My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
Use a Table Vise
Find an Open Step
On the Floor
Against a Wall
On the Vehicle Frame
With a Jack
David R.
10/17/2023
Similar story to others on here, I spent a day prepping the vehicle, getting the bolts in place and wrestling the hitch into position only to find out it would not fit because the outer tangs were too close together and will not fit over the vehicle mounting beams. Now I have to wrestle it out and try to figure out a way to bend it into hopefully a size that will fit. The correct clearance dimensions of the relevant pieces should be included in the instructions so the hitch can be measured BEFORE going through this ordeal. This is apparently a common problem and it is inexcusable that the installation instructions do not address this. DO BETTER!
Mike L.
10/17/2023
@DavidR Unfortunately, we have zero control over how the hitch is handled after it leaves our facility. The metal used for the side plates and mounting flanges of the hitch is less rigid than the cross tube or receiver, so the hitch can flex a bit with the vehicle. Unfortunately, this can cause the hitch to get flexed to a degree during shipping. We're sorry to hear that happened and that it made your install more difficult than it should have been.
William K.
7/21/2023
I spent three hours lying on the ground under my RAV4 trying to install this receiver, supporting it with my knees and belly. It just would not fit. I pulled it out, took a closer look and realized that one end had been bent inward over an inch from UPS mishandling. Apparently it was dropped from a height in the thin box it was loosely shipped in. I called and was told that this is normal and I can fix it with vice grips . . . "Whoah! Vice grips?! No. He helpfully sent me this page to help fix the problem. (Nothing about vice grips here) I was able to wedge it into a utility trailer frame and brute force it into shape. Now I'll go back out and try again. Meanwhile, I'll recommend that you pack things better. A plank of wood bolted across the wings might hep. Also some warning that this is a regular thing to expect so your customers don't waste time and sweat. You could post the measurement of wingtip to wingtip and state that if this measurement is not right, it needs to be fixed. I went with Etrailer because in the past you've been very informative and helpful. (I could have gotten it at Amazon 3 days earlier). You just lost a couple stars on my rating list because of this. I'll update this afternoon after trying again. (96 degrees in Florida)
William K.
7/21/2023
@WilliamK Update. I rebent the wing to about an 1/8" past flat. It went right in perfectly, and the bolts pulled it right in. I suggest that you supply bolts with tapered threads on the end like Toyota uses. It's pretty hard to start bolts when they're up in a blind cave. When I got the hitch up into place, I popped in smaller 3/8 bolts just to hold it in place until I got the 19s in. I also used an old milk crate to support the other end(instead of my knees like I did the first day!).
Mike L.
8/2/2023
@WilliamK So glad to hear that you've managed to get the hitch installed without too much further difficulty! Once again, sorry about the inconvenience.
Nick C.
5/31/2023
well my hitch was bent when I got it and when I sent pictures they said forget trying to bend it. They gave me an RMA to return it and shipped a new one the next day. Good customer service.
Mike L.
6/1/2023
@NickC Thanks! Unfortunately, we have zero control over what happens to our product once it leaves our facility. We're glad to hear that our Customer Service folks took good care of you!
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David P.
12/16/2023
Message to the welding shop employees at etrailer: it seems that the two pieces that attach to the frame may get bent during shipping. Wouldn’t it be easy to stop that problem by having a final step in manufacturing be to cut a 2x4 to the inside distance between the two plates that get bolted to the frame, and use a lag screw through a hole in each plate and deep into the end of the 2x4. David P.