Hello, Just wondered if any of you like to share your thoughts/experiences with installing a after market trailer hitch. Mostly,
- Finish- paint quality seem durable with good welds?
- Fit- does it stick out from the bumper about right, too much, etc.?
- Installation- PIA or no big deal?

Most importantly, do you know the brand of hitch you bought? Drawtite, Hidden-hitch, Reese, Valley, Curtis seem to be available for '07-'08 Santa Fe's.

Thanks, Dan

Hey Dan,

I am a DIYer but in this case I'd say buy it from the dealer and let them install it. I did my own installation once (on a Nissan), and couldn't be bothered again for the small amount of money it saves you. The internet is full of people who embarked on this journey to save fifty bucks and instead found themselves starring in a comedy of errors. Wiring seems to be the biggest problem area.

The dealer-installed hitch on our 2008 Santa Fe is GREAT. Whatever kind it is. :57:

I completely disagree, it requires a total of 4 bolts, and I bought my Hidden hitch for less than 150 on etrailers.com.

What sort of job was it to do the wiring? That's where I ran into trouble in the past... took me hours and I had to strip the entire trunk area.

Also what did it cost at etrailers.com for wiring harness, draw bar and ball? Up here in Canada the hitch is only part of the cost.


This post has been edited by Don67: Sep 8 2008, 06:07 PM

I'm currently installing a hitch. Ran into a vehicle defect though. (Whole other story in another thread already) U-Haul wants $300 plus $60 for wiring. I bought a hidden hitch off e-trailers.com. It was $140 and had free shipping.

It's only 4 bolts. I did it by myself, although two people would have went faster. Took me about 30 minutes to do the hitch install.

Wiring: I bought a kit from Uhaul for less than $20. I wired it into my pre-existing plugs. I'm an Air Force electrician. I have the Towing Package which makes it a lot easier. If you have the tow package you can also buy the actual plug ins for $50. Then installation is only 2 minutes! If you don't have the tow package, can't help you out there. Good luck

All in all, I saved over $150 by doing it myself.

This post has been edited by dbldwn02: Sep 8 2008, 07:18 PM

Thanks for your inputs dbldwn02.

You have answered

>> - Installation- PIA or no big deal?

from Dan's original post.

Can you pls also comment on:

>> - Finish- paint quality seem durable with good welds?
>> - Fit- does it stick out from the bumper about right, too much, etc.?

I'm mainly interested in the fit and if it shows from under the bumper.

A pic would be nice too!

There's a couple of threads that deal with installations issues with after market hitches. Some of them are manufacturer issues. Check out "Install A Hitch?" and "Help! Hitch Weldnut Missing!, Trying to install hitch. One hole biggr". Follow the advice on both threads and a DIY should not be too much of a PIA unless you encounter the missing or oversize weldnut issue.

I bought the Hyundai one.....took 10 minutes to screw 4 bolts in.

Also, the quick connect harness is ready so that will take 10 minutes too.

Hello,

Thanks for your responses with general info. The Hyundai hitch was $350 I think.

Etrailer.com has 5 hitches with good photos but my concerns are:
- Is it powder coated vs. hiddenhitch- "dipped in black rust resistant coating"
- Does it stick out from the bumper too far or not enough?
- Proper fit? (Don't want to have to shim or otherwise reengineer)

Both Std. and "Low-profile" hitches seem available. The Valley and Curtis hitches from above seem good candidates. All these are around $150 with free shipping - very nice!

Wiring isn't needed as bike rack is reason for hitch.

Thanks,

Dan

I have the the Draw-Tite which apparently is made by the same manufacturer as the Hidden Hitch
and the Reese. I have the Yakima King Pin 4 which has already been put to use for over 3,000 KM
of carrying two bikes, a hard tail and a full suspension. Here's some pictures of the hitch and rack.





This post has been edited by ekrunaj: Sep 9 2008, 03:50 PM

I have the hidden hitch, about $200 with the wire harness. Installation was simple, although the tail pipes are in the way so you will need lots of extensions/u-joint combos. Installation took about 20 minutes, and most of that was setting up the hitch on jackstands close to where it needed to finally be. I have not done the wiring yet since I only use the hitch for my bike rack so far.

Eric

I decided on the Curt hitch from etrailer.com because the Curt website emphasized the paint and weld finish quality and it was 44lbs. vs. 60lbs. for the Drawtite/Hidden Hitch. It came yesterday and installed as expected. Really happy with the following:
- The black painted finish is near automotive grade (I know it's under the car and no one cares but it just makes me feel better).
- The fit is perfect, holes lined up dead on and not too close to the muffler.
- No metal tab (what is that anyway?) sticking out next to the hitch receiver like the drawtite/hidden hitch.

Here it is:



Etrailer.com has by far the best website. The credit card checkout was easy and confirming emails acknowledged the order, and tracking number automatically. All in all, a great experience!

This post has been edited by danprtr: Sep 13 2008, 04:15 PM

If it is a 3.3L Santa Fe, it has a "towing package" meaning it is pre wired, behind the drivers side rear tire you should see a plug in/quick connect for the wiring. If it is a 2.7L engine, the wiring is more complicated. There are 2 wiring harnesses offered after market (which is what Hyundai uses fior the wiring harness anyway) so make sure you get the right one