Draw-Tite 2953 Class IV Trailer Hitch Ball Mount

Curated from 79 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: April 9, 2025

Draw-Tite 2953 Class IV Trailer Hitch Ball Mount

Brand: Draw-Tite
Price: $18
Snoop Score:
7.3
Sentiment
6.4
Popularity
5.3
Technical
8.3

Snoop's Take

The Draw-Tite 2953 Class IV Trailer Hitch Ball Mount is a robust towing accessory designed for vehicles with a 2-inch square receiver. With a maximum capacity of 7,500 lbs, it offers both a 4-inch drop and a 2.75-inch rise, making it adaptable for various towing needs. Consumer feedback praises its reliability and ease of installation, with one user noting, "it’s been perfectly fine" for their bike rack, while others appreciate its sturdy construction, stating "Everything held up fine" even under heavy use. However, some users express concerns regarding its suitability for heavy trailers, with comments suggesting that it's best kept for lighter loads like bike racks. Additionally, a few users noted issues such as bottoming out on ground clearance and recommended OEM options over this model for safety reasons. Overall, while the Draw-Tite 2953 is well-regarded for lighter towing applications, potential buyers should consider their specific needs and vehicle compatibility before making a choice.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Drawbar Hitch

For me it was brand locality, since I’ve had Drawtite hitches on other vehicles and they worked out well.

Positive Feedback

I use this for a bike rack and carrier, but I would not use it for towing a trailer.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.3
Draw-Tite 2953 Class IV Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
Heavy‑Duty Hauling
8 / 10
Recreational Towing
8 / 10
Agricultural & Tractor Attachments
4 / 10
Clevis & Specialty Connections
4 / 10
See how this compares to all Drawbar Hitch

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Reliable brand with good past experience
For me it was brand locality, since I’ve had Drawtite hitches on other vehicles and they worked out well.
cutting the bumper cover is my biggest worry. I don't want it to look DIY.
Because of modifications for the Draw-Tite, I'd have to get it done at a mechanic.
Easy installation with guidance
I wish I had time to get something better than the Draw Tite, but these are my two options for getting a receiver installed by Tuesday.
Super easy, $206 from etrailer.com. I have no complaints.
Good hitch. Seems solid.
it’s been perfectly fine.
Reliable towing for light loads
Tows my jet ski up and down the ramp with ease.
Reliable construction and strength
Draw-Tite Hidden Hitch
Looks great.
Reliable performance even under heavy use
Everything held up fine.
Curved design fits better with vehicle body
the draw-tite is more curved and should hug the body better, so i'd go with that.
Versatile for both bike racks and light towing
Mainly for my bike rack, but potentially some small towing down the road as well.
Tows well with utility trailers
it tows well, and for that purpose isn't really noticeable while pulling.
This is a heavy U-Haul trailer that hauled really well on a 2016 AWD GT.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Not suitable for towing heavy trailers
I use this for a bike rack and carrier, but I would not use it for towing a trailer.
That's junk. No hitch should attach to the Ascent via the low strength bumper nuts.
But if you want to tow anything big, you might want to reevaluate.
Inferior integration compared to OEM
Highly recommend to stick with OEM.
I went OEM. Worth the extra money unless you don't plan on towing anything.
Bottoms out on ground clearance
Honestly I wish I never put mine on, it bottoms out all the time.
Not suitable for heavy towing
The only thing we'd use it for is our Thule bike rack.
still think I'm going to go Eco hitch on ours though.
Potential warranty issues with towing on hybrids
Towing anything with a hybrid RAV4 will very possibly void your warranty’s on those components.
Preference for OEM hitches over non-OEM options due to safety concerns
If you value safety you'll do the OEM that is engineered by Subaru to work with Subaru safety systems.
Don't negate the ~$35K of state of the art safety engineering to save a couple hundred bucks.
Concerns about U-Haul installations being inadequate
Looks like you got a UHaul Special.
We are kicking ourselves for not just going the dealership route in the first place.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Experience with different trailer sizes
It does fine towing that through the mountains on the highway. It’s working pretty hard, but does fine.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Common use for bike racks rather than heavy towing
great job!! …no wire harness 😂🤣😂totally my fault.
DIY installation experiences shared by users
It took about 3 hours but it was well worth it.
Use of tools to remove hitch parts
Everything is easy, except the big screw with that metal bar that you finagle into the chassis hole.
this was the strategy that worked well for me.
Utility trailers are practical for home repairs
At the time I had a truck and it was invaluable.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
DIY installation can be challenging but manageable
Trailer hitch installation Hello guys and gals, this is my future car 💙 😁. Today I stopped by the
The dealership is going to over charge, and U-Haul is going to fuck it up.
It’s not that bad for a weekend project.
Doable but a pain in the ass, mainly cutting the fascia.
Cost comparison with dealership and OEM options
That's not too bad.. the hitch is $653 usd as an add-on.
Comparison between brands is common
Which is the Better Hitch for 2021 CX5 -- Curt or Draw-Tite?
It really makes zero difference. They both work just fine.
Comparison of adapters and brands
the "ford" adapter is really just a Curt sleeve which is cheaper on Amazon by the way.
New trucks include adapters
Yes, in fact, new trucks come with the adapter.
Comparison of aftermarket vs OEM options
Why not the Curt hitch? The only mods required were to grind a bit off the heads of the bolts.
Cost comparison between OEM and U-Haul installations
It is up to you if you value aesthetics or cash in your pocket more.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Concerns about adapter fit for towing
I have heard that ill fitting adapters can wallow out the pin holes on the larger receivers.
I was probably going to get the Ford one so hopefully it would fit better than 3rd party ones.
Concerns about tongue weight and its implications for hitch use
Is there a risk of damaging the car with that amount of weight?
The tongue weight is not a measurement of how much weight a trailer hitch can hold.
I call it dummies guidance.
Love the smooth drive of the CRV along with some great scenic rides on the bike.

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