Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2004 Toyota 4Runner that is Compatible with Weight Distribution

Question

Question:

Tow Vehicle: 2004, Toyota, 4Runner, v6 Hitch: Andersen No-Sway Weight Distribution Hitch Trailer: Casita Travel Trailer Spirit Deluxe, Dry Weight: 2480 lbs. Hi! My wife and I have a 4Runner and are buying a travel trailer to tow behind it. The travel trailer manufacturer is installing an Anderson weight distribution hitch for us. When reviewing my 4Runner manual, I determined that we have a hitch like the one in the attached picture which is marked as For weight carrying hitch. This comes along with a note which says Do not install weight distributing hitch to weight carrying hitch re-ceiver because it will be damaged your vehicle.. This raises several questions: - Is the Anderson weight distribution hitch what they are referring to here? - Do we need a new receiver installed? - What type of damage might they be talking about? - What is exactly the problem Toyota might see with this setup? Thanks,

asked by: Noah

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

You have a hitch that should not be used with the Andersen weight distribution they are installing on your trailer currently. Best option we have would be to replace it with a hitch like the Draw Tite part # 75155 which is rated for use with a weight distribution system. WD system put a different type of strain on the vehicle frame and hitch. If the hitch was not designed for this additional strain it most likely will bend or brake which could then damage the vehicle frame.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Benjamin

8/10/2024

It's really the same question for the LandCruiser, And, as described on the recent thread, a trailer weight ( dry) as 3581 lbs. But the question is about the receiver hitch- it s a Toyota Class three hitch, bolted on, but now thirty years old, as the LC is a 1994. And, second point: the Owner's manual uses an interesting phrase: it says it an not " recommend a WDH". Some have interpreted this to mean there is no contractual relationship between Toyota and any WDH manufacturer, so it is neither a warning, nor an endorsement. The question I think, therefore, is that ( since it was too complicated to describe how to use a WDH in the owner's manual), is a class three hitch good enough? And I am not yet sure of where that class three hitch is attached to the vehicle, whether to the crossmember, or the frame or what?

Jameson C.

8/11/2024

@Benjamin I would have to lean on that being that you shouldn't use a WD system. Its not just the hitch Class as it is also based on the chassis design of the vehicle and the way the hitch can attach to it.

Ben

8/12/2024

@JamesonC Sorry if I wasn't clear. First question: can my class three hitch support a WDH? I looked and it seems the class three hitch seems to be bolted to the frame. I took a picture. But is the cross member part of the frame? I can't really tell if the hitch is bolted to the bumper or the frame (I'm guessing the frame). Then the next point is that the LC is not a unibody construction as is the Highlander, so that point is moot. Dan Busey, curator of LC museum in Utah, thinks that Toyota may have not recommended the WDH because of the 4WD/ABS system possibly getting confused? Have you had other ABS systems be a problem with a WDH? Nobody actually knows why Toyota said that. You must have had this question before, as to why Toyota does not recommend a WDH, Yes?

Jameson C.

8/12/2024

@Ben Not all Class III hitches are rated for weight distribution. If it's a Toyota hitch we don't have anymore insight into whether it can be used with a WD system than you but we can't go against what Toyota recommends as they are who made the hitch, the vehicle, and the towing capacity numbers. We've never heard of an ABS system having anything to do with weight distribution or 4WD. On newer vehicles it can mess with the auto load leveling suspension but even that there are work arounds for.

See All (24) Replies to Benjamin ∨

Answer 1

I have a couple solutions that may work for you, since, like you pointed out, there are no custom fit front mount hitches, winch mounts or bumpers for your 2004 Toyota 4Runner. One option is to use the Bulldog Winch Universal Winch Mounting Plate,…

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Answer 2

Hey Trenton thanks for the question. You are correct that the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch #31367 technically is not a confirmed fit for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. Per the manufacturer it is only made for 2007-2009 models. That being said, we have…

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Answer 3

You can use a friction sway control bar such as #83660 on the left or the right side of the trailer. It doesn't matter. As they come they are set up for the right side of the trailer. But they can be used on either side. For this style of sway…

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Answer 4

The hitches we offer for your 2003 Lexus GX 470 are the 2-inch Class III variety and among all of these, shown on the linked page, the highest-rated hitch is Draw-Tite #75155. This hitch offers a 600-lb tongue weight (TW) rating which increases to…

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Answer 5

The Draw Tite Class III hitch part #75155 that you referenced is a great option for your 2003 Toyota 4Runner. It has the highest towing capacities and is rated for weight distribution like you are needing. When used with a WD system it has a towing…

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Answer 6

Hey Benjamin, so I looked up the towing capacity of your 1994 Land Cruiser and it appears to have a 5k capacity so your 4,800 lb trailer would be fine. When it comes to weight distribution and ground clearance there is a small reduction but the round…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 11

The main difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13416 and the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part #EH97FR is that the EcoHitch has a completely hidden cross tube whereas the Curt cross tube will be visible from the rear of…

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Answer 12

Hi Paul, you’re definitely on the right track here, and I can help you narrow this down with confidence. With your tandem 3,500 lb Dexter axles and 33 inch spacing, both the Dexter EZ Flex part #K71-652-00 and the Lippert Road Armor part #LC53CK are…

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Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2004 Toyota 4Runner that is Compatible with Weight Distribution

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