Bent Hitch...

This is going to sound stupid but I just noticed one side of my hitch is badly bent.

New truck (first truck) and I think i kinda noticed it before but thought it was designed that way, but now the paint has started to chip off. Was at the dealership today and they took pictures to send to Toyota.

1. Is the hitch even replaceable?
2. Can they just bend it back and repaint it?

 

couple bolts and it comes right off. bending it back and painting yourself is the easiest and simplest option. Those are for safety chains anyway so not load bearing by default

 

Sledge hammer + spray paint = fixed.

 

It's fine. I bent mine a few weeks ago same spot same side. It is for safety chains. I personally wouldn't bend it back. Just re paint it.

Not 100% sure if itll mess with the strength but I would avoid bending or re bending a piece of metal.

 

Agree with the others in that its probably not a big deal. These things get trashed off-roading. However, it definitely shouldn't have come off the lot that way and you did pay for a new truck. If they are willing to replace it and you don't mind the wait and hassle of going to the dealership, get it replaced.

 

I bent mine too a month ago. It doesn’t provide any structural report like the responses said above, just holds the chains. Cosmetically, if it bothers you, maybe try and hammer it back into place. Use a 2x4 as a contact point so you aren’t bashing the hell out of the metal and go for it.

 

Bent mines on both sides, just took a sledge hammer to fix it up no big deal

 

I normally like to fix this things when they get damaged, as not to have a new POS,,,, BUT, I wouldn't fix this, especially if you're off-roading, it gets hit on even mild terrain.

 

+1 on this, simple fix and move on.

 

The oem hitch is part of the rear bumper I think, if I’m wrong then I’m wrong.

 

Rather than a sledge hammer, I'd put a large pipe wrench on it and take advantage of leverage and a strong grunt and slow bend it back to near straight. Then sand and spray. But, to be honest, leaving it alone will not affect the utility of that part of the hitch.

 

someone used the chain holders for a towing/recovery point, and was too aggressive with the throttle, pulling, snap, to get out. been there, done that, got the Tshirt, and hat. hammer, dolly, semi gloss black paint. wont make that mistake again. Ski

 

Don’t sweat it OP. It’s the first thing that bends when you first take it off road. If you plan on it.

 

If you bend it back it will absolutely weaken the metal.
Will it be an issue going forward? Very, very slim chance as you would have to be towing, have the trailer detach from the hitch, and the safety chains would have to load that section of the hitch. This sounds like an unlikely scenario to me. If it were my hitch, I would bend it back, paint it, and get on with my life.

 

Here and now...a Kenny Chesney fan huh?

 

BFH.

 

Bent mine a little back in January. Did it again on the same side yesterday. I know it's there so it's annoying, but nothing more. How's it go, "have fun, break some"? With that being said, you shouldn't be getting a new truck off the lot like that. I'd complain to the dealer if it came that way. Mine, well that's what I get for not leaving it as a pavement princess. And I try to keep things nice...

 

Hammer and paint
Or
Just hammer
Or
Just paint
Or
Fuck it and make a sandwich.

 

two year old post...

 

I was just gonna leave it and hit it with a coat of PSC black wax. Close enough to paint and it will prevent corrosion. I figure it's just gonna get bent again..