A trailer hitch on your vehicle offers you flexibility in what you can bring along with you -- whether it's for recreation, work, travel or moving. It's critical, however, to know what type of hitch is suitable for your intended use, and what the towing capacities are for your vehicle and the hitch you plan to use. A class-2 hitch is designed for medium- to heavy-duty use and maximum loads of no more than 3,500 pounds. In this demonstration, we install a class-2 hitch on a 1999 Ford Taurus. Materials: Trailer-hitch and installation hardware (included in kit)
Socket-wrench set
Torque wrench
Electric drill (Note: not necessary on all vehicles)
Safety glasses
For ease of installation and better viewing, our installation was done with the vehicle on a lift. The installation can also be done using an under-car jack and jack-stands. Be sure to chock the front wheels for added safety. - Safety tip: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes when working underneath a vehicle.
This hitch attaches onto the frame of the vehicle at four points using reinforced mounting bolts. Read and follow all instructions that come with the installation kit for your hitch, since installation may differ somewhat depending on the style of hitch and your individual vehicle. Your installation kit should contain all the mounting hardware that you'll need, including bolts, nuts, bolt plates, handled nuts, washers, pull-wire, etc. We were able to use factory-drilled holes that were already on this Taurus to install the hitch. Drilling into the metal frame may be required on some vehicles if factory holes don't match up for proper positioning of the hitch. - Installation may require that you lower the muffler and tailpipe. If so, remove the mounting bolts holding the muffler in place, then lower it until it is out of the way.
Note: On our example vehicle, lowering of the dual muffler and tailpipe was required. Depending on the design of your vehicle, this step may not be necessary. - Use vehicle hoists (if using a lift) or an extra set of jack-stands to hold the hitch assembly in position underneath the vehicle -- just as it will be mounted (figure A). If you'll be bolting onto the frame using factory-drilled holes, make certain that the hitch components align perfectly with the proper holes (figure B). If not, mark and drill your holes as necessary.
Note: Since these hitches are heavy and likely to be difficult to maneuver into place, this part of the job will be easier with the help of a second person. - For attaching the forward mounting-brackets, thread the first carriage bolt onto the coiled end of the pull-wire, then feed the reinforcing bolt-plate onto the wire. Feed the straight end of the wire through the larger access hole in the side of the frame rail and then down through the mounting hole (figure C). Pull the straight end of the wire to position the bolt into place in the mounting hole (figure D). From the bottom, attach a washer, a lock-washer and a nut (figure E). Tighten so that the assembly is secure, but do not overtighten at this point. Repeat this process on the other side.
- The rear cross member is the long, horizontal piece to which the hitch's tongue will attach. For mounting the cross-member, insert a bolt plate and handled nut into the frame rail (figure F) so that it aligns with the hole on the cross member. Attach from the bottom using a hex bolt and lock washer (figure G). Repeat this process on the other side.
- Once all four mounting bolts are in place, use a torque wrench to firm up the entire assembly by tightening each bolt to the specifications included in the instructions (figure H).
- Reattach the muffler if necessary.
RESOURCES :
Class-2 Tow Hitch
Model: 89047
Class-2 Hitch for Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable
(Hitches available for a wide range of vehicles)
Reese Products Inc.
51571 State Road 19-N
Elkhart, IN 46514
Toll-free: 800-758-0869
Web site: www.reeseprod.com
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
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WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO
