Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

If you have never purchased from ETRAILER.com before let me assure you that they are a great company to deal with. Their prices are very good and their service is excellent. I bought a DrawTite hitch and a Swagman bicycle carrier from them years ago for my 2007 Ford Fusion and the products were superb. I just purchased a new 2017 Ford Fusion so I needed a new hitch to fit it. Of course I went straight to Etrailer.com to make my purchase of a DrawTite Model 24897 hitch. I ordered the hitch on Wednesday evening and it was delivered to my door Friday afternoon. The hitch is very high quality, the fit was perfect, and installation was quick and easy following their great instructions and videos. Thanks Etrailer.com for supplying quality products along with great customer service. 361762

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Jim M.

4/4/2018

The hitch is still working great, I really like it. I have highly recommended your company and your products to many people and will continue to do so.

Corey

7/14/2022

Trailer hitch was as advertised fits awesome and works great on my 2015 Ford Fusion

The hitch was as expected. It came well packaged and within a couple of days. This is not the first time I have ordered with this company and it always seems to go well. This hitch actually attaches with four bolts for the 2015 Fusion. You only need take out four little nuts holding the bottom bumper and then work the hitch in place. I actually did the work myself with the car sitting on the ground. Additionally, you should get yourself one of those cone bits that allow you to make holes of varying sizes. The instructions suggest that you cut away a large section of your back bumper support but this makes no sense, just make a hole in the support so the bolt is clear of the support and then reattach the support, installing the original support nut upside down.

In the attached photo you can see the support for the hitch (black) and the plastic bumper support with the bolt in view. You will notice where I have drilled a hole to clear the bolt. You will see a little nut to the right, this is all that holds the bumper support. To get it back in place turn the little nut upside down. You can install finger tight. You should also know that the bumper support is flexible to the extent you can move it out of the way while you work, just as long as you take off the two lower valance nuts at the bottom of the bumper. All told this took me 30 minutes by myself and it all looks great!

Finally, the receiver section of the hitch does stick out a little more then what I would have liked but that would be about the only negative, if anything. 176466

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Kevin S.

1/7/2016

Thanks, Ed, for the suggestion to install the hitch with the appearance panel in place and cutting a hole for the bolt. I installed the Hidden hitch, which is manufactured by the same company. The install took me a little more time approximately an hour as I proceeded with caution. I used a 1 inch spade drill bit, typically used for wood, to drill the hole. I like the idea of keeping the appearance panel on the car, rather than taking it completely off.

Fits a 2013 Fusion Titanium well and easy to install. My unit came with instructions for a VW Beetle instead of for a Fusion however the proper instructions were readily available on the etrailer web site. A couple of tips: 1) The rear under body appearance panel can be used with this hitch without trimming the two ends of the panel that mount where the hitch mounts by drilling a ~1" clearance hole for the rearmost hitch bolt in each side of the panel as shown in the attached photo. 2) I found that the under body panel needs to be put back in place prior to tightening the hitch to the car. There is not enough clearance to fit the panel between an installed hitch and the car's under body. I attached the hitch to the car loosely with all 4 nuts on the ends of the bolts. The panel can then be fitted between the car and the hitch. Once the panel is in place, the hitch can be tightened down. This is my second Draw-Tite hitch from etrailer and both experiences have been positive.153794

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First, the hitch worked great. Install instructions and video were spot on so install went pretty smooth. Installed on a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Tried to install without removing and cutting the trim piece as other reviewers have mentioned, but didn't work. Guessing that different vehicles might have trim pieces that are molded a bit different.

Took a 2 stars off because the hitch came with some of the powder coat chipped off (near when it bolts on to the frame) when I took it out of the box. Box was undamaged so it was likely packed like that. As the powder coat should help with its longevity, I think dinging it 2 stars is reasonable both as it shouldn't have been shipped that way and it shouldn't chip that easy. Considered returning it but really needed to get it installed and didn't want to wait another week for a replacement. It's also on a 9-10 year old car so it should last.1647369

The hitch receiver assembled perfectly with my 2019 Fusion. All hardware was included, including wires to feed the bolts through the car's beams. Installation looks good. YouTube Video also helped.1649522

Outstanding! My husband installed this hitch in less than 45 minutes. When the bike rack is not attached you cannot tell the hitch is there. No noticeable strain or extra pull on the car when bike rack is attached. Highly recommend!
Will pull small trailer too! 411442

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Easy install
Use a dremel tool to trim the bumper support. Plenty of support left behind!115444

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Gary

6/4/2014

What bike rack are you using with the hitch? Thanks.

Randy

6/10/2014

The bicycle carrier that is viewed in the photo is a Yakima style receiver hitch rack. I dont have any details on the specific model... but they all work the same way!

Rachael H.

6/11/2014

Thanks for the reply Randy! Gary, it looks like Randy has the Yakima StickUp 2 Bike Rack # Y02420. The StickUp racks have been replaced by the Yakima HoldUp EVO rack part # Y02479.

Installed just as easily as advertised, even for an amateur at home with no lift. I was skeptical of the bolt fish wires, but they worked perfectly. Only for bike rack, and It's low to ground on Fusion, but should be ok. 135503

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Receiver hitch showed up on time and well packaged. Installation was a breeze and looks clean. 831375

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by: Johnny 11/16/2023

2014 Lincoln MKZ

Great purchase it fit my 2014 MKZ perfe ctly1693532

First, etrailer's website is thorough, easy to follow, and instructive. You are confident you are selecting the right item for the job and the vehicle. I needed a class I trailer hitch for a Ford Fusion. Next, etrailer shipped immediately and my trailer hitch arrived promptly. Because it was well packed it was free of shipping damage. The hitch is exaxtly as described and nicely finished. No burrs or snags. All necessary parts and detailed instructions will make installation straightforward. Good product; good folks to do business.269441

Bob H.

1/16/2018

Hitch was easy to install. Over the past year it proved its reliability. I recommended Etrailer to a friend who last week bought a hitch and bike rack from you for his Subaru.

No complaints. It fit perfectly and install was as expected. I'm glad I went with this model and was able to re-install the rear panel with minor trimming. I installed it in my home garage and used a floor jack and stands to raise the rear end, which might not have been necessary but did make it easier. I would not have been comfortable leaving that area under the bumper open and exposed. Will be used for a platform bicycle rack. The install video was helpful.249315

Jeff J.

1/30/2018

The install of the hitch was exactly as expected, the video was very helpful. No issues at all with the hitch.Your customer service and information resources were great. I havent needed anything since but would certainly do business with etrailer again.

by: Emmy R03/19/2017

2014 Ford Fusion

This hitch was easy to install and works great with my 2014 Ford Fusion. It's easy to hook up & unhook the little trailer we bought and tows this little trailer easily. In being able to have this hitch on my car it saves us a lot of money on gas when we go camping.355602

Emilie R.

3/19/2018

One year later and the hitch still works great!! Easy on, easy off and can hardly see it!!

So with the my 2013 Ford Fusion the rear of the car sits to low at 9” and some change from the Top of the Receiver Hitch to the Ground, now it could be my car with the suspension possibly to low and making some adjustments on the mechanic side ? Because with the “Thule Roadway 2 Bike Rack - 1-1/4” and 2” Hitches - Tilting - TH912XTR it will bottom on pitched drive ways and dips and such.. I’m open to Solutions anyone. Everything else is awesome easy to install 683162

Victoria B.

8/14/2019

To carry your bike rack without scraping the bottom of your driveway, a hitch adapter with a rise, such as # HT5R, is a great solution. Keep in mind that this hitch adapter will reduce the capacity of your trailer hitch by 50 percent, making the tongue weight capacity of this hitch 100 pounds.

It’s nice, sturdy and well built.

Did come with a move scratches and one side had poked through the box though. Not a problem as I’ll be painting it anyways.1644676

Works great for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE. Already has gotten use for hauling around my bike rack. Good work, eTrailer.com!87167

Paul B.

1/2/2014

Did you have to remove the underbody panel? Thanks, Paul

Patrick B.

1/7/2014

You can either remove it, or you can trim it in a couple of spots. Check the instructions link on the page, they show where you will need to trim if you want to go that route.

Cherie

6/23/2015

Nick, Did you just order the trailer hitch above? I have a 2103 Fusion Hybrid as well and am unsure if I will need any other parts. This is for a bike rack too.Thank you.

Nick

6/24/2015

Cherie I did not need anything additional for the hitch installation. I ordered a few accessories, but they were not necessary to use this hitch.

Not pleased that the pictured instructions didn't match your hitch and my frame. Had to use different frame holes. But got it done.1542272

by: Neil06/29/2018

2014 Ford Fusion

Product worked in the year I've owned it with no mechanical problems. My reason for not 5 stars, and it is not Etrailers fault is this. The baked on finish is a total joke. My car is garage kept, and the hitch assembly is all rusty. It's actually surprising how much so. I've only hooked up a utility trailer about 10 times, and covered probably 150 miles total.
The manufactures of these hitches should improve the corrosion resistance.
Also, and this is big in my opinion. I would buy a hitch that has both sets of holes and purchase a "J" pin to prevent rattling when the trailer hits bumps in the road. You can hear and feel every bump as the rattle transfers through the cars frame/unibody, very annoying. I'll never buy a hitch without dual holes again. I purchased my "J" pin on Amazon ??.528482

Good fit and appears nice and solid. I chose to keep the appearance panel and just trim the corner to make room for the bolt and washer. This is much easier if you remove the panel, do the trimming, hand the hitch loosely and then replace the panel before tightening down the hitch. Live and learn.
The wiring was not as easy as it seems from the video. I have to fish the wires down from the grommet and then fishing the connector up behind the taillights was real tight. I had to pop the connector on the existing wiring to make wiggle room. I you run the power wire under the car I can recommend going through the grommet on the drivers side up near the back seat rather than the one nearest the rear bumper. 180935

by: Steve C.08/18/2016

2015 Lincoln MKZ

Product was probably a 2 on a difficulty to install scale of 1-5. The toughest part is cutting and reinstalling the piece of plastic fascia that's in the way. It's probably why it's recommended to discard to piece. I just find the bumper cover a little flimsy without it. I'd also recommend having a friend handy to hold it up while you try to fish the bolt through the frame, keep the receiver in place, and secure the nut & washer without pushing the bolt up into the frame. I did it on my own and it wasn't fun. A floor jack helped, but not as much as another person would. Overall it looks great on my MKZ.285109

The hitch arrived quickly after order placement. Etrailer was great about communicating shipment information with follow up emails. The installation instructions could have been clearer and we were fortunate to find online videos to assist with our understanding how to complete the install. I'd recommend adding a link to some install videos to assist others.
The hitch itself looks great and fits the car perfectly for intended bike rack use.916750

by: Okie Joe07/25/2020

This trailer hitch was supper easy to install and has been used at least 20 times in the past year since purchased. I would buy again without a doubt. I use this vehicle and hitch to pull a small Leesurlite pop-up camper trailer that weights app. 400 lbs. after loaded. I pull with a 2019 Ford Fusion, 2.5 model at regular highway speeds. No complaints!850810

by: John12/28/2020

2018 Ford Fusion

This hitch worked great on my 2018 Ford fusion. It was easy to install and it did the job just fine with my light utility trailer. This is my third vehicle I’ve use three trailer and every time I’m sure I’m going to get the right fit for my car. My last car that I put a hitch on was a 2014 Kia forte931477

by: Melissa 12/08/2020

My husband has now had a year to use his trailer hitch which he attaches his bike rack and he has had nothing but good things to say about it. He is happy that he no longer has to put his bike in the back of his car.920690

Fitch fit perfectly.. However - I would recommend that the person installing does not trim off shaded area.. If one uses a "hole saw" - aprox 1 or 1 1/4 in diameter, and drills holes near the outside circular notch on the appeaerance panel, this will allow clearance for the rearward bolt. The trim panel can be bent "coaxed" into position and the tabs ( which face forward ) will bend inside the vertical horns of the hitch.. ALSO - you have to get the trim panel back under the car before you tighten the hitch bolts.... 167641