Can Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver be Bent That Doesnt Quite Fit 2009 Honda CR-V

Updated 02/08/2025 | Published 06/25/2017

Question:

Hi Guys. I recently purchased the Curt hitch for a Honda CRV. It doesnt fit, I could not get the holes to align. I tried following the directions and then tried not following the directions. All paths failed. The holes are off by about 2 mm. The car has never been in an accident. I dont think I posses the means to bend the hitch metal so that the holes do align. Do you have any suggestions? Should I return it? Take it to a pro to install?

asked by: Nathan K

Expert Reply:

With trailer hitch receivers that have brackets like the Curt # 13555 receiver that you purchased for your 2009 Honda CR-V, it is not uncommon for those brackets to get slightly bent during the whole shipping process. If you wanted to return it there are chances that the replacement could get slightly bent during the whole shipping and delivering process as well. You should be able to bend it back into place and if need be you can use a mallet to assist you.

You could take it to a pro to install if you wanted to but since it sounds like you are a pretty handy guy I recommend try bending it back into place first. You can do this as long as the hitch doesn't crease or start to flake paint during this process.

I attached a link to our installation video where we installed this hitch on a similar 2009 Honda CR-V as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

R. P.

1/12/2021

Just sent back 2 different Reese hitches I had purchased for my 2009 Highlander. I received both bent 1 inch same problem on both hitches, I purchased a Curt hitch. I had the same problem with the Curt hitch being bent. It looks all the hitches had the same problem with either assembly fixturing or weld distortion. I really hate to bend a weldment and create a stress problem. If I install it and it has a failure I guess I could find a good attorney to write my next letter. Thanks

Jon G.

1/15/2021

This whole bending thing happens often enough that we actually wrote a helpful article on how to fix this on your end (if that's what you want to try doing). Otherwise you might think about even going a step further and having a shop do the installation for you so that your hands are completely clean of any of the work as well.

Helpful Links

faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

Bareknkll

2/8/2025

Can clearly see how your reply is against anybody returning one of your trailer hitches. If somebody returns one of your trailer hitches because the holes don't lineup, you guys being a trailer hitch supplier should have the means and the proper business etiquette to straighten out the hitch for the customer.

Jon G.

2/8/2025

@Bareknkll Definitely see where you're coming from. In extreme cases of the hitch being bent we do help out to get the situation settled. The problem with automatically taking back every single hitch that has a slight bend in the mounting brackets is that this happens very often, and even if we took it back there isn't a guarantee that the hitch wouldn't get bent again during shipping so it's best for the integrity of the hitch to bend it after that initial shipment if it's needed. Hope this helps clear things up a bit!