My frame is rusted does that affect ability to tow?

Hi! I just read thru a bunch of threads about frame rust. Seems like the best thing to do is test the rust with a hammer. If its solid and still sounds like metal than its good and coat it with por 15(or something similar). Or if its soft and can break thru than the whole frame needs to be replaced. Is this the "basic" resolution for rust?

Soo, I have an excessive amount of rust under my truck (Basically everywhere) I dont see any visible holes and its a very dry rust and seems to be mostly a "surface coating" (i live in california so weather is pretty dry here).

My biggest concern is is it safe to tow a with a rusted frame? Im Looking to tow a camper around 3,000 lbs. I have a few mechanic friends and they say its completely fine and almost look at me funny for asking. They say if there are no holes than its good.

Here's some pictures of my rear frame and the base of my tow hitch. The frame has some kind of black coating/paint and is cracking off.. the metal behind the coating appears to be pretty solid.... (i haven't done a hammer test yet only visual inspection)

 

It's surface rust, if you're really worried, take a ballpeen hammer and tap it to see if its thinned out.

That rust isn't that bad and I wouldnt worry about 3000lbs.

Take it to a shop for inspection if you really want to ensure its 100%

 

Id replace the hitch receiver frame

 

Thanks! would you recommend coating it with por 15?

 

X2 it looks weak from the rust

 

No that's a waste, you'd be better off replacing the hitch receiver with a new unit. It's actually separate from the trucks actual frame.

 

is that just the center piece that the hitch goes in or the whole bar that's bolted to either side of the truck?

 

This one is worst part it bubbled on the bar, i wouldnt tow with it

 

The bar that has 3 nuts on each side, whole bar

 

ok thanks, so i just need to replace that frame? do you know how much this should cost? what is the frame called? i tried to do a google search for hitch receiver frame and didnt really get anywere.

 

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13323 this said for 2003 tacoma verify though

 

is this what i need?

 

Thats dealership?, expensive! Id go with curt. Class III

 

Please go to a u haul or a trailer supply store and get the tow bar. It will be half the cost and work just as well.

 

Anyone know approx how much i should expect to pay in labor for trailer hitch installation?

 

Could you possibly give me a link to check out.. I thought a tow bar is for sway control and has nothing to do with pull.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CLASS-3-TR...COMA-PICKUP-2-TOW-OPENING-75078-/152873181698

 

If you go to the Uhaul website. They have the price of hitch, installation and tax.
I’m not telling you to go to Uhaul. I’m giving you a idea what it would cost here in East Tennessee.
The price may be different where you live.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailer-Hitches/

 

If you go with a curt hitch and find a local mechanic, it might cost you around 250 for everything. A member on here might install for free

 

You likely won’t need the wiring harness above.
I included it just to give you an over all price.