Which Type of Hitch do You Recommend for a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Updated 06/15/2010 | Published 06/13/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

(149)

$197.35

Question:

I would like to get a hitch for my 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. I see there are the Draw Tite, Curt, Hidden Hitch, and Valley. Is there a better design among these that make for a more secure mount? I can see that they take few different approaches and some are easier than others to install. Im not really concerned with drilling or ease of installation, but I would like a good secure fit that doesnt cause leaks or rattle. Any suggestions?

asked by: Marc

Expert Reply:

Draw-Tite and Hidden Hitch are sister companies. The hitches use essentially the same design, the Hidden Hitch, part # 90152 (no longer available), does include a drawbar and pin and clip if you will be doing any towing. However, these two hitches have a tongue weight capacity of 300 pounds, not 350 like the Curt and Valley. If you will not be doing any towing, or your bike rack or cargo carrier load is under 300 pounds, I would not worry about it.

The Curt hitch, part # 12343, also includes the drawbar and pin and clip. It has the 350 pound tongue weight capacity and is a no drill application. Curt does require that you use stabilization straps when using a bike rack or cargo carrier, which is not always feasible.

If I were in your shoes, I would probably choose the Draw-Tite or Hidden Hitch if I needed the ball mount and pin and clip. The installation takes some more time for the trunk pan bolts, but because of those bolts, you do not need to use stabilization straps with bike racks or cargo carriers.

If having the most available tongue weight capacity is important to you, then I would choose the Curt.

expert reply by: Patrick B