Anyone install trailer hitch themselves?

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[Aztekcruiser]

I bought a used (installed but never used) Curtis trailer hitch today. It did come from a 2002 Aztek. The guy supplied all the hardware but no instructions. Could someone give me some pointers on how to install this? How do I get to the frame to bolt it on? It came with 2 small metal plates , do these go on the verticle holes? Do I need locking washers for the frame bolts? Where does the harness attach? I do have the trailering package. Please email me at aztekangler@yahoo.com
Thanks

[97drexelgrad]

The hitch I installed had bolts and washers drop from the inside out from the predrilled holes in the frame rails.  Then you just had to slide the bolts thru the holes on the hitch and fasten with the nuts.  I just put some threadlock on the bolts.
The wiring harness needs a pigtail connector which I bought through the dealer for $15 and attached to the four pin flat connector.  I got a Hidden Hitch and took about 30 minutes to install myself.

Good Luck
Brian

[Tom Moog]

The metal plates go inside the frame. The Aztek is a "Unit-body" vehicle, which means the subframe is made from the same steel that makes up the body panels. It is not very strong. The steel plates keep the bolt heads from pulling through the frame rails.

My first hitch had "arms" that bolted to the sides of the subframe as well. I was lazy and didn't bother to drill for those, and as a result, the hitch started to sag later on from having a load on it. If yours bolts not only with 4 bolts on the bottom, and also has sides that are supposed to mount on the sides of the frame, you DO need to use them.

My first hitch was a "hidden hitch" and had a cutout that went around the tail pipe. It wasn't made quite right and the exhaust pipe rattled against it until I replaced it with a class 3 hitch.

The second time, I took it to U-haul and paid them 25 bux to install it for me.

The wiring... I used a harness adapter made for a Chevy S-10. The connectors are the same, but the wires were different, so be aware of that... There is a "pigtail" that drops down near the driver's side taillight that is made for a "plug and play" harness that you can get from the dealer. Whatever you do, PLEASE don't cut and splice the wiring. It will lead to problems later unless you are really neat about it and use solder and heat shrink on all of the joints.

Do the next owner a favour and skip the "Scotch locks" (Crimp-on wire taps) Those things are garbage!

Just my 2.

[Aztekcruiser]

How do I get to the inside of the frame rails?

[Tom Moog]

You have to use the spring leads... basically it is a spring that the bold threads into that has a long wire lead on it to fish it through from another hole (that you may have to drill) on the other side of the frame.

The spring wire leads come with the hitch when it is new. I always tried to keep at least one og the ones that came ini my kit so I could include it if I sold the hitch to someone else later.

You might be able to buy them somewhere... I have never seen them other than in the box with a new hitch.

It's a pain, which is why I didn't put them in.

I really suggest finding an indipendant U-haul center and having them put it on if you don't have all of the parts/patience to fish the bolts thru.

[Bird Dog]

AztekCruiser:

I don't know if it will help, but I've attached a link to the installation instructions for (what I think is) your hitch.

http://www.hitchsource.com/docs/cu/12569.pdf

You could contact Curtis (or a dealer like hitchsource) and get the missing parts you need (perhaps as a complete installation kit).

Hope this helps!

Bill (aka Bird Dog)
2003 FWD Gold Aztek "The Warthog"

[Newfie Hauler]

If you have problems finding the factory connector to connect the pigtail harness too, let me know.  I have a picture of where the harness attaches to on the Aztek.

I would also like to add one suggestion that comes from the Owner's Manual to your vehicle.  Once you drill the holes, you will want to do two things.  First, prime an paint the emposed sheet metal to prevent rust (OM does not sugest that - my personal suggestion).  Second, one you have the bolts in place and before you install the nuts, seal the opening around the bolt.  Then bolt it up and seal around the bolts.  I would think that a good auto parts store would have some sealants that would work well for this type of application.  What you are doing is sealing the holes not only from water, but from exhaust fumes.

Newfie

[Aztekcruiser]

Thanks to all for helping me out. It's finnaly installed! I did contact HitchSource and they sold me a complete Hardware kit as mine was missing a few parts. The fish wire really came in handy. Next question,what rise hitch ball ( 1.5,2.0,3.0 inch)do you guys use? The Aztek is kinda low. And if you could send a picture of the connector and it's location I would appreciate it.

[Tom Moog]

I used a reese inverted 2" on mine. Now I have one that is adjustable made by Master. You use a 2/8" ratchet to r\aise and lower it... 60 bux at Wal*Mart!