Thinking about buying a receiver hitch....

Any suggestions on receivers? Should I buy used? New? Certain make or model? What is the best bang for my buck?

 

In my opinion, new receivers are fairly cheap and you never know how old a used one is...i.e. rust, been in accident, etc. Hidden Hitch and DrawTite are the same manufacturer, and Uhaul has a hitch, but I don't remember who the manufacturer is.

I don't recommend universal fit hitches...most manufacturer websites have a vehicle selector to tell you which hitch will specifically fit your truck and they are typically about the same price as a universal fit. Furthermore, there are plenty of bolt-on options that don't require cutting and/or welding.

 

U-Haul fixed me up with a receiver hitch on an old truck I used to have.

 

You can probably get a stock Toyota factory hitch in Buy/Sell/Trade pretty reasonable. A lot of people sell them after getting a high clearance bumper.

 

What are you driving and what to intend to tow? Weight of the trailer determines if you'll need a class III or IV. I put a Hidden Hitch class III on mine, very easy install and good for up to 5,000 lbs.

 

If you have deep pockets, buy OEM, but I can tell you with certainty that it will cost you right around $1,000.

I just had mine replaced as part of a collision repair, and the parts for the OEM receiver really did cost that much.

If you don't mind doing the install yourself, you should be able to get a new Class II hitch for less than $150.00.

 

I think Hidden Hitch/DrawTite only sell a class III/IV for the Tacoma. I looked into similar Class II's for my 4-cyl, but they aren't common because most towing is done by the V6 and therefore there's a bigger market for a Class III/IV. Besides, a class III/IV costs about the same as a II, so it makes sense to just get the bigger more capable hitch. Easier to sell/trade in the future too.

I installed my DrawTite class III/IV without any big problems.

 

x2...that's right, I couldn't remember.

 

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm driving a 2007 v6, I plan to tow a two place snowmobile trailer (which is not very heavy at all). I'll also use it when wheeling pulling people out, etc, so I want it to be durable in abusive situations. I however cannot afford a $1,000. A couple hundred and I can install myself, I just do not feel comfortable cutting anything under the truck and I guess I could weld it, but do not really want to. I'm looking for a easy bolt on option. Is the hidden hitch going to cause issues to my bumper if I'm using a shackle/d-ring and trying to pull someone out? I don't want to cause damage to my bumper because the receiver sits to far under the truck.

Any more advice is appreciated, and I'd buy one on here but shipping would be far to high because I split my time between Maine and NH and NO ONE on here is ever from the great northeast.

 

Just found this, anyone heard of this company?

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/1877081780.html

 

Yeah, I have one on mine.. Its a class 3 hitch, and a fairly easy install.. I put it on by myself... did have to take off the bumper, but eh...Good hitch though...

 

I put on my drawtite by myself. It is completely bolt on and utilizes the bumper bracket bolts and cost only a couple hundred (including the wiring). The directions say that you can slip the hitch on behind the bumper by simply loosening the bolts, but it fit so tight on my truck, I had to remove the bumper and use a mallet to pursuade it into position. Regardless, I did it myself (but I recommend a friend if available).

Not sure where you're planning on putting your recovery strap/shackle, but they sell shackles that slip into the hitch receiver. Otherwise, there really shouldn't be a problem if your attaching to the frame.

 

i might have a stock one i can fix you up with. its the original one that came on my truck which was removed looooong ago. just a thought.

ohh and i've shipped several of these hitches already and its not quite as pricey as you'd think.

 

I installed a Hidden Hitch laying on my back in a parking lot in about an hour. No need to remove the bumper and no drilling, cutting or welding required. I got it through either autoanything or JCWhitney, they were running a free shipping deal. I was in the $150 range for the hitch, shipped plus another $30 for the 4-prong wiring harness that connects to the tail lights. No wire splicing required, just plug and play.

The Hidden Hitch should not cause any problems using a shackle to pull someone out. I'm not sure what sort of problems you're talking about but the Hidden Hitch should not cause any problems using a shackle to pull someone out. I have a '07 so if you'd like me to check a dimension or take a picture, let me know, I'll post it up tonight when I get home.

 

Not related, but cheers to a fellow Northern New Englander! I'm not in the area as of now, but will be back to Maine shortly I hope!

 

I had one of the UHaul hitches on my old truck and it bolted right up with no problems. I towed boats and trailers with it and it always did the trick and it was pretty cheap as well. I bolted it up myself.

 

Haha, with a name like Farva, who'd have ever guessed you were from New England? There's actually a quite a few of us on here but we're definitely outnumbered.