The Hitch mounts to the side of the bumper brackets and will have a cross member that bolts on between the two brackets. They will mount on the side here and then a bracket will go across. First we'll install the brackets and then worry about the cross member.

Trailer Hitch Installation

Starting with the passenger side we'll take out this bolt and this bolt here and we'll install our first side bracket. This bracket will end up being mounted right here. We kind of just finger tight it up here now, so we need to solve this flexibility when we put in the cross member and do any minor adjustments. Just do a hand tight as far as you can go.

Now we'll go to the drivers side and we'll take off this bolt here and this bolt here and do the same thing. To get the other bracket on, since the passenger bracket is loose and the whole assembly is loose it's good to have a third hand to help hold the bumper while you put the bracket on. Sometimes it helps to wiggle it to get it started and then you should be okay.

Now we'll install our cross member onto our loosely mounted side brackets. We'll start with the passenger side and work our way to the drivers side. Before we put this up there we did do a test fit already to see how much space we need because the instructions say you can use a flat washer or a block like this. Our test showed we needed a space this much because back up inside here there's a little bolt that's in the way, so we'll have to space the hitch down. Also in our test fit we found out that this will barely align with this, so we'll get up there as close as possible and have to pry it into place and we'll use a bolt to draw everything together at that point. With these spacers a good hint is to go ahead and tape it down to hold into place while you put the hitch up and we'll run our bolts through those last.

Since we have a real close tolerance on here, what's happened is the holes just aren't lining up as perfect as they should, we're probably about an eighth of an inch off at the most. What we'll do is run a drill bit up just to clean it out to make sure the bolt can get through easily.

Now we'll use our handle nut here we have to go in this little spot here, slide it through into the bumper and look through here to line it up. Now we'll go ahead and start torquing it down. The bolts on the outside which are 10 millimeters which go to 36 foot pounds. The half inch fasteners here, here and up here get 72 foot pounds of torque. That will conclude the install of this hitch.

Related Information Pages

more information How to install a trailer hitch

Tips on how to tow a trailer

Towing system components

Explanation of hitch classes

How to choose the correct ballmount

Information about wiring for towing

How to determine your hitch size

Related Categories

Floor Mats and Cargo Liners

Ask the Experts

Do you have a question about an installation, a product, or how something works? With thousands of product installations and troubleshoots under our belts, we don't just sell this stuff, we know how to install and use it. Just type your question in the box below.

It may be helpful to include the year, make, and model of your vehicle and the product part number if you have a question about a specific product application.

How to Video - Trailer Hitch Installation on a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo

Custom Fit Trailer Hitch

Help, Demos, and How To Info

Trailer Hitches

Wiring Installation

Brake Controllers

Fifth Wheel Hitches

Gooseneck Hitches

Weight Distribution

Trailer Service

Trailer Parts

Bike Racks

Bike Rack Accessories

Cargo Carriers

Cargo Contol

Locks

Tonneau Covers

Ladder Racks

Bug Shield & Air Deflector

Backup Cameras

Performance Chips

Vehicle Trim

Mirrors

Hitch Accessories

Tools

Archive by Date

Products shown in this video

Trailer Hitch Installation on a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo

Trailer Hitch Installation

Related Videos

Related Information Pages