A tow hitch or tow hitch receiver is the component that allows a trailer to connect to your vehicle. There are many things you need to know when it comes to tow hitch receiver installation. We’ll review these and give tips on trailer hitch installation.
Get the Right Trailer Hitch
Tow hitches have a reinforced receiver with a specific size. These receivers are meant to accommodate a ball mount, which is where trailers hook on to. They can vary in size depending on their intended load. Larger, more powerful vehicles can accommodate receivers that have larger widths and can tow heavier trailers.
When installing a tow hitch to your vehicle, you need to know its towing capabilities. Vehicles typically have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Additionally, tow hitches and ball mount receivers also have a weight rating.
You also need to know the trailer’s weight and check if it’s compatible with your vehicle’s GVWR. Then, you’ll need to purchase the appropriate tow hitch that can carry your trailer’s weight and get a ball hitch mount that can fit the tow hitch and trailer.
Prepare the Right Tools
Once you have the right trailer hitch, then you’ll need the following tools:
- Rust penetrator
- Wire brush
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Ratchet
- Ratchet extension
- Torque wrench
- Shop light
Depending on your tow hitch set and vehicle, you might also need the following tools:
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Pry Bar
- Tape measure
- Screwdriver
Read Your Tow Hitch’s Instructions
Reading your tow hitch receiver’s instructions will help you familiarize yourself with the steps involved in the installation. There are also a lot of video resources online where people demonstrate the process.
Being familiar with the tow hitch’s mounting points and parts will reduce confusion and make you more confident during the installation process.
Prepare the Work Area
If your vehicle has low ground clearance, raising the vehicle with a jack and some jack stands might give you some extra room to work. Setting up a light is also going to help you see under your vehicle.
Clean the Mounting Points
Many trucks and SUVs have drilled holes for a tow hitch from the factory. However, some vehicles might require you to drill holes.
If your vehicle has threaded holes on the frame, there’s a good chance they’ll be covered in dirt and rust. You’ll need to clean these holes using a rust penetrator and some wire brushes. During this process, you’ll want to wear protective equipment like safety glasses and gloves. Once cleaned, try screwing the bolts included in your tow hitch. If the holes are clean enough, the bolts should screw in by hand.
Drill Into the Frame
You might be wondering, does installing a trailer hitch involve drilling? Many SUVs and trucks that are made with towing in mind come with mounting holes. However, there are some rare occasions where installing a hitch requires drilling into the frame. This is usually the case if there aren’t enough pre-existing holes to attach a specific hitch.
You can use the hitch as a guide, placing it where it’ll mount, and marking the drill locations. Once marked, drill small pilot holes before moving onto larger and larger drill bits until you’ve reached the correct bolt size. Some installations might require a large hole to accept a spacer, which requires a die grinder.
This is a daunting task for a DIY mechanic since you’ll need specialized tools. If you need to drill holes in your vehicle’s frame, it might be best to leave the task to a professional who installs tow hitches.
Ask for Assistance
Tow hitches are quite heavy, especially if you’re installing a heavy-duty tow hitch for a truck. You’ll need to position the tow hitch over the bolt mounting points and keep it positioned while the bolts are installed.
You might be able to do this alone, but it’s going to be a lot easier if you have some help. One person should lift the tow hitch and maintain its position over the mounting point. Meanwhile, the other person attaches the washers and hand-tightens the bolts.
Make sure to turn the bolts several times before relieving pressure off the hitch. Otherwise, you risk damaging your parts.
Tighten Bolts Using a Torque Wrench
Once the bolts are in place, tighten them with the appropriate amount of torque specified in the mount’s instruction manual. Each bolt size typically has a specific torque specification. Some hitch bolts require 100 ft-lbs of torque, but others require more. This might seem like a lot of torque, but it’s necessary given the amount of weight that the tow hitch will be carrying.
Installing the Hitch Ball and Receiver
The hitch ball is a large metal bolt with a ball on one end and a nut on the other. Unscrew the nut and push the threaded part of the hitch ball through the receiver. You can tighten the hitch ball nut using two crescent wrenches. One wrench tightens the bolt, while the other holds the ball. Tighten the nut until the lock washer is compressed and the nut is secure. You’ll also need to tighten the nut with a torque wrench to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Now that the ball is installed on the mount, all you need to do is push the mount into the receiver on the tow hitch. Then, line up the hole on the mount to the hole on the receiver and insert the pin through the hole. Lastly, pass the retaining clip through the hole in the pin. Now your tow hitch is ready.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
