Buying tow hitch

[WKEV9955]

Two weeks ago I bought a new 2017 Toyota Highlander. Today I called the dealer about installing a tow hitch. They quoted a price of $1075 plus tax with wiring. I like the way the hitch looks when Toyota installed but seems overly high priced. Any thoughts and suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Ken

[WKEV9955]

Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I would probably go with Toyota install just because of all the tech stuff in this car. But after doing more research I'm not sure we want to tow a small travel trailer with it. I can see where the 5000lb tow rating and 500lb hitch weight could quickly go over.
We use to tow a 30' FW with a 2500 diesel truck and sold them in 2014. ?? Should have kept them.
So that's where I'm at. Thanks agin.

[2012Coleman]

What - no one asked the OP what he is towing???

[MitchF150]

I would have just bought the one that had it already installed from the factory.. 😉

Usually, the 'tow package' from the factory is only around a $500 option??

Heck, the "Max Tow" option on my F150 only cost me an extra $335.. That gave me a lot of 'tow' stuff!

Does any of that install include the additional cooling or suspension parts or ?? that would be included with the factory "tow package"?

Good luck!

Mitch

[naturist]

I'd be cautious here. Sure $1080 sounds like a lot, and might be, but beware of the hidden costs of aftermarket setups for modern high-tech vehicles.

I bought a 2012 BMW X5 a couple years ago and was quoted $1500 by a couple dealers to put on the official hitch. I managed to get the final price down to about $1100 by doing part of the work myself. And one of the things I learned in the process is that the electronics in the vehicle are so sophisticated, that the cheap route -- which many have taken and later regret, for about $350 or so, leaves you with a screwed up car. Sure the hitch itself is only $240, and the cheap wiring harness is like $25. but you'll rue the day if it disables or screws up other stuff.

I'm not saying that it will, I'm just saying that you need to do your research. The BMW came with parking proximity detectors as well as the ability to tell you on the dash when a tail light or stop light is out, among other things. Those who have opted for the cheap route have reported anomalies like having the parking detectors screaming constantly after hooking up the trailer, or having bizarre lighting issues. Do your research before you jump.

[WKEV9955]

Thanks for your suggestions and comments. I can see some more research has to be done. Appreciate it.
Ken

I just tried several uhaul websites locally and they don't even list the Highlander for their hitches..

[C_B_]

Jebby14 wrote:
u-haul

Ditto: They sell hitches at minimum mark up so you'll rent from them.



C.B.

[Jebby14]

u-haul

[SouthpawHD]

IdaD wrote:

SouthpawHD wrote:
It could be the wiring. My wife has a Honda Pilot and I looked at wiring it a few years ago and the wire harness alone we something like $250. Gulp.

But I see lawrosa posted above a link for the wiring, but OP you should ask and make sure that will fit correctly. If so, should be an easy and inexpensive install.

So does my wife, and the wiring harness was in the glovebox in a plastic sack...plug in and done.

On the "low" end model, didn't come that way.

[IdaD]

SouthpawHD wrote:
It could be the wiring. My wife has a Honda Pilot and I looked at wiring it a few years ago and the wire harness alone we something like $250. Gulp.

But I see lawrosa posted above a link for the wiring, but OP you should ask and make sure that will fit correctly. If so, should be an easy and inexpensive install.

So does my wife, and the wiring harness was in the glovebox in a plastic sack...plug in and done.

[lawrosa]

I dont think the 4 pin harness deviated too much... $34 bucks..

If you want a 7 pin I am not sure about that, but I had a 7 pin custom installed at a trailer place once a few years back on my s 10 and it was only 120 bucks..

Video install.

http://images.etrailer.com/static/images/video/install-trailer-wiring-2015-toyota-highlander-118449....

[SouthpawHD]

It could be the wiring. My wife has a Honda Pilot and I looked at wiring it a few years ago and the wire harness alone we something like $250. Gulp.

But I see lawrosa posted above a link for the wiring, but OP you should ask and make sure that will fit correctly. If so, should be an easy and inexpensive install.

[lawrosa]

Video on install

Wire harness.

http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Toyota/Highlander/2017/C56217.html?vehicleid=20172...

[lawrosa]

Thats crazy... That highlander most likely has the harness already installed. Just need the hitch.. Dont know what else comes with the tow package on that truck...

Anyways for 175$ you can get a hitch... The truck only can tow 5000 so this is over kill..

I wouldnt waste money on the factory hitch..

You can install this yourself in probably 30 minutes.. Then go to a trailer place and get the 7 way installed if needed. But you probably have a plug and play..

Brake controller if you get one is plug and play too most likely..

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Toyota/Highlander/2017/C13200.html?vehicleid=201729871

[rr2254545]

Installed this price is just right