Sanity check on adding hitch receiver to 07 470 (1 Viewer)

[eternalwarrior]

Hello all, everyone was super helpful with my questions on rear diff selection, thought I'd ask again for a quick sanity check on my thoughts for a hitch receiver. I like the low profile bolt on options vs a tube receiver.

Any experienced 470 owners see why I shouldn't go for this option?

Metal Tech Standard Rear Receiver

This standard hitch receiver is designed for use with Metal Tech 4x4 rear bumpers. Order this common 2"x2" hitch receiver for your vehicle today!

metaltech4x4.com

I found it via this video:

My only hesitation is that it sure seems like there should be an option that just bolts right onto the bottom without requiring bumper removal and a cutout, but I'm only seeing parts advertised for 2010+ models that look like they'd work.

 

[Rednexus]

What are you going to be carrying and/ or towing with your rig?

 

[10sec]

My GX has that receiver (previous owner) and they notched the little hitch cover plastic piece around the upper part of that hitch.

 

[eternalwarrior]

What are you going to be carrying and/ or towing with your rig?

I don't have plans for much more than a bike rack initially, but I'd like to go ahead and install something that supports the full towing capacity of the vehicle (which the Metal Tech advertises) since the total cost will probably stay under $300 regardless.

What I'd really like is something like this so I don't have to take off the bumper for install or make a cutout: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/CURT/C13043.html

 

[Rednexus]

I don't have plans for much more than a bike rack initially, but I'd like to go ahead and install something that supports the full towing capacity of the vehicle (which the Metal Tech advertises) since the total cost will probably stay under $300 regardless.

What I'd really like is something like this so I don't have to take off the bumper for install or make a cutout: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/CURT/C13043.html

For the full towing capacity you need the big OEM 6,500# hitch. The MT hitch only attaches to the very rear crossmember and won't allow for the use of weight distribution hitches (due to the torque that would be applied to the rear X-member). I'm not sure why they are "rating" it to the "full capacity", but IMO that does not seem accurate, since the OEM Toyota pintle-style hitch (very similar to the MT hitch) is only rated to 5,000#, and they aren't providing an actual weight rating.

The full OEM hitch attaches to the same 6 bolts as the MT, plus it ties into both rear frame rails and thereby distributes the load in a lot of different places, and allows for a WDH to be used (which you'd want if you ever tow more than 3K or so). I bought one for a '07 4Runner from Toyota for around $240. I off-road my GX often and do drag the 6,500# hitch sometimes, but it honestly works as a very nice skidplate. And it's great for towing our camper with a weight distribution hitch.

FYI, it's only ~10 minutes of work to remove the rear bumper. You'll likely need to remove it with any type of hitch to access the bolts on the rear X-member.

 

[eternalwarrior]

For the full towing capacity you need the big OEM 6,500# hitch. The MT hitch only attaches to the very rear crossmember and won't allow for the use of weight distribution hitches (due to the torque that would be applied to the rear X-member). I'm not sure why they are "rating" it to the "full capacity", but IMO that does not seem accurate, since the OEM Toyota pintle-style hitch (very similar to the MT hitch) is only rated to 5,000#, and they aren't providing an actual weight rating.

The full OEM hitch attaches to the same 6 bolts as the MT, plus it ties into both rear frame rails and thereby distributes the load in a lot of different places, and allows for a WDH to be used (which you'd want if you ever tow more than 3K or so). I bought one for a '07 4Runner from Toyota for around $240. I off-road my GX often and do drag the 6,500# hitch sometimes, but it honestly works as a very nice skidplate. And it's great for towing our camper with a weight distribution hitch.

FYI, it's only ~10 minutes of work to remove the rear bumper. You'll likely need to remove it with any type of hitch to access the bolts on the rear X-member.

Man, again, super helpful, thanks. Now that you point that out I realize it is a bit odd that they just say "full capacity" without a number. And I didn't realize the OEM had more mounting points. I looked for pictures in every parts listing but I could only find a single shot of it installed and it looked like they were all the pintle-style (new word for me). It did seem a little too good to be true to get full capacity with just a single set of mounting points like that.

Yeah, I saw this little snippet when looking for the OEM hitches:

• Genuine Toyota hitches have up to 16 connection points to the vehicle frame to transfer the force of towing across the vehicle to reduce stress and preserve the integrity of the body structure; most aftermarket hitches have fewer than 6 connection points.

certainly seems like it would be better on the vehicle to distribute the weight.

Good point re: the bumper, I should probably make that a non-concern when it comes to my selection. I also didn't feel confident looking for 4Runner parts, so knowing those work makes this easier.

I feel armed now. Thanks for the info, very much appreciated.

 

[Rednexus]

No problem!

If you just want to tow 5K# or less I'd get the OEM pintle-style hitch. It's a legit OEM part and rated by Toyota. You can order either hitch (6,500# or 5,000#) for a 4Runner of the same year from your local Toyota dealer. Here's a rough link, but you local dealer should be able to order it for you and confirm the PN. You can also order these parts from Lexus, they are just slightly more expensive (and the only difference is a "Lexus" logo on the plastic hitch cap vs. a "Toyota" logo, which on my rig no one sees as I run a D-ring recovery point in the receiver when not towing).

Toyota 4RUNNER Trailer Hitch - 5190935011 | Toyota Parts Overstock, Lakeland FL

Trailer Hitch. Toyota 4RUNNER. Genuine Toyota Part - 5190935011 (5190935010, 51909-35011). Ships from Toyota Parts Overstock, Lakeland FL

parts.lakelandtoyota.com

 

[eternalwarrior]

No problem!

If you just want to tow 5K# or less I'd get the OEM pintle-style hitch. It's a legit OEM part and rated by Toyota. You can order either hitch (6,500# or 5,000#) for a 4Runner of the same year from your local Toyota dealer. Here's a rough link, but you local dealer should be able to order it for you and confirm the PN. You can also order these parts from Lexus, they are just slightly more expensive (and the only difference is a "Lexus" logo on the plastic hitch cap vs. a "Toyota" logo, which on my rig no one sees as I run a D-ring recovery point in the receiver when not towing).

Toyota 4RUNNER Trailer Hitch - 5190935011 | Toyota Parts Overstock, Lakeland FL

Trailer Hitch. Toyota 4RUNNER. Genuine Toyota Part - 5190935011 (5190935010, 51909-35011). Ships from Toyota Parts Overstock, Lakeland FL

parts.lakelandtoyota.com

Sweet! Great to have the OEM pintle link. That's exactly what I was thinking. Gonna chew on it and go for the pintle if I want to forego full towing capacity, but I may go for the full bar to future proof myself. Thanks again man! Really appreciate it.