OEM hitch vs Others

Just purchased 2.4l SR manual trans Tacoma and need to add a hitch for some basic towing needs. Most of the threads I've seen talk about draw-tite or Curt kits instead of OEM. Is there a reason for that?

Doesn't matter to me, I just want to install the best hitch possible and not have to worry.

New to the forum...any advice is appreciated! thanks

 

Welcome . Other than probably price there really isn't a difference between OEM and after market receiver hitches. If you really want the OEM look call around and see what price you can get it for from dealers in your area. After that do a price comparison between OEM and after market and then decide what you want to do.

EDIT: Not sure what you to two but remember that the towing capacity for your truck is only 3500 lbs.

 

The reason I got the OEM hitch is I wanted the Tow Package. So no other incentive for me to get an OEM hitch.

 

Thanks! Yeah I know the towing capacity is pretty low but I'm only going to be towing a small boat around town...thinking it should be okay. I guess I have this weird instinct to go with factory parts, but sounds like as I toy around more and more with this truck I'll need to get past that mindset. The draw-tite seems to have great reviews and installation looks relatively simple

 

right...and the tow package isn't available on 3rd gen 2.7L right? seems like the only reason I would go OEM is to maintain a consistent factory look/feel which I don't think I care about after doing some digging on the forum

 

Keep a eye on craigslist. People take them off to add a plate bumper.

 

If OEM is what you want then look around and see if you get a good deal on one. Also look at the Buy/Sell thread on here and you may find one someone doesn't need anymore. If your going to keep the truck for a long time then get what you want. You don't want to look at the truck everyday and wish you would've gotten OEM and then end up spending more money to get what you originally wanted.

 

I just went on etrailer. All the hitches they sell for my truck are only for 5000, vs the 6500 with the toyota hitch. For you that doesn't matter but a v6 it does.

 

Yeah makes total sense. I'll have to look around and see. I just wanted to make sure there weren't any obvious reasons for one or the other - like if one affected the departure angle more than the other

 

Yeah that's interesting. Good to know though. Looks like the curt and draw-tite can handle way more than what the little 4 banger should be towing

 

So i've now ordered 2 drawtite hitches, neither of which worked on my truck. The first one had a gap in the area between the ball and the bottom of the frame, and the gap prevented me from attaching the nuts to bolts. See the photos. The 2nd one just got here this week and when I went to install it, I noticed one of the side pieces was complete crooked and welded incorrectly...at least that's how it looks. Guess I'll return it and buy the curt! What a process/mess this has turned into.

 

Wow! You can try uhaul and see if those are better. You night be able to pick up an OEM hitch either on the Buy|Sell|Trade (https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/3rd-gen-tacoma-parts-marketplace-2016.202/) thread here or maybe at a junk yard.

 

I always try to go stock

 

The Tacoma frame is tapered you would have huge gaps if they welded them a 90 degrees to the hutch tube.