Trailer Hitches - Factory vs. Other aftermarket

[Rube]

I am weighing options and wondering of any feedback anyone would care to share. The question is wether to go factory (integrated look) or go with an exposed after market (hangs lower and visible). Although factory models are more expensive and installation requires some invasive removals and the aftermarket do not.
Appreciate in advance any information shared regarding experiences on this issue.

 

[Jake22]

OEM...no question

 

[alyron619]

I think it is etrailer? That has an aftermarket hitch that fits like the oem one. There is even a video showing installation including the removing of the rear bumper cover and how the center panel comes off to use the hitch. The link to it was on either this forum or one of the other forums in the WL section.

 

[Jactan]

Just installed OEM several weeks very good hitch bolted right up. I posted a brief post on the installation last week.

 

[LSUMaze]

When OEM was out of stock, my dealer installed a CURT hitch for me. It is identical to the OEM one, and a little cheaper.
CURT makes a lot of the mopar branded hitches anyways, so I am not worried about it.

 

[Rube]

So does the aftermarket hitch hang down far enough to scrape under normal conditions?
I've heard that the stock hitch is ultimately too high causing to buy a step down adapter for most trailers.
Thanks for responding.

 

[Billy299]

I used etrailer. Love it. Great build quality and very detailed instruction video. It was way cheaper as well. Only way to go!

 

[dctech]

The aftermarket hitch, in my case Draw-Tite, installs in the EXACT same place as OEM (behind the bumper). It does not hang down. This means that the install effort is also the same (bumper removal etc). It took me about 3 hours start to finish to install mine including the wiring. My Draw-Tite hitch cost $231 (Towuniverse), and the wiring (4-pin) was $88 (realtruck). I added a Curt 4" ball mount which levels out my trailer the same as a 2" lift mount I use on my Cayenne.

 

[Jake22]

 

[Jake22]

 

[Sarge]

When OEM was out of stock, my dealer installed a CURT hitch for me. It is identical to the OEM one, and a little cheaper.
CURT makes a lot of the mopar branded hitches anyways, so I am not worried about it.

Does it install behind the bumper cover, or beneath/under it (ie hangs below the bumper cap and is visible all the time, vs the OEM hitch which hides under teh plastic bumper skin?

I ask because the aftermarket ones I've seen can significantly eat into the departure angle as a result of not sitting in the same place as the hidden OEM one. For anyone looking at aftermarket hitches, this should be an important question, for resale as well.

 

[LSUMaze]

Does it install behind the bumper cover, or beneath/under it (ie hangs below the bumper cap and is visible all the time, vs the OEM hitch which hides under teh plastic bumper skin?

I ask because the aftermarket ones I've seen can significantly eat into the departure angle as a result of not sitting in the same place as the hidden OEM one. For anyone looking at aftermarket hitches, this should be an important question, for resale as well.

It sits in the exact same place as the OEM, and when not in use it is hiding behind the bumper cap, which fits back in place perfectly. Even the 7 pin receiver fits right next to the hitch receiver just like OEM.