Preparation

• Check that the hitch is the correct one for the vehicle and trailer and review the instruction sheet if you have it. Look for any excess corrosion on the hitch, and if it is not in good condition, do not use it. Elevate your vehicle with ramps or a hoist and check to ensure that it is secured. Put blocks behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
  
  Place the drawbar, pin and clip loosely into place on the hitch, and put it in position to check for any obstructions or for any necessary repositioning. Place a scissors jack or a floor jack under the hitch to keep it in place. Use a C-clamp to hold the hitch to the frame during the task. Loosen or reposition the exhaust system so it won't interfere with your work. You may also need to adjust the bumper.
  
  

Starting Installation

• Hitches are generally designed to fit holes that are already in the vehicle. If there are none there, use a drill to create these holes. Wear protective eyeglasses while doing this. To ensure accuracy, use the holes in the hitch as a reference. While drilling the holes, center-punch the holes before drilling a simple pilot hole. After this, use the correctly sized drill bit to create the actual fitted hole. Be careful not to drill into other parts of the vehicle under the section where the hitch is to be installed.
  
  Locate the reinforcement plates that accompanied the hitch and use the instruction sheet to install them correctly. These go in specific places according to the model to spread the load evenly to the frame edges.
  
  

Finishing Installation

• Clean out the holes for the bolts using WD-40. Scrub the holes with a wire brush. Use grade 5 nuts and bolts to attach the hitch. Check that the trailer hitch is symmetrical to the vehicle before tightening the bolts. If not, make the appropriate adjustments.
  
  Tighten the bolts to the torque levels as instructed. Ensure that the metal hitch has solid contact with the metal part of the vehicle, but do not over-torque. Once you have the bolts in place and tightened correctly, check over your work one last time.