To those who have installed hitches on the contour......

[blu_fuz]

I have read through all old post of how to install the contour class1 hitch and havn't found anything for the actual install. I bought a SVT hitch used with no hardware or instructions and need to know bolt size and grade, if I have to drill some or all the holes, and any techniques for the install. I think I need 1/2" grade 5 bolts and some nuts & washers or possibly some "U" bolts....

It looks like only two of the 4 bolt holes are already in the underside of the car but there is no place to put a nut/bolt in the body for mounting......

If you have a copy of the directions or know anything, please help. Thanks - JOE

I found this link that seems to have pretty good info for general install: http://www.etrailer.com/faq_installtips.aspx

AND I found this PDF but my hitch doesn't have the bumper bolt locations, only 2 holes for each side of the frame (4 total): https://www.hitchsource.com/docs/cu/11113.pdf

AND found this PDF from hidden hitch that looks to be what I have: http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=60979

 

[Lord Stanley]

What on earth do you need a trailer hitch for? :shrug: :laugh:

 

[Scorpion8]

AND I found this PDF but my hitch doesn't have the bumper bolt locations, only 2 holes for each side of the frame (4 total): https://www.hitchsource.com/docs/cu/11113.pdf

According to this one you have to drill two holes near the elongated slots, and use those nuts that have captive extensions to squirrel one into where the bolt location is popping thru. Only the upper straps fit onto existing mounting holes according to those directions.

 

[blu_fuz]

smart a$$ haha. I ended up finding the correct hitch instructions and hardware list with a picture.

The hitch hardware alone is $34 with $10 shipping :blackeye:..... I am pretty much going to be getting the hardware from Fastenal tonight hopefully .....

 

[blu_fuz]

According to this one you have to drill two holes near the elongated slots, and use those nuts that have captive extensions to squirrel one into where the bolt location is popping thru. Only the upper straps fit onto existing mounting holes according to those directions.

That is the hitch I don't have. I have the one that does not mount to the bumper locations.....

 

[BrApple]

if its like the one for the windstar there are nuts with captive straps on them that you feed into the "frame rail" and line up over an existing hole in the frame. Then you just bolt on. shouldn't have to drill anything.

 

[TRicker]

is this going to work with the svt bumper??

 

[BrApple]

is this going to work with the svt bumper??

the past pictures and discriptions say that it comes through where the rear mesh would be since its really for a non-SVT contour.

 

[D.Acker]

if its like the one for the windstar there are nuts with captive straps on them that you feed into the "frame rail" and line up over an existing hole in the frame. Then you just bolt on. shouldn't have to drill anything.

What he said. On our Windstar the Class 1 (class 2 didn't come close to fitting, class 3 required two extra holes to be drilled) bolted right up, they gave you carriage bolts and the captive straps and some feeder wires that the bolts screwed into, feed the wire threw an elongated slot in the rail, then to the hole you need.

 

[blu_fuz]

is this going to work with the svt bumper??

I have the SVT version of the contour hitch. It will be below the rear valance not through the mesh. The picture in the link is just the standard hitch but has the same mounting points as the SVT hitch I have.

 

[D.Acker]

I have the SVT version of the contour hitch. It will be below the rear valance not through the mesh. The picture in the link is just the standard hitch but has the same mounting points as the SVT hitch I have.

Nice!

 

[TRicker]

very cool. hurry hurry hurry!

 

[blu_fuz]

Fastenal had everything but the rectangular washers with the square cut in them for the carriage bolts. I just drew them up at work and cut them out. Price was $10.50 for all the hardware .

I just got done putting it in :crazy:. Took about 1.5hrs. What a pain in the ass.

I couldn't see myself doing this on my back in the garage so I took the car to work. I backed the rear end off the ledge of the semi dock so the car was hanging over the edge/wall all the way up to the rear wheels. A little scary just picturing the car rolling off the ledge. Sucked, but it's in.