Trailer Hitch Receiver Rusted on 2017 Toyota Highlander

Question:

we purchased our hitch November 2017. All the paint is gone and chipped. Is this common? We do not use the vehicle in winter. Toyota Highlander - I have purchased numerous hitches for our bikes. This is a first.

asked by: Donna D

Expert Reply:

The rust on your hitch definitely seems extreme for the three year time period you've had it on your 2017 Toyota Highlander. That said, rusting is a direct reaction to oxidation and even without using it in winter weather it can still happen. This can occur starting with small scratches on the protective coating from natural road debris and then it being in moisture of some kind.

All hitches can start to rust at some point, and the best way to prevent it would be to check every once in a while for scratches or other signs of wear and use anti-corrosive spray paint to touch it up on those areas. This can be found inexpensively at really any hardware store.

I also highly recommend using a rubber hitch cover to protect the inside of the receiver, as scratches can be difficult to spot there. You can use a simple cover such as the Rubber Hitch Cover for 2" Trailer Hitches # 22282.

As for your current hitch, so long as it is just the paint that is damaged and you can sand it off and re-paint it then you should be fine. However, you may want to err on the side of caution here and replace the hitch with the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98844.

expert reply by: Kyle S