Francesca Knowles wrote:
You might have dodged a bullet here- the only 4Runners that had frame-mounted receivers rated for use for W/D were the V8's. Since they didn't put those out in 2012, I'm assuming you have the V6- factory hitch on that model is NOT for W/D. It should say so right on the receiver, and probably also in your owner's manual. Reason is method of mounting- the OEM's on the V6's are attached to the rear cross member only, whereas the W/D receiver on the V8 models mounted directly to the frame rails. This in order to deal with the rotational stress torque imposed by W/d systems.
That said:
It does seem unlikely that a (2"?) hitch bar itself wouldn't slide into the receiver for that reason unless Toyota actually built in some feature to prevent their use. If W/D's shank is longer, for example, than a standard weight-bearing ballmount, the smallest of curvatures in the receiver tube would do just what you describe- prevent full insertion.
Ooooh,
I didn't realize that some were "rated" for WD hitches. That would make some sense. But, like you said, it still should fit. The other regular hitch is the same length and goes all the way in. And now that you mention it, the receiver is not welded to the cross member, it is bolted and that might be an issue with then with the rotational forces?
It is like the WD hitch is a 8th or 16th inch bigger all the way around (i don't have a caliper and the ends are too rounded to measure accurately otherwise).
I am going to try and take it to a trailer specific shop and ask some experts.
