Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

Hi,
Just wanted to put up my review. Orderd parts and they arrived in a timely manner. The box has a huge hole in it due to the good ole post office not etrailer. I was afraid parts would be missing but the way etrailer packaged every thing all was in the box. It took me literally 5 minutes to put take off the tow bars on highlander and install the tow hitch. Wiring instruction were ok but the video instructions were right on and it only took approx 7 minutes to do wiring. Thank you etrailer for a easy project that even a girl can do!!! :-76917

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Cycling G.

5/23/2013

Are you happy with how far the receiver sticks out below the bumper? I am concerned about which brand to buy.

Patrick B.

5/24/2013

We have sent an email to Paula letting her know about your question. If she has anything to add, it will appear below her original review so keep an eye on that page.

Paula

5/28/2013

Hi Cycling Guy,I am very happy with it. I feel it protrudes out just enough. It literally only took 5 minutes to install with the air hammerjack tool. Etrailer made sure I also got the right wiring I needed and nothing had to be spliced. That took a little longer maybe 15-20 minutes. The video explains everything VERY well. Good luck and have a great day :-

Paula

10/30/2014

It has been over a year and product still in excellent condition. I use often and it is excellent quality. Etrailer is a great company and would order from them again.

The hitch arrived within a few days and only took about 20-30 min to install. The instructions and the videos were very useful. It was all simple and easy to complete.

I selected this hitch as I liked its curved appearance. I also liked that it protruded a bit off the bumper so any tie-downs I set up when using the roof rack don't rub against the bumper. Furthermore, it provides better clearance with the back hatch so it can be opened with some hitch accessories installed. It also serves as a quick platform to step on when using the roof rack.

Overall, I am super pleased and have used it several times already. Works great!110094

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Overall I'm happy with the DT hitch. I installed it on my 2004 Toyota Highlander. I went for the DT over the Curt because it has the extra hole to use an anti-rattle J-pin. If the Curt had that, I would've probably went that way.

Starting with the packaging and shipping: the shipping was pretty quick although it looked like the box had been dropped a few times. One side of the hitch had blasted through the shipping box. This could possibly be remedied by over-wrapping the hitch ends with some thick cardboard or low-E foam in bags to make the ends less of a hard point. The result was minor scuffing of the paint...not a biggie for me.

The fit and finish of the trailer hitch was good, not great compared to the Curt hitch I put on my wife's minivan. DT hitch's welds were not as neat and clean and had spatter in various spots. The powder coat didn't look as of high quality as compared to the Curt.

It does stick out a bit more than I would like (roughly 1 3/4") but I don't think I'll be banging my shins on it when I'm taking things out of the trunk. A fair amount of the hitch is visible from the rear and I think I just need to get used to the look of it.

Overall, its a solid hitch and I'm happy with it. The main reason I bought the DT is because it has the extra hole for an anti-rattle J-pin. But if that isn't a need of yours, you wouldn't go wrong with the Curt hitch.

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Canadianbacon

4/1/2018

It’s been great. No issues, haven’t hit my shins on the hitch once!

by: Dennis 10/11/2021

2008 Lexus RX 350

My wife drives a 2008 Lexus RX350 and the exhaust system made it difficult to install most hitches for her handicap cart lift. I found this Draw-Tite custom fit hitch and it installed and worked fabulously for our application. You simply cannot beat the quality of Draw-Tite hitches OR the customer service of etrailer.com! Thank you once again!1176658

Dennis

10/12/2022

It’s been a year since purchasing our Draw-Tite hitch and we couldn’t be happier. I’ve experienced no issues and even the powder coat paint still looks new! Great hitches!

The Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver for our 2006 Highlander fit perfect and was relatively easy to install. I used banker boxes to support the trailer hitch while I screwed in the bolts and the job was completed in 30 minutes. We were then able to use our tow-hitch 4-station bicycle rack to go on an wonderful afternoon ride. Looking forward to many more with this durable product.1059367

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Construction of the hitch receiver looks very solid. No visible issues with welds or paint coating.

I installed this on my 2004 Highlander. I do a lot of DIY stuff around the house, but not much auto work, so I was initially intimidated to do it myself. After seeing a couple install videos, I saw that there really wasn't much that could go wrong. No jack stands or advanced equipment needed. You don't need an extra person to help either. I got a $xx 3.8 inch torque wrench from [retail store] and watched a couple [online] videos to make sure I wasn't missing anything. I used a milk crate and one of my kid's toy buckets to hold the hitch receiver up within a couple inches of the bolt holes. The rest was just tightening the bolts down with a ratchet and then with the torque wrench.1078775

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Hitch receiver made well but barely fit my SUV. Bolt slip slots not long enough or entire receiver .50 too short in length. Each bolt was hard up against it's slot end. Had to grind washers as they were riding in the radius. Shipping box had numerous holes in it, not packaged well.549149

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The hitch was as described. We removed 4 bolts with brackets and put in the 6 provided bolts with washers to hold the hitch. Less than 30 minutes including the final torques. Even though the vehicle is 10 years old there was no trouble with rust in the holes that only had the rubber plugs. Photo attached.358095

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Easy to install trailer hitch, easy to install bike rack. Couldnt have asked for any better815217

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Of the three available hitches for my Highlander hybrid, this DrawTight was the one most recessed, so very little but the receiver is visible.

Free shipping arrived (UPS) in three days. All holes lined up perfectly. Installed in 20 minutes without jacking or lifting. I had expected it to be fairly straightforward, but it turned out to be rediculously easy. (Don't tell my wife...)32240

Cycling G.

5/23/2013

I just bought an 06 Highlander and am looking for a hitch that will NOT stick out too far beyond the bumper. Can you send any photos? If possible I am looking for a side view.Any input from others that have a Highlander and have various brands of hitch would be appreciated.Thanks a lot

Patrick B.

5/24/2013

I have added links to 3 videos that will show how the 13530 from Curt, the 75153 from Draw-Tite and the 70778 from Hidden Hitch install and fit on the 2006 Toyota Highlander. The videos have a good profile shot in the first minute or so. The Draw-Tite and Hidden Hitch will be close, if not identical in position.

Helpful Links

tv-install-trailer-hitch-2006-toyota-highlander-13530.aspx

tv-install-trailer-hitch-2006-toyota-highlander-70778.aspx

tv-install-trailer-hitch-2006-toyota-highlander-75153.aspx

Great product and fast shipping. I wish I didn't have to take off the Etrailer sticker due to it being installed upside down. 330672

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Great website. easy ordering. the videos of products and installations are very good and helpful. the package came quickly and was installed with no problem.
great product.
Very happy.
thank you.383264

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The hitch was a snap to put on the car - EASY!!! Took 15 minutes max from start to finish. It looks well made and rugged. A HUGE negative for me, however, is how far from the back bumper it sticks out. It is easy to knock your shin on it and looks obnoxious. I thought it would be tucked under the bumper or at least flush with the bumper but it is not. I am NOT AT ALL happy with how far it sticks out. The quality, however, does appear to be top notch. If you could make one that doesn't stick out and exchange it I would be 1050% HAPPY!!!!!36267

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The box was broken, the product was scraped. The “powder coat” was scraped off in numerous places so if it scraped off in shipping, it won’t last under the car either. Would have sent it back but I needed it. I should have read other reviews because others have said the same.1135722

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Sierra K.

9/3/2021

I apologize for the state of your hitch. Customer Service will be reaching out to you about this issue.

Perfect fit, installed by myself, piece of cake!1691531

The hitch arrived a day early and installed very easily. I plan to tow a single axle aluminum car trailer with the Lexus instead of the F250 that uses a lot of gas! BTW Lexus has a trailer pigtail that plugs directly into the wire harness without cutting and splicing.398005

James R.

6/26/2018

It has continued to be a great addition to the vehicle.

Excellent company. Ordered product late on a Thursday, delivered on Monday. Trailer hitch, receiver, and wiring was perfect. Hitch more than exceeded my expectations. Keep up the good work. Would recommend highly to anyone.583716

Susan M.

11/18/2019

Excellent!!! Have loved this product use it all the time

The product fit well right out of the box, but needed a bit of touchup paint to cover the meatal where the coating was scraped away. Packaging wasn't good. No padding was provided for the part which would have helped since the box arrived punctured and ripped. Parts were all there since they were wrapped in the hitch receiver.1482926

Installed this on my 2006 Toyota HIghlander. The install was super easy and the videos were very helpful. Happy with the hitch.1481673

Extremely easy to install. The only issue I had was a corroded weld nut on the SUV! High quality product. I was concerned how beat up the box was when it arrived but it was just fine! Very pleased! 372811

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I recently purchased my third trailer hitch from e-trailer for personal use. The hitch is relatively easy to install, but the wiring can and could be more difficult,. But with e-trailer you tube instillation for different cars, makes it almost a joy.

However, I don't have access to a lift, and must do the driveway thing. I also did a modification with the wiring. I measured, and remeasured a couple of times to see if it could a better looking and fixed position rather than having the tell tale appearance with the colored wiring hanging out the tailgate.

I double wrapped that wiring with electrical tape and used the plug that is behind the wheel, and about ten inches forward of the hole with the power wire.

I removed the plug, cut a hole 1/8 X 3/8, and then cut a line from the outer edge of the plug to that hole. That size worked perfectly for the glued together four wires as a single flat wire. then I went down thru it with the cut toward the front of the car so as to not create a gap in the plug that could widen with the pressure of the wire(s). I then went toward the back of the top inf the hitch bracket where there was a indentation with a fixed small split rubber hose to minimize wiring abrasion, then over toward the center of the hitch.

I'm now waiting for the mounting plate for the small bracket (which I have), mounting in a fixed position where it will not be subject to items such as tree limbs etc, and other road debris...won't bother the wiring.

Also, when wiring to the battery post, with the movie clip as suggested, there's a small little 1/2 X 1/2 piece to be broken/cut out of the cover plate for the positive end of the battery cable...otherwise the cover won't snap down on both wires.

Also saw a previous comment about the receiver part being a nuisance bumping the leg. From previous (e-trailer) hitches, I have a receiver light that is much softer than the hitch receiver, and has a rubber foam surround. The plastic light is much less injurious.

The hitch and wiring is no less well engineered.

Thank you for your ability for shipping.

I ordered the hitch about 1530 one afternoon, and received the hitch the next day around 1430...less than one day via UPS...excellent service.388513

by: Charlotte Kidd04/14/2020

Toyota Highlander

Love the combo! Trailer, hitch, attachment plate, lock. I mostly carry gardening tools on trailer. So much easier to access and store tools on trailer than load then unload them from inside Highlander. Trailer also handy for carrying large materials. With strategy, crate and hand trolley, I can remove and reattach trailer solo. Am 71, 5'3"782104

The product is well made and packaged with plenty of protection (the box made an excellent ground cover to lay on because I didn't have any way to lift the rear end of my Lexus so I had to lay on the ground). A standard milk crate was just the right height to help maneuver the hitch into place. The "etrailer" decal was applied upside down so it ended up stuck to my tool box. Installation took all of 15 minutes. My son-in-law had my torque wrench so I dropped by my local auto mechanic and he torqued all 6 bolts for me (no charge).
Using the hitch for my bike rack1081959

Installed by myself on 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I used the box and a old carpet covered cat scratch tree just happened to be the right height to support other end. It probably took me 2 hours, but I was in no hurry, and took a couple of breaks. Getting that first bolt or two in part way on either side was the hardest. My 17 mm socket kept was old, and kept falling off the extension, and I should have put a couple turns of electrical tape on it rather than scrambling for it. And my old reading glasses and ball cap fell off a few times. I got some added exercise. Hey, I'm almost 70, so I would expect few are going to have troubles. I would suggest wearing gloves when breaking the existing 14 mm bolts - tie downs free. This makes so much more sense than buying a truck. If I had known it was this easy, I would have done it years ago. The hitch is rugged, don't expect any issues. Cheers!

PS - Troy of etrailer agreed with others, this hitch offers the best access to spare tire.351872

For purposes of a relatively simple and inexpensive hitch DIY installation, I chose the Draw-Tite Hitch offered by e-trailer. My intended use will be the support for a bike carrier. This eliminates the concerns regarding the lighting harness, ball and accessories, towing weight capacity, sway, load-leveling, etc.

I was impressed by the expeditious free shipping. Also, the packaging for a relatively heavy steel item was well designed, protective and easily opened.

I've had to go to the hardware a couple of times for the appropriate ratchets needed to remove existing hauling brackets under the car. A plastic sledge also proved useful. Remaining challenges include finding a way for a one-man attachment of the hitch and also accessing a torquewrench to measure the required 38 foot-pounds of torque on the six nuts. Will likely research tool rentals for this since torque wrenches start at close to $100.1021384