I have been off the boards for a while. Has anyone either made the switch or have information on upgrading the earlier 5000 pound hitch to the newer 7500 pound one?

I have a 2003 Limited V-8.

Thanks,
Morry

 

Last I heard Toyota has no intentions of upgrading the existing owners with the 5000# hitch. I believe they upgraded the ones coming off the factory floor but will not upgrade ones that have been sold.

 

OK, how does one tell which hitch you have I have an '03 SR5 V6 manufactured in 11/02, that came with the towing package and it has 2" receiver bolted to a crossmember that is welded to the frame on either side. The owners manual indicates that the V6 with towing package is rated for 6400 lbs.

 

I'm no expert, however I did observe a newer model 03 this past weekend...the hitch was part of a larger assembly (tubular steel), bolted(?) to the frame.

 

I think we may be talking about the same thing here. The 'crossmember' I mentioned on my '03 is more or less tubular. It runs from one frame member in an arc behind the spare to the other frame. It is welded at each end to the frame, and the receiver is bolted to it. I haven't looked at any '03s that didn't have the hitch package, but I am guessing this 'crossmember' is on all '03s. You didn't mention if yours has a hitch, does yours have this crossmember? How much 'newer' than yours was the one you looked at?

 

Purchased in early Jan-03...Seems mine is different than what you described.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by absolutvt2
[B]Purchased in early Jan-03...Seems mine is different than what you described.

Actually, once I got used to the upside down view, it looks just like mine. The Crossmember I am refering to is that part that the receiver is bolted to. I got mine in early Feb. Does yours look different from the 'Newer' one you mentioned earlier? I'm at work, and can't take a pic until later when I get home.

 

I'm looking at the sales brochure and not my owners manual, but max towing for the V6 is 5K, the V8 is now 7.5K with the updated hitch. The V6 came with the towing package, trans cooler, wire connector for 5K lbs. Every V6 I've seen has the same package you're showing. Don't know what they did to the v8 model mid-year to upgrade it's capacity but it does make reference to "weight distributing hitch" versus weight bearing (all on the tongue) so I think you have to have a distribution type setup to go the 7.5K on the V8 whereas the V6 is limited to 5K. This is also the same info on Toyota's site.

 

I'm looking at the sales brochure and not my owners manual, but max towing for the V6 is 5K, the V8 is now 7.5K with the updated hitch. The V6 came with the towing package, trans cooler, wire connector for 5K lbs. Every V6 I've seen has the same package you're showing. Don't know what they did to the v8 model mid-year to upgrade it's capacity but it does make reference to "weight distributing hitch" versus weight bearing (all on the tongue) so I think you have to have a distribution type setup to go the 7.5K on the V8 whereas the V6 is limited to 5K. This is also the same info on Toyota's site.

 

The V8 models all got the weight distributing hitch at the mid-year refresh (April 03). The V6 models continue with the same hitch as before.

 

OK, that makes sense. I don't plan to tow anything serious. Just my fishing boat and a utility trailer, neither of which will push the 5K limit.