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Author Topic:   Brand of trailer hitch?

anniegalloway posted 06-21-2002 11:48 AM ET (US)
I've done a search but could not find where brands of trailer hitches have been discussed. Are all brands about the same? Some better than others? Is Draw-Tite a good brand?
Thanks,
Annie
jameso posted 06-21-2002 11:54 AM ET (US)
Draw Tite is good as is Reese,U-Haul and a plethora of others. I think they all must pass certain tests in order to be certified. I have a Reese with a Draw Tite receiver?
Jim Armstrong
whalerron posted 06-21-2002 11:54 AM ET (US)
Drawtite, Reese, Hidden Hitch. They are all good units.
ShrimpBurrito posted 06-23-2002 12:57 PM ET (US)
An alternative - there was a local shop in San Diego that put mine on. They ordered all the parts of the hitch individually, then welded them together there and then welded them to the frame of your vehicle. Not that strength is ever typically a concern with such small boats, but welds are stronger than bolts. He did it while I waited, and it cost ~$110, including wiring.
David Ratusnik posted 06-23-2002 10:07 PM ET (US)
annie- I tow a 22' OR plus jet ski (not at same time) with a Silverado. No hitch just a 2" ball thru the 5k rated bumper. Save your money with the Montauk- you don't need a hitch unless you are towing cross country. .03 David
whalerron posted 06-24-2002 10:36 AM ET (US)
The nice thing about a receiver hitch assembly is that with the right drawbar, you can set your trailer up to ride level. You cannot do that with a bumper mounted ball unless the ball just happens to be the correct height.
Class 3/4 frame mounted receivers are typically mounted with bolts and rated to 10000 pounds with a load equalizing hitch. An assembly mounted to the frame might be stronger but for a trailer heavier than 10000 pounds, you should consider a dually truck with a 5th wheel hitch.
- ron
Dr T posted 06-24-2002 01:33 PM ET (US)
I tend to think that the type of the hitch you use is more important than the brand.
As David points out, with a Full-sized pickup with heavy rear springs, the bumper hitch (if rated for the weight) will handle most small boats. The key here are the springs in the rear and the bumper tow rating. Most truck bumpers have three ball holes. You can use these to install a drop mount for the ball that will keep your load level.
There has been much debate about tow vehicles in this forum, so the information is there if you want to review it. I seem to recall that you have a Montauk, and it can be towed behind a WIDE variety of vehicles.
On my 99 F150 4x4 (with 5.4 liter engine and automatic transmission) I use the factory installed class III with a 2 inch receiver.
But then, I am in the Rockies and have some big hills.
where2 posted 06-24-2002 07:07 PM ET (US)
Gave my wife a Reese Class-III for Christmas for her new to her '98 Toyota 4Runner. Bolted right up after removing the towing hooks, Installation took 20 minutes after I broke my Craftsman 3/8" ratchet! Toyota used an air wrench, I am sure! Wiring took another 30 minutes, because I am a perfectionist and ran the wires through the frame rather than just hiding them under the plastic trim at the bottom of the door! Got to use my LED Lighted Electrical Fish Tape though!
where2 posted 06-24-2002 07:09 PM ET (US)
For my car, I went the 1-800-HITCH-IT route, and had the hitch delivered to my door at a substantial savings over what the locals had quoted me. For a common vehicle like my wife's 4Runner, the locals were the same price as the mail-order guys.
ShrimpBurrito posted 06-24-2002 07:39 PM ET (US)
where2 -
Sounds like your wife has good tastes.
Dr T posted 06-25-2002 03:41 PM ET (US)
Lighted fish tape? And I thought I had some cute toys.....
tds
anniegalloway posted 06-26-2002 03:40 PM ET (US)
OK....got a Class III Draw-Tite hitch with 2" ball on my Jeep Cherokee Sport.
Just ordered an ICOM MIV VHF handheld radio, the Garmin GPSMAP 76S, boat shoes for hubby and me.
The dealer is giving us the Coast Guard package, a depth/fish finder and we're getting the fishing package and swim platform.
Do we need anything else for our new Montauk?
Annie...wishing the dealer would call saying the boat was in
Dr T posted 06-26-2002 05:36 PM ET (US)
Yup. Do you have some good, comfortable life vests?
Next, all you will need is time to use it and try out all the toys...After you start getting used to it, you will find all sorts of things you want to do to make it truly your own.
ShrimpBurrito posted 06-26-2002 06:25 PM ET (US)
As far as PFD's go, make sure you get ones that are comfortable. Otherwise, you won't wear them. For that reason, I finally bought a pair of automatic inflatables last season. I think WestMarine is having a 30% off sale on all PFD's either now, or sometime within the next few weeks. It was in their recent flier.
SSCH posted 06-26-2002 09:28 PM ET (US)
Annie
Don't know what's in the Coast Guard package, but an anchor is a good idea, too. I carry a small tool kit for on the water repairs (incl. spare spark plugs, extra drain plug, etc). A bilge pump is not really needed in the Montauk, but can be nice to have. Did you get two batteries? If not, consider adding a second one later.
I second the vote for inflatable life jackets as a first addition to your boat.
Finally, don't ever sell your Montauk. My first Whaler was an Montauk that I wish I had kept, eventhough I've owned several other fine Whalers since then. They go anywhere, and tow and launch as easily as any boat I've ever owned.
PS . If you didn't get the canvas sun top, I'd consider it if the new tops are as good as the older Mills top was.
triblet posted 06-26-2002 11:15 PM ET (US)
Annie:
In addition to the other good advice:
A copy of Chapman Piloting.
The manufacturer's service manual for the
motor.
Dock lines.
Fenders. I like the ones that look like
penguins that they make for bass boats.
First aid kit.
Waterproof flashlight (I'd recommend a dive
light: Ikelite miniC or PC or PCa. Paddle.
If a two-stroke, a gallon of TCW-3.
Key floats (if the dealer didn't give them
to you).
Dry box(es). Pelican is the class act.
Sun hats. Big and floppy and tie on.
Warm hats. Baseball caps with ear flaps and
a chin strap to keep them on, like Elmer
Fudd and Floyd R Turbo wore. We call them
Dork Hats, but they work great.
Gloves that can get wet. Maybe some 3 mm
dive gloves.
Foulies.
Hub and bearing replacement kit for the
trailer.
That gets you started. There will be more
you want by and by, but it's a function of
you and how you use the boat.

Chuck
Dr T posted 06-27-2002 01:30 AM ET (US)
As I said...
There was this thread a couple of months ago on the perfect tool box...
However, your first priority is to enjoy it. Chapman's is a great idea. Wish I had suggested it.

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Author	Topic: Brand of trailer hitch?
anniegalloway	posted 06-21-2002 11:48 AM ET (US) I've done a search but could not find where brands of trailer hitches have been discussed. Are all brands about the same? Some better than others? Is Draw-Tite a good brand? Thanks, Annie
jameso	posted 06-21-2002 11:54 AM ET (US) Draw Tite is good as is Reese,U-Haul and a plethora of others. I think they all must pass certain tests in order to be certified. I have a Reese with a Draw Tite receiver? Jim Armstrong
whalerron	posted 06-21-2002 11:54 AM ET (US) Drawtite, Reese, Hidden Hitch. They are all good units.
ShrimpBurrito	posted 06-23-2002 12:57 PM ET (US) An alternative - there was a local shop in San Diego that put mine on. They ordered all the parts of the hitch individually, then welded them together there and then welded them to the frame of your vehicle. Not that strength is ever typically a concern with such small boats, but welds are stronger than bolts. He did it while I waited, and it cost ~$110, including wiring.
David Ratusnik	posted 06-23-2002 10:07 PM ET (US) annie- I tow a 22' OR plus jet ski (not at same time) with a Silverado. No hitch just a 2" ball thru the 5k rated bumper. Save your money with the Montauk- you don't need a hitch unless you are towing cross country. .03 David
whalerron	posted 06-24-2002 10:36 AM ET (US) The nice thing about a receiver hitch assembly is that with the right drawbar, you can set your trailer up to ride level. You cannot do that with a bumper mounted ball unless the ball just happens to be the correct height. Class 3/4 frame mounted receivers are typically mounted with bolts and rated to 10000 pounds with a load equalizing hitch. An assembly mounted to the frame might be stronger but for a trailer heavier than 10000 pounds, you should consider a dually truck with a 5th wheel hitch. - ron
Dr T	posted 06-24-2002 01:33 PM ET (US) I tend to think that the type of the hitch you use is more important than the brand. As David points out, with a Full-sized pickup with heavy rear springs, the bumper hitch (if rated for the weight) will handle most small boats. The key here are the springs in the rear and the bumper tow rating. Most truck bumpers have three ball holes. You can use these to install a drop mount for the ball that will keep your load level. There has been much debate about tow vehicles in this forum, so the information is there if you want to review it. I seem to recall that you have a Montauk, and it can be towed behind a WIDE variety of vehicles. On my 99 F150 4x4 (with 5.4 liter engine and automatic transmission) I use the factory installed class III with a 2 inch receiver. But then, I am in the Rockies and have some big hills.
where2	posted 06-24-2002 07:07 PM ET (US) Gave my wife a Reese Class-III for Christmas for her new to her '98 Toyota 4Runner. Bolted right up after removing the towing hooks, Installation took 20 minutes after I broke my Craftsman 3/8" ratchet! Toyota used an air wrench, I am sure! Wiring took another 30 minutes, because I am a perfectionist and ran the wires through the frame rather than just hiding them under the plastic trim at the bottom of the door! Got to use my LED Lighted Electrical Fish Tape though!
where2	posted 06-24-2002 07:09 PM ET (US) For my car, I went the 1-800-HITCH-IT route, and had the hitch delivered to my door at a substantial savings over what the locals had quoted me. For a common vehicle like my wife's 4Runner, the locals were the same price as the mail-order guys.
ShrimpBurrito	posted 06-24-2002 07:39 PM ET (US) where2 - Sounds like your wife has good tastes.
Dr T	posted 06-25-2002 03:41 PM ET (US) Lighted fish tape? And I thought I had some cute toys..... tds
anniegalloway	posted 06-26-2002 03:40 PM ET (US) OK....got a Class III Draw-Tite hitch with 2" ball on my Jeep Cherokee Sport. Just ordered an ICOM MIV VHF handheld radio, the Garmin GPSMAP 76S, boat shoes for hubby and me. The dealer is giving us the Coast Guard package, a depth/fish finder and we're getting the fishing package and swim platform. Do we need anything else for our new Montauk? Annie...wishing the dealer would call saying the boat was in
Dr T	posted 06-26-2002 05:36 PM ET (US) Yup. Do you have some good, comfortable life vests? Next, all you will need is time to use it and try out all the toys...After you start getting used to it, you will find all sorts of things you want to do to make it truly your own.
ShrimpBurrito	posted 06-26-2002 06:25 PM ET (US) As far as PFD's go, make sure you get ones that are comfortable. Otherwise, you won't wear them. For that reason, I finally bought a pair of automatic inflatables last season. I think WestMarine is having a 30% off sale on all PFD's either now, or sometime within the next few weeks. It was in their recent flier.
SSCH	posted 06-26-2002 09:28 PM ET (US) Annie Don't know what's in the Coast Guard package, but an anchor is a good idea, too. I carry a small tool kit for on the water repairs (incl. spare spark plugs, extra drain plug, etc). A bilge pump is not really needed in the Montauk, but can be nice to have. Did you get two batteries? If not, consider adding a second one later. I second the vote for inflatable life jackets as a first addition to your boat. Finally, don't ever sell your Montauk. My first Whaler was an Montauk that I wish I had kept, eventhough I've owned several other fine Whalers since then. They go anywhere, and tow and launch as easily as any boat I've ever owned. PS . If you didn't get the canvas sun top, I'd consider it if the new tops are as good as the older Mills top was.
triblet	posted 06-26-2002 11:15 PM ET (US) Annie: In addition to the other good advice: A copy of Chapman Piloting. The manufacturer's service manual for the motor. Dock lines. Fenders. I like the ones that look like penguins that they make for bass boats. First aid kit. Waterproof flashlight (I'd recommend a dive light: Ikelite miniC or PC or PCa. Paddle. If a two-stroke, a gallon of TCW-3. Key floats (if the dealer didn't give them to you). Dry box(es). Pelican is the class act. Sun hats. Big and floppy and tie on. Warm hats. Baseball caps with ear flaps and a chin strap to keep them on, like Elmer Fudd and Floyd R Turbo wore. We call them Dork Hats, but they work great. Gloves that can get wet. Maybe some 3 mm dive gloves. Foulies. Hub and bearing replacement kit for the trailer. That gets you started. There will be more you want by and by, but it's a function of you and how you use the boat. Chuck
Dr T	posted 06-27-2002 01:30 AM ET (US) As I said... There was this thread a couple of months ago on the perfect tool box... However, your first priority is to enjoy it. Chapman's is a great idea. Wish I had suggested it.