My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit

Did you know that a trailer hitch is designed to be able to flex a bit? The mounting brackets are made from a mild steel that allows the hitch to flex with the vehicle after installation.

The Problem: Your Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit

Because of their size and shape, sometimes trailer hitches get flexed during shipping or transport. Some common comments are:

"My trailer hitch doesn't line up with the weld nuts or bolt holes in my vehicle's frame."

"It looks like my trailer hitch is bent."

"I think my trailer hitch was welded wrong."

The Cause: Mounting Brackets May Have Flexed

Because a hitch's mounting brackets are made from mild steel, the mounting brackets may flex during shipping. This causes the on-center bolt hole spacing to change, meaning it may appear that the hitch's bolt holes will not line up with the weld nuts on your vehicle frame. If the entire hitch was rigid steel, there would be a greater chance of the hitch being damaged and experiencing stress cracks. Such cracks could cause the hitch to malfunction.

The mounting brackets need to be able to flex with the vehicle frame as the vehicle travels over the road and hits bumps or potholes. The hitch also needs to be able to withstand changes in temperature without being damaged.

Note: Cracks or chipped paint are signs that the hitch may have flexed enough to be considered unsafe and should be replaced.

The Solution: The Trailer Hitch Can Be Flexed Back Into Position

The trailer hitch can be flexed back into the correct position so the bolt holes will line up with those on your vehicle frame for installation. There are a number of ways to help flex your hitch back into positon.

The mounting bracket on this hitch has been flexed inward, but can be straightened for installation.

This mounting bracket has also been flexed inward so that the bolt holes are slightly off and would not install without being straightened out.

Use a Table Vise

A table vise can be used to hold the mounting bracket while the cross tube is used as a lever. This works well whether the hitch's mounting bracket is flexed in or out. The cross tube can be used to flex the mounting arm inward or outward back into the correct position.

Straighten Mounting Bracket with Table Vise

Find an Open Step

If the mounting bracket is flexed inward, a sturdy, open step is a useful tool to help flex the hitch back into position.

Straighten Mounting Bracket with Stair Step

On the Floor

If you don't have a table vise or an open step to use, an inward flexed hitch can be corrected by using two boards while the hitch is on the floor.

Use Floor to Straighten Mounting Bracket

Against a Wall

If the hitch's mounting brackets are flexed outward, and no table vise is available, the hitch can be flexed back into place using a board and a solid wall. Keep the straight mounting bracket on the wall and apply pressure to the flexed bracket using a board.

On the Vehicle Frame

If the hitch is only off by a small margin, the vehicle frame can be used to align the hitch. The bolts on the non-flexed side can be installed and a pry bar or board used to push the other mounting bracket into place. Once the mounting holes are lined up, insert a bolt to keep the bracket in place.

Use Vehicle Frame to Straighten Mounting Bracket

With a Jack

Sometimes, both arms may be flexed toward each other. In this case, a board and jack can be used to spread the mounting arms back apart.

Trailer Hitch Installation Tips

How to Clean Weld Nuts for the Installation of a Trailer Hitch

How to Correct Noise from Exhaust Rattling Against a Trailer Hitch

Written by: Victoria B

Updated on: 12/13/2019

Questions and Comments about this Article

William D. 4/15/2022

will a 2022 vw teaguan wire trailer harness fit a 2022 taos. not the splice kind..

Reply from David B. 4/15/2022

Not knowing the exact harness you have there is no way I can tell you yes or no. I do know that the wire harnesses we have for the Tiguan are not compatible for the Taos. You would need something like the Upgraded Heavy Duty ModuLite Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness with Installation Kit # 119190KIT . If you give me a part number I can let you know.

Amir 4/4/2022

2inch versus the 11/4 inch opening for 2017 Jetta??? Which is recommended. Pros and cons please….

Reply from David B. 4/12/2022

In all honesty I'd pick the 2" receiver every time. It all boils down to tongue weight capacity. The # C11474 is a class 1 receiver and will only be able to handle 200 LBS. max tongue weight and only use class 1 accessories. The 2" receiver # 306-X7311 is a class 3 hitch and can handle 300 pounds of tongue weight, this item can use more accessories. Just make sure that you check your owners manual and verify that your vehicle can handle the added weight.

Todd M. 10/21/2021

I have a hitch from a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer. Is it possible to mount this hitch to a 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 with the use of some kind of adapter bracket? Thanks

Reply from Les D. 10/27/2021

@ToddM The hitches are designed specially for one model and are perfect matches with model specific fasteners. I checked all the hitches I have for your Blazer with all the hitches I had for your Sierra and none of them are a match, so I doubt the hitch you already have will work. You should not use any kind of adapter for a custom hitch. If you need a hitch for your Sierra I would recommend the Curt # C14332 as it has high towing capacity and as easy to install as the other option. I also like the easy access to the safety chain ears.

Mark 9/25/2021

Ordered this for my GMC Acadia 2019, per the many recommendations on the website. I've been at this for 3 hours, and I can not install this because the support triangle on the Curt Bar, stops the bumper screws from being able to hold the bumper on. The only solution I can think of is to grind down the Curt hitch but I want to see if anyone has any other solutions?

Reply from Les D. 10/20/2021

@Mark I put your vehicle information into our fit guide and the only Curt hitch for your Arcadia is # C13293 , which shows an install video. I have linked to both below. I don't see where your issue is coming up. Can you please provide me the hitch part number so I can work on this further? Or the order number.

Helpful Links

tv-install-curt-class-3-trailer-hitch-reciever-2019-gmc-acadia-c13293.aspx

Ben 7/5/2021

I purchased a trailer hitch for my 2017 Toyota RAV4 and the bolts that came with my trailer hitch kit screws in correctly on the left rear side but the two on the right rear side do not. Can anyone help me out with a solution?

Reply from Jon G. 7/7/2021

Have you tried cleaning out the weld nuts yet? If not here is a link to a helpful article about how to do that.

Helpful Links

faq-how-to-clean-weld-nuts.aspx

Dennis K. 4/4/2021

Trailer hitch for Hyundai Santa Fe 2021 any word on when?

Reply from Jon G. 4/5/2021

Check out the Curt Hitch # C34ER . This is hot off the press and will fit your 2021 Santa Fe!

Ekrem Z. 3/18/2021

I’m having a hard time finding me a 2” hitch for my 2011 VW Jetta, TDI Sport Wagon. Can you please help?

Reply from Jon G. 3/18/2021

Sounds like you're looking for the EcoHitch # 306-X7284 .

Arthur G. 2/19/2021

Very informative thanks...

Ragnar M. 8/12/2020

MAZDA MX5 2002

Reply from Jon G. 8/25/2020

I believe you're asking about which trailer hitches fit your 2002 Mazda Miata. Here is a link to the selection. I like part # C11749 better because it has a hidden crosstube.

Helpful Links

hitch-2002_mazda_miata.htm

Joe 7/28/2020

I have a 2008 Buick Enclave and I need to order a Trailer Hitch Receiver along with a Curt Ball Mount for 2" Hitches. I want to be sure what i order. Can you tell me what i would need. I am looking for something simple to pull the lawnmower. Nothing fancy.

Reply from Chris R. 7/30/2020

The Curt Class III Trailer Hitch # 13424 will work perfectly on your Buick Enclave. It offers a simple bolt-on installation and all the needed hardware is included. For a ball mount that will work well I recommend the Curt # C45030 .

Reply from Joe 7/30/2020

@ChrisR Thank you for your assistance.

Phillip H. 7/25/2020

modell 10366 does not fit my 2008 KIA amanti.

Reply from Chris R. 7/30/2020

I don't recognize that trailer hitch model number. Is this something that you purchased from us?

Kimberly 5/22/2020

I wonder can fit for my Buick Encore hitch ? Thank u

Reply from Chris R. 5/25/2020

I don't quite understand. Are you saying the hitch is for your Buick Encore? Have you been able to install the hitch or are you still having issues?

Reply from Kim 5/25/2020

@ChrisR Thank ! I don’t have trailer hitch install

Reply from Chris R. 5/28/2020

@Kim Got it! If you can tell me the model year of your Encore I will be happy to recommend the right hitch.

Kelly K. 5/2/2020

i received my trailer hitch and am satisfied with the overall product but i have one problem the bolts provided for the nuts that are on the vehicle the bolts are too big i cant get them started i have the holes and wire brushed them i believe the hardware needed on this vehicle is 7/16 bolt does that sound correct?

Reply from Chris R. 5/4/2020

When the bolts seem to be it's usually because of road grime/corrosion getting caught up in the weld nuts on the frame. I recommend using some WD 40 and the wire brush a couple more times. Sometimes it takes a few sessions to really clean them out depending on vehicle age, road conditions, weather, etc. If you can tell me what model hitch you purchased I can verify the right bolt size too.