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Adding a non-OEM trailer hitch?

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Daxx

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a 2006 Titan and I've been reading through the threads on installing a trailer hitch. I have purchased an aftermarket hitch (wish I would have read the forums first and bought OEM) and I'm stuck with it. So help me out here.

I have:
Class III Hitch

Things I have read I will need:
2 blue relays

Anything else? Some sort of harness or adapter or trailer plug or is that stuck up under the bumper? Also, I've briefly seen that there are some F-150 relays that are the same at 1/3 the cost? Is that correct?

Thanks,
Daxx
 
#2 ·
I don't think you need an aftermarket relay for an 06. You should just be able to plug the wiring harness in and go. You can see the plug in up under the truck slightly on the drivers side in front of the bumper.

I put an aftermarket Valley Hitch on my truck. I added a wiring plug in for both for pin and 7 pin (i think).

6 bolts, it was no problem. I have a pic of my hitch and setup in a previous post.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Dealer popped my hood and we checked - no relays. All three missing.

Well, I was able to return the non-OEM receiver for a 10% restocking fee (bought and returned to a local shop - seems like a rip :fu: ), but it was worth it. I picked up the OEM receiver kit at the dealership but it only comes with 1 brown and 1 blue relay and the 2006 needs 1 brown and 2 blue relays. The dealer sold me the OEM hitch for $207 which included throwing in the second blue relay at no charge -- not too bad considering the blue relay is a whopping $25. Basically, this is the best way to go, in my opinion, due to EVERYTHING being in the kit - bolt on and go.

Additional thoughts:
The OEM receiver seemed beefier than all the other non-OEM receivers I looked at, including the non-OEM one I had purchased. There is a bracket welded to the OEM receiver to mount the wiring harness trailer plug which is not on the non-OEM units. The OEM receiver had metal plates welded on top and bottom of the receiver, my non-OEM only had one plate, and the plates had cutouts for safety chain hooks which did not come on the non-OEM unit that I had purchased.

Additional thoughts 2:
Shame on Nissan for not providing the relays in all trucks and charging $25 a pop for a $5 part. Come on, Nissan!! Most people with trucks eventually pull something but we don't all need a BT package to pull little trailers.
 
#5 ·
I got the relays free from a wrecked truck at my local junkyard.
 
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#6 ·
Additional thoughts 2:
Shame on Nissan for not providing the relays in all trucks and charging $25 a pop for a $5 part. Come on, Nissan!! Most people with trucks eventually pull something but we don't all need a BT package to pull little trailers.[/QUOTE]

Why not an aftermarket hitch package that you can have completely setup for less than 3 bills at Uhaul including the relays and a 7 way and 4 flat combination connector..

The relays are spendy from Nissan. Retail to me at $50 apiece, until I told them I was a dealer then $18.00

Uhau'ls retail price is $10 apiece.. for each of the 3 up front and the one if necessary in the cab. The Hitch is priced around $159. Is a round tube tranverse slight drop so it starts up undeneath and ends up right under the rear bumper. Since the dealers like to make extra in accessories, ... anyone who has the $$ should go, anyone who wants to save .. Get the aftermarket at 1/2 the dealer price..
Towing capacity rating is the same as factory

Dealers can charge the going rate for their stuff, but the aftermarket on that particular vehicle is just as good looking, strong and functional as the OEM.


In any case we have done the installs and the package is perfectly fine and better on the wallet too.
 
#9 ·
Is the OEM hitch a class III or IV?

If I don't specifically own a travel trailer or large boat or something, is there really any reason to buy a class IV hitch?
 
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#12 ·
12glocks said:
I don't think you need an aftermarket relay for an 06. You should just be able to plug the wiring harness in and go. You can see the plug in up under the truck slightly on the drivers side in front of the bumper.

I put an aftermarket Valley Hitch on my truck. I added a wiring plug in for both for pin and 7 pin (i think).

6 bolts, it was no problem. I have a pic of my hitch and setup in a previous post.
Click to expand...
What is the thread size of the bolts?
 
#13 ·
I'm sorry I don't know the size, but I do know you want a 10.9 or 12.9 grade hex head metric capscrew.
 
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#14 ·
Well I found that the aftermarket was way cheaper for me. Both Nissan dealers near me said the kit was $315 and that no one near us would sell it for less. Believe me I tried no one was under $300!!! I dont know how some of you all get it for $207 or whatever. I bought a Class IV tubular hitch with free harness mount kit for $149.99 and then the harness from Nissan was $35. The relay was one blue for $14.95 so you all do the math. Under $200 and I installed it in less then 15 minutes.
 
#15 ·
I had an aftermarket hitch put on and the wiring harness for trailer hookup. It cost me $205 to have that installed. I went to Nissan and got 1 brown and 1 blue relay and that only cost me $25. What is the 3rd relay for? Is it Big Tow specific?
 
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#16 ·
I just picked my truck up last Thursday. The Dealer did not have the hitch in stock so Friday I went to U-haul and picked up the Hitch plus plug in wiring harness that had the 7 and 4 pin recepticles and Relay kit (3 relays) the total was $139 Hitch, $29 Wiring adapter, and $25 for the Relays. Under $200 and took all about 10 minutes to install.

The U-Haul hitch is rated for 1000 - 10,000 I believe.

Mac
 
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