How To Install A Trailer Hitch And How Much Does It Cost?

Are you planning a camp in your vehicle with your family or friends? Want something to help you pull materials for your home or garden? A trailer hitch is a way to go, as it can help ease your work. Installing a trailer hitch to your vehicle can help you in multiple ways. Still, it can only give you the best experience if you install it in the right manner. 

Before installing the trailer hitch, it is important to go through the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you can install it DIY or need professional help. So let’s learn about the process of how to install a trailer hitch and how much it costs.

How To Install A Trailer Hitch?

Installing a trailer hitch is not as complicated as it may sound. However, someone who has never done this may find the task a little overwhelming. Nonetheless, following the proper installation step can easily get a trailer hitch on your vehicle.

So, here is the whole installation procedure of the trailer hitch, including all the essential tools and pro tips that will help you during installation. Let’s understand them one by one for future projects.

• Choose The Tow Hitch

Before starting the hitch installation process, one must select the appropriate tow hitch according to the vehicle’s capabilities. There are various trailer hitches in the market based on the weight they can tow, so you must pick the hitch that suits your vehicle. Below is the chart of types of hitches and their towing capacity; go through it to make an informed decision before installation.

Type	Towing Capacity
Fifth Wheel Hitch	30,000 pounds
Weight Distribution Hitch	15,000 pounds
Receiver Hitch	20,000 pounds
Gooseneck Hitch	38,000 pounds
Pintle Hitch	60,000 pounds
Bumper hitch	6,000 pounds
Front mount hitch	9,000 pounds

• Gather The Required Tools

Having all the vital tools and materials needed for the hitch’s installation DIY process is important. Some essential tools are – torque wrench, trailer hitch wrench, wire brush, thread tap, safety glasses, ratchet, rag, wheel chocks, work gloves, c-clamp, and mechanic’s creeper. 

And the materials that you need for the installation process are – The retainer clip, receiver hitch, ball mount, penetrating oil, hitch ball, and drawbar pin.

Also Read:- How To Use A Towing Bar Rightly To Make My Vehicle Tow Ready?

You can get these tools or supplies at your garage or near a vehicle store. Also, if you plan to install it some time, you can search them online for future use.

• Ensure Workspace Security

If you are ready with the hitch or required tools, it’s time to set up your workspace for security and efficiency. Detach the keys from your vehicle’s ignition, and start the parking brake to stop the vehicle’s movement. 

It is vital to keep your vehicle in a still position for your safety, as you will work under it while installing a hitch. Also, increase your safety by steadying the wheels of your vehicle with chocks as it stops the car from rolling. 

Afterward, wear all safety equipment, like safety goggles and work gloves. Safety goggles shield your eyes from bolts or debris that might fall while working, and gloves protect your hands from burns, cuts, and rust. 

• Pin The Mounting Points

Now, it’s time to fix the mounting points for the hitch’s installation. These double rows of holes are built under the car on its frame rails. Furthermore, they are present in most vehicles, eliminating the difficulty of drilling holes into the setting. 

Go under your vehicle to fix these points with the help of flash. Also, remove the extra tire if you have kept it beneath your vehicle before hitch installation.

• Clean The Space

Clean the area before starting the hitch installation process, as your vehicle might have faced all the possible weather. Therefore, cleaning the grime, water, dirt, and oil is essential before mounting the hitch. 

Use the wire brush to clean mounting surfaces and remove any buildup or rust that could complicate the procedure of hitch installation. Also, clean and remove the containing threads from the mounting holes of the vehicle to ensure a secure and tight fit.

• Install The Hitch

Now the next step is to mount the hitch to your vehicle. You may require a second person to perform this task with you, as the hitches can be pretty heavy, and it would not be easy to handle on your own. 

You need to clutch the trailer hitch to the vehicle’s base. After that, place washers on each bolt so they will get screwed tightly. This way, the screw holes align with the installing points. 

Begin with the middle bolts on each edge, then manually connect the screws until the washers get flush with your vehicle. After fixing the middle bolts, insert the remaining screws and washers into their place. 

Also, ensure that the bolts had screw tightly so that the trailer hitch won’t jolt or fall after releasing. After that, tighten up each bar using a socket and ratchet. Then pick a torque wrench to screw up the bolt following the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Place And Fix The Ball Mount

After screwing it safely in place, it’s time to fix the ball mount to your trailer hitch. The mount glides into the hitch and clutches a ball that helps you in towing. 

So, selecting the mount that matches your vehicle’s height is imperative. If you own an elevated truck, you will require a mount with an outstretched downward-slanting arm.

If you install a smaller ball mount, then there is a chance your vehicle’s bumper or frame might get damaged. You require a mount of around 1.25 and 3 inches to match the hitch’s size. 

Here are the instructions one has to follow while installing a ball mount to the hitch.

• Remove the washer and nut from the base of the bolt to make it ready to get installed.
• Place the threaded post on the ball through the mount’s front hole, allowing it to be on the mount. 
• Go through the manufacturer’s instructions and use a trailer hitch wrench to tighten the nuts accordingly. 
• Tightly protect the nut and washer by steadily clutching the top of the ball.

Recheck the safety of the trailer hitch by wiggling, shaking, and pulling on it, and check the turn signals and brakes to ensure your wiring is rightly fitted!

How Much To Install A Trailer Hitch?

The cost of hitch installation fluctuates with the type of hitches you purchase. Generally, the installation charges of most basic tow classes start from $300 to around $850. And the hitch installation cost, on average, is around $575. 

If one is shipping vehicles, a trailer hitch costs between $120 to $475. The mounting charges of tow hitch are around $175 to $375 for class 1- 4 hitches. In contrast, installing a fifth-wheel hitch costs $1,200 on average. 

Now, let’s understand the installation cost of each part of the trailer hitches separately.

Trailer Hitches Parts	Cost
Trailer hitch receiver	$150 for a class 1
Wiring harness	$15 to $55
Towing drawbar	$45 to $85
Hitch ball	$10 to $50
Receiver tube cover	$10 to $20
Hitch pin	$5 to $10

Conclusion

When you need to draw a hulking load, you go for a U-haul without thinking once. These U-haul services can be helpful but also make quite a lengthy bill for you, especially if you hire them for road trips and tours. So it is necessary to think twice about this to see if you can find a better option. The trailer hitch is the right option for you as it can reduce your burden of towing, and so are the bills. 

But the important thing is to know that the installation of trailer hitches is a tricky task. One can only succeed if he has prior experience or complete related knowledge. Suppose you are uncertain about how you can perform it. In that case, go for professional or expert help without a second thought. They will give you signs of satisfaction from their work and clear all your doubts. 

So, are you planning to take expert help for the hitch installation procedure? In that case, you can consider taking professional service from Bills Mobile Hitch And Tow Bar Installation. We are one of the expert trailer hitch and bar installation companies. Moreover, we have all the essential tools and equipment for mounting a trailer hitch. 

Our service will give you long-lasting satisfaction with our work and build your trust in us. To get a professional hitch installation service, give us a call at (623) 210-5427.