I Am Having Trouble Getting The Last Bolt To Fit When Installing My Hitch

Published 01/13/2022

Question:

No matter which variation I try, I cannot seem to get all 5 screws in the holes, there seems to always be one that does not quite line up. Are there any issues if the 3rd screw on one side is not in or are all 5 screws needed?

asked by: Doug P

Expert Reply:

Though I have not seen any issues with the etrailer hitch # e98907 not lining up properly for the install on a 2020 Nissan Murano, this actually does happen with hitches every now and then. Just as a side note before I get into that though, make sure you are not tightening one side down all the way before getting the rest of the bolts started. All 5 bolts should be pretty loose and just able to support the height of the hitch. Once they are all started, then you want to get them tightened down all the way. You do have to make sure to use all 5 bolts as well.

Now, if you are already doing that, or trying to do that, odds are your hitch got bent a little in transit. Again, this does happen some times and they ae actually designed to be able to bend a little. If they were not, they would end up breaking when the frame of your vehicle flexes/twists when going over speed bumps and things like that. So, what you will need to do is look at that bolt hole, which I am guessing is the furthest forward on driver's side of the frame, and see if the hitch needs to be bent in or out to get it to line up.

I have found wedging the arm of the hitch under a step and leaning with it, in very small increments and very slowly mind you, and then refitting to be the best way to go about this. There are several ways to do this though and I included an article we have on this subject.

expert reply by: Lazer S