Curt Hitch install will not line up (Please Help)

[Mutau95]

I just purchased via Amazon the Curt hitch for my 2008 Toyota Highlander model 13534. I followed the video instructions and the hitch will not line up on the drivers side. The passenger side lines up perfectly but the drivers side is about 1 inch from making the rear hole near the bumper and 2 inches from making the hole towards the front. I will try and add a few pictures for visual reference. I have tried using a 2x4 to move it over but 1/4 steel is nearly impossible to move that far. I expected to possibly move it over a hair to get the bolts in but not this far. I am less than impressed with the fit of this product.

Have others had the same experience with a Curt hitch? If so were you able to resolve it on your own or did you have to mail it back for another unit?

Thanks

[Ralph6410]

Can you confirm you have the right part It looks like the hitch is cocked, did you remove all the gunk and plugs etc from the passenger side frame ensuring a good face to face contact.
The amount of misalignment is definitely more than one can tweak with a 2x4. There is "something" majorly wrong for sure.

[Mutau95]

I double and tripled checked the part number and it is correct. I even tried putting the drivers side on first but doing that would not allow the pass side to get into place at all. There is no gunk in the area and the black plugs have all have been removed. Not sure what to do at point.

[Ralph6410]

It would seem then that the quality control department missed something. With the hitch off can you measure the distance between the holes and flanges. The faces should be parallel and the holes should be the same distance apart. After that... back to the supplier I would think is perhaps your only option.
Is there a possibility that this car has been in an accident? Perhaps it is the frame that is twisted?

[Mutau95]

Purchased the Highlander as a certified preowned from a toyota dealer purchased serviced and traded at the same dealer. While under the truck i looked around and there is no appearance of any prior body damage. The bumper reinforcement bar is perfect as well as the rails and the factory vin tag is there between the bumper cover and the body. No accident damage.

I sent Curt Industries and email through the support website so hopefully I will get a response tomorrow. I would be interested to know what their measurements specs say the distance for each side should be.

[rupert08]

I have the Curt hitch (not sure on the part number). It was roughed up a little during shipping when I received it and 2 arms that mount to the vehicle were bent in a few inches. The rear most holes lined up okay but not the forward most holes. I was simply able to stand it up, put my foot on one arm and lift up the other arm so they were parallel again.

[Mutau95]

If i had a metal shop and was able to put one end in a vise i could possibly get the clearance I need.

I consider myself fairly strong but that qtr inch steel didnt seem to move when I tried standing it up doing the same. I may try it again tomorrow. After 3 hrs of trying today and sweating like crazy in this heat I gave up.

[nogo]

Exactly the same on mine - also a Curt hitch. I installed this alone, and all three bolts lined up on the passenger side, but only one bolt lined up on the drivers side. This activity took about 20 - 30 minutes.

Then I struggled with a steel bar and a 2x4 for another hour and couldn't get the other two bolts to line up straight. At this point, I just paid a hitch installer 20 bucks to put the remainder of the bolts in.

After the installer was done, I can see one spot with significant paint scarring - he must've used some heavy duty vice or chain to pull the arms of the hitch to line the holes up.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by rupert08

I have the Curt hitch (not sure on the part number). It was roughed up a little during shipping when I received it and 2 arms that mount to the vehicle were bent in a few inches. The rear most holes lined up okay but not the forward most holes. I was simply able to stand it up, put my foot on one arm and lift up the other arm so they were parallel again.

[dallen3737]

Follow Ruperts advise. I had the same hitch and same model year. You have to take it off the truck and stand it on end to bend it to match. It seems odd, but it works. Mine was off by about 2" and I was able to bend it enough to line up and I am not a big guy. To be sure, measure center-to-center the two front bolt holes first to make sure you bent it enough. Good luck

[tagheuer]

is there any concern that you are fatiguing the metal and/or welds by bending the hitch that much?

Sounds like a total piece of garbage product...that is sloppy.

Let us know how it turns out, I was looking at this over OEM due to price but I guess you get what you pay for.

[crazyjeys]

having the same problem with a CURT hitch. purchased the hitch from etrailer.com. same exact problem in the picture. CS told me that that has been a common issue on CURT hitches for the highlander. CS told me that the steel for the bracket are not that hard as you may think and can be bended side to side to accommodate stress and fatigue (don't know if that's BS or true). she told me to clamp the driver side bracket to a vise and use the hitch as leverage to straighten up the mounting holes. haven't tried it yet since i don't have a vise and would need to go to a friends house but i'll let you know when i get it installed (if i do get it installed).

[dennydp]

To each his own,I would return it and get the factory hitch.Shouldnt need to bend anything to install a hitch and if you do ,dont think id trust the product.

[gchu]

I had the problem with a Valley Hitch - there is a video on etrailer that shows how it needs to be "tweaked" with a 2x4..... It was a real bear - I had to really muscle it as I could only use about a 2' 2x4 since I didn't lift the SUV.

Good luck!

[Mutau95]

Well i was able to get the hitch on today. I put the drivers side mounting bracket between the bars of my utility trailer and was able pull on it. I felt the metal flex and when I mounted the hitch again it lined up perfectly. As some other have mentioned the CS dept. from Curt blamed it on shipping process. It would seem if they see this a lot they would brace the hitch with wood between the tabs on each side to prevent this from happening. Short of that they could put the measurements of how far the holes should be apart...that way you could get it right before you go to mount it up.

At any rate the job is done.

[lispeej]

For what it's worth, I'm glad I went with an oem hitch from toyota. Everything lined up perfect and no bending required.
A bit expensive, but worth every penny. Looks the best of all hitches IMHO.