[jsyteng]

Anybody have experience having a trailer hitch (no electrics) purchased and installed thru U-Haul? The price is infinitely cheaper (~$350) vs. going thru a dealer install ($1295). . . .but was curious about differences in quality.

 

[4sallypat]

I had U Haul trailer hitches when I had pickups and SUVs - they use quality manufactured parts from Curt...

I don't know if they have one for a CUV (crossover) - have you inquired ?

 

[jsyteng]

yes, already checked it out . . . was firmly quoted the $350 figure. Will probably go for it in the next couple of months.

 

[4sallypat]

Good to hear about the great price for a hitch.

But what about the electronics - did UHAUL say anything about any adapters they sell for the DS ?
I would need a 4 pin and 7 pin connection to the DS electronics - probably either a wire harness that plugs in or else a converter ?

 

[DrJJC]

I got the LandRover one installed at the dealer. They have an entire new back piece installed and it looks sharp.... But I believe it is only a class 2 offered by LandRover as none of my accessory bike racks or trailor adaptor (even my hitch safe) I used with my Wrangler will fit.

Luckily my LR dealer vowed to make it right.

 

[jsyteng]

4sallypat: re: wiring, I do know it's possible. If you goto the UHaul website and go thru the process of buying a hitch, you will see options to add wiring. If I remember correct, hitch installation without wiring is $135, with wiring is $75 additional)

 

[DrJJC]

FYI - here is a pic of the dealer installed hitch and bumper.

 

[jsyteng]

DrJCC: that looks super sharp, but I'm a bit confused: you say that the hitch is not compatible with a bike rack? To me it looks like it a regular 2" Thule hitch rack could fit in there perfectly . . .

 

[DrJJC]

I have all class 3 bike racks and hitch mounts. It does work as a class II reciever.

 

[jsyteng]

DrJCC: did you or are planning to have Land Rover convert to Class 3?

 

[jsyteng]

I'm slowly discovering that even if I went with a UHaul hitch (for which interestingly enough they have a specific model for the DS), I would STILL need to get that a different panel as shown in DrJCC's pict. Don't think the $350 number thru UHaul would be the final figure then . . . am researching some more.

 

[DrJJC]

Yeah, the panel seems important to me. LandRover does not have a Class III option. They said they could refund me for the hitch and take it off, but then I will have some ugly UHaul hitch without the nice bumper applique. I think it will really look horrible.

They are taking my bike rack tomorrow to see if they can find a solution.

Maybe they will take my bike rack and give me a credit toward another? Not sure, but hope they do something soon so I can take my family on bike rides.

 

[Banks01]

I think I found a solution.

I have the 2016 Disco HSE Lux 5+2. Curt sells the exact hitch needed for $170. Uhaul will install it for $65/hr and they have other Curt products at the large Uhaul place near me in ATL. $170 + 2 hrs at $65 = $300 vs $1,200 at the dealer (which I did for my Evoque but never was able to use)

I'm ordering the hitch tomorrow to be delivered there for install this weekend. For the 5+2, the hitch hangs just below the silver piece in the back. No additional parts are needed except the wiring harness. I'll post pics when complete.

 

[DrJJC]

Will it come with the alternate cover for the bumper?

 

[Banks01]

Look here. Trailer Hitch Instructions For DrawTite, Reese, Hidden Hitch & More - etrailer.com


Google people!

 

[DrJJC]

Does not look bad at all. Thanks!

Any idea if that is a Class III? I had trouble determining on their site and can email or call them.

 

[jsyteng]

Look here. Trailer Hitch Instructions For DrawTite, Reese, Hidden Hitch & More - etrailer.com


Google people!

Very much looking forward to your picts once you are done. Looking at the instructions some more, I did read that the silver panel needs to be trimmed by shears. This would make me nervous, because alot of how it's going to look will depend on the care and skill of the person doing the cutting.

I'm wondering if you can get the hitch done via Uhaul, but get the alternate Land Rover silver bumper panel that is used for the dealer-installed hitch. That might save some $. It'd only be feasible if the UHaul/Curt hitch lined up perfect with the hole in the Land Rover panel.

DrJJC: The other thing I noticed is that the dealer-installed version hitch seems to stick out a bit more. Can you elaborate? Also curious if there is a cover/cap for the opening itself?

 

[DrJJC]

It sticks out, but no more than a hitch normally would. It is not in the way by any means.

I called U-Haul and Franklin Hitch to inquire about my factory setup not fitting my accessories.

Both places indicated LandRover hitch recievers are notorious for being just slightly off as they are from Europe and are Metric.

They have no solution at the moment and I do not wish to purchase all new accessories & really don't want to cut the other bumper or have it showing underneath.

LandRover is attempting to find a solution.

 

[DrJJC]

We found a solution. A local and reputable local trailer hitch installer is removing the metric sleve from the LandRover factory hitch reciever and replacing it with a US reciever that will fit my accessories.

My dewlership is treating me right and got this to happen. It was interesting that they did not know of the issue. I assume this is so new that I was their first case.

I wonder if LandRover will change the equipment for US installs.

 

[jsyteng]

great news! thanks for keeping us posted. Boggles my mind that you were stuck with a metric sleeve to begin with. . .