Is Curt Class III Trailer Hitch # 13084 a Correct Fit for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Thank you for providing the photo of the underside of the frame rail on your 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport.

The 2-inch Class III hitch you purchased, part # 13084, is indeed a correct fit for your Cherokee. We do also offer a round-tube hitch, also from Curt, which is part # 13160. These differ only in their cosmetics, one being a square-tube design that is slightly less visible beneath the bumper than the round-tube version. Both offer identical capacities and both install in the same manner. I verified with my contact at Curt that both of these are correct fits for your 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport and that both will require some drilling for installation if your vehicle has a steel skid shield. Based on your photo your Cherokee does have this feature.

You can be assured that either of these hitches when installed as per the manufacturer instructions will deliver its full rated capacity. The need for some drilling should not be interpreted as meaning that the installation is somehow compromised. You will need a torque wrench to install the included fasteners to the specified torque ratings indicated in the instructions.

The linked video shows installation of this hitch in a 1997 Cherokee and includes illustration of the different versions of this vehicle in the 1997 model year. It also shows the process of cleaning the weld nuts, which is particularly important for an older vehicle that will typically have more corrosion/dirt in these fasteners. We offer a brush that can be used to clean out these attachment points along with a spray-on lubricant.
An article is provided to explain this process.

I have also linked an article concerning general hitch installation tips that may be helpful to you.

expert reply by: Adam R

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