Trailor Hitch...how much to buy/install?

[PolishPete]

What is a fair price for me to purchase and have a trailor hitch installed onto a 99' Astro Van.  That should be able to tow a trailor (probably not covered) and 2 bikes right??  Thanks for any advice in advance.

[EX#996]

I don't know how much it costs, but up 'nort here we spell it               T R A I L E R


 ;D

[G 97]

Class II hitch should run about  $200 installed if i remember.  Should be enough for a small enclosed and two bikes up to 3500 lbs towing.  Which is probably max for the van anyway.  

I had this for a 99 Pontiac Grand am and a 97 Dodge Intrepid for pulling 6 x 10 open back in the day.  Don't know how I managed because now I pull a 8 x20 with 3500 G van.  

You should not need a brake controller either for this weight as long as the Astro brakes are serviced and good.

[251am]

Check with your local U-Haul rental joint- they usually sell and install. When's your first weekend?

[Super Dave]

Do not get a Class II hitch for an Astro.  Only buy a Class III.  A Class II hitch uses the stock bumper brackets, and they will bend under the reasonable weight of a single axle traler.

The Class III model will replace those brackets with the hitch.  Much better design.

Cost will vary by manufacturer, but you should be able to find a reasonably inexpensive one for about $115 to $130.  Very easy to install.  You'll remove the stock bumper brackets then install the hitch.  Should be eight bolts that will go into already threaded points on the chassis and four nuts and bolts that attach the bumper to the hitch.

Wiring is easily done buy using the trailer wiring pig tail that is located in the passenger side rear of the vehicle back where the jack stuff is.

[G 97]

I've never had any issues with a Class II hitch.  Had them on three cars.  The only way one would bend is if the trailer was loaded improperly and tongue weight increased beyond what the hitch was designed for.  BUt any reasonable load will not have an issue.

[pnther15]

For the price difference I'd get the Class III.....  A little extra money for a lot better set up.  With the money you'll have riding on the trailer, I'd spend a bit more to protect it...

Dave

[G-reg]

Cost will vary by manufacturer, but you should be able to find a reasonably inexpensive one for about $115 to $130.

Not anymore!

Hitch prices nearly doubled about 2 years ago when there was a supposed "steel shortage"..

A Drawtite/Reese/UHaul (all made by the same company) hitch will run about $150 for a class 2 and $200 for a class 3 including the drawbar.  I'd try to install it yourself though, with either hitch you don't have to drill any holes to install it.  Its listed as a 30 minute install for a professional, so if you don't have a lift and air tools would probably take 1 to 1 1/2 hours or so in your driveway.

As far as which to go with.. on the astro van both have the same weight carrying rating if you're just pulling off the drawbar, 3,500 lbs.  The class 3 can handle up to 6,000 if you use a weight distributing setup.  I'd go with a class 3 though just because it uses the 2"x2" reciever, and if you ever use it for anything else like a cargo carrier its easier to find accessories that use the larger reciever.

[PolishPete]

Thanks for the replies.  Where can I get one installed around the Chicago area??  Home Depot??  Thanks again.

[Super Dave]

I've never had any issues with a Class II hitch.  Had them on three cars.  The only way one would bend is if the trailer was loaded improperly and tongue weight increased beyond what the hitch was designed for.  BUt any reasonable load will not have an issue.

I wouldn't normally either.

But for an Astro van, there are just some specific issues.  I worked for four years at a business where we sold trailers, installed brake controlers, wiring, and hitches.  The issues with Astro Van's and Class II hitches happened.  Easier to do it right with the class III for a couple of extra bucks.

Thorny got an Astro van and the dealer put a class II on it for him...and his single axle enclosed trailer pulled the hitch and bumper down too.  

[Super Dave]

Not anymore!

Hitch prices nearly doubled about 2 years ago when there was a supposed "steel shortage"..

A Drawtite/Reese/UHaul (all made by the same company) hitch will run about $150 for a class 2 and $200 for a class 3 including the drawbar.  I'd try to install it yourself though, with either hitch you don't have to drill any holes to install it.  Its listed as a 30 minute install for a professional, so if you don't have a lift and air tools would probably take 1 to 1 1/2 hours or so in your driveway.

As far as which to go with.. on the astro van both have the same weight carrying rating if you're just pulling off the drawbar, 3,500 lbs.  The class 3 can handle up to 6,000 if you use a weight distributing setup.  I'd go with a class 3 though just because it uses the 2"x2" reciever, and if you ever use it for anything else like a cargo carrier its easier to find accessories that use the larger reciever.

A quick google brough this up...

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/050.html

$113.

Steel shortage?  Yes, there is one.  Yes, prices went up.  Yes, you could get more for scrap.

And slag for asphalt is harder and more expensive to get because there isn't that much steel produced in the US compared to years ago.

Yeah, you'll need a draw bar.  $18 t0 $25 bucks.  Set it up so that the top of the ball is about 17.5 to 19 inches from the ground and you'll be fine.

[BlueRidgePerformance]

Thanks for the replies.  Where can I get one installed around the Chicago area??  Home Depot??  Thanks again.

Depend where you are in Chicago. There's a place by Midway, on Central, between 55th and Archer. i got a great deal on a hitch and they install.Otherwise I did business with Enharts or something like that in Desplaines. It's on Oakton.