New Truck/Hitch Question

[chiefcamper]

Hi All;

I am going to look at a new truck today and was wondering if anybody has experience with the car dealer removing and installing a hitch? Do they even do it? Would you trust them? Thanks.

[Busdriver]

Most dealers will make it part of the deal, local dealers here send it to a hitch shop

[chiefcamper]

Thank you all. As it turns out the truck was sold yesterday, the price was very good hence the fast turn around. The search continues....

[RAS43]

With my present truck the dealer sent it to a hitch shop along with my trade and had the hitch swapped over at their cost. The whole deal worked out well for us.

[Parrothead_Mike]

This past February we purchased a new 2018 Chevy Duramax from a dealer in FL while trading in a 2002 Duramax. The sales manager told me that they preferred to have me leave the rails and hitch right in the box of the truck. We worked out an equitable value and they kept it all. I purchased a new hitch.

[garyp4951]

When I bought my 2018 Ram the Dealer sent it out, and had the B&W Turnover ball installed for $600, and spray in bed liner for $400.

[cmeade]

When we bought our new 2014 Keystone Alpine I had B&W companion installed prior to pick up date by local hitch company. Dealer said I had to have a slider and for $2200 he would take my month old hitch out (2 u boltts and tension bolt) and install B&W slider. Installer had put in gooseneck for $640 and companion was another $850. If I wanted the slider was an extra $500 ($1350 total). Do the math to see the RV dealer ripoff!!

[BB_TX]

Assuming it does not have the factory hitch prep, I would go to a local hitch/trailer shop. The dealer will probably just send it out to be done and charge you extra for doing it.

[mileshuff]

I went to a local hitch shop. They deal mostly with hitches of all kinds but also handle other truck and towing items. Far more knowledgeable and better priced than any dealer. Did a great job installing my hitch.

The next choice would be an RV repair shop. One that only does repairs and installations of RV equipment but does not sell RV's.

[chiefcamper]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
A little info goes a long ways when wanting a question answered! So it's a 2016, 1500, 2500/3500 and what brand?

2016 Chevy 3500HD SRW

[Lwiddis]

Use a pro to install the hitch, not a dealer. You want this to the tech’s 200th hitch, not their second...he read the instructions months ago on the first one.

[Cummins12V98]

A little info goes a long ways when wanting a question answered! So it's a 2016, 1500, 2500/3500 and what brand?

[agesilaus]

If you have the prep package, there will be 5 holes in the bed of the truck. Probably covered with plastic covers. Then don't buy a hitch from the car dealer, they will be a lot more expensive. There are online dealers that will be less pricey and will offer a selection of hitches.

[neil57]

I would not have it done at dealer, take it to a place that sells and installs hitches and have new rails installed and the hitch transferred. I am assuming you do not have the puck system mentioned by others as that is an easy switch. The hitch sales place does them every day and will do it properly and without issue.

[micar]

I have a 2014 GMC 3500HD dually, came with the Reese hitch that uses the "pucks" instead of rails. Installed by dealer, no problems. On my old truck had a hitch that used rails. The rails were installed by the RV dealer not parallel.....guess you take your chances!