Hitch question, which one?

tomsjeep · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:26 pm

OK, I'm getting around to making some changes on my Libby now (2007 Liberty Sport 4wd). I just started to replace the stock tires with some nice ones (Goodyear Silent Armor 245x70r16), and now come to the question of the hitch for the rear. Jeep has a "Jeep" hitch available. I also see one listed by Hidden Hitch, and Curt makes one. All three of these seem to be Class III hitches, so in that sense they're the same.
But aside from use for towing a small (yet to be acquired) trailer, does anyone have any experience/suggestions on these (or even others not mentioned) choices? I'm anticipating that the hitch will be able to serve as a recovery point for the rear, so with that application in mind...

I throw myself on the mercies of the forum.
Suggestions?

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:42 pm

I'm happy with my REESE hidden hitch...

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:52 pm

IIRC I had a Reese and it hung down low but it was a good hitch, but they should all work just fine for you.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:57 pm

I've got a U-haul unit on mine, it does hang a bit low but I haven't had any problems so far on the trail.

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:07 pm

The only thing that hangs down on the REESE is the Receiver..

I'm not sure what kind of hitch tom has, but here is a comparison anyway..

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:13 pm

the Reese works fine for me..

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:17 pm

My Reese doesn't look anything like that!?!?! I got mine in 2003...

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:22 pm

i really like the round tube made ones like what i got from INC

seen a few around here like it too

corwyyn · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm

cdiekhans wrote:

The only thing that hangs down on the REESE is the Receiver..

I'm not sure what kind of hitch tom has, but here is a comparison anyway..

Tom's looks a bit like my U-haul hitch. Trying to remember who it's made by

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:28 pm

cdiekhans wrote:

:shock:

My Reese doesn't look anything like that!?!?! I got mine in 2003...

Part number 37152
http://www.reeseprod.com/

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:33 pm

Drawtite (75128) ClassIV...same as the Reese...not the round tube style that I believe is the class II

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:36 pm

Here is another one.

http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:38 pm

Blue KJ in PA wrote:

Drawtite (75128) ClassIV...same as the Reese...not the round tube style that I believe is the class II

They make both when I purchased nine II & III I have the III.

oddball · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:42 pm

I have the actual "Hidden Hitch" brand on my KJ. As you can see, it doesn't hang below the gas tank skid.

As for Hidden Hitch, it's kind of like Q-tip... there's really only one.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:43 pm

one i was talkin bout looks alot like Liv42dy's if not exactly like it which is a III

was a pita to get mine in partially because I didn't drop the exhaust

but i marked it and snatched it pretty good with the IH and it didn't budge

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:47 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

one i was talkin bout looks alot like Liv42dy's if not exactly like it which is a III

was a pita to get mine in partially because I didn't drop the exhaust

but i marked it and snatched it pretty good with the IH and it didn't budge

Mine was the same way, I did not drop the exhaust but it worked out.

tomsjeep · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:04 pm

Wow! Lots of good responses, input.
Thanks so much.
I was concerned the hidden hitch might not be suitable as an extraction point... but you guys have made me feel better about that.
So given that I'm a major klutz as a mechanic, I'm going to have trouble putting this on, hmm?
Lovely. I suspect I'll have to allot a couple of days to get it working right (most things I try to install have to be taken off and reinstalled a couple of times before I finally get it right).

oddball · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:26 pm

My Hidden Hitch is bolted into the same factory frame holes the Kilby gas tank skid is bolted into. The original owner of my KJ installed the skid & hitch, but upon inspection, looks like it was a easy install to me.

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:35 pm

It bolts on with no issues, just getting around the tail pipe unless you drop it. Its good to have an extra pair of hands around to get the first couple of bolts on , if not just use a floor jack to lift it in place. Have fun

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:45 pm

hitches on the KJ's are actually easier than some other similar vehicles , just get ya hitch and your bolts sit the hitch on your chest (facing the correct direction

) and kinda ballance it on your knees/hips and start getting bolt's in, once you've got a bolt in on both sides in a couple threads it'll support it's own weight and it's just a matter of gettin the rest in

probably easier to get the hole closest to the bumper on the exhaust side in first since you want to make sure it stays above the exhaust while putting the other side in

then it's just a matter of torque'n

don't let it spook ya

actually i think the hardest part for me was finding bolts

ended up going to fastenal and getting a whole box of them

i ended up jackin the body up on mine and putting a jackstand under it to get my hand between the chassis and the exhaust, had i taken the tire off it would have been a tad easier but it worked, that was the only bolt that gave me problems

Hitch question, which one?

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