Ideas for stowing a trailer hitch

[bkw777]

gotta figure out something better...

It's the right level of accessible since I don't need it very often. Most important for me is it's out of the way yet on the vehicle.

Some kind of bracket that goes in the same spot instead of a ratchet strap, or there are a few other places where there is physically room but just no kind of holder.

There's a spot between the resonator and spare. Might be able to make a bracket that clamps to the cross member there.

A spot above the tire iron. Might be able to make a bracket that hangs from the cubby where the subwoofer normally goes.

Possibly right behind the receiver just held on by a couple of big gear clamps but that might not have enough room with a full size spare.

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[Doofy]

do you have a storage compartment behind the 3rd row seating?
haven't checked if it fits yet, but that might be where i store mine if it does

 

[bkw777]

do you have a storage compartment behind the 3rd row seating?
haven't checked if it fits yet, but that might be where i store mine if it does

No 3rd row. The entire floor is 6 inches lower because no 3rd row and no hybrid. So more cargo space but no floor compartments.

The only compartments are for the jack and for the tire iron, neither of which is usable.

I do keep a small tool bag stuffed into the driver side rear spot where the 12v battery would be in the hybrid, andthe hitch does fit in that, but I'd rather not have it in the tool bag because it's big and heavy and rarely needed. Besides I want it to be essentially part of the vehicle not part of a tool kit. I take the tool bag out to use for other things all the time.

 

[bkw777]

I *usually* have the tool bags on the left in there, so I can put it in there. This other tool bag on the right would be convenient but usually I have a paint bucket there or nothing.

But I don't really want it in the tool bag but rather stuck to the vehicle somewhere since I actually use the tools.

Since the tire iron compartment and the 3rd row arm rest thing makes a recessed cavity between them, that spot is about tye perfect size, just needs some kind of holder, and something to secure the holder to.

 

[SC4Runner]

I bought one of these. It may take up a lot of room, but it holds almost everything I need plus some.

 

[bkw777]

Ok this is pretty simple.
Kinda ugly but if I were going to be usingt it more often it's way more ready to go.

2 TPU straps with aluminum buckles run through the safety chain rings.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nite-Ize-GearPro-24-in-Utility-Strap-3-Pack-USL24-A1-R8/329929610

Hopefully the TPU won't age too fast from uv or oxygen. The package does claim to be uv resistant.

They cinch up nice and simple.

You can also use the same straps to hold it inside the spare and it's at least more sensible than the ratchet strap looped 67 directions. It's less convenient than on the receiver but it puts the hitch entirely out of view and the straps entirely out of the sun.

 

[bkw777]

Now I just realized looking at both pics above, in both cases water will collect inside the hitch and rust from the inside out.

For hanging under the receiver that is really the only orientation, so it should have a weep hole drilled at the lowest point.

For inside the spare it's possible to just turn it so it's laying on it's side and that will probably be good enough so that what little water doesn't drain out just dries out.

For inside the spare I lower the spare off the truck. It's annoying but less than trying to do it while the spare is up on the truck.

Plus it gives you a chance to see if the straps are tight enough. Lay the spare flat on the ground, lift one side up an inch or two and let go. If the hitch rattles then the straps need to be tighter.

I keep the hitch pin inside in the tire iron cubby to keep it from rattling and to keep the retainer clip from rusting away.

 

[Lotzof4Runners]

A client of mine owns this company.
https://www.myhitchcaddy.com/
Great product if it fits your application. If you order one, please tell him that "His animation guy, Bill" recommended it. I don't get kickbacks... I just want to see him succeed.

 

[bkw777]

Looks pretty neat. I don't see a way to use it on a 4R without getting a little more destructive than I'd like, and it looks like it would rattle in a vehicle, though that could probably be addressed one way or another.

I like how it also holds the pin and re-uses the retainer clip.

One thing it clearly does well is be strong enough to hold the thing in place no matter what, and rugged enough to load/unload infinite times without breaking any part of itself.

And no moving parts thanks to using the retainer clip. Good design.

Pretty cool thanks.

 

[Nodak]

would it be easier to get a b&w tow and stow hitch?

they have different variations of hitches that feature the tow & stow design

 

[bkw777]

In the end I managed to fit it into the spot for the jack tools, and moved the jack tools to be with the jack. Most tow hitches won't fit but I found a few different ones that fit. Also found a pin that doesn't have a seperate loose clevis/cotter pin. The end of the thread is a few different hitches that fit. Now I don't have to worry about rust & salt or the straps going loose or breaking and dropping it. I'm using the quitetite hitch as the one I leave in there all the time.
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...to-store-a-hitch-in-the-tire-iron-cubby.6196/

 

[127.0.0.1]

there is room under the rear floor where that would fit. you need some type of
opening or door in the floor, but a hitch would fit in there methinks. pull
up the floor and find out if it'll fit. if it does, make yourself a little hatchway

check this thread it shows how much room is under there
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/product-r-d-time-6th-gen-cargo-platform.5638/#post-78888

 

[bkw777]

there is room under the rear floor where that would fit. you need some type of
opening or door in the floor, but a hitch would fit in there methinks. pull
up the floor and find out if it'll fit. if it does, make yourself a little hatchway

check this thread it shows how much room is under there
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/product-r-d-time-6th-gen-cargo-platform.5638/#post-78888

Saw that before. That floor is SICK. You're right that would be a great spot.

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