OEM Hitch Snapped

I have a 2006 Double Cab SR5 with the towing package. I have been towing less than 5,000 lbs with minimal tongue weight. In the course of the last two months, my trailer has pulled the hitch AND the frame down and finally the hitch snapped off of the frame in one of the four places where they are bolted together. I did not realize this was happening until the hitch snapped. I had the hitch and frame inspected after the incident and while there is some cosmetic surface rust, neither part is rotted. I have been to a couple car repair places and no one can figure out why this happened. Does anyone out there have any insight?

Sincerely,

A confused and disillusioned Tacoma girl

P.S. I tried to take it to the Toyota dealer for official Toyota inspection but the dealership wouldn't even look at it for less than $125.

 

The receiver itself broke? Or the bolts sheared from the frame mounts?

 

The receiver broke right beneath the bolts which are still intact. In other words the bracket end of the receiver broke.

 

What the hell kind of dealer chargers $125 to look at your vehicle? I think you need to find a new dealer.

 

Standard IMO, on a 9 year old truck. $125 is a normal diagnostic fee here locally.

 

Wow that really surprises me, I have never been charged a diagnostic or inspection fee, and I'm well out of warranty.

OP, can you post any pictures of your hitch area?

 

This side is still intact but you can see how far down it's bent and I think you can see the twisted frame.

Rear view

And here's the broken side.

 

Wow, you know what's weird, my OEM hitch mount looks nothing like yours. My hitch and bumper support are all one piece. Did Toyota change the design at some point? You might have an aftermarket hitch there.

 

Well supposedly the truck came with the towing package which includes the Class 4 hitch. It is an '06 and you have an '11 so maybe they changed the design? I don't know how to 100% verify if I have the towing package.

 

I think you can check the VIN to see if yours came with the tow package, but that might cost money, and then all you're left with is knowing if you got a stock, or aftermarket hitch. My guess, the thing looks aftermarket and has a bad design leading to weak points, causing your issue. Sorry, I know not much help.

 

Mine looks nothing like that either. That receiver looks weak as hell! 4 tiny tabs and 4 bolts is all that holds it to the frame?

 

That looks like a mid 90s dodge pickup hitch. They are the only ones that had the trailer plug mounted that way that I know of. It also looks like it might have been chopped up a bit and repainted to fit.

 

Agreed. That is not factory.

 

It rememinds me of my ex-brother inlaws old 1988 toyota pickup. His bolted up similar to yours. The bottom of the frame tore loose with the hitch attached to it. If I remember correctly his was an aftermarket hitch by Reese.

 

Let's talk to each other. You can call me Betty? And Betty when you call me, you call me Al.

 

We're you using a raised hitch by chance?

 

I had to install the 7 pin connector myself when I got the truck. I figured the original owner had pulled the wiring for some reason. But now it's all starting to make sense...

What is a raised receiver?

 

A drophitch flipped over.

 

I agree. That hitch on your truck OP looks fucky. Definitely not factory looking.

 

No I was using a hitch with a 6" drop and then a hitch with a 4" drop.