Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

[md-lucky]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

There is not a single person on this planet that cares more about your vehicle and your safety than you.




If you have the ability, it shouldn't even be a question.

I can't remember the last time I paid anyone to work on anything that wasn't covered by warranty.

 

[109jb]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I have installed several and the kit ones I have put on were all "bolt on" and required no drilling. Having said that, I have had them where they are a real pain to install because of things like exhaust, spare tires, etc. that have to be moved out of the way. I tend to do my own work and have built my own hitches before. I had to make one for a 2004 Chrysler T&C a few years ago because the van had a dropped floor handicap conversion and there were no kits that would fit. Now that you know my background, I would say pay the $50 and have it installed. They are heavy and awkward and kind of a pain. The installation isn't "complicated". I would just tell them you want to look at the installation on the rack once it is done.

 

[cribber]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

Throw me into the Hidden Hitch brand purchased from eTrailer.com.

I did the same and it took longer to decide how to route the wiring than actually installing the hitch on my Pacifica. That was 5 years ago and the paint on the hitch is still in good shape with no rust on the tubes.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

but if you told me that I could have it installed for $50 when I was on my back trying to fish those bolts in I would have give you $50.

When I did my Jeep Cherokee a few months back, that's the same thing I thought... should've paid someone to do it. The installation process was simple but lengthy and excessively annoying. And that's the third Cherokee I've done in the last 15 years.

As for dumb kids doing the installs, you can always double-check the bolt torque afterwards.

-E

 

[jhande]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

Being an automotive technican by trade, I have always done my own work. I have installed quiet a few hitches and wiring for both my dad, uncle and myself.

Bolt-on hitches (which most are) are rather easy to do. It goes easier if you have a helper lying under the bumper with you to help lift and line-up the bolt holes. Hitches get a bit heavy and are wobbly LOL.

As for the wiring... I have used both wiring kits and also tapped into wiring systems using my own wire and connections. With the wiring kits comes directions for your specific vehicle and it tells you where to look for the connection(s).

It has never taken me more than 3 hours for a complete install.

As far as which brand to go with regarding rust, well they are all made of metal and will eventually get attacked. I have had a Reese hitch on my truck now for 25 years and it only has some surface rust here and there. Not even enough for me to bothered sanding. I recently (actually 2 years ago) installed a Valley hitch (bought from U-Haul) on my Subaru and it still looks brand new.

The more important thing to look for in a hitch rather than rust prevention, is the quality of the build. Buying one of the top name brands gives you a strong, long lasting hitch. It wouldn't be that difficult after ten years to crawl under your rig and sand & paint the hitch if it really bugs you.

Just make sure you are matching everything properly.
You checked the towing & tongue weight of your vehicle.
Your boat, trailor & gear falls within that range.
You buy the proper class hitch (II or III).

Take your time, read the directions, test fit, bolt it up tight, take the installation money you saved and go enjoy the water.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

one thing... if you do your own light setup, NEVER, EVER use those vampire clips. (the ones where you insert the existing wire, your new wire, and then clamp down.) They WILL fail eventually, it isn't a question of if, but when. And when they do, you have about a 50/50 shot of it also taking out the line you spliced into, meaning no more lights on the tow vehicle.

The only way to do lighting correctly is with shrinkwrap and solder. If you are comfortable with the hitch install but not so much with the wiring, take it to a decent local stereo shop. They will have it done in a couple minutes and hopefully top quality work.

 

[funk6294]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

As everyone else has pointed out that you may round up one other person and try doing it yourself. I have not found anything that has been done at a pep boys that I would ever trust them to do again. If I was to pay someone to do it, I would likely try at U-haul first, only because they do a lot of trailer hitch installs and are more likely to do it correctly.

 

[Iah145ca]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I would do it myself, just make sure you torque everything to the correct torque and use any washers to make sure any gaps are filled( the one I installed needed them) and check the torque after towing a short distance. Really it's pretty easy. Good luck.

 

[dave11]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I would suggest you get the best hitch you can find installed by the most knowledgeable person available

It's not amusing to watch your rig pass you on a down grade

I used to manage a dealership that installed hitches. They really are bolt on. I tried it and did it with no problems at all two times. My mechanic was watching over me. His tongue may have hurt when I was done, but he never said anything. You may or may not need help with the wiring. It really is pretty straight forward.

BTW, it was a great profit center.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

The only way to do lighting correctly is with shrinkwrap and solder.

I find that for dry applications like inside of the car, crimped but splices are more than adequate. Anything that will see moisture like in the engine bay or under the vehicle gets soldered and then I seal it up with liquid electrical tape.

I know what you mean about solder and shrink tube though. It's the best option for reliable connections assuming there will be no physical stress on the joint. Then the crimped connection is debatable.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

When I was a teenager I worked at a local u-haul at the front desk.. The job was mainly selling goods in the store and renting equipment, but we also did hitch installations.. I witnessed coworkers installing class III hitches on vehicles and only putting in the bolts that there was already holes for because they were too lazy to drill the rest of the holes.

No way would I ever trust anyone but myself to install a hitch on one of my vehicles!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I just ordered a Hidden Hitch and wiring kit from e-trailer. It should be here Friday. I'll let you know how the installation goes.

 

[Thumper68]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I installed a hitch from Ehitchs on a Dodge Caravan a few years ago. I had the same experience as MTP9302 had with fishing the carrage bolts into the frame. Other than that is wasn't a big deal. Hitch is holding up fine since 2004,but I don't remember what brand it is. You will be fine doing yourself. If you get frusturated at some point, just walk away and calm down, then try it again.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

If I didn't want to do the install myself, I'd spend the bucks and use the local trailer hitch installer- he's been in business for decades so he must be doing something right. I'd be hesitant to have any other installer, especially at an auto supply store. May not be the cheapest, but I don't like giving this stuff to the lowest bidder.
Some vehicles have pretty simple wiring harness connectors for the wiring. I'd go that way if one was available. Basically just plugs into the existing connector.

Also remember that vehicles that don't come from the factory with a towing package may need a heavy duty flasher for the increased load from the trailer wiring. And the vehicle may also benefit from an aftermarket oil and or tranny cooler if towing to any significant degree.

 

[arty007]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

http://www.youtube.com/user/etraile...nissan hitch&gclid=CLGanIWnw6MCFRk6agodyQTuhQ

 

[scipper77]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

http://www.youtube.com/user/etraile...nissan hitch&gclid=CLGanIWnw6MCFRk6agodyQTuhQ

Great link!! I found the video for the wiring installation on the same 2007 Quest.

I'm not happy about getting rid of the heat shield!! Seems like if it was designed to be there there it should stay there.

Also, I didn't find a transmission cooler for the Quest on e-trailer. I didn't really look that hard however. I wonder if the quest comes with the towing prep package standard like the Toyota Sienna's??

 

[rwidman]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I installed a hitch on Toyota Tacoma back in 2002 or so. It would have been a snap except that the truck had been in a minor rear end collision and had been repaired.

I rememver having a difficult time getting the holes lined up, but in the end, with a jack, a pry bar, and a few choice words, I got it done.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

As in the majority of the posters above, I'd much rather do my own hitch install with a bolt-on kit than have one of the "inexpensive" local firms do it. As far as powder coat, it's got much to good a reputation, I've had powder coat done for previous employer, and we found it not nearly as resistant to damage as most people believe. I've had the same experience with powder coated items I've bought for my own use. I'll take a good anti-rust paint job any time.

The electrical systems for most modern cars are plug-in. Like people above have stated, you may have to pull a couple of removable planels to access the tail light wiring, but the actual connections are simple.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

Well This past weekend I installed a hitch and wiring kit myself and am very pleased with the outcome.

The hitch was a Hidden Hitch brand and it tucks behind the bumper. All you can see is the 2" receiver dipping down in the middle. I was concerned about removing the heat shield but the hitch acts as a heat-shield so there really was no compromise there.

The install took me about an hour, but could easily have been done in 30 minutes if I was better organized. The only remotely difficult thing was getting the bolts torqued to 75 foot-lbs with my little torque wrench. I do Have a bigger torque wrench but it is 1/2" drive and I apparently don't have the adapter to make it work with my 3/8" sockets (swore I had one). A section of PVC pipe solved that issue in a hurry.

The wiring kit was also very easy to install, but getting all of the interior panels off without breaking anything was a challenge. This took me two hours and if the panels came right off like they should have it would have been a 10 to 20 minute job.

I ran the trailer plug through a storage area in the side of the trunk so when not in use it would tuck away with no hint of it's existence.

Other than the receiver opening dropping down in the middle of the bumper (6" wide by 3" tall) there is no visible sign of the hitch install anywhere, inside or out!!

Of course I have not actually towed with it yet, so hopefully there will be no need for me to update this thread again. (I did check that the lights are functioning properly for both the van and the trailer.)

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Opinoins on installing my own hitch.

I'd say a high school kid working at pep boys with almost no training probably doesn't count... When it all goes belly up they aren't the ones that get to figure out how to handle a trailer passing the vehicle!

!BUT!

When the time comes and that hitch does fall off
Pep-boys is a corporation with plenty of money and insurance to back up there claims.
If something did happen to a hitch they installed, they have the backing to back you.