Installed a Receiver Hitch

GalaxyQuest's picture
Accessories and Electronics

I just installed a Hidden Hitch brand hitch. Fairly easy job. Probably took me a little over an hour, counting gathering the tools and putting them away and checking out the bottom of the van (that exhaust is ugly).

I backed the rear of the van onto ramps to get more clearance to work under it. The exhaust has to be lowered and the rear-most heat shield removed (and discarded). The instructions told how to do this (basically, pull the hook out of the rear exhaust hanger rubber and remove the two bolts from the hanger bracket near the rear suspension). Two clips need to be removed from the bumper cover by popping their center pins out with a flat head screw driver, then pulling them out.

I suggest having a second person around for lifting the hitch up to the van's "frame." It is quite heavy (50+ lbs) and has to be maneuvered around the rear muffler and inside the bumper cover. I managed to hold it up with my knee and one arm while I threaded a bolt in finger-tight on one side, then scooted over to the other side while holding it up and put another bolt in. A floor jack might be used to help lift it into place.

Torque the bolts to the specs (64 ft-lbs, I think). I suggest a 1/2" drive torque wrench. I used a 3/8" drive, and it was difficult to generate enough torque in a slightly awkward position with my arms tired from holding up the hitch.

The hitch looks good. Only the receiver tube can be seen. The rest of the hitch is hidden by the bumper cover (Hidden Hitch). I just need to buy a cheap black cover to clean up the look a little and I'll be all done.

I'd put up a picture, but I'm having trouble figuring out how. I tried to attach it, but an error message comes up saying something about the size even after I reduced the picture's file size.

buster's picture

Wiring harness

I did the same thing. I've been looking for a plug in wiring harness and haven't been able to find one. Did you or are you going to install a wiring harness?

GalaxyQuest's picture

Trailer wiring

I did install a wiring harness. I don't do much trailering. Mostly I'll use the hitch for a bike rack, so I wanted to go with a easy solution to trailer lights. I couldn't find a plug in harness, so I used one of the simple crimp on types. That didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I had used the same type on my Ford Focus with no issues. When I pulled a trailer with the van this past weekend, I found that the trailer lights seem like they are too much load for the flasher circuit. They flashed once or twice and then stopped. Everything's OK now that the trailer is unplugged. Seems I'll have to get one of the powered harnesses.

06 Quest Base

slalomskie's picture

Hitch

Where did you purchase your hitch? I need to get one for my 06.

GalaxyQuest's picture

etrailer.com

I purchased my Hidden Hitch from etrailer.com and was happy with the service. The hitch was shipped promptly and arrived in stretch wrap plastic.

06 Quest Base

slalomskie's picture

Etrailer.com

Thanks for the info, I went to etrailer.com, cheapest hidden hitch I found. 160.00 for Class Three and only $.99 for shipping. Yep that's not a typo 99 cents. Arrived in less than 4 days. They also have several types of wire harnesses available.

GalaxyQuest's picture

You're welcome

Glad it worked out!

06 Quest Base

buster's picture

Trailer Wiring

Yeah, that's what I had heard. Here's a thread on Edmunds describing the install. I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I'm not sure the place he listed is the cheapest place to find the part, though.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@@.ef17899/1255