How to Install Reese Trailer Hitches
Reese Hitches is a Burnsville, Minnesota, firm that provides trailer hitches to fit many models of cars and trucks, as well as motorhome and fifth wheel hitches. Its products include weight-distributing hitches, sway control products, gooseneck and front mount hitches, hitch accessories and electrical wiring. Trailer hitches can typically carry loads of 5,000 to 10,000 pounds. Prices for Reese trailer hitches range from $150 to more than $200 as of November 2010. Reese offers installation instructions for each specific hitch through its website.
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Things You'll Need
- Scraper
- Screwdriver
- Socket wrench with adapters
- Power drill with 1/2-inch drill bit
- Torque wrench
- Lubricant spray
Instructions
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1
Remove the spare tire if it is located underneath your vehicle.
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2
Scrape the wax coating off the frame rails of the trailer hitch and off the eight attachment holes. Spray lubricant on the hitch holes and on the frame holes.
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3
Hold the Reese hitch bar up to the bumper of your vehicle to gauge its width to the width of your vehicle's frame. Unscrew the bolts on either side of the hitch bar facing the hitch's female end and adjust the hitch to the width of the frame.
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4
Insert the 9/16-inch hex bolts with the flat washers and reinforcement brackets in the rear attachment points in the frame rail. There are two holes for bolt, washer and bracket pieces on the rear of each of the frame rails, which attach to the main hitch assembly. Screw the hex bolts in tightly and ensure that the front attachment holes are lined up appropriately with the frame rail.
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5
Raise the hitch into position on your vehicle. Ask for help from an assistant if necessary. Loosely install fasteners at the rear attachments by screwing them in with your hand.
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6
Install the 9/16-inch hex bolts, hardened flat washers and blocks through the forward attachment holes. Fasten each set of bolt, washer and block with a locknut.
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7
Use the reinforcement bracket as a template to drill a 1/2-inch hole through the bumper bracket so it fits into the existing slots on the frame rails.
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8
Insert the 1/2-inch hex bolts along with hardened flat washers through the reinforcement brackets and fasten them with a hardened flat washer, lock waster and nuts.
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1
Tips & Warnings
All 1/2-inch fasteners should be tightened to 75 ft.-lbs. by using a torque wrench.
References
Resources
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