Lets talk about trailer hitches

MtnRunner · **Joined:** Wed May 28, 2008 8:32 pm **Posts:** 89

About to move across country and need a good hitch. are hitches easy to install? what's a good hitch? i thought about just having uhaul put one in for me. is it worth the money to pay someone else to do it? i am an electrician so i know the the wiring won't be a problem. i want the bigger setup (class 3 i think?) 2 inch reciever.

2003 Liberty sport

zoomie · **Joined:** Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:12 pm **Posts:** 47

I just installed one on my 2010 liberty and it was a snap. There are already holes in the frame with nuts welded on top to accept the bolts for the hitch. One bolt is already there holding something in place so you take that out, place your hitch over the holes and put in 6 bolts, couldn't be easier. I didn't even have to raise it up. The wire harness just plugs into your tail light.

There is a difference between the aftermarket one and the OEM. The OEM fits tighter to the bottom of your jeep and you have to trim the bumper. The aftermarket one sits below the bumper and you don't need to trim it. In my area the aftermarket one is about $250 cheaper so I chose that but I've read here that some guys have gotten the oem one for almost the same price as aftermarket.

Here's where I got mine.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/01-07-JEEP-LIBERTY-T ... 3117wt_907

trends_auto is the seller.

LetFreedomRing · **Joined:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:51 am **Posts:** 268

Here's the one I just ordered today. It supposed to tuck in very nicely.

http://www.carparts.com/HIDDEN-HITCH-CL ... _10618.car

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:47 am

zoomie wrote:

There is a difference between the aftermarket one and the OEM. The OEM fits tighter to the bottom of your jeep and you have to trim the bumper. The aftermarket one sits below the bumper and you don't need to trim it. In my area the aftermarket one is about $250 cheaper so I chose that but I've read here that some guys have gotten the oem one for almost the same price as aftermarket.

Ummm, perhaps the receiver fits a little differently on the 2005-2007, but I don't think so. Mine came stock with the tow package and as far as I can tell, there was no trimming involved.

Dan

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:04 pm

On an '07, the Uhaul hitch sits the lowest below the bumper. I believe the Hidden Hitch sits the highest, and the OEM comes real close.
I bought a new Uhaul from eBay for $107.oo.
Oh, and it is extremely easy to install, doesn't hurt to have someone hold it for you though. That bugger is heavy/awkward while on your back.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:26 pm

They are pretty easy, 6 bolts that hold them. just a pain to get the one in due to tailpipe. Since your's is an 03, if you do it yourself, buy a 12mm x1.75 tap and penetrating oil and clean out all the holes before even starting....trust me, it's almost 100% necessary on older models, had to do it on our 05.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:49 pm

wiring may not be a problem - but it is a pain - unless you have the evic.
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26895&highlight=trailer+hitches

and retmil46 played with wiring it direct to the factory harness
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=378430#p378430

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 11:52 pm

I just installed my Curt hitch tonight and here is what I would have to add:

1). The curt hitch fits just below the plastic bumper, clears by maybe 1/4". Based on comments on here, I was worried the curt hitch would hang low, but it is good! I didn't use the jack stands as I'm a relatively big guy, so I just rested it on my chest and it was about right:) Had I used the jack stands, they probably would have gotten in the way. However, had I put the back end on the ramps, I probably would have used jack stands.
2). Install time was pretty simple overall, (Although I'm not completely done yet, I'll get back to this later). For what I've done so far 1 1/2 hours, roughly, hitch and wiring, I was working slow, swatting our honorary state bird (mosquito), and checking on my sleeping 20 month old every 15-30 min.
3). Tahoe: tapping out the holes first, HUGE time and pain saver. Well worth the $15 dollars for the tap and wrench I bought to do it!
4). Wiring was pretty simple, I got the plug and play wiring harness, it is a breeze to install, I only have to ground the ground wire and I'm done.
5). That last bolt above the exhaust is a PITA! What are people's suggestions on here on how to work around the exhaust to tap out the hole and get the bolt in? I tried just jamming the exhaust over as far as I could, wedging it in that position, but I'm still a little out of perpendicular with the tap in the hole, I don't want to cross thread or mis-thread it, so I stopped. I have all other bolts installed and I'm not using the hitch til I get the last one in.

Overall, I would say it is pretty easy to install a hitch on these Libbys!

zoomie · **Joined:** Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:12 pm **Posts:** 47

jmichaelsjeep wrote:

I just installed my Curt hitch tonight and here is what I would have to add:

5). That last bolt above the exhaust is a PITA! What are people's suggestions on here on how to work around the exhaust to tap out the hole and get the bolt in? I tried just jamming the exhaust over as far as I could, wedging it in that position, but I'm still a little out of perpendicular with the tap in the hole, I don't want to cross thread or mis-thread it, so I stopped. I have all other bolts installed and I'm not using the hitch til I get the last one in.

I didn't know this was an issue. The KK is perfect clear on all 6 bolts.

Xodius · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 3:31 pm

1-Where are you located?
2-I took my OEM class 3 off and was planning on selling it. It would probably be too much to ship but*shrug*

I can shot you a pic when I get home if you want. PM me if interested.

Rich · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:24 pm

MtnRunner wrote:

About to move across country and need a good hitch. are hitches easy to install? what's a good hitch? i thought about just having uhaul put one in for me. is it worth the money to pay someone else to do it? i am an electrician so i know the the wiring won't be a problem. i want the bigger setup (class 3 i think?) 2 inch reciever.

2003 Liberty sport

I found many years ago to stick with OEM when doing things like this... but that is me! Plus you can get a used one for pretty cheap from here, or a local junk yard. If you are going to pay shipping anyway, I would say a used (not abused) OEM would be the way to go. Try and get the OEM bolts as well, they are grade 10. Running the tap through the threads is not a bad idea, I did so on my rust-free '05, and the bolts just glided in. Also tossed some loc-tight on them to ensure they will never back out. ALWAYS torque to spec!

As for the wiring, I went with the OEM kit, which is about $90 if I remember correctly. I didn't want to mess too much with splicing, leaks, and other crap related to hack-wiring jobs. The unit was plug-n-play at its finest! All wires were exactly the proper length, rubber grommit for the floor was a perfect fit... etc.

Personally I would hit up a junk yard, or someone who has an OEM tow-package that is willing to sell. Grab the hitch, bolts, and wiring from the rear, and be done with it all!

Also make sure your Jeep has the high-capacity cooling kit. Should include a HD mechanical fan, and HD electric fan.

fisher205 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:28 pm

I have a brand new Curt w/wiring I want to get rid of. Just haven't tried to post it yet.
Brad

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