© DenLorsTools.com Summary: An article by “Click and Clack” – Tom and Ray, brought up an interesting question. The article which was called – A Hitch in Anne’s Bike Rack Plans; was in response to a question about a trailer hitch causing the vehicle to be worth less. Did Click and Clack get it right?

I occasionally read Click and Clack which is derived from the Car Talk radio show. Sometimes I think they get it right and other times… not so much.

Does a trailer hitch reduce a vehicle’s value?

Basically, a lady wanted the trailer hitch so she could use a bike rack and her husband was opposed to it, because it would affect the resale value of their vehicle. Some potential buyer’s consider a trailer hitch as an indicator that the vehicle has been subjected to excess wear and tear. This can be a legitimate concern especially if the vehicle was not designed for this purpose. The size and weight of the load would be the determining factor. It’s just not always possible to know for sure what size the previous owner has pulled. People tend not to be completely honest if they think it will affect the selling price or discourage a buyer altogether. There’s a reason that some trucks and SUV’s have something called a tow package. A tow package usually means that the radiator has a larger capacity for extra cooling. I know that some Jeep Grand Cherokees have an extra mechanical fan in addition to the electric one to increase airflow through the radiator and trans cooler. Usually with a tow pkg, the transmission will have a larger ATF (automatic transmission fluid) capacity and cooler or even an additional cooler added in front of the radiator. Click and Clack in a nut shell advised her to go ahead and get the hitch and use the vehicle they she wants. The trailer hitch could be removed prior to selling the car. They also advised that if a good mechanic inspecting the vehicle could detect that a hitch was installed previously. Click and Clack in a final recommendation, they advised her to leave the hitch on, be honest with potential buyers and just offer the hitch as an additional option.

I have to say on this one, Ray & Tom got it right. A trailer hitch may deter some car buyers and for others it could close the sale. In my experience, most of the cars that I’ve sold – the buyer decided if they wanted the car or not when they first laid eyes on the vehicle. All that is needed to sell any car, is to find ONE person that wants the vehicle. The easiest way to sell any car is to present a clean, well maintained vehicle that doesn’t need a ton of work. Trailer Hitch or no trailer hitch.