The upside to the OEM unit is mine included the wiring harness and relays, and has the built-in step plate (some aftermarket ones don't). When comparing OEM to aftermarket, add in the cost of the harness too to the aftermarket ones. That puts the figures much closer.

While I did buy OEM this time, I didn't on my 2000 Nissan. I bought a Sure-Pull hitch from Ebay, $100 DELIVERED. It was a Class III, and I used it very frequently in the 4 years I owned the truck. Frankly, a hitch is low tech. Even the OEM one had problems with the welds, so can't say OEM has to be better!