Trailer Hitch Installation Cost: What You Actually Pay For
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"How much does a hitch cost installed?" has two answers: the parts, which you can price exactly, and the labour, which depends heavily on your vehicle. Here's how both break down.
Parts: typical prices in our catalogue
These ranges are the middle half of the products in each category on our store in September 2026, in Canadian dollars. The cheapest and most expensive quarter are left out so a single oddity doesn't skew the picture. Prices change, so check the current listing for your vehicle.
| Part | Middle half of prices | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 hitch | $368 – $507 | Yes, for cars and small crossovers |
| Class 3 hitch | $393 – $519 | Yes, for most SUVs and pickups |
| Custom wiring harness | $88 – $154 | Yes, if the trailer has lights |
| Ball mount | $76 – $528 | Yes, for ball-coupler trailers |
| Hitch ball | $15 – $46 | Unless the ball mount includes one |
Ball mounts vary the most: a fixed steel mount sits at the low end, while adjustable and locking mounts sit at the top. If your trailer has electric brakes, add a brake controller.
Labour: what makes it go up
Labour is where quotes differ, and it's driven almost entirely by your vehicle:
- Bolt-on to existing weld nuts — the simplest case.
- Fishing bolts into the frame — more time, especially on older frames.
- Lowering the exhaust or removing the spare tire — adds steps.
- Trimming the bumper fascia or drilling the frame — skilled work and not reversible.
- Rusted weld nuts — may need re-tapping or repair, common on older vehicles driven through salted winters.
- Wiring type — a plug-in harness is quick; a powered converter or hardwired connection takes longer.
- Brake controller installation — extra if you tow a braked trailer.
How to compare installation quotes
- Ask for parts and labour listed separately.
- Confirm the quote includes wiring and a light test, not just the hitch.
- Ask whether any drilling or trimming is involved.
- Check whether you can supply your own parts — and whether that changes the shop's warranty on the work.
Doing it yourself
If your hitch bolts to existing points and you have a torque wrench and jack stands, installing it yourself removes the labour cost. Our step-by-step hitch installation guide shows what's involved, so you can decide before you buy.