How To Install The Draw-Tite Class III Hitch # 75528 On A 2009 GMC Acadia Without Existing Weldnuts

Question:

Im looking at purchasing one of the class III style trailer hitches you sell for my 2009 GMC Acadia SLT. Ive watched all the videos and it looks very easy. However when I went to take a look last night at my vehicle I seen a problem. I found the 4 mounting holes with the pre-welded nuts on either side of the spare tire. However when I removed the center bumper piece there were just 2 holes but no welded nuts similar to the other mounting holes. They did have what looked like to be a small access slot on either side of the holes to get your fingers in but it did not appear to a way to use a tool to even use a standard bolt and nut installation. Is this normal and what options do I have to install one of your class III trailor hitches? Thanks for your assistance!!

asked by: Craig E

Expert Reply:

When installing the Draw-Tite Class III 2 Inch, part # 75528, on a 2009 GMC Acadia, some of the vehicles will not have the weld nuts on the front two mounting holes of the bumper. What you will need to do if you are missing the weld nuts is to use the included handle nuts that will come with the hitch. The handle nuts are used in many trailer hitch installations because of the limited space that is available for installing mounting bolts.

The handle nuts are a nut with a handle attached that you will be able to insert into the access holes next to the two front mounting holes. The handle can be easily bent to allow you to hold a nut into a tight location while the bolt can be threaded into the nut. I am including a video link that will show you what a handle nut is and how it is used and a link to the installation instructions of the Draw-Tite hitch.

I am also including a video link of how to clean existing weld nuts when installing a trailer hitch. When weld nuts are corroded they will not allow the bolts to thread into the nut easily and can cause the bolt to break. This video will help make the installation of your hitch go much easier.

To complete your towing setup, you will need the following items:

Curt Ball Mount, part # C45010
Pin and Clip, part # PC3
Tow Ready 2 Inch Hitch Ball, part # 19247
Tow Ready T-One Wiring Harness, part # 118451

I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Tow Ready wiring harness and a video of the wiring harness being installed on a 2009 GMC Acadia.