Hitch Comparison and Recommendation for a 2015 Nissan Altima

Question:

Seems companies around Columbus, Ohio that install hitch receivers for bikes use the Curt style - or at least one that bolts into the car frame and requires the heat shield to be removed and the gas tank cover. I bought the draw -tite and am being told it will take about 2 to 2.5 hrs to install and it is bolted to metal pan in the trunk, not the frame. so now I am concerned about the install cost and more importantly, the safety. Is this hitch as safe and secure as the Curt type? it seems using the Curt puts my car at risk without the heat shield and cover for the gas tank. can you help think this thru? am I making a mistake?

asked by: Terry

Expert Reply:

According to Draw Tite the hitch part # 24796 should only take a professional about an hour to complete. For more info check out the install video and instructions I attached.

Both this hitch and the Curt hitch part # C11352 have the same weight capacities so I can assure that either would be just as strong as the other when installed on your vehicle. The trade does seem to be that the Curt hitch requires removal of heat shields and gas tank cover whereas the Draw Tite requires that you drill through the trunk of the vehicle. Either hitch will work fine as they have been tested extensively. The best recommendation I can give you would be to go with the hitch that you feel the most comfortable with.

Another reason to go with the Draw Tite is that Curt recommends the use of a stabilizer strap like part # 18050 when using their hitch with a bike rack. If it were me I would go with the Draw Tite hitch based on that alone.

expert reply by: Jameson C