We don't build products to fit into a shipping box. We build them to fit your car, your business, and your life.
Since 1944, technology has changed, but our rulebook hasn't. We still operate on the four founding principles established by Cal Eckhart over 80 years ago:
Do it right, or don't do it at all.
Build the
best products
Always ask: What is best for the customer?
Provide the
best value
The Shipyard Weldor
It started in 1943. Cal Eckhart was a certified shipyard weldor who knew a thing or two about working with steel to withstand massive stress. He didn't have a fancy shop. He built Eckhart’s first welding machine by rewinding two Dodge generators and mounting them on the front of his Model A Ford, using the car's engine to drive the welder.
The 'Bolt-On' Problem
In the 1950s, families started buying vacation trailers and boats in record numbers. The industry responded with "universal" bolt-on hitches sold in boxes. Cal watched these fail. He saw them bend, crack, and detach, putting lives and possessions in danger on the highway.
He knew there had to be a better way.
The $10 Revolution
Cal refused to sell "marketing hype." He started custom-welding hitches directly to the frame, ensuring strength and safety that bolt-ons couldn't match. He became famous for the "$10 Installed Hitch" ... a price that revolutionized the local market, but it was the quality that built the reputation.
3rd Generation Strong
Today, Eckharts is a third-generation family business. We have moved from that first location at Pico & Sepulveda in West LA ($35/month rent!) to serving thousands of customers, but the mission remains the same. We still treat every project like our own family is relying on it.
We refuse to compromise on materials or design, ensuring you receive the industry’s strongest, longest-lasting heavy-duty products.
We prioritize your specific needs, delivering economical solutions that offer lasting durability and genuine satisfaction.
We engineer robust connections to help prevent accidents and protect your cargo. No cutting corners, no cheap materials.
"I went to the dealer, and they told me I couldn't put a hitch on my vintage car without ruining the bumper. Eckhart’s not only did it, they hid it so well you have to crouch down to see it. True craftsmen."
"The big chain store tried to sell me a Class II hitch for a trailer that was clearly too heavy. The guys at Eckhart’s looked at my setup, explained the math, and built me a frame-mounted receiver that actually feels safe. They saved me from a disaster."
"Honest. That’s the only word for them. They talked me out of an expensive upgrade I didn't need because my current setup was fine. You don't find that kind of integrity anymore."
Come by the shop. We’ll ask the right questions, show you exactly what you need, and give you an honest quote.