My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
Use a Table Vise
Find an Open Step
On the Floor
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With a Jack
Jack
5/6/2025
I ordered a Curt hitch from Amazon for my 2025 Kia Sorento. The hitch was over 1/2 inch too narrow to fit the bolt holes. Amazon would not allow returns or refunds, sent me to Curt, and I got a rude customer service person who belittled me, but finally sent me a replacement direct from Curt only if I cut the original hitch and sent them a photo. That hitch was the same dimensions as the first. The told me to install the side bolts first and use the car frame to stretch the hitch, but Kia said no and that it could void parts of the warranty. Curt then said to use a bottle jack to stretch the hitch, but bottle jacks are meant to be used vertical and not horizontal, plus the distance between push points was 27 inches and I would have to use something to make up that difference. I wanted to see how much pressure it would take to stretch the hitch so I used a bar clamp maxed out and it only moved it 1/4 inch and when released an hour later, it went back to its original dimension. No way I would put a bottle jack in that precarious position to stretch the hitch and risk injuring myself or others. Curt was not cooperative, accused me of not contacting them when the issue was noticed and cutting the hitch without their direction, all of which was false and if they had just read the email thread, they would see their rep told me to cut the hitch. They directed me to this page on flexing the hitch and said their hitch was within their spec. How can they expect a DIY person to modify their hitch at home with limited tools, ridiculous. They refused to refund me and send me a return shipping label. Not a reflection on etrailer, but on Curt. It's been frustrating, why can't they just make the hitch to fit properly?
Jameson C.
5/13/2025
@Jack That is SUPER frustrating. I wish they would make it right for you like you are wanting but my guess is they (and we) see the bent in shipping issue so often that they basically have a "been there done that" attitude and don't really want to really listen like you noticed as they already have the solution in their mind. I wonder if you could measure the distance between the holes on your vehicle and send that to them and ask them if your vehicle is out of spec or their hitch fit.
Mr. C.
12/14/2024
I was worried about the trailer hitch being short by nearly 3/4 of an inch. I looked at all the ways to spread it out to be an exact fit. Working with my son I wanted to put it on first to determine how far to spread it. I then realized that the natural process of torquing the mount bolts on the vehicle would do the trick. It did and now it’s a snug fit. Don’t go to the trouble of spreading it until you try seeing if the gap is small enough to snug it up with your torque wrench. Thanks Etrailer. I saved $1,200 since the dealership wanted to charge me more than that for the hitch and installation.
Tony M.
9/6/2024
Had the same problem with the Curt hitch. Next time, I'll measure the distance between the bolt holes before I try to install.
Nick
8/1/2024
I took my hitch to a mechanic to be installed because my rav4 mounting holes was rusted and needed to be rethreaded. The mechanic rethreaded them but then informed me of the bent hitch not lining up. He didn't have tools to try and fix it. I requested a return and ship new one. When i got home i told my neighbor about my misfortune. We attempted the 2x4 and scissor jack method. It was dicy because things move under pressure and a few times the mechanism jolted out. Not quite a safe way BUT it did shaped the flange enough so with both of is on the garage floor and positioning the hitch we could make the bolts catch the nuts in the car frame and slowly tightened with rotating from bolt to bolt little by little. Not ideal story. ETrailer should improve on this. but the remedy worked
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Randy
Watkinsville, GA
Pnw S.
7/14/2025
The passenger side mounting tab on my Curt 13505 was slightly bent out of alignment. I found this article and tried the bench vice and 2x4 technique without success. My technique - I put the tab in the 2x2 space of a receiver on my other vehicle. The tab fit easily in the 2x2 space and the 90 degree tab nested well into square shape. This placed the hitch in an upright/vertical position and made it very easy to gently apply the pressure I needed to straighten the tab. After a few gentle outward pulls, framers square indicated the tab was straight again (when compared to the other side). The holes lined up and now the hitch is installed.