Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

The packaging arrived damaged for the trailer hitch, but I thought there was no way this heavy duty hitch would have been damaged. It was just packaged in a box that was too small and didn’t have any cushioning inside it. Instead, I got the hitch partway on and realized it was definitely bent…. There was no way I could line up the bolt holes on both sides. Highly frustrated after more than an hour of trying to ensure I wasn’t missing a step only to confirm the produce arrived damaged.1712990

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Hitch received as shipping information said. Package could use more packing material. Right side mount of hitch was exposed on receipt and wound up being bent, had to bend/pound it back into shape to align to mounting holes. Only issue encountered thus far. The step-by-step install instructional video's were awesome for our Volvo!!! Thank you!1696975

The quality of the trailer hitch receiver is outstanding. It has a nice coat of paint and beautiful welds. Made in the USA definitely shows on this product and I highly recommend to buy a U.S. made product over anything else. Here are some points to share regarding the installation:
1. You need more fishwire: I was not able to remove the fishwire without stripping it off the bolts. The wire bites into the thread and does not want to let go of the bolt voluntarily. My workaround was to wind new fishwires for each pull, but my fishwires were not as tightly wound as store-bought ones, which made it difficult to pull the bolt through the washers. I recommend to use a fishwire for each pull, which means the kit needs 6 fishwires in total OR I need to learn how to remove a fishwire without destroying it.
2. It seems like an easy installation, but if you are not REALLY in to working on cars, just buy this and have it installed by your friendly mechanic around the corner. I just don't have the patience to lay under a car half a day to save a few bucks. Just removing the T15 torx for the tailpipe cover took some patience, 30 minutes itself and smaller hands than mine. This is a rough job if you are not used to doing this (and if you don't have enough FISHWIRE).

I would give this product 5 stars for the product quality itself, but dropped it by one star because the effort for installation is definitely higher than what it looks like in the installation videos.971319

Click to Enlarge

Tyler M.

3/8/2021

Hi Hans, Thanks for your feedback! Fishwire can be difficult to remove without ruining it. This kit does only come with 2 fishwire tools. If you need more, I would recommend the Curt Fish Wire Bolt Leader, part C58410 .

Helpful Links

ToolsCurtC58410.html

The Hitch works great! My 2015 Volvo XC60 did not come w/ a Hitch, and I cannot use a trunk bike rack because of the spoiler. I had my mechanic install both the Hitch & the Bike Rack (Curt Premium Hitch-mounted 4-bike Carrier - 2" Hitches), he basically took it out the box and showed me how to use it.1312677

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

The receiver arrived with two arms poking out of the box hoping the bend in the arms is the way it’s made will not know until it’s installed1633754

Brooke M.

7/31/2023

If it turns out that the hitch is slightly flexed, I wanted to send the link to the article we have on how to correct the bend. There are a few different ways outlined in the article.

Helpful Links

faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

Product was spot on. Installation requires solid experience with working on cars. Video provided within the trailer order link was exceptional and extremely helpful. Be patient, it takes time (older car), or bring it to your mechanic and grab some breakfast instead :).1654954

Overall, an excellent product with exceptionally good installation instructions via a video. The one step I expected to be easy turned out to take longer than expected; that is, remove and replace the two stainless steel exhaust extensions. The whole process took about 4 hours, which included several much-needed breaks. I put the back of the Volvo XC60 on jack stands, raising the rear of the vehicle about 1'. This height made for easy work at arms length. A hoist might have complicated the installation process, and probably would have required 2 people to hold and put the hitch in place. As it was, I was able to balance the hitch on my chest while installing the first two bolts, with some needed help from my wife. I had to bend the hitch mounting arms a bit to allow alignment of the first two bolts. Once these were in place, the remainder of the installation went fairly quickly. I did learn a lot about using the fish wire. I am guessing the person who did the video had done several hitch installations. Irrespective, it is suggested you view the video front-to-back a few times before starting the project. I am very pleased with the final product as it looks very professionally done. I am somewhat mechanically minded, but not a mechanic by any stretch. I highly recommend this product and etrailer! The attached photo shows the final installation, less the right exhaust flange and with a bicycle rack installed on the hitch.850918

Click to Enlarge

by: Thomas 02/20/2024

Super clean job by true professionals! 1734589

by: Jasper Chan12/17/2019

Installation can be tricky. Instructions are provided clearly. Do follow closely. Nonetheless, excellent product even after a year! Quality material used.732853

Click to Enlarge

Ultimately had my mechanic Install as was more functional to work while car was raised. Mechanic stated went in well, he to trim the heat shield a little for it to fit. Though that was noted in the install manual so it was expected.. 800954

Click to Enlarge

by: Ken 04/24/2023

etrailer.com representatives, products, install videos and support are the best.1563424

by: Beth07/16/2022

The hitch itself is wonderful- solid, easy to install. I towed a trailer cross country, have had multiple bikes on a bike rack and have no issues with the hitch amd functionality.

I deducted a star because the 2012 Volvo XC60 this was supposed to be custom fitted to has part of the exhaust system rubbing against the hitch. I even took it to the dealer to make sure nothing was wrong with the car. They told me there is nothing to be done but wrap the exhaust piece that is rubbing with a high heat wrap to reduce the noise and the friction and then replace the wrap periodically.1329986

Sierra K.

7/19/2022

Thank you for your review. This issue sometimes happens. It happens enough that we actually wrote a help article about it. Please view it here:

Helpful Links

faq-fixing-exhaust-rattle.aspx

works petfectly 1692394

This is a great hitch. The install was a little tricky, however with some patience I was able to maneuver the hitch into place with no adjustment to the car muffler hangers as described in the directions. Only a minor modification was needed for the heat shields and that was done without tools. The only slight downside is that the steel for the vertical brackets from the crossmember up to the mounts could be a bit beefier, however given that this is used on a car and not a truck, it will be just fine.1443063

The product arrived in perfect condition and sooner then expected.
I had ordered this hitch twice from someplace else and they were unable to get it to my home in anywhere near good condition and lets just say that it was a less then Prime experience. I did mention that I had encountered shipping challenges in the past and Mark M explained that etrailer doesn't use the manufacturers packaging and that they use there own. The box the hitch arrived in was a little beat up but in tact. The box was very heavy duty and no part of the hitch was hanging out. Nicely done! In the long run I may have spent a few dollars more but its worth it. The hitch is installed and overall this was an outstanding experience. Thanks231315

John R.

11/1/2016

Product replaced with OEM hitch your product did install as I noted in my first review but always had issues hitting the muffler. Every practical effort was made to avoid replacing the hitch none worked out

Rachael H.

11/1/2016

Thanks for the follow up John, I have included a link to a help article that explains several different solutions to eliminate exhaust rattles after installing a trailer hitch. Please take a peek at these options to see if any could help you out.

Helpful Links

faq-fixing-exhaust-rattle.aspx

It arrived hanging out of the torn and unpadded box. After getting half way through the installation process we found that it was bent about 10 degrees on one of the attachment arms probably as a result of the poor shipping conditions.

Had to pay to get a welder to straighten it out using a vise. Very disappointed that such a heavy product would be shipped with no padding or reinforcement.

Out an extra xx dollars due to having it straightened out.1337527

Katrina B.

8/12/2022

I am sorry that you have received the hitch being flexed. This is common amongst hitches, since the mounting brackets are made from a mild steel that allows the hitch to flex with the vehicle after installation. If the entire hitch was made of rigid steel, there would be a greater chance of the hitch being damaged and experiencing stress cracks. Such cracks could cause the hitch to malfunction. This flexing often times will cause the holes not to align. I have a link below for your reference.

Helpful Links

faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

Fit exactly.
Nice the it was made for the XC60 and cost a fraction of what Volvo wanted.
Video of hitch and video of wiring most helpful.
Only suggest to etrailer- add cardboard to packing to insure tabs don’t push through in transit.

Thanks!908400

Frank

11/6/2021

Still great after a year !

by: Heath Coats11/10/2017

Hi George thanks for the follow up. I like the hitch however the clearance was slightly off. After the install we could hear the exhaust banging against the hitch when we would start, stop, or hit a bump. I managed to source a heat resistant piece of rubber to soften the noise, but this will have to be routinely replaced. 450875

Laura E.

11/10/2017

Thanks for your review, Heath! We appreciate your business! We have a helpful article regarding exhaust rattle at the following link:

Helpful Links

https:/faq-fixing-exhaust-rattle.aspx

Great hitch, excellent YouTube video detailing specific make/model installation. Second hitch purchase, ordering and delivery was easy and delivery was on time.431401

Tucker

9/11/2018

No flaws anywhere in the hitch wiring harness.

by: Harold 09/28/2017

2012 Volvo XC60

I've got a 2012 XC60 R-Design I installed this on. The Volvo dealer optional receiver hitch set up was roughly 4 times more expensive installed, and required cutting a hunk of my sexy rear valance out. That was not going to happen. You'll be amazed at how tight the clearances are, but it's a perfect fit. No contact with exhaust(this will blow your mind!), or the rear valance. Watch the video, take your time installing, and enjoy! Now that I've done one, I could reinstall another on the same vehicle in under an hour. My installation took about 2. I was slightly skeptical about the fit until the last bolt was in and torqued to etrailer's specs. Remarkably well engineered design. I wouldn't consider any other option, and the fact that it was the absolute least expensive receiver hitch I found online establishes this as 100% badass! This is the one!437304

by: Alan08/03/2021

It cost a fraction of what I would have paid at the dealership to install a hitch….it’s used constantly and has proven to be 1,000% reliable…1112639

Alan

8/4/2022

PERFECT…..100 reliable & easy to install

Curt hitch is high quality, excellent dimensions, and comes with its own hardware.

A couple of hints.
Watch all the etrailer youtube videos for the xc60 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016. Each has a couple extra tips, and the under that Volvo, the frame is exactly the same.

Spray the bolts with WD40 before putting on the chase wires. If not, they may not unscrew without getting munged. In fact, I suggest ordering 4 extra wires (they are less than a buck each) so you have one for each bolt. Will save you a lot of time and money ordering separately (do not ask how I know).

After cutting sound proofing, bend it out of the way, Once installed, it will go right into place. And this makes working on the rear mounts much easier.

Get a 24" piece of dental floss & make a small loop. Now put other end through loop and put around neck of each bolt after putting it onto the chase wires. If you have issues getting bolt into the hole, you now can pull it all back & start again. This is very important on the back mounts. Once everything is installed, give the floss a hard yank and the floss will break off.

For front mounts, you need to push spacer into hole and then start the bolt before you try pulling toward frame hole. Videos lightly touch on this, but it is very important.

for the back mount bolts, I took a small set of needle nose vice-grips and wrapped several layers of electrical tape. Before removing chase wires, I lightly clamped on.
A lot easier to start nut when doing this alone without a lift. Again, NEEDLE NOSE versions.

For re-installing muffler, lube hanger rubber with WD40. Slide hanger into place above the hitch, but do not put mount bolt in. Now pull muffler toward center of Volvo and slide bushing between muffler hanger and hitch side. A slight push back toward the outside and the mount will slide into hanger. Do same to other side. Now just push up on your muffler and insert each bolt and tighten. Turns it into a 30 second job. Be sure to wiggle the muffler looking for places that hit the hitch. The muffler mounts are adjustable where they attach to the frame. No need to have any banging or vibrations like some folks here have experienced due to their "expert" mechanics screwing up the install. There is almost 1.5" of room between the hitch and factory exhaust when adjusted properly
340247

I ordered the wrong hitch mount as I had the model year of our car wrong. But returning it was cost prohibited. I should have just gone to U-Haul in the first place.1423452

Youtube video was helpful. Hitch fit perfectly.

Some tips:
1. Make a paper template of the hitch hole pattern to trace onto the heat shield for trimming. It's much lighter than the hitch.
2. The fish wire works well, but is hard to get off the bolts. If you bend the threaded section of the wire, don't fret. The fish wire will work even if it looks like it won't. Rewind. Check that you can get the plate over it when it's on the bolt. Trim the wire if it doesn't
3. The third (horizontal) bolt is tricky. Lightly jack the hitch (after the other four bolts are finger tight to the frame) so the horizontal holes align. Also, the wire is a [pain] to get to this hole. I got lucky on the first one. I used 12 gauge house wire to get the second one, black-taping to the fish wire.

The hitch looks great!311753

I have a 4 year old that just mastered riding a bike. Cue lots of trips to ride bikes at grandma's house, so a bike rack is needed and for that, a hitch. After some research, I was able to call etrailer and get their help from a real person on the phone! How often does that happen these days?

The product is what it says it is: a class III hitch receiver. It works great, looks good, and was not as hard to install as I though it would be.

One important point: UPS somehow lost my first package. Not sure who walks off with a hitch for a very specific make and model, but these things apparently happen. Etrailer simply sent me a new one - no fuss, no muss. Great company and I will buy from them again. 375385