Aftermarket Hitch Choice?

Got a 2010 4x4 A/C, 4-banger and it is now time to install a hitch to pull my little 13 foot Boston Whaler. For those who've installed aftermarket hitches, what is the best choice? I will probably never pull anything heavier than the Whaler.....and then only short distances. I had a Draw-Tite on my 90 Yota pickup and a Reese on my 2000 Taco. This is a DIY install.

Please also comment on your likes and dislikes and ease of installation.

Thanks!

 

Three in your poll (Reese, Draw-Tite and Hidden Hitch) are made by the same company. http://www.cequentgroup.com/

Got my Curt hitch and wiring harness from Autoanything.com

Hitch http://www.autoanything.com/towing/73A3874A0A0.aspx
Harness http://www.autoanything.com/towing/75A3875A0A0.aspx

ordered Monday night, showed up next day at 3pm...free shipping

Fit and finish is perfect, nice thick powder coat

Search for a coupon code, you can get 20% off like I did, ended up at around $180 for the whole shootin match.

Half hour by myself in the drive for the hitch and around 20 min for lights...Easy

also added one of these Hayden trans coolers...

$56 Hayden Automotive 678 Universal Rapid-Cool 9.5” x 11” Add-On Transmission Cooler – Not for Direct Replacement of the OE Cooler

http://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Inc-678-Transmission-Cooler/dp/B000C3DDKO
Got the cooler at O'Reilly's for around $50

 

Put a Curt hitch on my '10 Taco 4WD 4CYL myself. Pretty good hitch, awesome finish on it and went on fairly easy (would have been a straight bolt-on but my bolt holes seemed a little out of line so I got out the grinding wheel and created some clearance on the hitch) but so far it's pretty solid. I also installed a Curt wiring harness, which was also pretty good except for the mounting for the electronic brain (they included a small piece of two-sided tape which lasted like s*@# so I zip-tied it in). I got some good folks on here to post some pics of their Curt hitches before I decided on purchasing one. Good choice IMO; search my posts for my thread on which hitch to buy.

 

I have a hidden hitch. Aftermarket hitches pretty much are all the same. I would search for the best deal. Some sites may even offer free shipping.

Check local shops; car accessory centers, trailer hitch dealers.

 

I don't know about "Best", but my Valley hitch fits perfectly, is built great, and was inexpensive. And it looks nice.

 

The previous owner of my truck put a Valley class IV hitch on my '07 4x4 v6 dblcb with some sort of 4 wire flat plug. It seems to work pretty well. I cut the 4 flat plug off and wired up a hopkins 7pin RV plug.

 

I had U-Haul put a class 3 (or 4?) hitch on my '96. Excellent hitch and it was hidden up inside so you didn't see anything but the receiver. They did a very nice job. I go to them again if I didn't already have the towing package. It was nicely finished in black so it wouldn't rust.

 

Just put a hitch on my taco this evening i ordered it at uhaul and out it on myself. This had to be the easiest install for a hitch ever, plus it fit very well and a lifetime warranty too. The hitch itself was $140 at uhaul i put one on my honda element 3 years ago from them and its still holding up good even with all the salt on the roads in the winter. Also I think Uhaul puts their name on a Valley hitch from what i can remember

 

I bargained one with the dealership when i purchased my truck....they put a reese hitch on and installed the 7 pin wiring, it gets the job done.

My previous aftermarket hitches on other vehicles were both drawtites, no issues with either of them.

 

Uhual sells rebranded hitches made by Valley, Curt and possibly others. The Uhauls come with a nationwide warranty which is nice, but I'm not sure if you get that if you install it yourself.

I just installed a Uhaul rebranded Curt hitch from http://discounthitchcentral.com/. Originally went for the Valley because it was cheaper, but they were out of them, so they offered me the more expensive Curt for the same price as the Valley. I was pretty happy about that. The Curt is a square tube vs the Valley which is a round tube. The Curt is also rated at 5500 lbs distribution weight vs the Valley 6000 lbs. They are both class III.

The Curt attaches to the frame with four bolts per side, where the Valley only uses two per side. However, the Valley does bolt to the bumper with two bolts and the Curt does not. The installation was fairly simple. Loosen up the bolts (and remove a few) that hold the bumper on. Insert the hitch end plates in between the bumper/frame plates and tighten back up.

I got the 4 pin wiring harness that's described in the Towing Bible from Amazon. Pretty easy to install too, but you might be able to find it at a local parts store.

Oh yeah, I also had a Uhaul hitch on my Pathfinder. I hauled a Uhaul trailer from LA to Nashville with no problems. I'd think that whatever you choose will work out fine for pulling your Whaler. I'd love to have one of those boats!!

 

Thanks for all the comments! Great information. I have never installed a Valley or U-Haul...and had never even thought about a hitch that attached to the bumper also. What I am getting from all the very valuable comments is that it is really a matter of choice and I'm thinking I will go for the best deal. I still have the drop down receiver from my last truck with a lock, so as long as it has a 2" receiver, I should be fine.
Thanks again to all who commented. I really do appreciate your responses.

 

Just ordered a curt hitch and T-Connector with converter (saves the LED Tails) from Autoanything. Running a special until 11pm EDT (I think).
Whole package for $180. Call-in orders are up to 15% off.

Thanks for all the tips and advice from everyone!

 

I have a draw tight hitch and It has been great so far. It isn't too hard to install, but you will need another person to hold it up while you tighten the nuts

 

I have a Draw Tite on my Escape and love it. It is rated heavier than my OEM Toyota one.

 

jmg256,
Not trying to hijack the thread but how about some more info on installing the trans cooler such as where you put the cooler and did you need any additional adapters? Photo? I have A/C.
I linked to Amazon and it appears that you have a 2002 like I do.
I sold my Dodge diesel since I didn't need all that towing capacity anymore and am now using my 2002 Taco for lighter duty towing.
Thanks

 

I currently have a 2010 that has one of the dealer installed frame hitch and wiring harness and very happy as this was on my list of requirements when purchasing. Previously had a 2008 Taco and had the Curt frame mounted hitch installed at one of the local part/accessory stores. When I went to pick it up, the rear bumper had scratches and dings on the plastic parts. Looked like road rash. I was furious. They wound up replacing these parts. They had to remove the bumper to install and one of their employees after questioning, stated it fell off of their rack. If you have it installed, be sure and look over your bumper.

 

I bought a new u-haul unit, and it's made buy Curt. Couldn't rate it any higher. Choose "pick up" and they will UPS to your house for free, weird but nice and cheap.

 

We tow our Airstream with an "equilizer" brand weight distributing hitch, very adjustable and works great..

 

i went to a local uhaul to get a quote for mine, 245 bucks for hitch and wiring installed.

not bad

 

I got the same uhaul hitch delivered for $ 98, I installed in an hour. Same lifetime warranty. You ask me, and you did not, but spend the 100 and buy beer with the saved 145. Link to the hitch is on my build page.