Why Would Curt Hitch for 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Not Line up to Frame Perfectly

Question:

Hi, I have purchased a Curt Trailer Hitch 13079, for a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2013. I wanted to install it, with my car parked I have not lifted the car, but the hitch seems to be shorter, I am not sure if it is a manufacturing defect. I raised the hitch into position, but there is a gap of about 1.5 cm between the car frame rails and the hitch in both the passenger and drivers side. I was able to a carriage bolt in the driver side, but I could not the other bolt in the passenger side. There was not enough space as the hitch was touching the exhaust hangers in both sides. I will appreciate your help please. I would be great for me if I can have the measurements of the hitch, to check if the hitch I have is defective or not note: my car has 30,000miles and no accidents.. I do not think the car frame is wrong. Thanks for the help.. best regards!

asked by: Jorge S

Expert Reply:

Sometimes hitches can get slightly bent during shipping and this can be fixed by bending the hitch back into place as long as the hitch only has a slight bend to it. If yours isn't lining up I can almost guarantee that is what happened. Some people will use open steps for leverage, vices and even car jacks to apply controlled force to bend the hitch back.

You will want to look for flaking paint and physical stress marks on the hitch before and after you attempt to bend the hitch back. If you see any of those signs on the hitch you should not use the hitch on your vehicle as it has been fatigued to the point of not being safe to use.

expert reply by: Jameson C