How Much Does It Cost to Install Trailer Hitches?  (2024)

Installation cost for different types of trailer hitches

What type of trailer hitch do you require? That’s one of the primary factors for determining how much you’ll pay for the parts and installation. They split into three broad categories: receiver hitches, gooseneck hitches, and fifth-wheel hitches.

Receiver hitches

By and large, receiver hitches are the type you’ll find on almost all vehicles towing a trailer for non-commercial purposes. These hitches install underneath the rear bumper and bolt to the chassis or frame. Receiver hitches are manufactured from high-grade carbon steel in most cases, and they’re painted or powder coated black to protect them from the harsh environment they’re exposed to.

A receiver hitch is available in five grades for non-commercial use:

• Class 1 hitches are for compact cars and sedans for up to 2,000 pounds of gross trailer weight.
• Class 2 hitches are for passenger vehicles like crossovers and have a GTW of up to 3,500 pounds.
• Class 3 trailer hitches are intended for mid-size and full-size SUVs and trucks with a GTW of up to 8,000 pounds.
• Class 4 hitches are for full-size vehicles and are rated to haul a gross trailer weight up to 10,000 pounds.
• Class 5 hitches are for 3/4 ton and 1-ton trucks with GTW of up to 17,000 pounds.

Parts cost

Generally, receiver-style hitches increase in price as the class gets higher, but minimally considering the capacity differences. Depending on the model you drive and the class you need, you can expect to pay between $150 and $400 for most receiver hitches.

Service cost

Installing a receiver hitch is usually a straightforward job. They’re almost always fitted and pre-drilled for fasteners that use existing bolt holes in the frame, and they’re commonly vehicle-specific. Some models might need a section of the rear bumper trimmed for the receiver to extend out of, but there aren’t many models that require intensive modifications. Installation tends to be between $75 and $150, although some shops may charge less or significantly more.

5^th-Wheel hitches

Some trailers have a coupler that drops down from an elevated segment, and one type is a 5^th-wheel coupler. These are for heavier-duty trucks, mostly 1-ton models and up, and the trailer coupler slides and locks into a yoke head with a U-shaped wear plate mounted in the truck box.

5th-wheel hitches range up to about 30,000 pounds capacity, so they naturally need to be secured extremely well. The hitch is usually bolted through the truck bed to the chassis over the rear axle, which requires drilling and/or cutting.

Parts cost

The parts for a fifth-wheel hitch are the biggest part of the job. Expect to pay between $700 and $1,500 for a standard 5^th-wheel trailer hitch kit that includes the hardware and mounting rails, although there are some models that are quite a lot more.

Service cost

Installing a 5^th-wheel hitch can be a relatively fast job that can cost as little as $75 or it could be hours of work including cutting. If it’s a complex installation, it could be a few hundred dollars to get it fitted, adding up to $400 or more.

Gooseneck trailer

A gooseneck trailer hitch is used for very similar functions and trailers as a 5^th-wheel, but the major difference is that the ball mount is in the truck bed and the coupler is on the trailer. The hitch is fastened to the truck chassis through the bed, and a ball extends upward for the trailer to connect to. Gooseneck hitches tend to be more for commercial or agriculture usage, and the parts and installation ranges from about $700 to $1,000 or so.

Parts cost

Depending on the kit you choose, the parts for a gooseneck trailer hitch range from around $300 to $800 or so.

Service cost

For most types of gooseneck hitches, you’ll need to cut and/or drill through the bed to fasten the hitch to the frame. Similar to the 5^th-wheel installation, you can expect it to cost a few hundred dollars to fit this type of hitch.

Can I install my own trailer hitch?

For a DIYer, the job of installing a trailer hitch is certainly possible at home. You’ll need space to work under your vehicle’s back end as well as tools that can securely torque the bolts in the frame. But since safe towing requires that the trailer hitch is installed properly, you shouldn’t do it yourself if you have any doubts about your capabilities.

If you decide that it’s too big a job to tackle on your own, let AutoZone help you find qualified professional mechanics through our Shop Referral Program. 

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