Hi,

I've seen some really nice postings on this forum and I really appreciate some of the experts taking their time to reply to the questions asked. Great way to share knowledge.

I have a 2004 Xterra which I bought about 4 months ago. I am planning on buying a boat this summer and hence wanted to get a hitch installed. I heard that the Nissan hitches are better than the Uhaul ones so I went to the Nissan dealer and they gave an estimate of $360 for the hitch and $170 for the labor charges. He said that if I had gotten the hitch option when I bought the truck, it'd have been cheaper. So, I am paying $530 for the hitch now including parts and labor. I just wanted to check if it's reasonable or am I getting ripped off here? Please feel free to share how much it costed you to get a hitch installed on the xterra.

Thanks,
cadguy

I don't have a hitch, but I'll throw out what I know. Check under your truck and look for hitch wiring. I believe all Xterras have the wires built in. Also when the dealer mentions having bought the towing option, he probably means that you will need the frame strenghteners which are available aftermarket at skidplates.com If you're comfortable with a wrench you should be able to put all the metal in yourself. Like I said I don't know about the wiring, do a search and you should find out more.

Xterrparts.com prices hitches at $272, of course there is shipping you'll have to pay, but your dealers price sounds high to me.

Cadguy,

I just bought & installed a nice trailer hitch class III from Curt Mftg via JC Whitneys website. It was only $180, and it was custom color matched to my 2002 Xterra. If your somewhat mechanical - No holes to drill, just 6 bolts to install & a spacer on the exhaust system which I had a little trouble getting off due to a rusted on nut. Hope this helps. There's even cheaper hitches available also.

Just make sure you get the frame strengtheners. If you get under your truck and look at the frame rails you'll see they're not boxed. You can bend them with a wrench. :eek:

This is what to look for:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/xterraguy/TowPlug.jpg

All,

thanks a bunch for all your suggestions. It helps.

Cadguy

This is what to look for:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/xterraguy/TowPlug.jpg

Thanks everyone. I got the towing hitch installed now, but still trying to figure out how to hook up the trailer wiring. My trailer has a 4 pin straight pin. I went to the nissan dealership and bought a harness sub to connect to this plug under the truck as shown in the pic above. The problem is I am unable to remove the connector cap to hook up the harness cable. Does anyone have an idea how to connect it. the manual says that the connector cap should be removed by appropriate tool. Can anyone help me out here?

Thanks,
Cadguy

I got the towing hitch installed now...

I can't help you on the connector (mine came with an adapter that has 4-pin straight on one end, 4-pin square on other), but as I'm poised to buy a HiddenHitch @ $139 I'd like to know if you had to remove the spare tire to use the hitch...It looks like the spare would be in the way when you plugged the ball-bar thingie in...

Also, I looked at the frame stiffeners at skidplates.com; it looks like I could probably make my own just as easily...and cheaper...But could someone please explain how the OEM/aftermarket stiffeners are placed???

That is, do you place the frame in the middle of the stiffener/hitch "sandwich"???