Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 2012 Toyota Sienna for Trailer Towing and Bike Rack

Question:

Hello! Im looking for a hitch for Sienna 2012 to use mostly with a bike rack but would like to have an option to tow a trailer. Im mostly worried from what I saw about vehicle being low for towing and exhaust rattling against a trailer hitch. Could you advise which hitch will work best for Sienna? From the reviews I saw here the Curt Hitch is also kind of hidden as opposed to others. Thank you for your answer

asked by: Shimon

Expert Reply:

Since you want to tow a trailer and use the hitch for bikes, I recommend a Class III trailer hitch for your 2012 Toyota Sienna. A Class III trailer hitch with a 2 inch receiver is going to afford you more options for accessories than a smaller hitch.

The receiver on any of the available trailer hitches will be directly below the rear bumper on the van, including the Curt hitch, # C13105, that you have referenced. Because the vehicle sits so low to the ground, ground clearance can be an issue. With the trailer hitch installed, it will be about 8-3/4 inches from the ground. Any bike rack that you use should have a rise on the shank to help avoid it from hitting the ground. I have included a link to a video showing an installation and a link to the installation details.

Some hitches, once installed, can cause the exhaust to rattle, but there are steps you can take to minimize or eliminate this from happening if it does occur on your vehicle. We actually have an FAQ article on this subject which I have linked for you.

For towing, I recommend the etrailer ball mount kit, # EBMK4. It comes with a ball mount, interchangeable ball set, a hitch pin with clip and a carrying bag. For trailer wiring, use # 118498. I have included a link explaining the wiring installation as well.

expert reply by: Michael H