What trailer hitch?

Im looking at getting a class III hitch for my truck and need help picking a brand. Looking at them online they all seem to be priced similar so what are the brands to go with and some to stay away from? My friend suggested going to the local U-Haul store.


I plan on using it as a recovery point and for hauling a small boat.

 

What size is your boat trailer hitch?

These folks have lots of helpful research.

http://www.etrailer.com/

 

I actually don't have a boat yet but I am most seriously buying one by spring. Problem is I cant really think about buying a boat until I get my truck rigged up to haul one. Sooooooooo........ I need help getting set up.

 

HLook on craigslist, I got a factory one new in the box for $75.

The factory one seems to be fine, but I dont have another one to compare it to. Also the little circle covers over the bolt holes on the plastic tag piece wont work anymore and you will need some that are dome shaped. IF whatever hitch you get doesn't come with them and you want the holes covered, I price checked them at the dealer and I believe they were $38 a piece and you need 2.

 

I wanted to point out that it is probably best to TOW the boat and not HAUL it. LOL

Just bussin your balls bro...... no harm intended

 

Curt seems to make good hitches and are reputed to be easy to install on the Tacoma/

 

I have this one bought it on CS for 50 bucks and took 30 mins to install
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Toyota/Tacoma/2011/87581.html?vehicleid=20116955

 

If your going to be using it as you describe then a factory hitch would be your best bet.
The factory setup has reinforcement plates that wrap the side of the frame at the attachment points. I have not seen any other hitch come through the shop
with these added plates. This would help any side loads you may put on the truck. There are new bumper plates also.
Hitches have different price ranges but like anything else, you get what you pay for.
Your not setup for the heavier capacity so the factory maybe a little overkill but I would rather see u with it with your intended use. Just my opinion.
Also.
It's has been beat to death but the factory wiring setup is the way to go.
Aftermarket stuff is crap. I see so much corroded wiring from scotch locks etc it is horrible.
The factory plugs unto the trucks system. Uses factory fuse locations.
We change out more u-haul stuff than anything. Converters fry and feedback causing all sorts of issues.

If you think a factory hitch is overboard for you that's understandable. But do yourself a favor and get a factory harness.

 

I've got a Curt on mine, it was very easy to install. High quality product, no problems in over a year.

 

What do you mean by bumper plates?


Honestly I didn't think of going OEM so that might be the way I go. So Ill need the hitch (PT791-04050), harness (PT725-35120) and obviously the ball and all that but am I missing any important OEM parts for the factory TOWING setup?

 

The side plates are also the bumper plates. Sorry I mistyped.
They are much thicker and extend across the side of hitch and frame to the bumper. It really reinforces the back corners of the frame.
As far as the factory towing setup with a v6 a bigger battery, alternator, oil and trans coolers. Your limited to 3500 pounds anyway no matter what you do to the truck. Either a 4 or 6 would benefit from a cooler. 4cyl should be used for lighter loads anyway.

 

Curt 13323 hands down
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13323

$116 on Amazon + free shipping at time of posting this

Carried a 1500 trailer from Oak Harbor, WA to Spartanburg, SC with no problems.

 

Yeah, I looked into getting a factory one and it was $350 for just the hitch, not including the wiring harness. I think the price is more overkill than the tow capacity. Do you know of any used ones sitting around??

 

He wanted to use the hitch as a recovery point hense the info for the factory hitch. Like I said it has it's advantages. If we have any laying around they are not worth using. ...
You wouldn't want to put a rusted out old hitch on a new truck.

 

true.

 

http://www.sullivanbrostoyotaaccessories.com/servlet/Detail?no=379


This hitch should work with my truck no?

 

Agree with the Curt Hitch. Good Price / Easy Install. Good Product - American Made.

Got one on my Tacoma.