Compare Trailer Hitches for a 2018 Toyota Highlander

Question:

There's a number of htiches that fit my car and I have no clue which to get. I'm going to use it for a bike rack on my 2018 Highlander. Which is best for me? Easiest to install?

asked by: Bart

Expert Reply:

There are a number of trailer hitch receivers that fit your 2018 Toyota Highlander and it can be confusing because they have a lot in common; however, there are differences as well.

I recommend the Curt # C13200 or the etrailer.com # E98844, they are virtually identical. These would both have good clearance for the rack and bikes behind your Highlander's rear bumper. They are also rated 5 out of 10 for difficulty installing.

Another option is the EcoHitch, part # 306-X7250. This one is different from the other two in that the crosstube is completely hidden behind the rear bumper. The other two have it visible underneath the bumper, which just isn't near as clean or factory looking. The downsides to this hitch is that the hitch pin hole is quite a bit under the bumper plus it's a lot more expensive and it is rated 7 out of 10 for installation difficulty. It is a bit more involved than the Curt or the etrailer hitch.

The installation of all of these is basically the same, except the EcoHitch has some extra steps but it's also 5 to 10 pounds lighter which can make the install process a little easier. All of them require some trimming to the Highlander's fascia. I've linked the install details of each of them for you. As well as a video from when we installed them. The Curt hitch is even shown being installed on your exact same Highlander.

expert reply by: Charles S