Part 4 of 4: Find the right style of trailer hitch. For instance, some cars have no-drill installation, while others require drilling to make room for the tow hitch. A typical tow hitch installation may involve some of the following steps: removing the spare tire, lowering the exhaust, removing existing vehicle hardware, lifting the hitch into position and torqueing the hitch hardware to the correct values. Check your toolbox or cabinet to see if you have these tools. Trailer hitch installation cost vary widely with hitch types and classes. There are also hitches that require some drilling into the vehicle’s frame. First things first: to choose the right trailer hitch, you gotta know how much … So if you’re hauling a moving trailer filled with everything you own, you’ll want to ensure that entire weight is below your car’s tow capacity. The underside of your car is darker than the outside. Before you get down and dirty with your tow hitch, you’ll need to make sure you have the right equipment. We curate, you discover! Insert the shank into the ball mount’s hole. Here’s the 411. U-Haul is North America's #1 hitch installer. It is best to start the process of how to install a trailer hitch by reading the instructions. Tell us your vehicle year, make and model and we will show you available trailer hitches and related towing components. Try to determine if this is a task that you can do on your own or will it be more appropriate if you also have an assistant. How much does a trailer hitch installation cost? Be sure the... 2) The holes in my frame had a little raised flange around the opening. This is because some automobiles have their spare tires mounted underneath the car. How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2017 Toyota Tundra. Some types of tow hitches do not require lifting the vehicle. Check your vehicle if it has a heat shield or small panels that may be in the way. The cost of having a hitch installed will depend on the type of hitch, the make and model of the car, and the company performing the job. :thumbsup: But most of us like to take it slow, so it may take a little more than that. Things You Should Know about Moving Containers, How Moving Containers Can Save You Money & Stress, Best Car Shipping Companies for Your Military Move, Best Climate-Controlled Self-Storage Companies, How to Estimate the Storage Unit Size You Need, Things You Should Know Before You Rent a Self-Storage Unit. Thanks to the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act, you can make changes to your ride and still be covered under your original warranty (as long as you don’t damage your vehicle in the process). 1) The ends of the hitch attach to the car frame with carriage bolts and blocks of steel with square holes. You may also have to remove the rubber plugs to make way for the installation of the hitch frame mount. It can get complicated on certain cars and with some hitch types, but most simple installations require only basic tools, so you won’t have to splurge on a new toolbox just for this project. What Can (And Can’t) I Store in a Storage Unit? This will help you install the hitch itself. products you will love. Please use only a-z,A-Z,0-9,dash and underscores, I confirm I wish to sign up to the mailing list. You’re in the clear. Lots of trucks and SUVs come pre-wired for tow hitches and trailers, but if yours isn’t, you’ll need to buy and install a trailer wiring harness. You can also give it a good Google search or call your car dealership (they should have this info handy). Follow these basic steps to start hauling cargo carriers, bike racks and other hitch-mounted accessories in your Toyota Tundra today. In fact, DIY tow hitch installation is fairly common (and relatively easy). And if you need reassurance, have any professional hitch installer check your handiwork. Where to Find the Best Trailer Hitch Installers, Moving Companies That Offer Trailer Rentals. Step 2: Tips 1) The ends of the hitch attach to the car frame with carriage bolts and blocks of steel with square holes. (Because who wants to lay on the ground?). Most car owners will raise the rear end of their vehicle. Steps 1. Use two crescent wrenches, or an open end wrench or trailer hitch ball wrench on … Illuminate the Underside of Your Vehicle. You should always allow yourself plenty of time so you're not rushed. First things first: to choose the right trailer hitch, you gotta know how much your car can tow. Trailer balls come in different widths and configurations, so make sure you buy the right size for what you’re towing. If you're good at following directions and have a socket set and a friend that will help give you a third hand, you can save some money and be assured that the hitch was put on right. Hitch … It doesn’t hurt to wear work gloves work gloves while you install your tow hitch—they’ll minimize any potential cuts and scrapes and keep your hands a whole lot cleaner too. For instance, some cars have no-drill installation, while others require drilling to make room for the tow hitch. In the U.S, there are three standard trailer hitch balls: 1 7/8″, 2 5/16″, and 2″. It requires the removal of certain automotive parts and the installation of the trailer hitch onto your vehicle. If too tight, the trailer hitch might bend or get damaged. With over 1,500 install locations, we can guarantee you'll find a location near you. Once your hitch is attached, tighten the bolts as much as you can with your fingers. Be sure to wiggle the ball mount back and forth to test how firmly in place the mounts are. Before you buy a tow hitch, read general installation instructions (like this guide) or watch an installation video online. Replace the washer and nut and tighten them with your fingers. The car … Raise the hitch to the underside of the car and line up the vertical mounting holes with the existing welded-in nuts on the car's sheet metal end panel. Removing these automotive parts will ensure that you are going to install the hitch in the correct way. If your ball mount rattles loudly while you drive, you can buy anti-rattle kits for certain types of mounts online through Amazon or at places like Home Depot, O’Reilly, or your friendly neighborhood auto repair shop. Safety first—don’t tow anything unless you’re certain that your hitch is installed correctly. FYI: Most heavy-duty trucks come with a rear receiver hitch already attached. Remove the nut and washer from the shank you’ve been working on using a wrench. Always cross your safety chains! Leave It Once a hitch is installed on a leased vehicle and the dealer or lessor is aware of its existence, the hitch should go to the dealer, lessor or an authorized vendor for removal. The car dealers can be much more, often as much as $1,100. You … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Trailer hitch installation cost depends on the make and model of your car, the type of tow hitch, and how much extra work the installation requires. Then the hitch is bolted onto the frame of the vehicle underneath the back bumper. Once you’re no longer able to tighten the trailer ball with your fingers, use a torque wrench to finish the job. Finding the Correct Hitch Ball and Mount. We won’t get into the weeds on wiring here, but you can find how-to videos on YouTube or consult a professional. The hitch class you choose will depend on whether you’re towing a snowplow or a moving trailer filled with bedroom furniture. Your towing capacity helps you pick the right hitch, but it also tells you how much stuff you can attach to that hitch. Place conical or lock washers -- depending on the hitch manufacturer -- onto the hitch mounting bolts. Do not worry about the loose bolts for now. It is also important that you have a shop light, safety glasses, and work gloves. There are multiple hitch classes available that determine both what can be towed and... 3. Most hitch installations do not require new hardware for mounting the tow hitch. Outside of the parts, most professionals will charge about $90 to $350 to install a hitch, greatly depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Secure the mount using a hitch lock or pin and clip (the thing that looks like a giant bobby pin). Make sure you have your instruction manual on hand. Step 1: Match the gross trailer weight and tongue weight to the right hitch. That’s why you have to read the instruction manual first. Make sure that you have all the necessary hardware before you start installing the trailer hitch. Here are the basics to have on hand for most installations: If you’re pulling your new tow hitch right out of its box, you’ll likely find the washers, bolts, and instructions inside the hitch itself. A trailer wiring harness is a wire that extends from the back of your vehicle to your trailer. As a general rule, a Smart car can typically handle a Class 1 hitch with a 200lb weight rating, ideal for lightweight hauling and hitch … What is important is that you secure the tow hitch in its position. products! Here are the steps to follow: Voila! If you want to learn the ins and outs of towing capacities so you can do the math yourself, CURT Manufacturing has a user-friendly guide. The average cost of a dealership installed hitch is $200 to $400 and varies on the make and model of the car. The trailer hitch that you bought also comes with this manual. This will help you determine whether or not it’s something you can tackle on your own. This will help prevent the vehicle from rolling or moving. It’s recommended to familiarize yourself with the instructions. Check the instruction manual again if it is necessary for you to remove the spare tire of your vehicle. To install a trailer hitch, you usually have to prepare the vehicle a bit, possibly moving a few parts out of the way. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. In most cases, we're talking about an easy, no-drill installation done in 30-45 minutes. The Hitch Receiver: This part comes with the Tesla when you buy the tow package, and is sometimes called the hitch box. It is best to have someone else to assist you in positioning the tow hitch under your car. Remove these, too. Secure the trailer hitch by hand-tightening the bolts and nuts. You can buy them online or at any auto parts shop. Once it’s looser, you may be able to use your fingers. A class one hitch has a gross trailer weight of 2000lbs a diameter of one and a quarter inches and is matched to a car’s chassis size, it’s the entry level hitch. Chains catch the trailer tongue (the thing that connects your tow hitch to your trailer) in the event that it comes loose and falls. A pry bar can also come in handy in some situations. To add a trailer hitch to a 2017 Toyota Tundra you will need a few tools, a Draw-Tite 65051 trailer hitch and about 30 minutes to complete the installation. The Hitch Ball: This is what attaches the trailer to the car, and it is sold separately. Now your car is ready for the main event: attaching your hitch. You can usually find your towing capacity in your vehicle manual. The ratings of the car's brakes and transmission are other limits to consider, as modern passenger cars are not designed to tow trailers as big, heavy American cars of the 1970s and earlier were. Luckily, just like installing a ball mount, it’s a pretty simple process: If your ball mount doesn’t fit into your receiver tube opening, you can get a receiver tube adapter. They allow your hitch receiver to work with various shanks. Class five is for trucks and heavier loads, 20,000 lbs the hitch opening moves up to two and half inches. Adjust until the holes on the shank and receiver tube line up. Class 1: Passenger cars If you think installing your tow hitch was straightforward, you’re in luck: installing a ball mount is even easier (and takes about five minutes.) Your typical receiver hitches fall into five different classes (aptly named class I to class V) based on towing capacity. Take these pieces out of their packaging and keep them within reach. A tip to keep your back safe: if your tow hitch weighs more than 50 pounds, play it safe and call a friend to help you lift it. Short answer: it depends on the make and model of your car, the type of tow hitch, and how much elbow grease the installation requires. Learn how your comment data is processed. You don’t have to feel sorry if your vehicle doesn’t have a trailer hitch. There are also a variety of other heavy-duty hitch types for different vehicles and uses. For example: if your car’s tow limit is 8,000 pounds and your tow hitch weighs 150 pounds, you’d be able to tow only 7,850 pounds’ worth of trailer and cargo. You can learn more about our site and privacy policy here. This allows them to tow a trailer and haul different large and heavy objects at a time. It can tow small loads which make it ideal for handling and other functions that require a trailer. Tow hitch installation requires the removal of certain items under your car. Once you have secured the tow hitch, you can replace the different auto parts that you removed. The underside of your car is darker than the outside. The instruction manual should also give you information on the different tools you need to prepare for trailer hitch installation. This will depend on the car and tow hitch type you’re working with—refer to your hitch instruction manual to figure out what you need for installation. It’s your friend—trust it, use it, and keep it close. If you want to install the hitch ball to the ball mount yourself, or if you frequently tow different trailers and have to change ball size often, here’s how to do it at home. Before installing a hitch on your Smart car, be sure to refer to your vehicle’s manual for the tow rating, which will give you the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow. Reese hitches are custom crafted to fit your particular car, truck, SUV, or van. In general, you will just need to fix the main hitch bar to the cradle of your car, usually this step is done by fixing only 4 bolts on the sides of the main hitch bar. Your safety is more important than any DIY project. Bike rack, cargo carrier, ball mount–compatible trailers, Most cars and trucks (requires hitch receiver), Heavy-duty tractors and trailers, agricultural use, Construction, agricultural, and military use. You can follow these 8 very simple steps to trailer hitch installation. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Belt Tensioner, Transmission Guide: Everything You Need to Know, Help us to show you No! This will help stabilize the vehicle while you’re working underneath its rear end. A good rule of thumb: don’t ever go over your tow limit! General Motorcycling Discussion (And even if it’s lighter, we recommend you have someone nearby to help regardless. A torque wrench and a swivel socket are also common. Related Posts: Best Trailer Hitch Locks and Best Trailer Hitch. If not, here’s a quick installation how-to. Engage the parking or emergency brake and shift the lever to Park. Model Y tow hitch observations. If you’re DIY-inclined, you’re in luck: we’ve broken down the whole trailer hitch installation process so you can save some cash (and learn a new skill to show off to your friends). The Toyota RAV4 is a mini SUV designed for family recreation as well as light off-road. You could fork over a few hundred to get a hitch professionally installed—but you don’t have to. If there's a preinstalled hitch, the connector might already be in place behind a convenient spring-loaded cap. Installing a Hitch-Mounted Rack Get a hitch-mounted rack if you drive a vehicle with a hitch. After digging around in the car, I can see why it is so hard to nail panel gaps. This will give you an idea if everything is where they should be. Finally, connect any electrical wiring for your brake lights and turn signals. You can expect hitch installation to start around $100 and go up to $800. Julia Campbell is a full-time writer who knows the tricks of the trade when it comes to planning a hassle-free move. On average, most professionals are going to charge anywhere from $225 to as much as $625+ to professionally install the hitch. You pick the right trailer hitch or moving installing a hitch on a car towing capacity helps you pick the right of. 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