Reasonable hitch costs?
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Topic: Reasonable hitch costs?
Posted By: Sidewinder
Subject: Reasonable hitch costs?
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 2:53pm
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Figuring that the car dealer where I bought my TV would have the "most correct" hitch for the vehicle, I called them for pricing. They say a hitch, with 7-pin wiring connector, will cost $465 plus another $210 for installion. That sounds outrageously high. What is a reasonable cost for hitch and installation? This is a minivan, if that makes a significant difference.
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Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 4:26pm
I paid about $750 installed for the Equal-i-zer hitch we got when we purchased our 179. I put the wiring and controller in myself, which cost about another $170. I don't know which hitch you are getting. Are they installing the hitch receiver and connections or are you talking about a weight distribution hitch? Your question is a little vague on what exactly is being installed. Does your minivan have a factory tow package?
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 4:31pm
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If you owned a VW Touareg, and it you didn't buy it with a factory installed hitch, it would cost over $1100 for the parts, PLUS 2-3 hours labor. That would NOT include installing a brake controller harness either, which is a -bastard- of a job on a Touareg. ( My Touareg came with the factoryinstalled hitch, but I did do the brake controller harness myself, and yes, it was a bastard.)
The price depends on the vehicle and the dealership.
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 5:24pm
You didn't mention what type vehicle you have. The more common the vehicle I would think the less the cost. A tow package is not cheap, you have the hitch (proper hitch) and 7 pin connector, a trans cooler and they never come with a brake controller, hopefully you have the wiring to add. I think the dealer will be most expensive on labor, they pride themselves. I have done my own and the labor and capabilities is a cost to do. I know U-Haul used to do tow set ups but I either buy capable or do myself. Just advice, the hitch and connector is part of what you need, not the whole kit, good luck.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posted By: Sidewinder
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 5:53pm
The TV is a 2016 KIA minivan. 3500 lb tow rating, 350 hitch weight limit. That price is for the KIA hitch, so not likely to be a WDH. I fully understand the brake controller would be a separate cost.
The minivan owner's manual says nothing about a tow package, just that the tow limit is 3500 lbs. Period. Doesn't say anything about transmission cooler, larger radiator, or anything else related to what might be part of a "tow package." I plan to contact KIA to ask if any kind of tow package is needed.
The pod dealer has a local hitch shop do all their hitch installations, so I will check with them next. And I do want to go with a wdh.
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 6:03pm
The hitch receiver is the same for WDH and non-WDH hitches. The difference is in the hitch bar and everything behind it.
We already had the factory hitch receiver on our Highlander and the Pod dealer installed the brake controller as a condition of sale, which included the wiring (the wiring for the lights was included from the factory).
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Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 6:10pm
If you order a tacoma, or a frontier with a hitch, its a 650. dollar charge minimum. I paid almost 800 dollars for the whole kit and kaboodle on another vehicle. That was a fastway E2 , reciever, and hitch, 7 pin connector, and brake controller, with everything installed. they arent cheap.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:37pm
Originally posted by Sidewinder
The TV is a 2016 KIA minivan. 3500 lb tow rating, 350 hitch weight limit. That price is for the KIA hitch, so not likely to be a WDH. I fully understand the brake controller would be a separate cost.
The minivan owner's manual says nothing about a tow package, just that the tow limit is 3500 lbs. Period. Doesn't say anything about transmission cooler, larger radiator, or anything else related to what might be part of a "tow package." I plan to contact KIA to ask if any kind of tow package is needed.
The pod dealer has a local hitch shop do all their hitch installations, so I will check with them next. And I do want to go with a wdh.
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Okay, it sounds to me like your Kia did not come with a hitch receiver. I am assuming you are talking about a Kia Sedona. Look on http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2016_Kia_Sedona.htm - etrailer.com and you will see the price for the hitch receiver (about $140-150). On top of that, you will need the wiring and brake controller. Then on top of that, you will need the weight distribution hitch.
What the Kia dealer is likely pricing for you is the basic hitch receiver and wiring for (probably) a 4-pole wiring harness. While that would be good for a utility trailer, for an R-Pod, you would need to add in the additional wiring for the 7-pole Bargman (round) connector and the brake controller. That is not included in the price your dealer is likely quoting to you. Also, your dealer's hitch receiver does not cover the cost of the weight distribution hitch. You will likely be paying double the price you mentioned by the time all is done. I think you would be best served by checking with your Pod dealer. They may be able to get a package deal going for you that will be more attractive than having the Kia dealer install the hitch receiver and wiring and then still having to purchase the WDH, the brake controller, and the wiring for that.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Bugout
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:46pm
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Jk Aiken South Carolina 2016 178 Toyota Tundra 2017 4.6
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Posted By: Bugout
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:48pm
Agree with stephenH.And buy a new tv
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Jk Aiken South Carolina 2016 178 Toyota Tundra 2017 4.6
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 9:45pm
And, after all that expense, don't forget a transmission cooler. A must for every vehicle towing a TT. It is even more critical for a mini van, since you will be pushing it to the limits. I agree with Bugout, buy a new or different used tv that already has a tow package included.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2017 at 9:40am
Yes, I should have mentioned the transmission cooler. In spite of what Kia claims, I don't think the minivan is the best vehicle for the task. It may not even be adequate for the task. If you have the ability to do so, go for a vehicle that has a factory tow package. That would be much better.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2017 at 10:06am
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Grounds for a new TV. Can't beat a factory tow setup. And a vehicle that can pull a bill board sideways down the high way. Sounds like KIA was intending you to pull a boat or a utility trailer. Just my thoughts.
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Posted By: bigbearcraig
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 8:37am
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You're not going to like my answer, but at 3500 lbs you're going to be just about maxed out when your trailer is ready to go. Your max hitch weight with an equalizer hitch will be close to 350 lbs. If you're driving flat roads and not traveling long distances you probably could get by, but just barely. I think a tow vehicle with a tow rating of at least 5000 lbs with a factory tow package would be much more desirable.
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Posted By: Sidewinder
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 9:55am
Thanks all for the information and advice.
The Pod choice for us is between the 171 and 177, both in the
neighborhood of 2500 lbs dry. I intend to travel with just a few
gallons in the fresh water (for bathroom stops if necessary), empty grey
and black tanks, and DW and I pack and travel light. At least we did
when we had a Class A, so I expect we would with a pod. Maybe a couple
hundred pounds of cargo - week worth of clothes, couple of folding camp
chairs, 3 or 4 days of groceries, tool kit, drain and fresh water hoses,
electrical system protector. No kids or pets. So I'm anticipating loaded weight around 2700-2800 lbs.
I agree that a TV with higher tow capacity would be preferred, but is not in the cards just yet. Our second vehicle will be due for replacement in about 3 years, so that could be when I get a more capable vehicle.
The Ford Explorer seems like a good upgrade, and according to Edmunds it has a tow capacity of 5000 lbs, a nice increase over the KIA minivan's 3500. Please help me understand why the capacity is so much higher. According to Edmunds, its engine is only
slightly bigger than the KIA (3.5L vs. 3.3L), with slightly more HP (290
vs. 276), is essentially the same weight (4443 lbs vs. 4414 lbs), and it
is also front wheel drive like the KIA, so I'm not sure why it has a
much higher tow rating. Beefier frame and suspension, maybe? Some of you must use the Explorer as the TV, so maybe you could help out here.
Not looking for an argument here, just looking to get a better understanding.
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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 10:02am
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Tow vehicle structure also plays an important role in how much weight the tow vehicle can take. Transmission design, coolant system design,and the suspension design and dynamic with a load that the engineers have taken time to consider as what is safe at legal speeds. It's NOT all about engine power.
The hitch mounting design, where it's mounted, how strong the bolt points are, can the unit body take it?? You could move-tow 10,000 pounds with a Civic, but things would get ugly rather quickly.
This is why sometime people will recommend not towing more than 80% of a vehicle rated tow capability, it just stresses things out to the max. If only doing the occasional tow, and not epic distances, then going to the max end once in a while wouldn't be harmful.
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 12:23pm
Last year we upgraded our 2008 Explorer to a 2013 Explorer. Both have pulled our 2011 r-pod 177. One big plus on the newer Explorer is how much better it pulls the pod. With the older one if we went above 35-40 mph the pod would sway quite severely. With the newer one I have gone 55 mph with no sway. I wouldn't recommend doing that, I did it on a country road w/no traffic as a test. Use the anti-sway bar whenever towing the pod with any smaller vehicle. I think full size trucks probably wouldn't need it with their much longer wheel base for better stability. Also the increase in HP on the newer Explorer is a welcome factor as well.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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