I'm just about done arguing with you about this because you obviously know it all.
I don't know why you can't understand that manufacturers use the same strength materials to build a hitch for a Tacoma as they do for a 3/4 ton truck in order for simplicity on the production line. Thats why when you look in the application book truck hitches are all listed as class III/IV with individual ratings for the different truck models.
The way they bolt to the truck frame is irrelevant since most all aftermarket manufacturers use the factory supplied mounting holes anyways. I'm not talking about installing the exact same hitch that fits Ford super duty on a Taco. My point is even if you hook up your Taco to a 10,000lb trailer with only a 'class III' hitch installed the hitch will not be the part that causes the failure. The axles, suspension, and/or the frame will break long before the hitch itself comes apart.
Not trying to be a know it all.. just gathering the information that's available. Too many people use improper equipment for their vehicle. So I asked in my last post which didn't get answered... what model hitch do you install on a 05 Tacoma because the one that Reese says fits is only rated for 5000# (class III) the vehicle is rated for 6500#. I did the same search on Draw-Tite since they seem to have a wider line although they're the same company. Part number they show for a 05 Tacoma is 75236 (class III/IV) which once again is only for 5000#. Don't want this one on my truck. The OEM hitch is Class IV which can handle the 6500# load.
Looking up Class IV hitches for the Ford F250 shows multiple part numbers that will fit. 75226 is only rated for 6000# while 41931 is rated for 12000#. Seems to me once again that the hitch and the rating of the hitch makes the difference not the vehicle itself unless once again your hitch is rated higher than your vehicle can handle. Same hardened steel same basic construction just shapped and mounted differently.
Point is make sure you get a hitch that's rated for your vehicle. Yes putting a 10000# trailer on a Tacoma will kill your truck but with a class III hitch rated at only 5000# you just may rip the hitch off as well. You may not even need to move your vehicle as the tongue weight alone would strain your hitch.
Boxing gloves down... just trying to get the correct information to people.
Where's Ray when you need him.
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Tacoma V6 Auto 4x4 Double Cab 128"
White
TRD Off-Road
TRD CAT Back Exhaust, Bed Mat, Husky Floor Mats, Wildcat Flash Nerf Bars, Prodigy Brake Controller, In Dash cell phone mount, Cargo Bars w/Thule Ski & Bike Attachments, Toyo Open Country A/T Tires (Stock Size)
Try this hitch. It's made by Valley and is available from etrailer.com. I got mine from U-haul in Canada. Here is the part number, V82790. This one is rated for 6,000 lbs with the weight distribution attachments. It also bolts up to rear bumper like the factory hitch. I know the Tacoma's are rated for 6500 with the tow package but you would have to be a fool to tow that heavy for anything but short distances. The truck is just too small for that kind of weight no matter how many coolers and heavy alternators you have. For big towing, SIZE matters.
Yeah, that's the heaviest I've seen. How's it look on your truck? Do you see anything below the bumper besides the square opening? I like the hidden look of the factory and don't want to see the cross bar. Judging by the photo (attached), it looks like it's pretty well hidden. Any chance you could post a picture of your install?
Does anyone know what the Toyota factory part number is for a Tacoma hitch? I see a couple of different hitches listed and can't figure out which one I would use on my '05 Prerunner V6. There is a big difference in price between the couple I've seen.
Does this Valley hitch mentioned fit the factory bolt holes? If it does fit the same and look the same.........seems like the way to go.
Try this hitch. It's made by Valley and is available from etrailer.com. I got mine from U-haul in Canada. Here is the part number, V82790. This one is rated for 6,000 lbs with the weight distribution attachments. It also bolts up to rear bumper like the factory hitch. I know the Tacoma's are rated for 6500 with the tow package but you would have to be a fool to tow that heavy for anything but short distances. The truck is just too small for that kind of weight no matter how many coolers and heavy alternators you have. For big towing, SIZE matters.
Don't buy from etrailer.com, they sell seconds. I bought one with cracked paint and the finish was all chipped, bought a second one--same story returned it for a refund. Caveat emptor
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
Don't buy from etrailer.com, they sell seconds. I bought one with cracked paint and the finish was all chipped, bought a second one--same story returned it for a refund. Caveat emptor
Mike -- They seem to be the only ones carrying this hitch right now. I checked on Dealtime and they had about a 75% approval rating, which seems pretty good. There were lots of positive comments about etrailer.
Also, I looked at Drawtite and Valley and how they are installed. The Valley hitch installs by bolting to the bumper, as someone mentioned above. This is similar to the factory setup and it may even be exactly the same hitch. The Drawtite hitch does not bolt to the bumper and uses big brackets up the side of the frame instead. Definitely not as good of a solution. Of these two, Valley is the way to go.
Mike -- They seem to be the only ones carrying this hitch right now. I checked on Dealtime and they had about a 75% approval rating, which seems pretty good. There were lots of positive comments about etrailer.
Also, I looked at Drawtite and Valley and how they are installed. The Valley hitch installs by bolting to the bumper, as someone mentioned above. This is similar to the factory setup and it may even be exactly the same hitch. The Drawtite hitch does not bolt to the bumper and uses big brackets up the side of the frame instead. Definitely not as good of a solution. Of these two, Valley is the way to go.
Honestly, I would not buy from them again. I ordered one for my girlfriend's Explorer so she could hook up a step for her giant dog. It came with sort of a cracked finished and it was not in the manufacturer's packaging. Structurally, it was sound, but it's already rusting and it's been on the truck for less than a year. I wanted to install it as a surprise for her birthday, when I called them they offered to send me a paint kit but there was no time, I bought a can of flat black and touched it up. Since she doesn't tow and just hooks her dog step to it, I wasn't worried. I hadnt really put it together about it not coming in a manufacturer's carton...so...
I couldn't pass up the ridiculously good price for my Tundra (and couldn't afford a better one at the time)--I think it was $150, everyone else wanted close to $300. I order one up, and this was in worse shape than the last. Cracked paint, lots of chips--someone had tried installing it already and apparently decided to send it back. I sent it back and paid a restocking fee of $25. I drove to a local hitch and truck shop in town and paid the $300 or so for a brand new one-I can't remember the brand name, but it worked out well enough.
The thing I wondered was, that's the quality I can see--what about the seconds that they are selling with poor welds or structural problems that you can't see.
If you buy from them ask them if they sell seconds, they'll lie to you. They did when I called up to complain about my Tundra hitch. Then ask them what the charge is for returns. Any reputable shop I know makes you pay for the shipping charges, but will generally do a 100% refund if not completely satisifed.
Just trying to help you out. The local shop in my town charged me way more than I could afford, but they let me test fit it to make sure it was tucked up nicely and even threw in a few extra goodies when I told them I found a better price online. I'd wager there's a Tundra hitch at a shop less in your town, one that comes WITH a warranty. I would never buy from etrailer.com again. Just my $.02 http://www.epinions.com/pr-Online_St...s-etrailer_com
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
Try this hitch. It's made by Valley and is available from etrailer.com. I got mine from U-haul in Canada. Here is the part number, V82790. This one is rated for 6,000 lbs with the weight distribution attachments. It also bolts up to rear bumper like the factory hitch. I know the Tacoma's are rated for 6500 with the tow package but you would have to be a fool to tow that heavy for anything but short distances. The truck is just too small for that kind of weight no matter how many coolers and heavy alternators you have. For big towing, SIZE matters.
Actually, according to Valley Industries website, that part number is only rated as a Class II & 5000lbs?!?!?! Something is wrong somewhere. I have that hitch and it definately is class III. I'll see if I still have my paperwork.
Actually, according to Valley Industries website, that part number is only rated as a Class II & 5000lbs?!?!?! Something is wrong somewhere. I have that hitch and it definately is class III. I'll see if I still have my paperwork.
I noticed that too. I think it's a mistake on the web site. Where did you buy the hitch?
I bought mine through NAPA, they sell Valley equipment.
I just looked on my hitch, it says 5000lbs when used as a load carring hitch or 6000 when used as a load distributing hitch, whatever that means.
It means that if you use a standard ball hitch (most common around) you can only hook up 5000# to the hitch. If you use a weight distributing hitch (more expensive and requires addiditional setup) then you can carry 6000#
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Tacoma V6 Auto 4x4 Double Cab 128"
White
TRD Off-Road
TRD CAT Back Exhaust, Bed Mat, Husky Floor Mats, Wildcat Flash Nerf Bars, Prodigy Brake Controller, In Dash cell phone mount, Cargo Bars w/Thule Ski & Bike Attachments, Toyo Open Country A/T Tires (Stock Size)
I'll post pic of mine tonight. I'm not sure which model I have, but I do know it's a Reese with a 2 inch receiver. Looks great and tucks up real nice behind the bumper.
I thought I'd follow up with the group and let them know how it turned out. I ended up going with a Valley hitch. I ordered it from e-trailer on Tuesday, got it Friday in perfect condition. I also order the wiring harness, ball mount with 2" drop, 2" ball, pin, and clip - about $220 delivered.
The Valley has two stickers on it, one says it's a class IV hitch, the other specs the max tow rating at 5000 lbs. (6000 with weight dist.). Installation was a snap: 4 bolts to the frame (welded nuts already exist) and 2 bolts to the bumper (you pop off the two covers in the step area of the bumper). The wiring harness was also fairly easy to install - biggest hurdle was convincing myself that it was ok to pop the tail lights out after the bolts were removed (two bolts, top and bottom, see the owners manual for replacing tail lamps). The harness plugs inline into the factory harnerss.
Follow up - I bought a hitch setup
Linear Mode
