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Towing options for SR5 w/out factory hitch

Discussion in 'Towing' started by brow, Jul 13, 2010.

  1. Jul 13, 2010 at 3:22 PM
    #1
    brow

    brow [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello everyone, I am looking for some help/advice on aftermarket hitches. I searched around the forum and didn't come up with any good threads, so I'm hoping someone out there can help me out.

    Basically I have a base model 2010 access cab that came from the dealer without the tow package, now three months later I am realizing that this was a stupid mistake on my part.

    I am not going to be doing any heavy or long distance hauling, possibly a light trailer occasionaly, mostly I am looking at getting a hitch so I can build a bracket that will hold a canoe off the trailer hitch, with the other end supported by a roof rack mounted to the top of my cab. (the whole idea was so that I can haul the canoe, but still keep my tonneau cover in place to keep my gear dry).

    What I am wondering is if anyone out there with a truck that did not from the factory with the hitch has bought an aftermarket hitch that is made to bolt onto our truck. The toyota version is insanely expensive and I was hoping someone out there had a good recommendation for an aftermarket hitch.
     
  2. Jul 13, 2010 at 3:40 PM
    #2
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    There are a lot of after market receiver hitches that will work on your truck. Uhaul, Hidden Hitch, etc
    Just look through this forum.
     
  3. Jul 13, 2010 at 3:42 PM
    #3
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Hidden hitch makes a good hitch. Get the one which will hold the max your truck will handle(for future toys)
    Automatic trans should have an extra cooler put in for anything over 500lbs. Towing 1000-max capacity, you should have an engine oil cooler and the upgraded fan clutch, or aux electric fan.
    Over 500lbs you should have a brake controller as well.
    If you run power to the trailer, you should get the larger alternator too.
     
  4. Jul 13, 2010 at 3:46 PM
    #4
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    I forgot about the wiring...
    You'll need a converter to make the brake lights on the trailer function as turn signals, since the brake and turn signals are on differant lights on the truck.
     
  5. Jul 13, 2010 at 3:47 PM
    #5
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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  6. Jul 13, 2010 at 8:07 PM
    #6
    TacoPorn

    TacoPorn Well-Known Member

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    + 1 on the hidden hitch. Looks almost factory. Good luck
     
  7. Jul 14, 2010 at 8:13 AM
    #7
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    I don't understand your weight numbers. Did you leave out some zeros? :D
     
  8. Jul 14, 2010 at 8:23 AM
    #8
    CalgaryRider

    CalgaryRider Well-Known Member

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    I picked up a Toyota receiver off a member who was removing it to do an aftermarket bumper, nothing like going factory.

    I still need to get the wiring and trailer brake installed.
     
  9. Jul 14, 2010 at 8:30 AM
    #9
    JeffRock

    JeffRock Well-Known Member

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    #9
  10. Jul 15, 2010 at 7:08 AM
    #10
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    The truck's brakes are only designed to stop a fully loaded truck (up to GVWR). A good guide is, don't tow over the weight of your bed capacity without a brake controller and tow package.
    The extra loads put on the engine add up to heat. Auto trans cooling in essential to longevity.
    Hope that helps.
     
  11. Jul 15, 2010 at 7:31 AM
    #11
    scottri

    scottri Well-Known Member

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    I used a Uhaul hitch on my old Ford Ranger and it bolted right up, very easy to install and looked good. I'd check with them and they will sell the wiring components you would need.
     
  12. Jul 15, 2010 at 7:34 AM
    #12
    larryde09

    larryde09 Well-Known Member

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    I have a DrawTite which is the same manufacturer as Hidden Hitch. There's some pics in my build.

    You'll need the electrical harness, connectors, etc, but this can be purchased as a simple plug-and-play product from any reputable towing supply store. They are vehicle specific and very simple to install, and not worth paying someone to do it.

    Electric trailer brakes are a good idea if you tow a lot of weight and often. However, a lot of rental trailers (e.g. Uhaul) have automatic hydraulic brakes that require no modification to your vehicle. They use a pressure "sensor" on the ball yoke...when you begin braking, the weight of the trailer shifts forward on the ball which pushes against a hydraulic plunger which in turn activates the trailer brakes.
     
  13. Jul 15, 2010 at 7:38 AM
    #13
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    I have an aftermarket class IV Valley hitch on mine w/ a hoppy harness converted to 7 pin RV plug. I don't really need a tranny cooler since I have a manual tranny. There are sometimes I wish I had a brake controller especially when towing vehicles...however I rarely do that so its not worth the investment.
     

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