Skid Plate Removal Required To Install Front Mounted Hitch on 2013 Toyota Tundra

Updated 07/28/2014 | Published 07/25/2014

Question:

Im looking at the Curt front hitch, 31198. Do I need to remove this along with my skid plat for an oil change on the 2013 Toyota Tundra Crewmax, or can I just remove the skid plate for the oil change and leave the hitch intact? Im confused because in the Q & A under the part at the bottom it states the hitch does not need removed for a 2014 Tundra. Yet later it sort of implies that youd need to remove it and recommends cutting a hole in the skid plate instead, which I dont have the tools to do.

asked by: Scott

Expert Reply:

According to Curt, if the truck is equipped with the skid plate, the skid plate will need to be removed or have the 4 inch diameter hole cut into it to allow for oil changes. The hitch cannot be removed each time the oil needs changing, because the hitch hardware is designed for one-time usage only. Once the bolts are install and torqued one time, any subsequent removal/installation would stretch and weaken the bolts, leading to an unknown weight rating.

So, you can remove the skid plate completely, install the hitch and have no worries about changing the oil, or you can leave the skid plate in place with the 4 inch hole cut in it.

expert reply by: Mike L