Curt hitch round-up - now OEM supplier?

[brian_bp]

I was looking at the Curt website today as part of a non-Sienna discussion, and checked what they were currently offering for the Sienna. To my surprise, I found that in addition to their long-existing round-tube 1.25" receiver, they have a rectangular tube 1.25" receiver; that's right, not square but rectangular, like the OEM accessory. I suspect that they are the current (or alternate) source of the OEM part.

• 1.25" receiver, 3500 lb trailer / 350 lb tongue wt capacity, weight-carrying only
  • #12212 - round tube (instruction sheet CM_12212_INS.PDF)
    • currently offered by Curt website lookup
    • instruction sheet updated 2/28/2011 does not indicate model year, but shows 2011 undertray
    • hitch weight 32 lb
    • list price $285.38
    • appears to match the 2004 OEM accessory hitch, except without the DPS tabs
  • #12065 - rectangular tube (instruction sheet CM_12065_INS.PDF)
    • currently offered by Curt website lookup
    • instruction sheet dated 5/4/2011, shows 2011 undertray
    • hitch weight 33 lb
    • list price $306.91
    • this model include a top plate tying across the tubes and receiver box like the 2" units (and like the Toyota OEM part), which is missing from the #12212
• 2" receiver, 3500 lb trailer / 350 lb tongue weight-carrying; 5000 lb trailer / 500 lb tongue weight-distribution capacity
  • #13105 - round tube (instruction sheet CM_13105_INS.PDF)
    • currently offered by Curt website lookup
    • current instruction sheet dated 3/8/2011 does not refer to model year but shows 2011 undertray
    • hitch weight 40 lb
    • list price $249.54
  • #13239 - round tube (instruction sheet CM_13239_INS.PDF)
    • no longer offered by Curt website lookup
    • current instruction sheet dated 8/24/2007 is titled for "04-06 Toyota Sienna Van"
    • instruction sheet also lists item number 757390
    • earlier instruction sheet dated 10/03/2006 is titled just "Toyota Sienna"
    • hitch weight 40 lb
  • #13256 - round tube (instruction sheet CM_13256_INS.PDF)
    • no longer offered by Curt website lookup
    • current instruction sheet dated 8/04/2010 does not refer to model year but shows 2011 undertray
    • earlier instruction sheet dated 3/17/2008 is titled just "Toyota Sienna", and also lists item number 757256
    • hitch weight 40 lb

The extra part numbers may be the ones used by U-Haul.
I think we worked out at some point in the past what the difference might be between the three 2" receivers from Curt, but I don't recall what it was...

• all models bend the tube forward on the ends
• all 2" models are the same weight
• all 2" appear to have the same construction details

[Dumbledore McCracken]

So, IYO, is Curt the best manufacturer?

[brian_bp]

So, IYO, is Curt the best manufacturer?

I don't have an opinion regarding who is the best hitch manufacturer.

Some things I've noticed:

• all of the major manufacturers (Cequent, Curt, Valley...) have similar products for most vehicles
• Curt has a wider selection for the second-generation Sienna than the other manufacturers
• all of the major manufacturers build some junk for some vehicles, especially in Class 1
• other people complain about quality problems, generally in fit and finish, with various manufacturers
• Curt seems to make the hitch receivers which are the best fit for the second-generation Sienna
• information is easier to get from the Cequent web sites than from the other manufacturers
• eTrailer is the best starting point for information about the products of any of these brands

Given what I have read and seen in these discussions, I would be willing to use a product from any of the major manufacturers if it were the right fit for my needs, and I assessed its construction to be suitable. I would be prepared to receive a hitch with the brackets bent out of position from any of them, and I would expect the paint to chip off of any of these hitches.

[Dumbledore McCracken]

Thank you for the pointers.