How Much Does It Cost To Install A Trailer Hitch On A Toyota Highlander?

Are you wondering how much does it cost to install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander?

Whether you want to go camping or just pull something with your Toyota Highlander, you will need a hitch on the back. If you don’t already have a hitch, you need to install one.

As with anything else in life, installing a hitch costs money, but there are options to choose from.

For example, you can install the hitch yourself, which tends to be the most affordable option. You could also have it installed at the factory if you are buying a new Toyota Highlander, or you can have the dealer do it instead.

Each of these options comes with a different price tag.

So, how much does it cost to install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander? On average, you can expect to pay between $350 and $400 for the Hitch itself and the wiring harness will cost around $175 if you install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander yourself. You can get a dealer to install your hitch trailer then you need to pay around $700 to $800 in total.

To find out how much it cost to install a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander, keep reading. This article tells you everything you need to know about trailer hitch installation on this vehicle type. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Installing A Hitch On A Toyota Highlander Price

Installing a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander has a pretty wide price range. If you install it yourself, you will only need to pay for the hitch because it is assumed you already have all the other tools required to get the job done. You can get trailer hitches for around $200 online.

If you want a hitch that is similar to what a factory or dealer would install, expect to pay between $350 and $400 online. The wiring harness would cost $150 to $175. This can make the final purchase cost around $575.

If you don’t have the skills or expertise to install the hitch yourself, you will likely need to get it installed either at the factory or dealer.

“For example, getting it installed at the factory can cost about $420, which is about 40% of the retail price because they do not charge for the labor.”

You can get a dealer to install it too, but this will cost more because they will charge for labor. You can expect to pay around $700 if you hire a dealer to install the trailer hitch for you. Hiring a mechanic will cost about the same.

To put all those numbers into a range, installing a trailer hitch on a Toyota Highlander can range between $200 and $700. The exact number will depend on the option you select first and foremost.

The tables below show cost estimation for trailer hitch installation on a Toyota Highlander:

Install Yourself	Cost ($)
Trailer Hitches Online	$200-$250
Wiring harness	$150-$175
Total Cost	Up to $375

Install By Dealer or Mechanic	Cost ($)
Factory Trailer Hitches	$350-$400
Wiring harness	$350-$400
Total Cost	Around $700 to $800

Install It Yourself

The cheapest option for installing a hitch on a Toyota Highlander is to install it yourself. Installing a hitch and harness is easier than you would think, and it doesn’t require much skill.

You will need a couple of hours to get the job done, as well as jack stands, a high lift floor jack, and additional tools like a torque wrench.

We only recommend installing it yourself if you feel confident in your abilities to do so. You don’t want to install it shoddily and put everyone at risk when you are driving.

We also only recommend installing it yourself if you already have the tools. If you have to go out and buy all the tools, you will end up paying way more than if you had just hired someone else to install it for you.

You will need to buy the part for the hitch, but that should be the only item you need to pay for. You can find some pretty good hitches that are suitable for a Toyota Highlander online for about $200.

If you want a hitch that is identical to what the dealer would install, expect to pay $400.

Because hitches and harnesses are big parts, you also need to anticipate shipping. Some people noted that shipping costs as much as $100 if not more, though not everyone said that they were charged as much for their shipping.

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Can A Professional Add A Hitch To A Toyota Highlander?

In the case that you know you are not skilled enough to install a trailer hitch on your own, go to an expert who knows how to install it for you.

If you are getting a new Toyota Highlander and know you want to put on a hitch, you can have it installed at the factory or dealer.

In terms of affordability, doing it at the factory is much cheaper. Dealers will not tell you this, but factories tend to not charge for labor for additional parts like this.

Because labor is the most expensive part of the hitch, this can save you about 40% of the retail price. As a result, you can expect to pay about $420 in total.

In contrast, getting it at the dealer is more expensive. Whenever you get it installed, you have to pay for the part as well as the labor. This can make the retail price up to $700, which is notably more expensive than the factory price.

Toyota Highlander factory Trailer Hitch (Toyota Highlander Trailer Hitch Installation) >> Check out the video below:

Hiring A Mechanic

If you already have the Toyota Highlander, then getting it factory-installed or installed at the dealer isn’t an option.

You can simply hire a mechanic instead. Mechanics have all the same skills and expertise, if not more. Like with the dealer installation, you will need to pay for labor and the part.

The cost for hiring a mechanic will be similar to the dealer, but it likely won’t be as expensive. The exact price for mechanic installation will depend on where you go.

It will likely be between $420 and $700.

Other Factors That Can Increase Price

So far, the main factors that we looked at in terms of price were labor and the part. This is by far the bulk of the price that you will need to pay.

Most people will only need to pay for the part and labor unless they’re looking for something special.

For example, you can buy a warranty. Warranties are beneficial in the sense that they can cover your tail in the case that the hitch should break prematurely.

On the other end of the spectrum, it also costs more money, and you may never need to use the warranty.

You should be able to get a warranty on the hitch if you get it installed from the factory or dealer. Depending on which hitch you select (if you expect to do it yourself), you may be able to get a warranty on the actual part as well.

Trailer Hitch Installation FAQs

How long does it take to install a trailer hitch yourself?

Installing a trailer hitch can take between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours.

For the Toyota Highlander, it should probably take around 1 hour, but the exact time will depend on the skill level of the installer. The hitch needs to be a class 3 hitch with the ability to pull 5000 pounds.

As we mentioned above, you will need some basic tools, such as jack stands, a high lift floor jack, and additional tools.

You also need to buy the hitch yourself, but you should be able to find options online for around $200 to $400.

Etrailer.com posted a convenient video and directions for installing a trailer hitch to a 2020 Toyota Highlander.

I recommend watching this video and reading their instructions because they are highly skilled and go into great detail. Even beginners should be able to follow their instructions.

What goes into hitch installation price?

Whether you get your trailer hitch installed at the factory or dealer is completely up to you. We recommend getting it installed at a factory because it is more affordable.

Getting accessories added on at the factory typically does not charge labor. It simply costs you additional money in the parts.

If you were to go to the dealer, you would need to pay for both the parts and the labor. This makes the dealer price much more expensive than the factory price. The factory price tends to be about 40% cheaper than the dealer price.

You can also go to a mechanic. The mechanic price will also charge for labor and parts, but their prices will be more affordable than the dealer.

What trailer hitch to get for a Toyota Highlander?

It’s important to get a vehicle-specific trailer hitch to ensure a proper fit. Toyota sells a hitch receiver that is priced around $450. The part number is pt228-48140.

You don’t have to buy the hitch directly through Toyota. There are other options online, but make sure the option you select says that it is custom-made for Toyota Highlanders.

2020 Toyota Highlander trailer hitch installation

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2019 Toyota Highlander Trailer Hitch

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2018 Toyota Highlander hitch

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2017 Toyota Highlander Trailer Hitch Installation

2017 Toyota Highlander Trailer Hitch Installation >> Check out the video below:

Final Thoughts

Installing a trailer hitch to a Toyota Highlander can be expensive. You can expect to pay between $200 and $700, depending on the installation option you select.

The cheapest choice is installing it yourself, but this may not be possible for all people.

If you do not have the ability to install a trailer hitch, we recommend getting it installed at the factory or a mechanic instead of a dealer.

The factory installation does not charge for labor, making it more comparable to self-installation prices. You could also get a warranty if you would like, but that will make the price go up some.

References

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/factory-oem-hitch-installed-by-dealer-or-factory.1431162/

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-curt-trailer-hitch-2020-toyota-highlander-c99fr.aspx