After totaling the last tow vehicle when a GMC 3500 work truck decided he wanted to be in the spot I was already in, I took the opportunity to upgrade and get a TV that can haul 5,000 lbs with the upgraded transmission cooler, alternator, etc... At least when I'm ready for a hybrid I won't have to deal with a 3,500 lb max.
This TV didn't come with a hitch, so I'm planning to have it installed at U-Haul. There's two hitches offered, one says
"Round tube- Max weight 5000 lbs" then there is one that is $50 more that says "Round tube- Max weight 5000 lbs, weight distribution 5000 lbs".
Also it looks like u-haul only installs 4 pin connectors. Will I need a 7 and end up kicking myself? I realize I'll still be going pretty lightweight with a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, so no TT in this hitch's future.
I don't want to buy what I don't need, but I'd like to do it right the first time and not have to redo something in a few years.
What kind of vehicle did you buy and how much is Uhaul charging? A lot of hitches you can do yourself since they are already predrilled. Wiring wise you should get a 7 pin harness system since your pop up should be 7 pin and any hybrid will be 7 pin as well. I got my Jeep and old van done at a trailer shop for a decent price. If you don't want to try and tackle yourself or have someone help you, I would look for another place that sells trailers and does that kind of work. Not a camper dealership, but a box trailer kind of place. Get the hitch and wiring done at once. Check etrailer.com, they have a lot of good videos and they may have one for your vehicle on installation. I'm just not a big fan of uhaul.
Best Regards,
Norm
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Cindy, Do you live near Boothwyn? Have you checked this guy out for a price? http://thehitchmaninc.com/
May be an option for you.
Best Regards,
Norm
The reason they probably don't do 7 pin hookup is because of the extra wiring and brake controller. You need 1/2 a brain for that and you experienced U-Haul hitch installation a few months ago on your santa fe. The 4 pin hook up is just a matter of plugging 2 wires into your tail lights.
I suggest do the 4 pin now since that is all you need and then later on down the road add the wiring for the extra 3 wires. The 7 pin hook up actually has a 4 pin plug in the back and 3 wires dangling to be hooked up so having the 4 pin later will be helpful.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Buy your hitch and four pin from e trailer and drive up to the Poconos. I'll install it for a case of beer. As far as a 4 pin vs 7 pin. The 4 pin wire will connect to the 7 pin when your ready for it. The hitch and 4 pin will take an hour to install. Add 2 hours for the 7 pin. If you need to run a 12 volt fridge while driving. Then the 7 pin is an option. Actually most set ups only use 6 of the 7 pins. The 7th is for back up lights. And the 6th is for brakes. Call e trailer tell them your needs and they will set you up.
Guitarman is right......I know my 7 pin is only the 4 pin for the lights and then 1 wire for the brakes. I don't have the 12volt constant hooked up for the fridge and I don't have the backup lights set up.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
First I thought your trailer had brakes.....
Second, it makes more sense to wire for 7 pin even if you don't need it or a brake controller right now. Most new end connectors have both the 7 pin round and 4 pin in the same mounting connector, then you can use anything.
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Thanks for explaining the witing, it definitely makes more sense now.
Uhaul charged about $310 for everything (plus extended warranty for hitch and wiring). The dealership was charging $800, a RV olace recommended by a friend was at $700, and another friend offered to do it for $500. I decided to go the quick and easy route and do uhaul. I don't like that they're too lazy to drill a hole and fish the wiring outside of the car, so instead I have to pull the wiring out of the trunk storage and close the trunk on it, but I guess with an extended warranty (I think lifetime) it's not too big of a deal. For a difference of $200 it just made sense to go uhaul for now.
I'll wait until I'm ready for a HTT and deal with the wiring then. At least now I know I didn't screw myself by going 4 pin for now.
I have been thinking of putting a hitch on DW's Honda Odyssey minivan. It won't tow the TT but I have a utility trailer that I may want behind the minivan at some point, a bike rack in the future, and I do have one of those cargo racks as well. I'll keep U-Haul in mind.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
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