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class 1 or 2 receiver hitch for 1st gen

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by bean dip, Oct 11, 2020.

  1. Oct 11, 2020 at 12:21 PM
    #1
    bean dip

    bean dip [OP] Well-Known Member

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    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:

    golf cart.jpg

    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?
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2023
    Dalandser likes this.
  2. Oct 11, 2020 at 12:24 PM
    #2
    six5crèéd

    six5crèéd Be the light

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    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.
     
  3. Oct 11, 2020 at 12:24 PM
    #3
    Knute

    Knute Well-Known Member

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    Class 3.

    Look to Drawtite or Reese. Also U-haul.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2020
    Hamer95USA likes this.
  4. Oct 11, 2020 at 1:13 PM
    #4
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    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
     
    frizzman and Dalandser like this.
  5. Oct 11, 2020 at 2:39 PM
    #5
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  6. Oct 12, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #6
    old grouch

    old grouch Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  7. Oct 12, 2020 at 5:06 PM
    #7
    mattvivsound

    mattvivsound Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    Dalandser likes this.
  8. Oct 13, 2020 at 1:38 AM
    #8
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  9. May 3, 2021 at 8:17 AM
    #9
    bean dip

    bean dip [OP] Well-Known Member

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    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:

    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.

    hitch1.jpg

    Painted up:

    hitch2.jpg

    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:

    hitch3.jpg

    With bumper brackets:

    hitch4.jpg

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

    hitch5.jpg

    Ready for the bumper to get re-installed:

    hitch6.jpg

    Done:

    hitch7.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2023
  10. May 3, 2021 at 10:13 AM
    #10
    Which Way Out

    Which Way Out Well-Known Member

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    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..."
     

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