Hitch question for my minivan

[R_Lefebvre]

Quick question. Yes, it's for a minivan. My wife's. She got a 2009 Pontiac Montana, only sold in Canada that year. Basically a 2008 Chevy Uplander.

It it rated to tow 3500lbs. I can get a Class 2 hitch for $170, rated for 3500lbs. Or, I can get a Class 3 hitch, rated for 4000lbs for $215, but more importantly, built for weight distribution. In the near term, I'm looking at towing a big modern tent trailer. Probably 2000lbs, with ~300lbs tongue weight. I've never used weight distribution before, but I expect it might make this setup tow better. It's a lot of tongue weight for the back of the van.

I guess it seems like a no-brainer, but if I couldn't/wouldn't use the weight distribution, maybe I could save $40 and just get the class 2. Or, even stick with Class 2, and get airbags if that would be better.

Just looking for a little input.

 

[Sportsman Matt]

I would say don't skimp on the hitch. Get the highest capacity 2" receiver you can find, mainly because a lighter hitch has the chance of bending or breaking under continuous heavy load.
I had the factory GM hitch on my Silverado, the 2" receiver over 4 years managed to twist downward under tongue weight pressure from continuous towing. I replaced it with a Class V hitch, and 6 years later it's still in service and no sign of twisting under heavy loads.
I had a 1 1/4" hitch on a Dodge Caravan, worse thing a dealer could install. Had problems with getting hitch heads to adjust for height, and most 1 1/4" receivers are not beefed up enough to tow. Ended up replacing it with a Class IV 2" receiver, which held up 1000 times better.

Good luck

 

[elmo_4_vt]

Agree 100%. Get the biggest you can, even if you don't intent to use it. The differences in mounting structure are usually night and day.

-

 

[BIGdaddy]

I agree, Rob. Get the best you can afford, hitch-wise. I wonder if they come up used, up there?

Its not that I think you don't have the budget for a new one. Hitches are one of those things that I abhor buying new cuz they're almost impossible to destroy through normal use. I've bought craigslist hitches for the last 4 vehicles that have gotten hitches, including my XJ. (paid $40.00 for that one. yay!)

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Ok, I guess I'll just get the Class 3. For the record, we've had a class 1 on our little wagon for 7 years and it's been fine, and it's been used a lot. My main question was just about weight distribution. I've never used it.

Good idea Brian. I usually don't think of buying used. There's one locally, I'll check it out. He wants too much right off the bat, $175. But if it's a class 3 and I could pay $100, why not. Even if I have to repaint it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Ok, I guess I'll just get the Class 3. For the record, we've had a class 1 on our little wagon for 7 years and it's been fine, and it's been used a lot. My main question was just about weight distribution. I've never used it.

Good idea Brian. I usually don't think of buying used. There's one locally, I'll check it out. He wants too much right off the bat, $175. But if it's a class 3 and I could pay $100, why not. Even if I have to repaint it.

yup, I rattle-canned mine. $7.00, some easy prep work, (beer in one hand, flap disc in another) and it looks brand new.

happy hunting!

 

[highlandercj-7]

I have a class 5 style hitch on my 01 Montana. It's all welded and has the 2" reciever. It works great, I don't tow anything bigger than a ALiner pop up but it does will with out load distribution. It has the factory air ride suspension.

 

[njtaco]

Aren't you concerned about departure angle with the 2" class 3 receiver? They hang a little low under the van. The Class 2 would be better off road, especially on the rocks...












J/K :elkgrin:

Another vote for the 2 inch class 3 receiver. There are more available drawbars and accessories (bike racks, etc.) available for the 2" box.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I ordered the class 3. I looked into the used one, but it wasn't going to work out because I need it for the weekend.

Aren't you concerned about departure angle with the 2" class 3 receiver? They hang a little low under the van. The Class 2 would be better off road, especially on the rocks...

This thread can now be deleted if minivan talk offends the delicate sensibilities of ExPo.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I ordered the class 3. I looked into the used one, but it wasn't going to work out because I need it for the weekend.





This thread can now be deleted if minivan talk offends the delicate sensibilities of ExPo.

I'm offended.

fer shur.

 

[njtaco]

This thread can now be deleted if minivan talk offends the delicate sensibilities of ExPo.

LOL! No problem here! :smiley_drive:

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I use the hitch on my minivan way more than the one on my 80

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Hey no worries I just bought a Toyota Sienna AWD and put a Journey Offroad 3 " lift with one size bigger tires. Love it full disclosure I am not towing my trailer with it but just wanted to make you feel welcome. So I believe (and you need to confirm this) that weight distribution hitches (wdh) are not good for unibody vehicles. I would suggest looking in your owners manual of your van and see if you can determine the GCWR, cargo caring capacity and tounge weight. Also if you haven't already weigh your van loaded with all your camping cargo and people. See if you can find someone with a tounge ball scale and confirm the tounge weight of the trailer on totally level ground. If your trailer it's 2,000 pounds loaded and you balance your load in trailer you could get your tounge weight at 250-275 pounds. You may not need a wdh. Maybe call Timbren and see if they make thier SES bummper stops for your van. They are a cheap way to help with sagg. Maybe when you buy your next set of tires up the rating to D ( 6-8 ply)