Looking to put a Class III hitch with a 2" receiver on my 2005 Mazda MPV for the purpose (primarily) of carrying 4 bikes to various locations. It may even pull a jonboat one day.
As near as I can tell, all the major brands are owned by Cequent and make their product in China. Only Curt is USA-made, but they only offer a 1.25" Class II hitch for my vehicle.
I would gladly pay a premium for an American-made (heck, even Canadian-made) if I could get what I wanted. Am I overlooking anyone?
In reply to 1988RedT2:
I don't know about where you are located, but in my area there are a couple welding outfits that make them. Might check that out.
Wanted to stay with an "engineered" product. Ended up going with the Curt hitch. Reasoned that the 1.25" is probably fine for my intended purpose, and that the American-made feature was important enough to compromise. The Curt hitch was also the least expensive option.
Bravenraces idea is a good one, have one custom made. I would do that over any China made hitch.
One reason that Curt probably doesn't make a class III hitch is the low tow rating of the MPV, which is listed at 3000 lbs. If they make a 2" hitch, someone will try and tow a big trailer/rv/etc with it. Curt is covering there backsides.
In reply to 1988RedT2:
Oh, these are engineered, not just some cobbled together fabrication.
I love Curt. I have a Curt hitch on my Scion xB1. For one thing, they still make stuff in the US. Thing two is that they have the balls to make hitches for cars that the manufacturer gives no tow rating, and then they rate them.
There is no functional difference between a 1.25" and 2" receiver when it comes to towing a light trailer. The only downside is when it comes to finding accessories like bike racks or hitch covers - you won't find much in stores; you have to order online. The stuff exists in spades, but not everyone stocks it.
Almost all bike racks can be had to fit 1.25" hitches because many people put them on light duty cars. The jonboat should be fine as well. Heck, four serious downhill bikes and a hitch rack might outweigh the average jonboat on a cheap trailer.
Yeah, I've got a Thule rack on order as well, and it will fit either 1.25 or 2" via a supplied adapter. I was concerned that the 1.25" might not be as rigid as the 2", and Curt cautions that a "stabilizer strap" or some such be used with "non-trailer loads". So I know my concern is legitimate. I might need to run a strap from the luggage rack or something.
I bought a Curt front receiver hitch for my 4Runner - really well made and fit perfectly - nice thick powdercoat.
4 bike racks tend to be big, wobbly, ungainly things at the best of times. Depending on rack design I'd consider running ratchet straps from both rear chassis tie downs (if you have them) out to the rack to triangulate it and keep it from wobbling.
ultraclyde wrote: 4 bike racks tend to be big, wobbly, ungainly things at the best of times. Depending on rack design I'd consider running ratchet straps from both rear chassis tie downs (if you have them) out to the rack to triangulate it and keep it from wobbling.
Agreed.
+10 for Curt.
Sconie made, I have one on both my cars, 318ti & 525 wagon
Okay, that's pretty crazy, in a good way. Ordered the Curt hitch yesterday morning from hitchsource.com. Received email stating shipped yesterday. Tracking via UPS website shows that it is here on a truck out for delivery today! Stay tuned!
A really big box just showed up on my front porch. I'm so excited!
1988RedT2 wrote: A really big box just showed up on my front porch. I'm so excited!
About a trailer hitch? You're easy to please! 
Amazing how fast they can get crap that size to you, ain't it? I always order from Etrailer, and I swear their stuff arrives faster than any other online retailer I buy from.
I almost got it from etrailer. Hitchsource was like 10 bucks cheaper on that item, and had free shipping just like etrailer. It shipped out of Bethlehem, PA yesterday. Hitchsource did a great job getting it out the door, and UPS did a great job getting it here in a day.
I'm a happy camper. I installed the hitch without a hitch. I mean it went well. 
Fit was perfect. The fishwire technique was a minor pain working on the side where the muffler was, but I had the sense to do those first. It was a breeze on the side where I actually had room to work.
I'm sold on Curt hitches. Excellent product made in the good 'ol USA. Its tucked up under the bumper nicely and is solid as a rock.
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