syncro87
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2016
- Threads
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- Location
- KLXT
- Vehicle(s)
- '16 Civic sedan EX-T, '18 Prius Two, '09 Scion xB, '88 R100RT
- Thread starter
- #1
Installed the Curt hatchback hitch today, 11463.
One little tip I came up with that may help someone in the future.
The hatch has no rear holes for the hitch, you have to drill them. You also have to enlarge the front holes to 1/2".
The instructions from Curt and in the etrailer video suggest that you hold the hitch up for a dry fit, then mark the locations where you'll need the rear mounting holes.
This is a PITA. Especially if you are alone. Holding that hitch up there unbolted while you mark the spots for the new holes.
I came up with a better way. Take a zip tie. Put the head of the zip tie in the forward most mounting hole on the hitch, and stretch the tie across the rearmost hole. You'll pull the zip tie head to the rear edge of the front hole, this is what you want. You're just using the head to kind of anchor the tie so that you can pull it across the rear hole. You could measure it, but the zip tie pulled against the side of the hole assures the exact distance rather than eyeballing it when you're under the car.
With some snips or scissors, cut the zip tie just slightly, maybe 1/16 of an inch past the center of the rearward hole. You are cutting it slightly longer than center, just a smidge.
Take that zip tie out to the car when you are at the stage when you're ready to start drilling the rear holes. Put the head in the forward hole, stretch the tie to the rear. Due to how the front hole is recessed a little, the tie will not be perfectly straight, but rather bent a tiny bit. This is why you left that extra 1/16 of an inch on there. That compensates for the slight bend. Mark your rear hole drilling spot right at the cut end of the zip tie, centered left to right on that frame rail section. Do both sides this way.
Drill your holes, pilot hole first, then your 1/2" holes.
Run your bolts according to the instructions. When you lift the hitch up, everything will line up perfectly.
No helper needed.
Re-creation with an envelope and the actual zip tie I used to measure:
One little tip I came up with that may help someone in the future.
The hatch has no rear holes for the hitch, you have to drill them. You also have to enlarge the front holes to 1/2".
The instructions from Curt and in the etrailer video suggest that you hold the hitch up for a dry fit, then mark the locations where you'll need the rear mounting holes.
This is a PITA. Especially if you are alone. Holding that hitch up there unbolted while you mark the spots for the new holes.
I came up with a better way. Take a zip tie. Put the head of the zip tie in the forward most mounting hole on the hitch, and stretch the tie across the rearmost hole. You'll pull the zip tie head to the rear edge of the front hole, this is what you want. You're just using the head to kind of anchor the tie so that you can pull it across the rear hole. You could measure it, but the zip tie pulled against the side of the hole assures the exact distance rather than eyeballing it when you're under the car.
With some snips or scissors, cut the zip tie just slightly, maybe 1/16 of an inch past the center of the rearward hole. You are cutting it slightly longer than center, just a smidge.
Take that zip tie out to the car when you are at the stage when you're ready to start drilling the rear holes. Put the head in the forward hole, stretch the tie to the rear. Due to how the front hole is recessed a little, the tie will not be perfectly straight, but rather bent a tiny bit. This is why you left that extra 1/16 of an inch on there. That compensates for the slight bend. Mark your rear hole drilling spot right at the cut end of the zip tie, centered left to right on that frame rail section. Do both sides this way.
Drill your holes, pilot hole first, then your 1/2" holes.
Run your bolts according to the instructions. When you lift the hitch up, everything will line up perfectly.
No helper needed.
Re-creation with an envelope and the actual zip tie I used to measure:
Last edited:
