class 1 or 2 receiver hitch for 1st gen

Looking for a class 1 or 2 receiver for my "new" 2003 Tacoma.

I will only be using the Tacoma to pull a tiny single axle utility trailer that I made to pull behind a 50 year old Melex golf cart:



I've looked around online, but am only finding class 3 (or 4!!!) receivers.

FWIW, I don't need (or want) a class 3 hitch for the Tacoma for the same reason that I don't want a gooseneck ball in the bed. A class 2 hitch is a better match for my intended uses and will be less likely to alarm a future buyer...

Anybody know of a source?

 

Most people won’t even look at what class hitch is on a Toyota because they know the limit of the truck to begin with.

 

Class 3.

Look to Drawtite or Reese. Also U-haul.

 

The down side to the Class II Hitch is the 1.25 receiver size .New Hitches seem to be more expensive then Class III.

Curt Reese off the top of my head if they make one for the Tacoma

If that is what you want go for it.

I myself would go with a Class III and use the more common 2" receiver easier to find inserts

 

not sure they even make a class 1/2 for Tacoma. Just get a Class 3 (most common for smaller trucks) either online or have it installed if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself.

that way as @Wyoming09 mentioned you get the 2" receiver for 95% of accessories if you ever want to attach anything other than a trailer.

 

Does your truck not have a step bumper? The stock step bumper on my 95 said "max towing capacity 3500 lbs". Might be a plug in the hole where the ball mounts.

 

I don't think you'll find a class 1 or 2 because the towing capacities of the truck. No manufacture would want to build a Class 1 (2000 lbs) or a Class 2 (3500 lbs) when the 1st Gen can tow up to 5000lbs (when equipped with a Class III hitch).

I would buy a Class 3 hitch and then run the ball size you need.

 

For that little amount of weight a 2" receiver that bolts to the bottom of the bumper might work .

It has been so long since I saw a Stock rear bumper I can`t recall what the bottom side is like.

 

Thanks for all of the tips. In the end, no class 1 or 2 was to be found.

I finally found the time to build my own. I purchased a 12" x 1.25" receiver tube online:

$28 CURT 49512 1-1/4" x 12" Weld-On Raw Steel Trailer Hitch Receiver Tube

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GN6MQQ

...and went digging through the scrap pile for some flat steel and a piece of 2" tubing.

Initially, I planned on using 1/4" plate and 3/16" tube, but I decided that the above would be overkill and would guarantee that if anything was bent due to an accident it would be the truck frame instead of receiver. I ended up with thinner 3/16" plate for the sides and 1/8" tube for the cross member, which also saved a little weight.



Painted up:



My experience has been that most aftermarket receiver hitches bolt to the bottom of the frame. The Tacoma offered precious little room for such a mount. So instead, I extended the side plates up where they could be sandwiched between the frame and bumper-mounting brackets on the side of the frame. I used the existing bolts and it mounted up fine.

Without bumper brackets:



With bumper brackets:



Of course 3/16" plate could allow for a bit of side-to-side flex, so I added triangular gussets to prevent:



Ready for the bumper to get re-installed:



Done:

 

I looked at the photos you posted. Nice work btw. And the truck is nice. You won't have any trouble selling one day.
"and will be less likely to alarm a future buyer..."