I have an 08 f150 without the factory towing option. I didnt need it when I bought the truck, but I plan on buying a small boat next year. I know the bumper will do fine on small things, but I figure a class III hitch will be better, and I can shop for hitch covers which is fun.

I've looked at a few different ones online, and think the one I want is the Curt brand. I can get it for pretty cheap and it says no drilling needed. I just want to ask anyone who has put on an aftermarket hitch, is there really no drilling required? Also I want the hitch to be snug under the bumper and not hang down like some you see on the road. If you have a different one to look at let me know.

 

Or you could go to a salvage yard and look for the factory combination hitch / rear bumper mount?

 

True, but I dont feel like going through all that trouble. Aslo the salvage yards around here are too expensive. I would be better off getting a new one for 125 bucks shipped to my door.

 

you could drop by ur local u haul and look at what they have too. the ones ive seen around look pretty decent and seem to mount up where the factory ones are.

also look for "hidden hitch" brands. they tuck up and under too.

 

It will take you a total of 30mins to fit yourself, it's really simple job to do.

 

Never done one, but its likely similar to a step bar installs.

remove factory bolts, then you hold the hitch up and replace the bolts.

I put a few sets of step bars on and its always, remove bolt hold up step bar, replace bolt.

Id say its like that.

But I could be wrong.

 

Thanks guys, I think I'll go ahead and order one. I might go to a local U-haul or the trailer shop to look around and check prices. Thanks for the help guys.

 

here's the one I am ordering: http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...cleid=20076408

 

Ive put a few hitches on trucks where I didnt have to remove any bolts and the bolts for the hitch used existing holes in the frame to mount up.

 

My 08 was just bolt on, no removal of any bolts, six bolts in total.

 

Put a draw tite on my 04, simple bolt up, hidden hitch is similar.

 

Thanks again, lots of helpful info on here. I like the one linked above, it actually shows pictures on it installed.

 

yeah, its the cleanest looking one of the bunch on the site. the contoured bar makes it look more stock than the others which are straight.

 

I installed Draw-Tite for a few years and I can vouch that they make a great product. It will come with easy to read and follow instructions too. If you can't find a Draw-Tite, Reese would be the next best thing. They come out of the same warehouse.

And for the record, every Hidden Hitch brand hitch is not always hidden. I have seen those hang down more than other brands on certain vehicles.

Curt came into the game heavy a few years ago and thier main claim to fame was having a bunch of color choices for thier hitches, mainly because they were very visible from the rear of the vehicle. I remember putting on some yellow and green ones. Never heard anyone to have any problems with them though.

 

I got my class III hitch installed at U-Haul. It's actually a Curt hitch. It's the kind that's completely hidden behind the bumper. Only part that shows is the actual hitch. It cost $150 and no drilling was required. Recently, I added a 7 blade 4 pin plug combo. The 4 pin was fine, but I ended up needing a 7 blade for other trailers.