PT228-89445
  >> The shank diameter for this ball mount is 1 1/4"
  
  
• I added RedArc brake controller, they sell a kit that works for our rigs - CIKTP-NA-004
• I tried to mount the switch where we have a blank square to right of the wheel ** It does not work because the remote head is too deep and will hit the stuff behind the panel
• I ended up removing that switch , I forgot what its called, the one that turns airbags off or whatever? Anyway I hung that down below and can press it through fuse panel opening if needed and used the blank that came with Redarc to mount switch
• I couldn't find a great spot for the box and it really doesn't bother me down by the foot rest so I velcroed it up high for now...
  >> This system is very slick. Has proportional braking and will adapt to how hard you press the brakes . Can also manual over ride and set brakes like normal too.
• Added Bluetooth, Vais tech part # SL3b-L. Easy install, has a Y connector and plugs into Cd port on head unit. CD player still works too...Its a knuckle buster but you will want to run the wire into the passenger glove box. The unit is a bit too big to fit behind the Nav.
  
  
• First impression, it tows good and handling doesn't seem to suffer. I still have solid braking power but I do notice the extra weight and acceleration and top speed have slowed quite a bit and I see fuel mileage starting to dip down too....Its not exception for a proper tow rig but I'd say for under 3k lbs its ok. The air ride suspension is really slick, watching it level out after I hook up is pretty cool...
  
  
• Removed rear seat, cleaned everything up, stuffed foam in the seat latch holes....laid down a wool blanket, then some rubber mats and a net between the front seats in an attempt to dog proof ...
  
  She's ready to go but honestly already regret buying the camper. Its such a big and different style camping than what we are used to doing and its weird being so limited to where we can go...we'll see how it goes
  
  

 

[Mike NXP]

My previous ball mount had a 2" drop and the trailer sort of dipped down slightly, so I swapped to the hitch to the one posted above .....but now I sort of think it's angled up a bit?

I think the parking lot was pretty flat but I'm wondering if maybe I should go back to the 2" drop... I've got a 330 lb tongue weight so its got a bit of girth up there, so it should be OK but IDK

 

[M3GX]

Flip the receiver upside down? Kinda looks like it's the wrong way up as is.

 

[Mike NXP]

Flip the receiver upside down? Kinda looks like it's the wrong way up as is.

Yeah for sure, you could go either way with this ball mount......if I flip it its a 2" drop and the trailer dips down ever so slightly....Flipped up and it seems to be tipped slightly up. I need a straight shank to split the difference but I think I'll just ride this out for now and see how it feels