Does trailer hitch needs to cut the rear bumper?

Plumonium · Apr 6, 2009

Does the Patriot trailer hitch needs to cut the rear bumber?

What brand are you guys using? I like hidden hitch class III.

What is the best place to order them online? USA and Canada.

How much?

Gaze · Apr 7, 2009

Nope. Head on over to etrailer.com and take a look at what they have.

DJ XS · Apr 7, 2009

You only need to cut into the bumper if you decide to use the oem class II hitch by mopar, otherwise like Gaze said check out that webpage. If you are not to picky about ground clearance upon departure then you should be ok.

USMC_Bravo · Apr 7, 2009

Check mine out...I got everything except the hitch from etrailer.com, they have all the wiring and accessories at a good price. The Hitch I have is a Hidden Hitch Class III/IV off of Ebay, got it for $125 and free shipping!!!

Oh and if you do the install your self which you should.....Make sure you have a 15/16 Socket and A 15/16 Wrench. hahah I had a 15/16 wrench but no socket that big or ratchet so I had to so to the store and pick that up!!! Just want you prepared before you get it.

Install is a breeze, I had my wife hold up the other end of the hitch and put the bolts threw. You could use a jack but the wife was quicker and bitched alittle more than my Jack does.

JoeBecker · Apr 7, 2009

USMC_Bravo said:
Install is a breeze, I had my wife hold up the other end of the hitch and put the bolts threw. You could use a jack but the wife was quicker and bitched alittle more than my Jack does.

Or if you are well-fed like myself, you can just toss it up on your personal spare tire while you put the bolts in.

Plumonium · Apr 7, 2009

haha, good tips guys! I might go with the wife one.

klewis · Apr 7, 2009

At least your wife helped! I don't have a decent jack either. I tilted the hitch so that the back holes were aligned, put the bolts through those, then rotated the hitch until the front holes were aligned, then put those bolts through.

Either way, it was very easy.

The worst part was when I pushed the bolt through the first hole, it pushed some dirt out and onto my face/eyes. But the hitch is worth it.

psaulesl · Apr 7, 2009

I also have the Hidden Hitch. I paid a trailer place locally to install it, and the wiring harness/protector (protects computer from trailer shorts). Not sure if that's required or just more "muffler bearings" sold to me.

I would have bought the Mopar hitch and cut my rear bumper if I knew it was available. I frequently drag my hitch receiver off road and have lost two plugs (cover)

patriotpierre · Apr 7, 2009

Vitroplus in Quebec province.

Plumonium · Apr 8, 2009

Merci Pierre, je vais les contacter pour des prix.

Another question then: Do you guys know the difference between the flat one (Hidden Hitch) and the curved one (Curt, Valley)? Is one or the other more durable or leaves more clearance?

USMC_Bravo · Apr 8, 2009

To be honest the trailer was a snap to install. The longest part was the harness. My harness was fairly simple, it has a couple connections that went to the rear tail lights that you run underside the rear bumper, then you had to run a power wire from the rear lights up to the battery, and lastly the ground wire. Fairly simple just time consuming. I love the hidden hitch!!!! VERY FAST INSTALL!!!

packof50 · Apr 8, 2009

USMC_Bravo said:
Install is a breeze, I had my wife hold up the other end of the hitch and put the bolts threw. You could use a jack but the wife was quicker and bitched alittle more than my Jack does.

How about the neighbor's wife?

Plumonium · Apr 9, 2009

Does the Ballmount draw bar 4" rise/drop that etrailer.com recommend for the Patriot is standard offset or do you need a different one depending on what you tow?

JoeBecker · Apr 9, 2009

Plumonium said:
Does the Ballmount draw bar 4" rise/drop that etrailer.com recommend for the Patriot is standard offset or do you need a different one depending on what you tow?

You should always determine the height required by what you are towing, and then select an appropriate draw-bar.

Pipe Tobacco · Apr 26, 2010

Pictures of the Trailer Hitch (That Does Not Cut the Bumper)?

Hello:

Anyone have pictures of their Patriot with the hitch installed that does not cut the fascia on the bumper? That is the route I am thinking I will go, but would appreciated an image or two before I get it.

PipeTobacco

kb01 · Apr 26, 2010

I have a UHaul hitch, which didn't require any cutting.

AnotherHickey · Apr 26, 2010

I got the Curt Hitch off of Ebay for $125 shipped to my door and it came with a free 2" ball mount. No cutting involved. I can take a picture of it tonight since I need to move my trailer.

dixiedawg · Apr 26, 2010

I think the OEM is the only one that needs the insert removed from the bumper, but it also is a bit higher off the ground too.

There's a couple other threads on hitches here, maybe try a search.

psaulesl · Apr 26, 2010

Pipe Tobacco said:
Hello:

Anyone have pictures of their Patriot with the hitch installed that does not cut the fascia on the bumper? That is the route I am thinking I will go, but would appreciated an image or two before I get it.

PipeTobacco

Yes - Click on "Gallery" and search for the word "Hitch"
A few users have posted.

Vultite · Apr 26, 2010

if you want a picture of the CURT CLASS III then go to the "I did black muffler mod" thread and my pictures has it, no cutting of the bumper involved, all you see is the hitch opening and not the whole hitch assembly.

Does trailer hitch needs to cut the rear bumper?

Plumonium

Gaze

DJ XS

USMC_Bravo

JoeBecker

Plumonium

klewis

psaulesl

patriotpierre

Plumonium

USMC_Bravo

packof50

Plumonium

JoeBecker

Pipe Tobacco

kb01

AnotherHickey

dixiedawg

psaulesl

Vultite

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