Insufficient instructions for 2020 Model 3

Wow, that was more than I bargained for. It’s a tough install made tougher by lack of information in the video and instructions. See below. Some of these issues are mentioned in reviews of the sister hitch with a 2” receiver. Wish I had seen them first.

First, do yourself a favour and get the car 5 inches off the driveway. I built a ramp with some paving stones.

Second, there is a screw on each side right at the end of the fascia. It’s mentioned in the 2019 EcoHitch install video but not in the Curt instructions.

Third, all the etrailer.com videos and the Curt instructions are ambiguous on whether the underbody panel comes off as a separate piece or remains attached to the fascia. The Curt instructions say “to remove underbody panel locate and remove (7) fasteners…”. Should the underbody panel then come off? I couldn’t figure out how and finally took it and the fascia off together. It then became apparent that there’s no way to get the underbody panel off separately.

Fourth, the hardest part of the whole thing was putting it back together — precisely where the instructions just say “use steps 1-5 in reverse order.” There are two tabs on the inside of the fascia that hold on the underbody panel (“B” in one of the attached photos). Without the hitch, there is nothing nearby to interfere with them. With the hitch present, it is a REALLY tight fit — “B” needs to fit under “2". At first, both visually and measuring, I thought there was no way it would work. I could not find a way to do it by doing steps 1-5 in reverse order. That is, clipping the fascia into place at the trunk and then fastening the underbody panel. You need to get those two tabs under the hitch, put in (loosely) the two bolts on either side of the hitch receiver (through “A” and into “1") to hold the panel into place, and then snap the rest of the fascia into place.

There is a little bit of slop in the bolts that hold the hitch to the frame. Best your chance of getting those tabs to fit under the hitch by mounting the hitch as high as you can. You really are looking for that extra millimeter.

Lastly, the hitch is really heavy. It really hurt to feel how light everything was that I was taking off the Tesla compared to how heavy the hitch is.
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Hitch is great. When I put back on the rear bumper one side didn’t fit exactly back. I think the hitch might have been a little off center which caused the issue. Plan on taking the bumper off again at some point to see if I can get it 100% tight fit. 1051994

The hitch appears to be made well , but the installation is a bit challenging.

Watch the Eco hitch review and follow the instructions step by step and you can do it. Make sure the aluminum bumper bar is perfectly centered when you have it on the car. I would recommend installing the bumper onto the hitch on the ground and leave it a bit loose until on the car. Having a second set of hand to replace the bumper back on the car is very helpful. I left the bottom cover on the bumper. 1636342

etrailer shipped the hitch in less than a day after the order was replaced and it was delivered to my house within 2 days, so kudos to the shipping department. The Curt trailer hitch itself is fine and works as promised. The etrailer price was cheaper than the retail price at the Curt website, but it appears no different than any other hitch. I had a local auto body shop install it on my Tesla Model 3, after the "pro" trailer hitch installers in my area made a big deal about how complicated Tesla vehicles were for installing hitches. They advised that they had to charge over $300 due to lengthy install time and sensors in the bumper. The body shop only charged me $200 and said it was no more difficult than any new car with sensors. Overall pleased with e-trailers customer service and prices. 1553321

Wasn’t compatible with Tesla model 3. Poor customer service 3382506

No kidding, this is a difficult install unless you do a lot of work on cars.

The product seems well built but, as this is a difficult process, the instructions could be a lot more detailed. etrailer has a good video for the Stealth hitch install, I wish they would link it to the Curt page as the install is basically the same. 796083

Fit perfectly on our Tesla Model 3. Directions from the manual weren't as clear, but etrailer had an installation video on the stealth hitch, which made it a breeze as it was quite similar. Took about an hour and 45 minutes from start to finish. 1309340

Excellent product. Good instructions, but challenging with all the trim removal. 1642715

the hitch was off by a 1/2 inch and required help in the installation. now it works fine. looks a little off if you look closely 1051693

excellent product the only issue I have is wit the hardware, the y include two different size, standard and metric, should be only one type either standard or metric not mix. 1435332

It fits in well with rear of car, doesn't stick out enough to be in the way. 3281760

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