BEFORE YOU CAN TOW A CAMPER off the lot, you need more than just the excitement of RV ownership—you need the right equipment. A properly installed tow hitch is essential for safety and compatibility. Depending on what your vehicle already has, your setup could be as simple as adding a ball mount or as complex as installing a full towing package. So let’s explore the finer points of equipping your vehicle with the right tow hitch installation, including where to get a tow hitch installed near you!
Key Takeaways
- Professional installation is often recommended for tow hitches, especially for weight distribution and 5th wheel hitches, due to specific torque and safety requirements that may exceed DIY capabilities.
- The right hitch setup depends on your RV type. Travel trailers use a ball mount and hitch receiver, while fifth wheels require a bed-mounted fifth wheel hitch; correct component compatibility is crucial.
- Installation costs vary by hitch class, ranging from $150 to over $1,800. More complex setups (like 5th wheel or gooseneck hitches) require higher labor and material costs.
Does Installing a Tow Hitch Require Professional Assistance?
For travel trailers, your tow hitch installation could be as simple as selecting a hitch mount and ball in the proper weight class. Then, secure it into your tow vehicle’s hitch receiver. However, using a weight distribution hitch with sway control is strongly recommended if your trailer’s loaded weight is more than half of your tow vehicle’s curb weight.
If you’re new to RVing, a certified RV technician should set up and adjust a weight distribution hitch to meet the required specifications. If your tow vehicle needs a tow hitch receiver before you can tow, a certified technician should also complete that installation.
You must also meet the proper torque specifications when installing a hitch ball into a mount. Some mounts come with the ball pre-installed and torqued by the manufacturer, but this isn’t always true. Unless you own a ¾” or 1” drive torque wrench and the proper socket for your hitch ball size, it’s best to trust this installation to a professional.
Which Components Do I Need?
Selecting the right tow hitch components depends on whether you’ll tow a fifth wheel or a travel trailer. Fifth wheels require a 5th wheel hitch that sits in the bed of a truck. Meanwhile, travel trailers (and destination trailers) are best towed using a mount and ball installed into a hitch receiver. That receiver must be bolted or welded to the tow vehicle’s frame.
Start by choosing the hitch type and components for the RV type you intend to tow:
How To Install a Tow Hitch
Because this process differs depending on the exact tow hitch components you wish to install, we’ll cover the basics for four common applications:
- Adding a ball and mount to a receiver
- Installing a hitch receiver
- Setting up a weight distribution hitch
- Adding a 5th wheel hitch to your truck bed
Securing a Hitch Mount (and Ball) to a Receiver
Start by making sure your hitch mount and ball are compatible with your trailer and vehicle. Measure the hitch receiver tube to select a hitch mount that matches its dimensions. If you choose a mount with a hitch ball pre-installed, you save a step, as long as the hitch ball is the correct size for the trailer you intend to pull. If you’re buying the hitch mount and ball separately, ensure the hitch ball dimensions match the mount and your trailer coupler.
However you get here—buying a hitch mount with a pre-installed ball vs purchasing separate components and putting them together to spec—these are your next steps:
- Insert the ball mount into the receiver tube.
- Ensure the hitch ball is facing up.
- Securing the pin and clip to keep the mount in place.
It’s that simple, but you should consider upgrading the standard pin that comes with most hitch mounts to a locking hitch mount pin for added RV security.
Installing a Tow Hitch Receiver
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The most common hitch receivers for trailer towing are bolted or welded to the tow vehicle’s frame. Weld-on applications must be completed by a professional installer, unless you have considerable welding expertise. Bolt-on applications are easiest for a DIY installation. However, you must ensure the presence of an electrical connector for plugging in trailer lights.
Exact installation methods will vary with the wide variety of tow vehicles and hitch receivers out there, but here are the basic steps:
- Make sure the hitch receiver is compatible with your tow vehicle. It must match the hitch class for the weight you intend to tow, and the mounting locations on your tow vehicle’s frame.
- Prep the vehicle by chocking the front wheels and jacking up the rear for easier access to the underside.
- Remove any hardware blocking the installation and clean the mounting points on the frame.
- If pre-threaded holes exist, clean them. If none exist, you must drill the correct hole size according to the hitch manufacturer’s recommendation. Always check the other side of the frame member before drilling holes to avoid damage to wiring, brake lines, etc.
- Position the hitch under the frame and insert bolts and washers until snug.
- Torque all bolts to the manufacturer’s specification.
Technician Tip: A second set of hands will help when positioning the receiver to install bolts and washers. If completing this install alone, use something like wooden blocks to hold the receiver’s weight while you start the bolts.
Your next steps will be installing the wiring harness and connector that will supply power to your trailer’s lights. The easiest method is to find a vehicle-specific plug-and-play harness that won’t require splicing into the tow vehicle’s current electrical wiring.
The more difficult method is splicing into the right vehicle wiring to install a trailer connector. Most handy DIYers can manage the plug-and-play installation, but professional assistance is strongly recommended if splice-in wiring is your only option.
Setting Up a Weight Distribution Hitch
The exact steps for installing a weight distribution hitch (WDH) for your trailer and tow vehicle will depend on the hitch manufacturer’s recommendation. That said, here’s an overview of how to install a weight distribution hitch:
- Open your weight distribution hitch and ensure all components are present and in good condition.
- Park the tow vehicle and RV trailer on a level surface and ensure weight is distributed evenly in your RV. They must be just far enough apart to safely perform the installation and ensure the accuracy of your bumper height measurements.
- Take the recommended measurements.
- Install your upgraded hitch head assembly (hitch mount and ball) by using the components with your WDH package or ensuring a compatible upgrade.
- Grease the hitch ball, connect your trailer coupler to it, and raise the tongue jack several inches to reduce weight on the hitch ball.
- Grease spring bar ends before inserting them into the hitch head assembly.
- Move the spring bars parallel with the trailer and mark locations on the trailer’s frame for the weight distribution brackets.
- Swing spring bars out of the way and secure brackets, tightening to specification.
The main part of the weight distribution tow hitch installation is complete, but you may need to make other necessary hitch head adjustments. Plus, you’ll need to learn how to properly attach the spring bars to the brackets before towing. We’ve covered more details in our complete guide to setting up a weight distribution hitch.
Adding a Fifth Wheel Hitch
Like all tow hitch installations, ensuring the compatibility of hitch components is vital. The hitch you choose must work with your tow vehicle and be rated to handle the weight of your 5th wheel. We cover more buying and installation tips in the complete tutorial linked below, but here are the basic steps for a 5th wheel hitch installation—remembering that exact methods will vary based on the hitch manufacturer.
- Remove the tow vehicle’s spare tire and position the front base rail.
- Mark your first drill location, drill a pilot hole, and check the hole location under the truck bed.
- Mark and drill the remaining pilot holes before enlarging them to the recommended size for the hitch bolts.
- Start the bolts for the front bed-to-frame brackets and base rail.
- Measure for the desired hitch height before attaching the hitch’s legs.
- Position the rear base rail, mark and drill pilot holes, enlarge holes, and start the bolts for rear base rails and bed-to-frame brackets.
- Install any remaining bolts and secure the hitch assembly onto the base rails.
- Torque all bolts for brackets, rails, and hitch hardware to the hitch manufacturer’s specifications.
Technician Tip: Proper hitch height requires measuring from the ground to the underside of the 5th wheel’s king pin plate (Measurement A), and from the ground to the top of your truck’s open tailgate (Measurement B). Your recommended hitch height is calculated by subtracting B from A (A – B = Your Required Hitch Height). This is a first try fit. Retract the jacks and observe the truck and trailer with the weight on the hitch to ensure both are level. Adjust as required.
Where Can I Find Tow Hitch Installation Near Me?
If you’re new to RVing, it’s smart to have a tow hitch installed for you. Most automotive shops can handle a hitch receiver installation, but a certified RV technician should complete weight distribution and 5th wheel hitch installations.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Tow Hitch?
The average cost of a tow hitch installation depends on the hitch class. Class 1 hitch installations will generally be the most affordable, while fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch installs are the most expensive. According to AutoZone, tow hitch installations can range from $250 to $1,300. That factors in costs for installation parts and materials (not necessarily the cost of the hitch parts) and service labor. Labor rates vary based on your region and service provider.
According to sources like Easy Auto Ship and Home Guide, here’s a quick breakdown of the average installation cost for the main hitch classes:
- Class 1: $150-250
- Class 2: $200-350
- Class 3: $300-500
- Class 4: $500-800
- Most Fifth Wheels (likely Class 5 – Xtra Duty): $800-1,800
- Most Goosenecks (likely Class 5 – Commercial Duty): $600 – 1,000
Many RVers love making small upgrades to their campers every year. Here are a few RV renovations and modifications to consider:
- Guide to RV Tankless Hot Water Heater Installation
- Do You Need an RV Door Handle Upgrade?
- Mounting a TV in an RV
What questions do you have about installing a tow hitch for RV towing? Let us know in the comments below.
