Which hitch to buy?

I have a 24 Tundra Limited. It's my first ever truck. I'm currently researching boats and will soon purchase one. I know nothing about hitches. Which one should I buy and why? Money is not an issue, I just want something that will work well and be dependable. Are they all the same? I see that some are adjustable and some are not. Any reason to buy one over the other?


Edit: I'm considering buying this boat and whatever trailer Bass Pro tells me to buy for it: https://www.basspro.com/p/2024-sun-tracker-bass-buggy-18-dlx

 

The size of the boat/trailer being pulled will be a big factor. You'll need to share that info.

You'll also probably get better answers int he towing section instead of the general 3rd gen. https://www.tundras.com/forums/towing-hauling.53/

If you hit the report button on your post you can request the mods move this over there to avoid a duplicate thread.

 

Thank you. I clicked Report and asked the mods to move my post. I also added more details to my post.

 

Working from memory, so I might be mistaken, but I think the owner manual suggests a weight distribution hitch for towing over 5000 lbs. The stats on that boat from your link have it at under 3000, so you should be good from that aspect. However, it also shows that it's 27' 5" long, so an anti sway hitch may not be a bad idea.

Don't just buy what a dealership says you need. They frequently know less about what you are buying than the average consumer and are directly motivated to upsell you crap that you don't need. Do your research (like you already are) before you purchase and you will come out of it with a better setup and more money in your pocket 9 times out of 10.

 

Height of the ball would be my concern. Once you have the trailer picked out the dealer should be able to provide you with a hitch height when the trailer is level. If you and a buddy stand on the truck bumper you'll get close enough to measure the height of your receiver. Then go hitch shopping to find the right drop height. Or buy one of those fancy scmancy adjustable hitches for the math challenged.
I bought my boat and trailer in 1987 and made to decision to pay extra for a galvanized trailer. Consider that or aluminum. Also surge brakes and good tires with included spare. My Tundra jack will lift my trailer but I have to keep a proper wheel lug socket and breaker bar in the boat if I ever get a flat on the trailer.

Make sure to inspect the trailer once the boat is on to make sure the weight is properly distributed.

 

I have several hitches I’ve accumulated over the years that were used on various vehicles for pulling different trailers. I don’t think you’ll need the weight distribution hitch with that particular boat, depending on the distance you’re traveling and how it feels pulling you could get one down the road if it doesn’t seem stable. 2” hitches aren’t that expensive, so I’d just start with a 2” drop that’s rated for
5,000 lb trailer and 500 lb tongue. Make sure your ball is rated the same. From there you can check trailer for level and get something with a different drop if needed. Being a boat, you might consider getting stainless after you’ve determined your proper drop. Stainless is much more pricey.

 

consider your vehicle's receiver size, the trailer's coupler size, and the trailer's weight. you'll typically accumulate several different sizes the more you start hauling stuff.

 

Go to Walmart. Buy a Reese 2” hitch shank and a 2” ball rated for 5k+ pounds. I towed a 22ft suntracker with my 2019 and needed a 3” rise to keep the trailer level. Boats on trailers are typically nose heavy, so extra tongue weight. Expect an inch or two of squat once you hook up.

 

What KNABORES said. I tow my 3000 lb center console with a receiver with no drop and a standard 2” ball and never had any issue. I towed it this way for years with my FJ Cruiser just fine, the Tundra hardly knows it back there.

 

The Wife and I Plan on getting a Pontoon for the soon to be new Lake House.
And a Bass boat for myself.
Like the idea of having basically a floating living room to hang out on.