What To Expect Before Your Hitch Installation
Adding a trailer hitch to nearly any vehicle is a great choice – it’s an easy, affordable way to increase your vehicle’s functionality by unlocking a variety of towing possibilities. If you’ve never had a hitch installed on your vehicle, then you probably have a number of questions about the process. Well, you’ve come to the right place. As the #1 hitch installer in North America, U-Haul has you covered. Here’s what to expect before your hitch installation.
What Can I Do With a Hitch?
Installing a trailer hitch on your vehicle allows for much more than just towing a trailer for moving. A hitch can be your ticket to transporting ATVs to an offroad trail or towing your boat to the lake. Hitches also enable the use of hitch accessories such as bike racks, cargo carriers, and wheelchair lifts.
Understanding Your Hitch Set Up
Hitches aren’t one-size-fits-all. Most vehicles will a require different hitch type depending on the year, make, and model. Even then, it can depend on your specific use cases as well. For example, if you already own a hitch-mounted bike rack, then you’ll want a hitch receiver size that is compatible with your accessory. With the help of a U-Haul hitch professional, you can ensure that the hitch’s towing capacity, tongue weight capacity, and receiver class align with your towing needs.
Preparing Your Vehicle
While you technically don’t need to do anything to prepare your vehicle for an installation, we do ask that you clear out your cargo area and/or trunk beforehand. Your hitch professional may need to access this area to complete your installation, so emptying the area ahead of time will speed up the whole process.
Possible Vehicle Modifications
Every hitch installation is different, but depending on your vehicle, it may require drilling access points into the vehicle frame or trimming/removing part of the bumper. Your hitch professional will walk you through any necessary modifications. If you’re curious about modifications or simply want to see what your vehicle will look like with a hitch equipped, schedule a pre-installation visit at U-Haul to have your hitch connection points inspected.
Installation Time
Installation time varies across vehicles, but the whole process typically ranges anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
When you choose U-Haul for your hitch installation, you have two options – drop off your vehicle or wait onsite with your vehicle. If you opt to drop your vehicle off, then your installation will be completed by the end of the business day. If you opt to wait with your vehicle, the installation should be completed within that 3-hour period. However, please check with your hitch professional for a more specific (and accurate) window.
7-Pin vs 4-Pin Trailer Plug Wiring
Trailer wiring is crucial for anyone planning to tow a trailer – these components enable brake lights, left-and-right turn signals, and marker lights, and they’re especially important since trailer wiring is required by law!
However, there are two primary types of trailer plug wiring connections, so you’ll need to establish which trailer setup is best for you.
7-Pin Connector – Seven-way connectors enable standard lighting functions, but can also power reverse lights, auxiliary lights, and electric trailer brake functions. They’re most often used with heavy equipment like campers and RVs.
4-Pin Connector – Four-way connectors only enable the essential lighting functions. This is the most common connection used (including on all U-Haul trailers). U-Haul trailers have a hydraulic braking system to safely brake without the 7-way’s electric trailer brake functions.
Questions for Your Hitch Installation Professional
Wondering if you can tow a specific piece of equipment with your new hitch? Or whether your hitch can handle a certain weight? Your installation appointment is the perfect time to ask these questions. U-Haul hitch professionals are experts when it comes to all things hitches and towing.
And if you end up having any questions later, just contact your nearest U-Haul hitch center – we’ll be happy to help!