Aftermarket hitch on zentech's ride

[zentech]

...i've been asking for photos from other HL members over the past few weeks (and thanks to all that did!), time to put some back in...

[Limited11]

Hey zentech, about that hitch you have on your highlander, it's not the factory one from Toyota is it?

[zentech]

Originally Posted by Limited11

Hey zentech, about that hitch you have on your highlander, it's not the factory one from Toyota is it?

aftermarket...u-haul. when i originally ordered the HL bikes were the furthest thing from my mind but my friend got me hooked into the bike culture recently...nothing like a southern california beach bike outing but i digress. i had to get an aftermarket hitch.
the hitch wasn't branded but looks similar to the curt Valley Hitch photos for Highlander sticky thread
if i could do it all over again...i would have gotten the factory hitch. factory is just a few inches higher...but that makes a difference when i have 3 bikes loaded coming out of a driveway...have to watch clearances. plus the aftermarket somewhat hides my nice shiny exhaust tip!
all in all though...it was a good deal if $ is a consideration...$200 installed. i don't haul trailers or any of that other stuff...bikes only at this point. again, for those considering a new HL, and you think you *may* need a hitch for whatever reason in the future, go with factory for that extra clearance. (ps) i will say that i've had no problems with bikes on the hitch otherwise - it was a quality install and may be the way to go for some looking for a less expensive option to factory. hope this helps.

[Limited11]

Originally Posted by zentech

aftermarket...u-haul. when i originally ordered the HL bikes were the furthest thing from my mind but my friend got me hooked into the bike culture recently...nothing like a southern california beach bike outing but i digress. i had to get an aftermarket hitch.
the hitch wasn't branded but looks similar to the curt Valley Hitch photos for Highlander sticky thread
if i could do it all over again...i would have gotten the factory hitch. factory is just a few inches higher...but that makes a difference when i have 3 bikes loaded coming out of a driveway...have to watch clearances. plus the aftermarket somewhat hides my nice shiny exhaust tip!
all in all though...it was a good deal if $ is a consideration...$200 installed. i don't haul trailers or any of that other stuff...bikes only at this point. again, for those considering a new HL, and you think you *may* need a hitch for whatever reason in the future, go with factory for that extra clearance. (ps) i will say that i've had no problems with bikes on the hitch otherwise - it was a quality install and may be the way to go for some looking for a less expensive option to factory. hope this helps.

Hey zentech thanks for the reply, I'm going to be looking to install the factory Toyota hitch and harness sometime in the future as soon as I can get over the fact of it being near $600 for the two. I think the pricing is a little crazy for some wiring and metal when you can get them aftermarket for $200. The question is, is it worth $400 for the factory look over aftermarket? Eventually I'll probably bite the bullet but I hope it comes down a little before then. Again thanks for the reply.

[zentech]

Originally Posted by Limited11

Hey zentech thanks for the reply, I'm going to be looking to install the factory Toyota hitch and harness sometime in the future as soon as I can get over the fact of it being near $600 for the two. I think the pricing is a little crazy for some wiring and metal when you can get them aftermarket for $200. The question is, is it worth $400 for the factory look over aftermarket? Eventually I'll probably bite the bullet but I hope it comes down a little before then. Again thanks for the reply.

No, if it's just a matter of a look, I'd keep the $400 and spend it on some other car accessory. But if you carry a lot of bikes around, and have a steep driveway entry, it (slightly lower hitch vs. OEM) COULD be a factor in your decision. I don't hear much from those with factory hitches carrying bikes/clearance issues...but that is for another thread...don't want to derail more pictures from coming in!

[earthltd]

Originally Posted by zentech

if i could do it all over again...i would have gotten the factory hitch. factory is just a few inches higher...but that makes a difference when i have 3 bikes loaded coming out of a driveway...have to watch clearances. plus the aftermarket somewhat hides my nice shiny exhaust tip!

When I was searching for ball mounts, I noticed item #66966 at Harbor Freight that might lift your bikes and give you clearance when you need it. (I winced at the cost but I put the factory hitch on my '11 HL.)

[zentech]

Originally Posted by earthltd

When I was searching for ball mounts, I noticed item #66966 at Harbor Freight that might lift your bikes and give you clearance when you need it. (I winced at the cost but I put the factory hitch on my '11 HL.)

interesting item...i went bike riding today and just parked on the street...i only had my bike on so didn't seem to be as much an issue...i will bookmark that site though if i have to consider an alternative...thanks!

[Family_Hauler]

Originally Posted by earthltd

When I was searching for ball mounts, I noticed item #66966 at Harbor Freight that might lift your bikes and give you clearance when you need it. (I winced at the cost but I put the factory hitch on my '11 HL.)

I too have an aftermarket hitch and purchased this item to go with it...it's really great...this item was necessary to go along with cargo carrier for the luggage on our trip from TX to Cali last year...

[matt0420]

Originally Posted by Limited11

Hey zentech thanks for the reply, I'm going to be looking to install the factory Toyota hitch and harness sometime in the future as soon as I can get over the fact of it being near $600 for the two. I think the pricing is a little crazy for some wiring and metal when you can get them aftermarket for $200. The question is, is it worth $400 for the factory look over aftermarket? Eventually I'll probably bite the bullet but I hope it comes down a little before then. Again thanks for the reply.

I'd say its totally worth the extra money for the factory unit over the aftermarket...the aftermarket one looks so tacked on to the bottom, and it goes underneath the exhaust/muffler, looks terrible.

My dealer told me they wanted $1100CDN for the Toyota hitch, which seems insane. I'm planning a trip up to Buffalo some time to get the hitch installed. $600 seems like a bargin after hearing the $1100 Canadian price shock!

[sandb0x]

Originally Posted by matt0420

I'd say its totally worth the extra money for the factory unit over the aftermarket...the aftermarket one looks so tacked on to the bottom, and it goes underneath the exhaust/muffler, looks terrible.

My dealer told me they wanted $1100CDN for the Toyota hitch, which seems insane. I'm planning a trip up to Buffalo some time to get the hitch installed. $600 seems like a bargin after hearing the $1100 Canadian price shock!

I don't think the OEM/factory hitch is worth it at all. If you're that concerned with the looks of it then by all means spend 3 times as much on the OEM hitch. But, as far as utility the aftermarket hitches are just as good. Plus, all of my attachments are 2 inch. The factory hitch is 1-1/4 inch and would require an adapter for just about everything I use personally. Also, trucks/vans/SUV's have had hitch bars "tacked" under the rear bumper for decades. I don't think it looks that terrible.

[earthltd]

Originally Posted by Limited11

Hey zentech thanks for the reply, I'm going to be looking to install the factory Toyota hitch and harness sometime in the future as soon as I can get over the fact of it being near $600 for the two. I think the pricing is a little crazy for some wiring and metal when you can get them aftermarket for $200. The question is, is it worth $400 for the factory look over aftermarket? Eventually I'll probably bite the bullet but I hope it comes down a little before then. Again thanks for the reply.

Besides the much better look (and better design), the factory hitch is bolted to the frame with 12 mounting bolts. Aftermarket choices often have 6 or 8. Just trying to make you feel better when you spend the money.

[TrailDust]

I rounded up these replies from the Highlander picture thread and created a new thread for them. We like to keep the different forum's picture threads to mostly pictures with limited discussions. No harm, no foul, but I thought you all would want to know why the replies were moved. Carry on the conversation....

[earthltd]

Originally Posted by sandb0x

Plus, all of my attachments are 2 inch. The factory hitch is 1-1/4 inch and would require an adapter for just about everything I use personally.

The factory hitch has a 2" receiver. All 2 inch attachments fit.

[sandb0x]

Originally Posted by earthltd

The factory hitch has a 2" receiver. All 2 inch attachments fit.

Really? None of the vendors that sell it have any specs. I guess it just appears small.

[nov0798]

Earthltd,
I dont think the factory unit has 12 bolts! I have a Draw Tite and it works fine with the 6 or 8 it came with(cant remember). Couldnt justify 400 extra dollars for the factory hitch for nothing. As long as you dont exceed the rating capacity of the hitch, youll never have a problem with the bolts provided.