I need to install a hitch in short order on my 99 so I can move out! Uhaul quoted me at $260 installed with wiring. That sounded kinda high so it's question time:

a) if I buy a curt (or similar hitch) how difficult is it to wire up? I would like to have the wiring mount to the bottom of the hitch like you see on trucks. I don't want to have to fold it out from behind the spare tire everytime I need it.

b) I see that JRC among others make bumper/hitch combos. Are those rated for actually hauling trailers and heavy stuff like a normal hitch would? Also, are there any out there that are less than $400 bones?

c) is there anything special about an XJ I should know about when looking for a hitch?

 

That is not a bad price at all really.

Curt hitch is $125. Nutstrips are $50. Wiring kit $20-30. How much is your time worth?

 

I dunno, I've never put a hitch on before. lol. Couple of hours? I like to learn.

This is a bumper/hitch combo that I was looking at, but since I know next to nothing about hitches I don't know if this thing will haul a wagon or a pontoon. It would cost $290 to my door so 30 bucks more than just a hitch and I can also get a stronger bumper.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-XJ-Cherokee-Rear-Custom-Bumper-/251259176557?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a8036c66d&vxp=mtr

 

I thought about going that route, but I don't offroad enough to need a full armored bumper, plus the extra weight is a downside to me. I know with my hitch I can tow full capacity, it mounts lower than any bumper hitch too. Look on my build thread for the Curt hitch I installed. I'm also real happy how it firmed up flimsy unibody. I guess that bumper would do that too. I figure when I rip these endcaps off, I'll add armor and/or cut and fold. I was just undecided and settled on the cheapest route to add a hitch.

 

Figure that in too. Plus paint. It's a nice bumper... but I question where else it mounts? You can't tow if it just mounts to the 4 bracket bolts like it shows.

 

Hey I'd just recommend you pull one off of a junk yard Jeep for $30.

Put in carriage bolts in your unibody with a bolt leader, and put in unibody carriage bolt locks like these:



Altogether, you might be in $50 + the price of a hitch and ball.

I did that for mine, and I use it on occasion. Never had any problems.

I installed the hitch myself. It took about 2 hours.

 

A junkyard receiver and then order a wiring kit would be the cheapest route. I put a hitch on my old Volvo turbo wagon to pull a pop-up years ago. First time I'd done one, and wiring only took a couple hours (the night before leaving on a 2-week trip - why do these projects always happen at the last minute??). I had to run one wire from the battery back to the control box, which I zip-tied onto the hitch. Then the wires from the box spliced into the wires to the taillights. It wasn't bad at all.

 

I have a Class III hitch and even a new set of nut strips if needed for sale $125 for both + shipping.

 

^ Smokin deal, I'd jump on this if I were you!

 

Very good deal, snag it!