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Trailer hitches for small cars

dave_the_nerd

dave_the_nerd

Lifer
Looking to add a trailer hitch to my Focus for bike rack and cargo rack use. (Not actually towing anything.)

U-Haul wants $230 for parts and installation. Is that about normal? Where else would I go for this? (Dealerships? Would a mechanic normally be involved?)
 
That's not out of line, labor is expensive. The part itself will be around $120-150:
https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2004_Ford_Focus.htm?style=Sedan

That's with some random guesses on what kind of Focus you have.

They are easy enough to install if you are handy and have the right tools. Any auto shop would install it for you, hopefully for cheap (it's putting four bolts in with proper torque) if you ordered it and brought it in.
 
You likely wont find a much better deal unless you are willing to take the time to do it yourself. Uhaul set me up with a class 2 hitch for around $350 several years ago in my forester. Class 1 is a tiny bit less expensive. If you do not need any wiring done, it should be less labor for sure.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
Looking to add a trailer hitch to my Focus for bike rack and cargo rack use. (Not actually towing anything.)

U-Haul wants $230 for parts and installation. Is that about normal? Where else would I go for this? (Dealerships? Would a mechanic normally be involved?)
Click to expand...

Pay it. Speaking as someone who has installed a similar hitch himself that is a freaking bargain.
 
I just installed one on my 2013 focus a few months ago. The hitch itself cost $120ish so another $100 to install it seems reasonable if you can't do it yourself. With the focus there are two styles no drill and ones you have to drill two holes.
 
I scored a Reese hitch for $15 but that's unusual. Considering the work involved, I'd say $230 is a steal to have it installed.

sBjCXdP.jpg
 
My 14 Fiesta hatchback just got the Draw Tite model hitch (the one custom made for it) from etrailer with a Pro-Q bike rack. Had U-Haul install the hitch for 60$ of labor. Mainly because I didn't have access to a lift to put it on and getting under that little car is a royal pain. I say 230$ for parts and labor I would let them do it, Uhaul will use the same Curt/Draw-Tite model that Etrailer sells.
 
I have one on our Focus.

It's a 30-minute job and requires you to drill two holes, one on each side. Used a conical bit on a cordless drill - super quick.

Car was also on a lift which made it much easier.

$100 for labor is pretty standard.
 
Have you researched what is required for your car? I put one on our Scion tC and it was a 5 minute job. Used existing holes, no modifications to car whatsoever, just 4 bolts and done.
 
RGUN said:
Have you researched what is required for your car? I put one on our Scion tC and it was a 5 minute job. Used existing holes, no modifications to car whatsoever, just 4 bolts and done.
Click to expand...

It depends on the car and hitch I guess. The hitch I ordered for my Camry required me to cut holes in the frame rails despite there being some existing threaded mounts for a hitch (which were also used). I also had to drop the rear half of the exhaust and remove a plastic panel that ran from the rear bumper back almost all the way to the rear axle and cut it and part of the heat shield for the muffler.

It was a huge PITA and it took me a couple hours. No way would I ever do this again. Totally not worth the hassle.
 
RGUN said:
Have you researched what is required for your car? I put one on our Scion tC and it was a 5 minute job. Used existing holes, no modifications to car whatsoever, just 4 bolts and done.
Click to expand...
I watched a couple videos on youtube, which is usually how I start. It didn't look bad but I don't have ramps/stands to get the car up off the ground. So it would have been a bit of a PITA, and I just want this done quick so I can go camping and stuff this summer. 😀
 
RGUN said:
Have you researched what is required for your car? I put one on our Scion tC and it was a 5 minute job. Used existing holes, no modifications to car whatsoever, just 4 bolts and done.
Click to expand...
This should apply to any Corolla platform vehicle after 2003 or so. The threads might need to be re-tapped if there was a lot of corrosion in there.
 
Torn Mind said:
This should apply to any Corolla platform vehicle after 2003 or so. The threads might need to be re-tapped if there was a lot of corrosion in there.
Click to expand...

The manufacturer usually puts a thick stick on decal over the holes to protect it from corrosion. That's the way it was on my Camry.
 
JulesMaximus said:
The manufacturer usually puts a thick stick on decal over the holes to protect it from corrosion. That's the way it was on my Camry.
Click to expand...

9th gen Matrices and Corollas, at least the base models, apparently do not get such royal treatment. Checked out my mom's Matrix. Nothing there. An Amazon reviewer for the Curt hitch assembly also stumbled across the issue. Better get ready to crack that wallet open for some cutting oil and a chaser set better than the Harbor Freight one if anyone bought a rusty used one.

An economy car gets the pleb treatment.
 
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