Trailer Hitch Installation - 2008 Chrysler Sebring

Installation of a Trailer Hitch on a 2008 Chrysler Sebring

Today on this 2008 Chrysler Sebring Sedan we will be installing Draw-Tite hitch part number 36448. This installation will also apply to Hidden Hitch part number 90166. Starting off underneath the vehicle, the first thing we are going to do is lower the exhaust down. We just want to remove this rear most hanger on the passenger side. :22

To do that we are going to take a spray lubricant, like a WD-40 and spray the studs down and then we will take a pry bar and separate the two pieces. With that lowered we can point out the mounting holes that we are going to be using to install our trailer hitch. Starting over here on the passenger side you can see on the inboard side of the frame we have two existing hole, those are going to provide our two rearmost attaching points. :43

Those holes actually go all the way through the frame. So we are going to take this long 4 inch bolt, along with a spacer block and slide it from the outside part of the frame in where the threads come through the inside. The hitch is going to attach that way. That is going to be the same on the driver side as well. On the passenger side we do have a third attaching point. If you look here at the bottom of the frame looking forward, you can see there is an existing small slot. Once we get the hitch attached to the bolt on the side of the frame, we are going to use the hitch as a template and enlarge the hole to 1/2 inch. With that stated we can put the hitch up in position. It is going to help to have a second set of hands when putting the hitch up. Into those, we are going to add a conical tooth washer and locking hex nut. You want to have those finger tight now for the time being. With the hitch in position and the side bolts tightened we can go back to the bottom of the frame on the passenger side and drill our 1/2 inch hole. Again, using the hitch as a template we are going to enlarge that to 1.2 inch. 1:56

Next, we will take the 1/2 inch bolt leader that is provided with our installation kit and take the threaded and of the bolt leader and slide it through the attaching point. We are going to be pulling it back out this access hole on the forward side of the frame. We will take our 1 by 3 inch block and slide it on the bolt leader, followed by our 1/2 inch carriage bolt which will be wrapping the threads of the bolt leader around the threads of the carriage bolt. Insert them into the frame, and pull them into position. To that carriage bolt we will be adding a conical tooth washer and hex nut. With that in place we can go ahead and start our final tightening and torquing. The bolt at the bottom of the frame we need to torque down, there is a specified torque rating for it in your instructions. The bolts on the side of the frame actually do not get torqued. They actually just get tightened down. What we need is that to have a few of the threads protruding through past the lock nut. We do not want to fully tighten it down. That is so you do not crush the frame. Just about like so. With those bolts tightened down all we need to do is put our exhaust back up on its hangers and our installation will be complete. 3:11

Now that we have the hitch installed, we are going to give you a couple final installed dimensions that will help make choosing your hitch accessories a little bit easier. From the top of the receiver tube opening to the ground is going to measure 11 inches. From the center of the pin hole to clear the rear edge of the bumper is approximately 8 inches. That will conclude the installation of Draw-Tite part number 36448 on a 2008 Chrysler Sebring.