Shop Services: Hitch Installation
Installing a trailer hitch on your vehicle is a great way to increase its versatility. At ReRack, we can install a trailer hitch on most vehicles!
We source most trailer hitches from industry-leader Curt. Curt manufacturers trailer hitches in the United States that are custom-fit for specific vehicles to meet or exceed OEM specifications.
First, some quick hitch info. Hitch receivers are vehicle specific and usually mount to existing bolt holes in the vehicle. Sometimes drilling holes and trimming plastic fascia is required. Hitch receivers are rated to different capacities determined by the vehicle. Class 1 is the lightest duty, and Class 5 is the most robust. Class 1 and 2 are typically 1.25” square receivers, and 3 and higher can have 2”, 2.5” or up to 3” square receivers. This size is important for bike rack fit. The vehicle specification and the hitch class determine the towing capacity (weight of the trailer) and the tongue weight (downward force on the hitch itself). Smaller economy cars will have lighter duty Class 1 1.25” hitch receivers since their frame is not designed for towing heavy loads. This can rule out some bike rack options that may require specific dimensions or load capacities to operate safely, but there are still several bike rack options that work with most Class 1 hitches.
To get started, consider what you need the hitch to do. Do you need to tow a trailer, or only carry a bike rack? This will help determine if you should consider getting the wiring for taillights installed as well, since trailers will typically require lights, but bike racks often do not.
When selecting the correct hitch for your vehicle, we will need to make sure we know the complete year, make, model, body style, and trim level of your vehicle. It’s not uncommon for the rear bumper to be removed or some plastic trim pieces to need some cutting, which can vary by trim. Sometimes the same vehicle model will have various factory options that require a different installation process or even a different hitch altogether, especially if there are gas, hybrid, and EV options of the same model. If there are multiple hitch options for your vehicle, we will recommend the strongest option available in order to help future proof your hitch needs.
If you need to tow a trailer, the trailer ball and ball mount need to be selected separately. Most trailer balls are either 2” or 1-⅞” in diameter - you’ll need the size to match your trailer. The height of the trailer hitch coupler can vary, so the ball mount must be carefully chosen in order to set the trailer at the appropriate level compared to your hitch receiver. Curt has a great info page about how to measure and select the correct ball mount, available here. Different trailers may have different wiring needs as well, which we can help take into considering when selecting the appropriate components. For more information about towing a trailer, check out Curt's Ultimate Trailer Towing Guide.
Bike racks have some measurements to take into account as well. Most importantly are hitch size and carrying capacity, but the location of the through-hole for the hitch pin and whether your vehicle has a rear mounted spare tire or protruding bumper can play a part in bike rack selection as well. Thule and Yakima have info sheets with every possible measurement for their racks, but we can also help determine which rack will work with your vehicle. Many bike racks are sold with a 1.25” stinger and come with a 2” adapter, but some only work with their intended 1.25” or 2” hitch receivers. Most bike racks are limited to up to 2” hitch receivers, but some can work with 2.5” hitches with the right adapter.
Not interested in all the specs and just want to get something that will work for you? Don’t worry! We’ll walk you through it and make sure everything is safe and available at a great price. Visit our Portland Retail Store or contact us by filling out the form on our Hitch Info Page here!
