2021 Rust

Just picked up a 2021 trd offroad not too long ago. Is this a lot of rust for a 2021? It was driven in Massachusetts for a couple years before making its way down south.

About to take some wire brushes and rust treatment to it. Any suggestions?

 

My hitch receiver looked similar earlier this year. I hit it with the wire brush, then Rust Reformer, then a top coat of enamel paint.

 

Not a lot for its location,,, wish they would’ve had it sprayed though. A couple hundred bucks could’ve prevented it.

 

My 2006 Tacoma only spent 2 years in Massachusetts and the rust was sickening. Spent each summer rust proofing. My wifes 4Runner was bought there (only 2 years old) and the rust was just like yours.

 

Angle grinder, knotted wire wheel on said angle grinder, N95 (personally I'd use a P100) mask to protect your lungs, and goggles to protect your eyes, gloves, and go to town to remove any rust

Wire brush would handle the stuff between the cracks and corners, but the angle grinder will get rid of all the surface stuff asap

Afterward, hit it with some paint and let it dry as I would expect bare metal where the rust was removed

Lastly, use whatever the folks in this forum use IE POR15, woolwax, etc

 

I don't know what it is about trailer hitches, but I have had them on many cars/trucks (both aftermarket and factory) and they all rusted like this: some after only a year or two. I have had my Tacoma for almost three years and I have had to scrape, wire brush and prime and repaint with Rust-O-Leum every year. I still get chunks of paint an rusty metal when I pick at it with a scraper.

I spray it down with Fluid-Film as well, except where the ball-mount slides into the receiver. It makes a mess and you get it all over you when you install and remove it and it still rusts everywhere, even the side plates where it is mounted to the frame. YMMV

 

jesus. thank god I undercoated mine. it might look like that

 

That is a lot of rust for a 2021 IMO.

I sure hope you got a good deal? I would consider taking it to a body shop and have the frame and hitch professionally prepped and painted.

 

I do mine every year. In salt belt state. U just can't win.

 

In my experience, living in the salt belt that isn’t too bad and far from dangerous. It’s a cosmetic thing in my opinion. If you regularly have something in the hitch, trailer, bike rack, ect. That’s what they look like. I hit mine with black rustoleum every year and then coat with fluid film. It will never be perfect again but looks good and isn’t a safety concern.


EDIT. I also never keep a hitch plug in there. I feel like they hold moisture and cause more rust.

 

That is quite a bit for a 2021. For reference, this is my 2021 with 37k miles. In Colorado, no undercoating or protection, just undercarriage rinse after going to the mountains during the winter:

 

If you use it at all and you live in an area with moisture, the paint will get rubbed off and the bare steel will rust. You can grind the rust off and repaint. Getting inside the receiver can be tricky. Or you can coat it with sticky oil grease crap and get your hands dirty every time you touch it

 

This.

If you tow all the metal connection points will get down to metal then rust. Best thing I've found is to apply a rust preventor like T9 Boeshield at least once a year.

 

If you live in the south or west, don't buy a vehicle from the rust belt.
Especially if you're not going to thoroughly check it out pre-purchase.

 

Looks good!

 

Welcome and Good luck in search of resolving the issue at hand.

 

This. If you use the hitch paint will wear off. Most spots that are welded on the frame will also develop surface rust if they use salt on the roads where you live.

Its really not a big deal. Mine was undercoated when i bought it and gets touched up/inspected yearly. All vehicles that are driven will will develop surface rust eventually unless you live in the desert

 

My hitch looks similar to the ones posted on this thread, I tow a 3700 lb 20 footer. I also have some cosmoline I purchased, would this stuff work here in similar fashion to prevent further rust?