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This fully welded trailer hitch receiver bolts onto your Toyota Highlander's frame with no welding required. Powder coated steel is sturdy and corrosion resistant.
Features:
Specs:
At etrailer.com we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
Tech Tip
No drilling required for installation
Complete Towing Package for 2005 Toyota Highlander
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Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (728 Customer Reviews)
This fully welded trailer hitch receiver bolts onto your vehicle's frame with no welding required. Powder coated steel is sturdy and corrosion resistant.Received the receiver in a slightly dented box. Everything inside looked fine, though.
When I installed it, there was a small problem: the receiver didn't quite match up with the frame bolt holes. The holes nearest the bumper could be made to fit, but the hole nearest the wheels were about 1/8" too close, and I was able to secure only one side. While prying with a breaker bar, the bolts could be fastened, so I used one hand on the breaker bar and the other on the torque wrench to finally get it installed.
It feels very sturdy, and looks fine. I have confidence that it will work well, but it would have been nice if it actually fit the car it was designed for.
I chose the trailer hitch receiver by Curt over Hidden Hitch and Draw-Tite for three reasons. One, the receiver design has a more finished look, especially around the tailpipe. Two, after watching the installation videos for the H.H. and D-T. which both showed some alignment issues with the factory anchor holes. And three is a bonus, it was less expensive.
I am very satisfied with the look, very unobtrusive, and installation was a snap.
My only criticism is that I wish Curt had the extra hole for using the J-pin design locking hitch pin with the anti-rattle feature...much better than other anti-rattle hitch products.
Research and ordering from etrailer.com was a breeze...a very satisfied customer.
Wanted this hitch for bike rack only - no towing anticipated. Easy to remove existing bolts and discard. New (supplied) bolts effective. Only thing negative is corrugated box got banged up which means the product suffered minor scratching. Entire process took 2 of us 25 minutes. If you are trying to do this by yourself you'll need a jack stand. Shimmying the box for one side is - maybe - effective, but I would not recommend... all in all good product and value. Hitch is pretty heavy... all good. A big + was install video. Helpful
Masta P.
8/15/2018
George - still working great - thanks for checking in - that’s a “best practice”!!
I received the trailer hitch right on time, the packing was fine, and the hitch itself is far superior workmanship than the others that I considered. The welds are perfect, the coating is great, and the installation went very well. Start to finish in less than 30 minutes. I also like that, unlike the other two, this one doesn't interfer with the spare tire placement, and the receiver is flush with the bumper, avoiding those painful shin bruises.
I decided to buy from "etrailer.com", not only for price, but because the bigger companies get enough business, and I've been a small businessman all my life. I am VERY impressed and I wish them well!
Tom D.
1/12/2020
The trailer hitch is still working just fine and the paint or powder coat is holding up perfectly.
I chose the Curt brand hitch over the other more familar two brands, because I like how it didn't protrude beyond the bumper, unlike the other two brands. The Curt hitch partially blocks the edge of the spare tire by 1-1/2" to 2" and that's probably why the other two brands stick out beyond the bumper 1-1/2" to 2"+. In some of the other reviews, people mentioned how Curt could have done a better job of packaging. My box with the Curt hitch showed up damaged where the flange bolts up to the frame. This wasn't a big deal, but Curt could do a better job packaging the hitch and it wouldn't take much. E-trailer was great to deal with. I really liked how you could compare different brands of hitches with pictures and install video's. My Son & I installed the hitch in about 10 minutes. Overall, I am satisfied with the Curt hitch.
Fernando
9/29/2015
Daryl-Is one still able to remove the spare tire if the hitch is blocking the spare?
The hitch was a perfect fit and looks great installed. Installation was easy and took about 30 mins. The hitch also arrived one day earlier than expected with great communication from etrailer, Thanks you guys are doing a excellent job! If your installing the hitch by yourself, I suggest using a hydraulic lift to get the hitch into position and secure both side with the bolt, than you can make the necessary adjustment prior to securing the rest of the bolts.
Wayne P.
4/26/2019
The hitch works perfectly no issues at all, thank you for the follow up. I will definitely use and recommend etrailer to all my friends.
I purchased the Curt receiver hitch and the wiring package for a 2007 Toyota Highlander with the factory tow package.
Bottom line, if you have a full size spare, THIS HITCH WILL NOT FIT. You cannot seat a full size spare with this hitch as it blocks the tire from seating into position.
The wiring package received looks correct, but the connectors do not fit together. I have been on the phone with Curt about this, and they are sending a replacement out. I would never have purchased this product at all had I realized it wouldn't allow me to seat the spare tire once installed.
Photo attached showing the problem (blocked access by hitch).
Laura E.
9/6/2017
You will still be able to access the spare tire on your 2007 Toyota Highlander after installing Curt Class III Trailer Hitch 13530. If you refer to the linked photo you can see the hitch and tire positions after installation. The spare can be removed for a tire change by simply letting the forward edge first and then maneuvering the tire past the exhaust and the hitch cross tube.
Helpful Links
After one year, I think this was a good investment for my RX 350. I’ve used it several times now for various reasons, mostly towing my motorcycle. It was super easy to install and has held up pretty good so far. The only recommendation I have is to run your wiring from the interior fuse box with a fuse tap, rather than running it under the car from the battery. Running the wiring along under carriage just seemed like a bad idea long term. Just use one of the cigarette lighter fuses in the fuse box to tap onto and route the wiring along the interior panels. The hardest part is getting past the rear seat. I recommend using a wire hanger for this part. Great product overall!
The hitch is great. The installation of was easy. The reason I took away a star is because the hitch is all scratched up and with dings. The bottom of the hitch has some gouges that looks like it was dragged over metal spikes and there is a large gouge that dented and scraped the paint, showing the metal underneath. You hope to get a nice new product with out damage, not something that already has dings. Even their product sticker is messed up.
Tyler M.
4/28/2021
Hi Christine, Thanks for your feedback! Our customer service team will be reaching out to you.
Very satisfied with the purchase, instructions, and very quick shipping.
Unfortunately, the hitch had a visible scratch (about 1-1/4 inch) when I opened the box right above the etrailer.com sticker that's by the left side of the receiver's mouth, but I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it since it's not that big of a deal (it's for a 2008 car and the bike rack covers it anyway...). At first I wondered if it was a used product but the paint by the bolts was intact and with no marks of any applied pressure. The rest of the hitch was shiny and new as well, so I trust it is a new product. If there had been other scratches I would have returned it. Can't know if the scratch happened during handling or shipping, but I'll give etrailer.com the benefit of the doubt.
Other than that, awesome product, fits my Lexus perfectly, and I was able to install it in less than 30 minutes with my wife's help, who helped holding it while I was attaching it. I made sure the bolts were to specified torque and attached my new Kuat rack once installed. A breeze. Sturdy and love that the receiver doesn't come out of the fender too much if at all. This was something I had read in the reviews before I bought this hitch and the main reason I bought this model. Review was right on. Loved the instructions/video provided here on-line as well as the reviews... and price! Would buy again and recommend etrailer.com. Around town at a well known store they were asking $250 to install this and charging more for the same hitch. Save your money, buy it from trailer.com and install it yourself (I can only speak for a Lexus RX). Overall, I love it!
The hitch reciever itself is easy to install, 6 bolts and about 45 minutes DONE!! The instructions are straight forward and easy to follow.The wiring on the other hand takes some time ( about 3 hrs.) only because you have to take off the rear interior side panels to get to the wiring for the lights and run a single wire from the rear of the car to the front of the car. GOOD SOLID HITCH!!
Bob
10/11/2013
What was the single wire for if you use one of the installation kits that just plug in the rear?
Patrick B.
10/15/2013
I installed the Curt brand hitch I purchased from etrailer on my 2006 Lexus RX 330. It took about 30 minutes. I've done it several times. The hitch timely arrived and was packed properly and in excellent condition, as always. I removed the hitch from the packaging and used the cardboard packaging as a mat, to lay on while I worked. I removed the existing factory tie-downs from the car; one on each side, two bolts in each of them. I removed a rubber "plug" on each side, too. I used a lubricant in each of the holes where I removed a plug, and tested a bolt in the same holes to make sure the bolt turned in easily. I supported one end of the hitch with wood blocks, then lifted the other side and started a bolt. Then I started a bolt in the side with the wood blocks. I put the remaining bolts into the existing holes and tightened them all, rotating among the bolts and lifting on the hitch. No drilling, only needed sockets and extensions. It all worked well. Thank you etrailer (again) for a great product, great service and a fair price!
I'm blown away by eTrailer's customer service. Shortly after placing my order I received a voice mail from a customer service representative confirming that the hitch was available and would go out within 24 hours and arrive to me by the end of the week. She asked me to call her extension if I had any questions or concerns at any time. You don't typically get that kind of service when ordering other places online so I really appreciated that follow up.
I received the hitch within the week and it arrived in good condition. The box had some damage but that's the purpose of the box, to take some of the abuse of shipping and protect the product inside. The hitch did not need any touch up but I had been anticipating needing to use some Rustoleum black on it based on other reviews so I was happy to find that it didn't need any.
I'm not a handy person by any stretch but with the help of 1 other person we were able to get this installed on my 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid within 30 minutes pretty easily. If you are installing it by yourself you might want a milk crate or two to prop the hitch up while you install the bolts on each side. We threaded them in hand tight before following up with an impact wrench to get them in all the way. The hitch fits nicely, comes right about to the edge of the bumper, and sits up pretty high off the ground which is exactly what I was wanting.
What I used:
-Impact wrench with extension
-14mm socket to remove existing frame bolts
-17mm socket to install provided bolts
First let me state that I am by no means a mechanic. However, after seeing the video by etrailer for the install on a Lexus RX350 i felt i could do it myself. This past Saturday, I removed the towing brackets and installed the trailer hitch myself. It was not complicated for a one-man installation and the video was helpful to outline the process. I am very pleased with the product and its ease of installation.
Trailer hitch was easy enough to install that I did it myself in about 20 minutes. It would have been easier if I'd had some one to hold up one end while I bolted on the other. I'm 70 years old and holding up one end with one foot to keep it level, while I started the screws on the opposite end was the trickiest part. All the bolt holes, 3 on each end lined up perfectly. Having all the right tools with in reach, probably added another 30 minutes of prep time. Very sturdy looking hitch. Had to go to Tractor Supply to get the receiver, the pin to hold it into the hitch and the balls.
Fit great,easy install, works great. Just bought one for wifeys car. More hitches =more sailboats!
David
6/8/2023
Great!!!
Everything fit perfect. The only suggestion I have is that packaging be a little more robust. Some of the paint on the Lexus hitch was rubbed off and I had to do a little paint touch up before installation. The receiver for the back of my flywheel took about ten minutes to put on. Perfect for my bike rack.
Excellent fit and finish. The only suggestion I have is in the directions regarding the conical washers. These washers have 'teeth' on one side and flat on the other. Maybe I missed it, but I saw nothing in the instructions to indicate which way the teeth should be facing when installed. I knew they mentioned it in the installation video so went back through that to make sure...teeth to the hitch; flat to the bolt head. Other than that, great look, great finish, no issue with packaging. Pic is hitch installed with the Hollywood Bike rack attached too.
I was very happy with the whole process with etrailer. The website was easy to navigate and the videos allowed me to install the hitch myself. I am a 73 yo man with one shoulder replacement, and severe arthritis in my back. My back-up plan was to call my son if all else failed. Due to the videos and the instructions included with the hitch, I was able to install it myself in under an hour. Thank you for a great product and customer support!
It's a heavy piece of steel. I had to remove my spare tire on my 2006 Toyota Highlander to get it installed because it was hitting it. I thought it was a design flaw but it was actually my spare tire is several sizes larger than it's supposed to be. I haven't pulled anything with it yet but I think the Toyota will be the weak link, not the hitch.
The etrailer website was very easy to navigate in choosing my vehicle (2005 Lexus RX330) and the correct hitch. The hitch installed per the instructions on the video provided in the time allowed for installation. The only delay was one of the welded nuts to the frame had acquired some rust build up and required a tap to clean up the threads.
I chose this hitch over some of the other options since it was solid looking, and doesn't stick out behind the bumper much. Install was a snap, and the packaging was pretty good in my case as well. Now we can leave the truck at home on weekend camping trips :-)
Curt 2" hitch for 2008 Lexus RX350 is high quality. Very well manufactured product, looks nice, high quality hardware included for the install. Extremely pleased with ease of installation and how it looks on the Lexus. Outstanding customer service and install video avail from eTrailer. Would definitely buy from them again.
Great looking solid hitch. Driver’s side rear quarter panel interior splash panel had to be permanently removed.
David R.
5/18/2023
Perfectly…..model specific fit is great. Absolutely with the cost. Would but Curt again.
Ordered a hitch and a wiring kit for my Toyota Highlander. Ordering was a breeze and shipping was super fast, i ordered it about 4:30pm and got it the next day about 3:00pm. Very impressed with the build quality, would recommend using etrailer, this is a good company.
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At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Jenny N.
1/17/2024
It is not uncommon that the holes were slightly off. Sometimes the side brackets will get knocked out of alignment in shipping whether to you or to us. We do have a FAQ that can help in these cases. You can also use a breaker bar like you did to allow the holes to line up.
Helpful Links
faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx