Why no weight-distribution hitch since 2009?

I’ve read many of the posts regarding towing, and am very surprised to find that no one seems to be concerned that the possibility of using a weight-distribution hitch went away permanently as of the 2010 model!
A weight-distribution hitch is one that has arms that reach out to the frame and bolt onto it, allowing weight to be distributed to the front wheels. It is required if one is to use a weight distribution system.
My 2007 SR5 V6 came with the standard receiver, bolted to the rear crossmember. Fortunately, at that time the V8 came with a true weight-distributing hitch. Because of that, every 4runner frame came with the pre-drilled to allow mounting an aftermarket weight-distribution hitch. That’s what I did, and it has worked wonderfully for me for 12 years.
I would love to get a new 4runner with the same type of hitch, but that is no longer a possibility. I’m concerned about hauling my 17-foot Casita camper without a weight distribution system anymore.

 

From my experience of towing with my 2016 Tacoma TRD Off-road and a Jayco 154BH Baja, the Weight Distribution Hitch was a separate unit that attached to the frame of the trailer to help with distributing the weight off the tongue and to help with anti sway. If and when I get another Travel Trailer for my 2024 4Runner I will definitely get a Weight Distribution Hitch. "EZ Hitch"

 

The term “hitch” is badly misused, since it can refer to what’s mounted on the vehicle versus what’s between the vehicle and the trailer. It’s better to call what’s between the vehicle and the trailer a “weight distribution system”.
My point is that you won’t be able to use a weight distribution system to transfer part of the load to the front wheels unless there is a weight distributing hitch on the vehicle, i.e. one that has arms from the receiver out to the the frame rails.
Trying to use a weight distribution system with a vehicle that only has the receiver on the rear crossmember actually invites major problems, as that flimsy receiver cannot deal with the twisting forces that are applied by the weight distribution system.
No generation four or five 4Runner has any provision for a weight distributing hitch. All you get is the receiver bolted to the rear crossmember!
Third-generation 4Runners came with a weight distribution hitch on the V8, but not on the V6. But the mounting holes existed on the V6 as well, so you could buy an aftermarket weight distribution hitch and bolt it right on. That’s what I did.

 

You have your "Gens" mixed up, 2003 to 2009 is a 4th Gen, 2010 to 2024 is a 5th Gen.

The hitch on 4th gen V8s T4Rs has been called by most T4Rs owners as the "V8 hitch"....BUT Toyota does refer to it a "Weight Distributing Hitch" in the owner's manual, but not on Toyota Parts/Dealer websites, but Toyota are the only one who call it that and only in the owner's manual.

In the world of trailer hitches the hitch that bolts to the outer frame rails is called a "Class 3, 4 or 5" hitch, but what you need to look at the weight ratings, but I wouldn't less than a class 4 hitch, the "V8" hitch is a class 5 hitch.

That being said....do a search for "Weight Distributing Hitch" and the results will not be the hitch bolted to the vehicle....it will be a device bolted to the trailer and attaches to the ball on the vehicle's bolted on hitch.

https://www.google.com/search?q="Weight+Distributing+Hitch"&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1069US1069&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

I'm still trying to understand how a bracket bolted to the frame would be stronger than the frame itself. The rear frame cross member is way more beefy than any of those aftermarket hitches, IMO.

 

It's all about the loads and torque applied. The "V6" hitch receiver lacks leverage against the frame, so it's not up to weight distribution hitch loads. The "V8" hitch receiver is much more beefy and can handle the greater twisting loads of a weight distribution hitch.

 

"V6" Hitch, note it's got a tiny footprint and the whole member is subject to twisting by the hitch.



"V8" Hitch receiver, note the wings that distribute twisting from the crossmember to the frame rails directly, PLUS the mount to the V6 hitch location as well.

 

I pull a 23' Airstream travel trailer, rated up to 6500 lbs. with my '04 V8, rated for 7,000 towing and 700 hitch capacity. Normally when you talk about the "hitch" it is both the receiver (bolted or welded to the vehicle frame or bumper) and the hitch with ball. I have always heard the first one called a "frame" hitch, the second a "bumper" hitch. Bumper hitches (which may be bolted or welded to the cross member also) place all of the trailer's tongue weight on the rear of the vehicle. A frame hitch will distribute some of the weight to the back portion of the vehicle's suspension as well as the rear but not the front axle. It does provide a more secure connection because (typically) it's bolted/welded to 4 points on the vehicle.

I use an Equalizer weight distributing (WD) hitch, that inserts into the receiver. Attached to the WD hitch are spring arms that are connected to L brackets on the A-frame of the trailer. You connect the A-frame coupler to the hitch ball and lock it. Then you use the trailer's A-frame jack to raise the trailer and car until you can slide the spring arms onto the L brackets. You put the lock pins into the L brackets then lower the trailer and car. This has the effect of lifting the rear of the vehicle to place weight on the front axle while also putting weight back onto the trailer A-frame. I think of it as lifting a wheelbarrow. When you lift the 2 arms you shift some of the barrow's weight to the tire and your arms.

A WD hitch will not increase a vehicle's capacities for towing. It will shift weight off the hitch/rear axle to the front axle and trailer A-frame, which offsets the full load being on the rear of the tow vehicle. Most WD hitches also offer sway control with the WD capability.

 

So what you are saying is the 5th generation 4Runner cannot handle/use a Weight Distribution Hitch?

 

No, sorry if I confused you. The WD hitch is a hitch you buy and put into the receiver on the 5th gen T4R. It's not factory installed. I believe what you're thinking of is the frame hitch (receiver) that you should have, if you opted for the towing package. Was there an option for a towing package in the 5th gen? What's your max towing capacity?

Your Jayco is single axle so you would benefit from having sway control. Whatever WD hitch you get make sure there is sway control with it.

 

Still on a learning curve with my 2024 4Runner SR5. I only took a hard look today if I had a full sized spare tire! I used to have a 2020 Jayco 154BH Baja Travel Trailer. Now I have a 2016 Minnie Winnie 22R
Class B RV. I am contemplating going back to a small travel trailer? A Weight Distribution Hitch is a must! Stock hitch set up on my 4Runner looks a little "weak" compared to the hitch on my old 2016 Tacoma TRD OffRoad?

 

A quick Google shows the 2024 4Runner has 270 HP, 278 ft lbs. torque, 5,000 lbs. towing capacity 16 city, 19 hwy MPG, V6 4 L, 5 speed auto. The towing package is standard so you should be able to install a WD hitch into the receiver without any trouble. Does the trailer have electric or surge braking?