OEM Tow Hitch ( Yes or No ? )

Just got my 2012 TACO and thinking about adding the OEM tow hitch. Dealer has 10% off on parts. Cost is $300.00 plus install.

My questions,

Is the OEM part worth it or is there something better out there.

Looks like a DYI project for Saturday afternoon....Do I need dealer install?

What if I add wiring harness ?

Any thoughts ???????

 

If you look around on here in one of the regional forums near you, or on craigslist, you can likely find an OEM tow hitch for 100-150 bucks. Oftentimes they come with a bumper attached to them as well as others have replaced with an aftermarket steel bumper. Its not a hard install at all, i recommend doing it yourself. I added one to my 2.7L truck since it didnt come with one to the factory. Just be sure if you are buying used that you make sure you get the L shaped brackets in the picture below that tie the sides of the hitch assembly to the bottom of the frame. I got my hitch and then realized i still needed these, luckily another member on here helped me out and i was all set up. The install isnt bad if you have an extra set of hands, or a good racing jack. Ive uninstalled and reinstalled mine a couple of times. Piece of cake, just a heavy item since the receiver hitch and the bumper bolt on together (the trucks without a receiver hitch from the factory use a couple of brackets to hold on the bumper and the receiver hitch replaces this bracket which is why the hitch and bumper are sometimes sold as one piece).

Long story short, id try to tackle this yourself vs letting the dealer take advantage of you, like you mentioned its a great little diy project for the weekend

 

Ive also added a 4 pin wiring harness to mine with a curt setup that just plugs in to your tail lights harness. If you need a 7 pin that one takes a little more wiring but you can figure out everything you need to do it in here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

And for reference, heres a regional forum that i believe is near you based on your username:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/north-east.38/


Good luck, and welcome aboard! Let me know if you have any questions

 

I installed a hitch and harness on a older tacoma before by myself and it was pretty easy. An extra pair of hands always helps.

 

I bought a receiver hitch and wiring off ebay, new free shipping.

 

Check rockauto.com.

 

Probably too far for you to want to drive to get it, but I have the hitch, bumper and the hardware off of a 2011 TRD OR (w/tow package) sitting in my garage with a $100 price tag on it. Not so much to try to sell it here, as to let you know they're floating around for sale by people who removed them to install high clearance off road bumpers. BTW, I'm 30 minutes southeast of Louisville Ky.

 

Buy stuff fromuhaul and install yourself. Much cheaper and pretty easy. Don’t use stealership unless you like to take it from behind.

 

4 cyl 5 lug here, no OE hitch or wiring.

Got all the stuff here for under $200 by shopping P/Ns online and ordering from various places.

Curt trailer hitch 13323 2" receiver
Curt hitch wiring harness 55513
Curt 4-Way Flat Mounting Bracket 58300
Curt 4-Way Flat Dust Cap 58200

Futzing around taking my time it was about a 2 hour job by myself. No drilling, only hand tools.

Works perfect for what I wanted it for. Bed extender to haul lumber or kayaks, bike carrier, or a light weight trailer.

But @Bluegrass Taco is right. Some patience and you'll find a person like him with OE parts for a good price.

Either way, dealer is a waste of parts $ and labor $ for something like this.

 

I bought the same set as Bill, only off ebay, with the no cut wiring kit for less than 150 free shipping. It came with instructions, bolts and washers, and the torque for each of the bolts. Did it myself in about an hour, and I am an old coot.

 

If not mechanically inclined, check U-Haul hitches. I used their online tool and a Class III hitch, installed, and including hitch ball, ball mount and wiring, runs $350 for my 4X4. eTrailer has $85 and $102 hitches, also class III.

 

Replaced my factory hitch after I got my frame replaced with the below, much cheaper than OEM and very easy to install, did it by myself and was easier to install than my rear bumper, I just needed to also buy new bumper brackets as they were integrated into the factory receiver, but that shouldn't be an issue for you.

$140 CURT 13323 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2" Receiver, Fits Select Toyota Tacoma, GLOSS BLACK POWDER COAT

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007VANJK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Something to think about is the Curt/Reese/UHaul ext. install with 4 bolts if I remember right, whereas the factory one uses more.
I like more. I found the best price on-line then took it to a local dealer and asked if they would price match. They weren't enthusiastic but agreed to and that saved me shipping costs.

 

I put a Curt on mine and am very pleased with it. If I recall correctly it was 4 bolts per side, 8 total, two oriented vertically and two horizontally per side.

Two notes on the Curt, one was that the box was torn as all hell when it finally got to me, but it was still in good shape and the hardware was all there. The second is that I had to bend the ears out a touch to get it to go around the frame, not a big deal either for the savings IMO.

Install took a buddy and I about 2 hours laying in the street with basic hand tools.

 

In what part of the country are you?

 

Something tells me he’s in Philly.

 

I should have looked at you handle... Philly Guy... opps... is what I was going to say is, I have one here in Eugene, Oregon that you can have if you want it. All ya gotta do is come and get it...

 

All I did is read the post... oops!

 

I just put one on and don't have the brackets.

 

If I had a V6 I’d let the factory do it as it’s going to have the cooler kit for the trans too.

2.7 I’d do it myself as I have before, Curt now on my 3rd 4-cyl!