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This custom-fit trailer hitch with a hidden cross tube installs behind your vehicle's rear bumper, leaving only the receiver visible beneath it. Aluminum and steel alloy construction is durable and eco-friendly. Powder coat finish resists rust.
Features:
Specs:
The EcoHitch Hidden trailer hitch is designed to be as inconspicuous as possible. The hitch's cross tube bolts onto your vehicle's frame, behind your rear bumper. No drilling or welding is required. Once the hitch is installed, only the receiver will be visible beneath your bumper. This means that your vehicle can maintain its stylish, from-the-factory look, and you won't have to do any major modifications to its body or frame.
With a combination of aerospace-grade aluminum, steel, and stainless steel, each EcoHitch is made of a strong metal alloy that will withstand the test of time. The lightweight alloy is composed of recycled materials. Traditional steel hitch manufacturing can use coal or oil, which can contribute to harmful gas emissions. The EcoHitch's recycled materials limit the carbon footprint during manufacturing, so you get a sturdy trailer hitch while also helping the environment.
This EcoHitch trailer hitch is tested for durability and sturdiness. Using Finite Elemental Analysis (FEA), individual points of stress on the hitch can be detected and remedied. Designers can accurately test the hitch to ensure that it will meet or exceed SAE J684 standards. The EcoHitch Hidden trailer hitch is carefully researched and strength tested for a durable, high-quality hitch that can resist damage while on the road.
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.
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (87 Customer Reviews)
This custom-fit trailer hitch with a hidden cross tube installs behind your vehicle's rear bumper, leaving only the receiver visible beneath it. Aluminum and steel alloy construction is durable and eco-friendly. Powder coat finish resists rust.The hitch itself is well built. Do I think it should be double the price of the others.. probably not. I went with this hitch to have more clearance from the ground. I also didn't cut the bumper and it still looks and fits nicely without doing that. I figured if I wanted to cut it out after I could. The ONLY problem is that some of the hitch coating was scratch and rubbed off from shipping.I took some rust protection and spayed it and called it good in thos spots. Here in AZ it should last forever. I did put it up by myself using even four limbs, help it recommend.
Overall shipping was fast and the hitch has quality. Should do the job and last as long as the rav4 does. If I had any downside is the price.
Solid hitch receiver, but it was packed without any padding or protective wrap in a single-ply cardboard box. The edges of the hitch receiver had pushed through the box and the paint is already chipped in some locations. It seems that this is a common issue, disappointing that the packing process hasn't been changed to at least wrap the edges to avoid paint chipping and damage.
Jenny N.
2/22/2024
It is disappointing to receive a scratched hitch. I will have our Customer Service team reach out to you. I recommend touching up the hitch with a rust resistant paint such as Rustoleum and we can send out a can of paint for you.
Installed on a 2023 Rav4 Prime. Overall I like the hitch quite a bit. Compared to the oem hitch, it sits about 2 or 3 inches lower (inline with exhaust) but is much easier/less involved to install and $[XX] cheaper. I had to uninstall the shipping tie down that was on the frame first.
I docked a star because the item’s coating was damaged in multiple places upon arrival. To prevent it from rusting prematurely i applied a rust encapsulator on those areas, which seemed to work well. Not worth returning since these areas are all non-visible once installed. The packaging pipeline needs more care and attention to detail to prevent this type of damage from happening. Other reviews did mention this problem so a bit disappointed that this issue has not been resolved yet. At a bare minimum the packaging should have foam blocks on the edges of this hitch to prevent damage during transport, which it did not.
I'm excited about the product, but it arrived with scrapes/chipped paint, which may cause rust issues down the line. Based on the location of the scraps, it doesn't appear to have happened during shipping, which means etrailer didn't do a very good job of checking that it was customer ready.
Katrina B.
5/10/2023
I am sorry that your hitch arrived with scratches on it. We recommend covering up any scratches or scuffs with a rust-oleum type of paint. There is a link below for your reference. I have sent your information over to our customer service department for them to look into getting you a paint credit.
Helpful Links
Hitch was good and a direct fit for my 2024 Rav4 Hybrid. Only misses were that the "tow hook" that is mounted to the bottom of the vehicle had to get removed, luckily I saw reference to this on an un-associated youtube video, and just removed it. Other is that the hitch came pretty banged up, due to being a giant hunk of metal in a thin cardboard box. I touched up the hitch with spray paint. Not a big deal just be aware that it isn't going to arrive in perfect paint condition. Also I ordered a seperate Curt 4-pin mount and modified it to mount onto the hitch, the one that comes in teh kit is waaay too big for just holding a 4-pin connector.
-To sum it up was a very good solid product, it mounted very well and all the hardware was easy to use. For the price you will not find a better deal if you are willing to polish it up a touch when it arrives, not the manufactures/seller's fault.
Thanks
Nice hitch. A bit overpriced compared to the other offerings that are similar in size/amount of material. However I wanted the extra 2" of ground clearance so I bit the bullet and payed the extra amount.
However I wanted the clean look and clearance so went ahead and cut it.
One suggestion: After getting it laid out correctly according to the instructions using removable painter's tape, I first drilled 3/8" holes in the top corners to make a rounded more finished look. Also I was a bit afraid about cutting so the corners were "sharp" and the possibility that due to vibration and fatigue over times the corners could start tearing.
After drilling the corners I used a utility knife and steel straight edge to cut the rest of it and then sanded to finish. Turned out well.
I haven't mounted it yet as I have some vertebral compression fractures from rock climbing so can't lift it up into place underneath the car. I'm scheduled to have U-haul install it in a couple days. They install Curt hitches all the time which are virtually the same 4 bolts and same process. They only charge $[XX] to install the Curt hitches on a Rav4 so I'm hoping it will be similarly - especially since I went to the trouble of cutting the fascia myself.
Great looking product. Annoyed it showed up with a 2 inch long area of missing paint because it was scratched off in shipping. etrailer will say to just spray paint it but why do I need to paint a $[XX] hitch? Guess where it is going to rust first?
Received the hitch when expected and in great condition. Critically useful was the video on the website to walk through the installation process.
Mark
3/7/2024
Excellent. I use it every day and have had no problems.
The hitch arrived in good shape. Even though the box was heavy duty, and the hitch was secure inside, the hard points of the hitches metal edges caused some box tears. Luckily the finish was intact (I think a testament to a durable coating on the hitch.) Installation went very easy and I was able to do it on my own and just used a jack to lift it in place. The mounting bolts were easily accessible. When finished I have a full 12" clearance from the ground to the bottom of the hitch.
Great Hitch! Beautiful and fits nicely. Good Installation video. Slight issue with delivery delays due to manufacturing, but all in all it was a good purchase and a great product. Definitely worth the wait.
I bought this to use for a bike rack on a 2023 RAV4 hybrid. I chose it over the cheaper Curt hitch as it has about 2" more ground clearance.
Install on a 2023 RAV4 was straight forward and took about an hour with the help of my 14 year old son. We did not have to remove the exhaust or cut the fascia. The two of us carefully pivoted it around the exhaust and put on blocks. A jack really helped hold it in place with lining up the holes for the bolts. The hitch barely touches the fascia, not sure why they recommend cutting it.
The only issue was with torquing the passenger side bolts to spec. I bought a cheap dogbone but it was too short for one of the bolts. Need a longer 19mm dogbone to get it in there. It would be nice if Etrailer sold an appropriate dogbone.
Hitch receiver fit and finish was excellent. However, as others have complained, packaging for shipment was lacking and resulted in damage to the finish. Needed to spot repaint to avoid future rust.
Works great makes a little bit of noise but that is normal because of the receiver has play with hitch.
Jenny N.
10/10/2023
When you are taking about that it makes a little bit of noise due to play, I believe that you mean when you are using a hitch accessory like a ball mount, bike rack, or cargo carrier. It sounds like it is not that much noise for you however can use an anti-rattle device like part # rm-061 to tighten up the shank in the hitch receiver.
Arrived Wednesday, Installed today. Looks to be well made - it is pretty heavy. It fit like a glove. The instructions were good. I also watched a video on YouTube. In all it took about 1.5 hours. I was able to do it by myself using a floor jack to lift it into place.
Overall solid hitch. Need to install it yet. Biggest issues: finish is absolutely garbage so I'm coating it with heavy duty rustoleum enamel and truck bedliner. Second, shipping box/how it is shipped is not good. The thinner edges need to be wrapped because they will and did punch through the box. So, if you get this hitch, just be aware that you'll have to completely reboot it before you install it. I was aware of the poor shipping box issues, but was a bit surprised by the really poor quality coating.
Easy install! I didn’t cut the bumper, I did it by myself with the help of some boxes to prop the hitch. Kick sensor works bu I need to find the sweet spot still. I might have to modify the sensor. Taking off one star packaging was bad and scuffed the hitch.
Very well-built receiver! Now just waiting for my new 2024 RAV4 Limited to arrive from Japan. Will update review after installation.
Ordered the trailer hitch and wiring harness on 7/17/23. Apparently due to high demand of the trailer hitch, delivery was delayed approximately 5 weeks. When the order arrived, the wiring harness was missing (it was listed on the packing list) as the box was opened and taped shut by UPS. There are plenty of videos on you tube showing installation. The passenger side bolts were difficult to install, due to the lack of room.
Fit nice and tight under the bumper on my 2023 rav4. I didn't cut the bumper at all despite instructions calling for a cut. I did remove the tow hook on the passenger side to get the hitch in. Very easy install and more than strong enough for a vehicle that can tow 2500lbs. I intend to use it for mounting my bike rack.
Looks very nice, factory looking Hitch, I had it installed since it is heavy and requires some tools but still much less expensive than any dealer option.
The product shipped fast and seems solid after install. And I like the look and clearance better than the options that are fully below the rear bumper plastic.
Unfortunately, my product came from a manufacturer that did not add any extra packing or bracing for the shipment. It was just in a single corrugated box...which was badly damaged of course. The brackets of the hitch were punctured through the box. Some of the scratches on the product appear to have occurred before shipping as they did not align with any damage to the box
10 pieces of hardware were missing (bolts, washers, nuts). The hardware bag was sealed, so I don't think the shipping damage was the cause of the missing hardware. Hannah in customer service was very responsive
I originally had the Curt class III hitch, but it hangs to low and the draw bar would scrape on some hills around my house. I bought this as a replacement because the ground clearance is almost 2 inches higher. The actual hitch fits tight to the body and seems well built. It didn't come with the installation hardware, but that was delivered about a week later. etrailer had to get hardware from eco hitch. The main issue with this product is rust. After three weeks of being installed, I had alot of surface rust. I reached out to eco hitch to find out why. They said there warranty doesn't cover rust and recommended steel wool and paint, but, I could send pictures for review. I never heard back. They have an option on their site for custom powder coating, but the the stock coating is terrible. This hitch is twice as much as the Curt and doesn't appear to be corrosion resistant at all. If you go with this hitch, prior to install, paint it. With no warranty to speak of, I now have to uninstall the hitch and paint the hitch, and reinstall. I have had 4 hitches from hidden hitch and Curt, but never seen anything rust the fast. Eco hitch should be embarrassed by the quality of the coating and lack of support.
I haven't had a chance to pull anything yet but the installation was really easy. The hitch sits tight against the bumper and the plastic bends enough that you can install the hitch without cutting anything. The bend in the plastic is not noticeable unless you crouch down. The hitch sits higher than other aftermarket options and I think it looks great (even better than OEM). If you have two people, it's easy to maneuver the hitch into place without lowering the exhaust. It's also helpful to support the hitch with a jack while putting the bolts in. Installation was super simple, we didn't even need to lift up the car.
The longest step was borrowing a torque wrench.
Hitch was exactly what I was looking for. Yes, the box had some damage, but it was easy to remedy as I already had some anti-rust spray paint. It was super easy to order via ETRAILER, and order was delivered before expected ETA. Thanks, would highly recommend ETRAILER.
Jenny N.
6/2/2022
You have already done what I recommend by touching up the affected areas with a rust resistant paint. It is beneficial to have the paint on hand for regular hitch maintenance.
Helpful Links
Good product, but neither the install video, nor the written instructions tell you that the hitch occupies the same physical space as the liftgate sensor on the 2021 RAV4 Prime and that you probably should not try to reinstall the liftgate sensor as it originally was. This will severely bend the sensor housing if you manage to get the fasteners back in. I just used loosely tightened zip ties to reconnect the sensor without bending it. Liftgate sensor no longer works, I imagine because it's looking in the totally wrong direction now. But at least I can restore the sensor if I remove the hitch.
Thomas M.
12/21/2021
I reached out to my contact at Torklift and he told me that you should still be able to use the liftgate sensor. He said to wave your foot to the right or left of the receiver to activate the sensor.
Jonathan
12/12/2022
Over the last year, the hitch has provided many happy trips to biking destinations.
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Big J.
8/14/2023
The hitch is good. No rust. Probably bc I live in Arizona. I did end up taking the bumper off and cutting the slot in the bumper so the hits sits flush with the bumper. Looks factory. I use it all the time for a 4x8 trailer and I may of used it for a car dolly for 35 miles. Nothing I can say bad about the hitch besides the price still. I think they would sale more if they would just lower the price a tad .