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This fully welded, corrosion-resistant vehicle trailer hitch receiver is perfect for your light-duty towing needs. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. Drawbar sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
Draw-Tite's Tested Tough program provides testing standards far superior to those outlined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the go-to source for engineering professionals.
Each Draw-Tite trailer hitch receiver undergoes extensive fatigue testing and static testing with the ball mount that is either supplied or recommended for use with that particular hitch, thus ensuring results that are applicable to real life use. Fatigue testing is also conducted on hitches rated for use with weight-distribution systems.
In addition, Draw-Tite performs static testing on a simulated automobile, as opposed to the rigid fixture used for SAE testing, resulting in a more true-to-life scenario.
At etrailer.com we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
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Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Alright today on this 2012 Chevrolet Malibu we're gonna install part number 36479 from Draw-tite. This will also install part number 90194 from hidden hitch. Alright this is what the hitch looks like when its installed on the car. Next, we'll give you out some measurements that will help you out in selecting some accessories. From the center of the hitch pinhole to the outside edge of the bumper on this spectacular car is going to be 7 and a quarter inches and from this top of the receiver opening down to the ground would be 9 and a half inches. Now we'll go ahead and show you how the hitch is installed.
Okay, first thing you're gonna do is going to do is go ahead and install hardware on to the end of the frame right here basically into the frame and the bumper structure. We're gonna take a 3 inch carriage bolt and the block end fits into and we're gonna fit it on the backside of the frame and then we're gonna install this block right here. In some models it might be easier to use or provide wire pull for this but in this case we got plenty of room to work with and go ahead and get a piece of tape to hold the block in place. And we're done all this on the in the passenger lets go ahead and repeat the same process for the driver side. Alright this point its a good idea to have an extra set of hands to help move the hitch in position and then we'll attach the conkle tooth washer and the nut.
Make sure the teeth in the conkle tooth washer is based towards the hitch. What we'll do next is go ahead and snug up these bolts up against the vehicle and then we'll use a hitch and a template to draw out our holes right here where it is tightened up just enough to take up the gap. Okay, now we'll go ahead and use a half-inch drill bit to mark our centers then we'll start pie hole and we go back to our half inch. Our passenger side is done lets go ahead and do the same thing on the driver side. Alright now you can go ahead and install the hardware for the hole we just drilled.
We'll take out bolt leader and put it in the hole we're going to use and we're gonna run it out our access hole which is right here. Alright we'll take our block with a square hole thats 3 inches long, we'll go ahead and push that into the frame, this line right here we can move as much as we need to get access inside and then we'll take our bolt and thread it on to the bolt leader, pushed into the frame as well. Okay make sure the bolt is sitting long ways not across right this, if it is take a screwdriver and move it around so you can easily pull the bolt through and then we'll install a lock washer and nut, passenger side done, one more time over on the driver side. If all our hardware is in place, we'll go ahead and snug it down then torque it down as specified in the instructions. Okay with that, our hitch is already installed and there you have it for part number 36479 from Draw-tite on a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu..
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (126 Customer Reviews)
This fully welded, corrosion-resistant vehicle trailer hitch receiver is perfect for your light-duty towing needs. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. Drawbar sold separately.he hitch fit perfect. I placed my order on Sunday and received it on Wednesday the service was super. The hitch fit perfect just like the video. Thanks guys I give you 5 Stars!!!
I researched having a hitch installed or just buying one and installing it myself. I came across and etrailer.com instillation video for my car on Youtube and decided to go that route. Delivery was fast. The hitch itself had a few chips in the powder coating. The hitch went in easy. I installed it in my garage by myself so it took longer than the stated instillation time. I glanced at the written instructions however I mostly went off the video that was online. I bought it specifically for a bike rack. Overall I am completely satisfied with my decision to go through etrailer.
I give Etrailer an excellent rating for their product and customer service. With the trailer installation on my 2007 Saturn Aura, I had to remove the rear bumper cover & reinforcement bar to drill a hole in the rear body panel,on my vehicle there was no hole on the panel like stated in the video. The extra work did not bother me because I am a collision technician by trade.It made a nicer job because I could wire tie the harness on bumper reinforcement bar. Thank you for everything ,James was very helpful.
I needed a frame hitch on my 2012 Malibu to haul my mountain bike to the mountains in Utah to a friends house. I'm using this vehicle because it gets a lot better mileage than my Tacoma pick-up. The hitch arrived the next day and I took it to a friends house (who had all the roto cutters to drill the frame). We backed the car up on a couple ramps, he drilled two 1/2" holes. I held the hitch up while he installed these bolts and the other 3/8" bolts. I torqued them to specs on instruction sheet. We were done in 45 minutes and on my way home. I couldn't be more pleased with the whole purchase, shipping, installation of this hitch. This hitch is an 1 1/4" and my bike rack is 2". I'll just weld a piece of 1 1/4" thick wall tubing to the 2" bike rack and it will work on the Malibu and also just slip through the 2" when I use it on the Tacoma. Won't need an adapter. Thanks, I'll order from you guys again, for sure. I'm very pleased with the whole purchase experience.
The Trailer receiver was 100% what I expected and fit perfectly. The hardware included for installation and the very helpful videos on your website we're excellent. Using it for a bike rack on a 2008 Saturn Aura.
Would definitely recommend .
Finding a hitch for a Saturn Aura was no easy task. The one I bought from eTrailer fit perfectly and pulls my boat like a charm. The videos were a great help for the mechanic that did the installation. He sends you his thanks, too!!
Received Hitch fast, installation was made easier because of the video. Did it all by myself so, took longer, fit perfectly, haven't tow anything yet. Waiting on my bicycle Carrier. Look and feel sturdy nonetheless.
Because my car is a 2011 I can only imagine that their are not a lot of options. The whole assembly hangs down too low which has caused me to drag it on the ground in certain places. I ruined the wiring harness the first time. Also the square portion of the assembly that takes the reciever is slightly crooked.
Showed up with box damaged, but only had a few paint scratches. Installed easy, followed your [online] video. Looks great
The hitch was very easy to install. Instead of using tape to hold rear bolts I applied some hot glue around the bolt. I will be using it to hold a bike rack and towing a small utility trailer. This is my 2nd draw tight hitch, I`ll be installing one on future vehicles as well.
Kai
3/19/2014
No problems with the hitch, I`ll continue installing a draw-tite hitch on future vehicles for towing my utility trailer and my bike rack.
Great product, easy to install hitch mount, the installation videos are invaluable and incredibly easy to follow...only thing I would add in the video is what kind of drill bit to use to drill the holes, it was the only thing that took me some time to punch through the frame. Thanks again for the quality product, easy to navigate website and instructional videos, I'll definitely go back to this site again for a roof rack.
Patrick I.
7/21/2016
Thank you for reaching out, I truly appreciate it .As for the hitch, works perfectly, incredibly easy to install less the drilling into the frame and it has enabled me to add multiple hitch mounted accessories to my car. My next purchase from you when I get back from my deployment will be the Thule aero blade roof top rack.Once again, very much impressed with:- customer service- installation videos- product receipt- the product itself- following up.
The trailer Hitch is great and fits exactly to my vehicle as listed. I ordered my bike rack and I'm very happy to have bought and installed the hitch. The only issue I had was funny enough not the hitch. The steel sub-frame was very hard to drill through. Be sure to have a good sharp bit when drilling. As for the hitch install- it was very simple and easy. Great product guys and you can hardly see it underneath my 2012 Chevy Malibu- which is a good thing !!!!
Jeff
5/14/2013
Agreed, this is a great product and easy install. Comment about drilling. After reading the previous reviews, I borrowed a 12 drill from work. I used a slightly smaller size drill bit as it was odd size and never used. The combination of the 1/2 drill and brand new bit was great, I was through the frame in a minute. Then i popped in the 1/2 in drill bit to size the hole correctly.If I had used my 3/8 drill and not chosen the brand new bit, think this would have been a lot harder than it was. Thanks for a great product and EXCELLENT installation videos.
Hitch arrived in less than a week. Installation instructions were clear, however on one side not able to get the washer on - not enough clearance and difficult to get socket on as well. Installation video on web site was very helpful.
Paul B.
1/14/2015
Still using the hitch and still very satisfied. Paul.
Only gave two stars because the first hitch did not fit correctly, the bolt holes did not line up with the frame. Visual inspection and measurements determined that the mounting brackets were not welded straight. etrailer quickly sent a replacement which was welded straight and the second hitch fit correctly. The second hitch performs as expected. If there could be two ratings, then 5 stars for etrailer-good customer service.
This reciever hitch was recommended
By etrailer to install on a 2009 Malibu. Once installed it is almost useless as it sits way back under the car and the bike rack will not mount into reciever with out hitting back of the car. Had to purchase an extension which comprises tongue weight
The hitch was very nicely made and was very easily installed. The service was very user friendly and shipped very quickly. I needed it to pull a small trailer about 3000 miles. I decided to install it on my Malibu so I did not use my large pickup as fuel was high at the time I travelled and I was not hauling a lot of weight. I liked the product and even ordered another for a friends car. I would highly recommend E-Trailer for hitch purchases.
This trailer hitch has been the perfect size for our car to pull light weight trailers. They trail perfectly with no sway and at the correct height. In addition they are protected from any incorrect wiring that may ocurer from a trailer that is incorrectly wired. I recommend this company and their products to anyone without any reservation. I am totally satisfied and will use them again for any future purchases.
Awesome purchase. I originally quoted a price through U-Haul and ended up saving well over $150 with etrailer.com and self installation. They sent all of the correct hardware and installation was a breeze. I would suggest purchasing a NEW carbide 1/2" drill bit to use. The frame material is pretty stubborn and I was using an old dull bit. It took me awhile to get through it, but no big deal. The hitch is very sturdy and looks nice. The only reason I didn't go 5 stars is because I've already scraped the hitch going over some small speed bumps and when leaving certain parking lots. It's really no fault of the hitch, it was designed to fit as snugly to the vehicle as possible, but it is a downside to the whole situation. Overall a great product at a great price. Shipping was with UPS and was right on time as well. Thanks etrailer.com!
yes I've had the hitch on my F-150 for a year now. It was easy enough to install, I did it my self (at 64 yrs) I used the hitch and truck to pull a camper and it worked fine. All the "pieces" were there when it was delivered. As I recall it didn't take long after my order to receive it either.
If I ever need another hitch I know I'll check ETRAILER.com first !
I received my hitch within a couple days, with a free shipping upgrade from etrailer.com. Installing the hitch was easy with the videos and instructions provided for my 2012 Malibu LTZ, all the pieces fell right into placed. I would suggest to get a good titanium drill bit for making the two 1/2" holes to the hard metal frame, work perfectly without pre-drilling holes. Overall, I'm really happy with my hitch.
The hitch and it's install went perfectly. I've never done this before, and your video made it very easy. We use this hitch on a sedan to mainly install a bike carrier. Thank you for your product and instructions, andy
Fairly easy to install on a 2010 Malibu LTZ. This car has dual exhaust outlets from the single muffler, so dropping it at the rear is required for easy access to drill the two 1/2" holes and install the hitch. The rear exhaust is held up by three rubber hangers, so just spray them with WD-40 & they slide right off. The spring steel wire "fishing" tools for pulling the bolts & washers through the frame rails worked like a dream, the bolts & washers pulled right into place. Now the wife is happy that she can haul her bicycle to ride with her friend, therefore, I'm even happier!
Difficulty installing due to a seam that runs in line with the hitch frame on the bottom of the spare tire well. I had to hammer it flat to gain enough clearance to bolt up the hitch frame. I don’t have any pics of the seam but just an FYI for future sales and installations of this model of hitch. Aside from that it went on with very little trouble.
Fairly easy to install but you do have to route some nuts through the unibody frame to install. They supply you with everything needed to do that and I was surprised with how simple it was.
Took roughly 25 minutes. I would recommend a second person just to help with lining the hitch with the bolts when mounting. Overall, easy install.
I have put on about a dozen trailer hitches and have used ... hitches, I have found this purchase from e-trailer to be fast shipping and excellent in craftsmanship and quality with a better price. I will be using them for all my next hitch purchase Ussage. Thanks
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Junior
12/31/2021
This is one of the best I ever had! Very easy to in stall and good looking. No rust!