Can 3 Spacers be Used for Curt 11294 Hitch Install on 2007 Ford Focus

Updated 06/02/2022 | Published 06/01/2022

Question:

I purchased and instaled curt 11294 on my focus, there is a huge gap between the driver town down hook to the trailer hitch. Is it odd that i need to use 3 spacers for the driver side tie down hook? And did i install this right? Attached are the pictures.

asked by: Aj

Expert Reply:

Thank you for the photos of the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C11294 install on your 2007 Ford Focus.

While it does look like you have the hitch in the correct position, I do have a few things for you to check. The first few being that your hitch is lined up correctly, and that the hitch mounting brackets didn't get bent during shipping (which happens often enough that I've attached our help article on this).

The reason those questions are the first to look into is because you not only had to use a lot of washers, which the instructions do say to use the washers as necessary, but on the passenger side of the installation I noticed you didn't install the bolt that's supposed to come down out of the frame rail. While the fishwire technique can be a little daunting or frustrating, part of the integrity of the hitch relies on that bolt so I'm guessing you need to move the hitch a bit more towards the driver's side which will line up the hole for that frame rail bolt and should eliminate the need for a few of those washers.

expert reply by: Jon G