I'm shopping for my first boat, but in the meantime, I need a hitch on my '06 Montero.  I figure that U-Haul has the experience and expertise.  They want $306 to install including wiring, ball, ball mount, and tax.  Little higher than I expected, but doesn't seem unreasonable. 

 

Thoughts? 

U-Haul the best choice? 

Body shop? 

I went to my mechanic first and he said he'd only do it with OEM hitch and Mitsubishi wants more than three bills just for parts.

Check your local RV dealerships.  Usually they do installs like that for a reasonable price.

Or Farm and Fleet, Fleet Farm if you have them by you.

Been 9 years since I had one installed, but I went to a local trailer/hitch place and it was $200 installed for a '98 Blazer. That was hitch and wires. Really can't get a draw bar and ball til you know what height and ball size you'll need. I have collected at least 5 different bars over the years from various trucks, blazers and boat trailers. Drops, lifts, 1 7/8" ball, 2" ball and 2 5/16 ball.

After installing a Reese hitch on my Dodge Ram a few years back I will pay whatever it cost to have someone else install the next.  Laying on the ground drilling holes in the frame and holding that heavy hitch by myself lining up bolt holes and getting them started was no fun.

Thanks, all.  U-Haul seems to be my fall-back.  I've got calls in for estimates to two RV places, as well.  I think I'm good with either of them...or the $300 at U-Haul.  I'll post follow-up after its done.

Most muffler shops do this. Cole Muffler did one years ago for my jeep.

I was in your situation about a week ago. i was looking to have one put on wife's 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I had estimates from $400-$800 to put one on, it seemed crazy to me to pay that much. I ended up ordering on from etrailers.com for $137 that included the wiring harness. It was really simple and they had videos of the trailer hitch and wiring harness being installed on all kinds of vehicles. I would look into that if I were you. It took me all of an hour to install everything and left a lot of money in my pocket.

Thanks, Mark.  I'll take a look at the videos.  tnriverluver may have already scared me off, though.  I'm the guy down the street that doesn't know a hammer from a crescent wrench.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I've substituted each for the other at one point or another. 

After looking up the install on your vehicle, i would pay the $300. The install on the montero is a little more difficult than it was on my jeep. It looks like you have to remove the bumper and the hitch alone is over $200

Appreciate the follow-up.  I just talked to an RV guy and he's aware of the challenges and wants about $400.  I suspect that Uhaul uses a fairly standard labor addition and I am probably getting off easy, assuming the job is done well -- and I'll try to ensure it is

I tried the DIY route on my 2001 Blazer. Got a Reese hitch at Farm and Fleet for $100. Holes were already in the frame.....should just bolt on....NOT. The hitch wouldn't fit over the frame. It was too narrow. Decided to take it to the hitch shop and paid them to do it. Best $100 spent! It took them 45 minutes of beating on it with whatever they had to get it over the frame. Bad hitch? Maybe. Wrecked Blazer that had frame damage? Could be, I bought it used.