How To Restore A Rusty Trailer Hitch Receiver On Your Vehicle

Question

Question:

My 2012 Highlander trailer hitch is rusting and black coating has come off. Any suggestions how to fix it? Thank you for your help in advance.

asked by: Mark M

0

Expert Reply:

Hey Mark,

You'll just want to clean off any excess rust with a wire brush and then use some automotive grade spray paint to touch up the hitch. Since you have the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98858 you'll want to get a matte black paint to match its gloss style. Every now and then hitches get dinged up in transit from the manufacturer so I'll touch it up before installing it. On ones where it's already installed I'll use a large piece of cardboard to prevent overspray from getting on the car or if minor just a paint marker.

expert reply by: Kevin C

0

Mark

11/11/2024

Thank you very much for the information!

Answer 1

Yes, you can buy just the hardware for the Curt hitch item #C13144. You will need the Replacement Hardware Kit for Trailer Hitches item #RHK. You will go to the right side of the product page above add to cart and insert the hitch item number…

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Answer 2

Actually, removing and leaving off the heat shields won't present a problem. Instead of the thin metal of the heat shields, there's now a hitch installed which will provide much better heat shielding than the factory heat shields did. Plus,…

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Answer 3

Hey Tom, The Kenda Karrier #KE89EV you mentioned is a close size to the original on that CE Smith #CE48870 trailer, but it is not the exact same size. The Kenda #KE89EV is a larger tire size, but uses the same size rim and bolt pattern. The width and…

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Answer 4

A chrome finish ball #C40036 is going to look good but it will not be corrosion resistant. A ball with a machine finish like #C40087 , is going to have about the same corrosion resistance. In terms of performance they will wear at about the same rate…

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Answer 5

Yes, you can absolutely use an aluminum ball mount with a stainless steel hitch ball without worry of the ball mount corroding. In fact, there are no aluminum hitch balls so manufacturers suggest the use of stainless steel as it is going to be the…

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Answer 6

Most light duty trailers have a 17 inch coupler height, give or take an inch. Using the ballmount help page you were looking at, measure your hitch height on your truck and select a ball mount with the proper rise or drop to get you to 17 inches. The…

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Answer 7

The Draw-Tite QSP Trailer Hitch Silencer and Cover for 2" Hitch Receivers #63080 is the closest thing we have found to what you are seeking. This plastic part does serve as an anti-rattle and will reduce that wear from the softer metal. There…

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Answer 8

Hey Pat, the ball hole diameter of the Trimax Ball Mount part #TMX47QR is 3/4 inch which is the smaller size. What size hitch ball are you looking for?

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Answer 9

There are a couple of really good options for a 2" hitch ball and hitch lock to resist corrosion with the 8,000 lb capacity Andersen Alumistinger Ball Mount for 2" Hitch - 1" Rise, 2" Drop #AM3503. For a hitch ball you can't…

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Answer 10

I attached an FAQ that details how to pick out the correct ball mount. Picking out the correct ball mount will allow your trailer to sit as level as possible. Basically you will first measure the height from the ground to the top of the receiver…

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Answer 11

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 12

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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How To Restore A Rusty Trailer Hitch Receiver On Your Vehicle

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