[kiski]

Just picked up my hitch and now I have something to do this weekend. Can't wait to get this thing on. Thanks to JZ for posting the install instructions, now I have somewhat of an idea as to what I'm doing. lol

Jose,
Good luck with the hitch install this weekend! I installed mine in a little over an hour using car ramps. You definitely need another person (wife in my case, lol) to help hold the hitch in position while you get the 2 vertical bolts started. The instructions say to dislodge the 2 rearmost exhaust hangers, but I dislodged the 3rd one as well. I sprayed the rubber donuts with silicon and pried the hangers off with a long screwdriver. When reassembling, I coated the metal nipples with Vasoline, with a small brush, and they were easy to work onto the rubber donuts by hand. Before beginning the installation, make sure the bolts will thread into the 6 threaded holes. The passenger side, with the muffler, was the hardest side to get the bolts started due to the muffler and hangers being in the way. Finally, if you are installing a wiring harness, it can be installed prior to the hitch installation or after. The hitch will not interfere with the harness installation. I installed my KIA 7-pin wiring harness the day before the hitch installation using just a creeper and no ramps. Get a small tube of dielectric grease for the harness connection.

 

[Jose969]

Jose,
Good luck with the hitch install this weekend! I installed mine in a little over an hour using car ramps. You definitely need another person (wife in my case, lol) to help hold the hitch in position while you get the 2 vertical bolts started. The instructions say to dislodge the 2 rearmost exhaust hangers, but I dislodged the 3rd one as well. I sprayed the rubber donuts with silicon and pried the hangers off with a long screwdriver. When reassembling, I coated the metal nipples with Vasoline, with a small brush, and they were easy to work onto the rubber donuts by hand. Before beginning the installation, make sure the bolts will thread into the 6 threaded holes. The passenger side, with the muffler, was the hardest side to get the bolts started due to the muffler and hangers being in the way. Finally, if you are installing a wiring harness, it can be installed prior to the hitch installation or after. The hitch will not interfere with the harness installation. I installed my KIA 7-pin wiring harness the day before the hitch installation using just a creeper and no ramps. Get a small tube of dielectric grease for the harness connection.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of "renting" some hanger players or whatever they're called. Did you have to clean the threads of the holes for the bolts to fit? Also, did you have to bend the hanger post a little to get the hitch to fit or to make sure the muffler didn't interfere with the hitch? I'll prob go with the harness later this summer. I need to make sure I can tow what I want before I spend the money on that. I also have a jack and jack stands that might help me get it off the ground a little more than the ramps and allow me to move things a little easier.

Thanks for the head up, I hope to get it done tomorrow.

 

[kiski]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of "renting" some hanger players or whatever they're called. Did you have to clean the threads of the holes for the bolts to fit? Also, did you have to bend the hanger post a little to get the hitch to fit or to make sure the muffler didn't interfere with the hitch? I'll prob go with the harness later this summer. I need to make sure I can tow what I want before I spend the money on that. I also have a jack and jack stands that might help me get it off the ground a little more than the ramps and allow me to move things a little easier.

Thanks for the head up, I hope to get it done tomorrow.

The hanger donuts come off pretty easily prying with a screwdriver. Just make sure to lube the donuts first. The donuts can be pushed back on by hand if you lube the nipples with Vasoline first. The muffler doesn't interfere with the hitch at all except it's a PITA because of always being in the way when installing the bolts, etc. Removing the 3rd muffler hanger helps get the muffler out of the way more when installing the hitch.
My threaded holes were all clean, but you want to make sure none of the threads on the bolts are messed up either. Installing the bolts on the passenger side was a challenge for me with the muffler and hangers always in the way. It's hard to get those fine thread bolts started when reaching over the muffler at odd angles.
My car ramps raised the vehicle high enough to easily install the hitch. As you know, there is a huge void underneath where the spare tire would go that allows plenty of space to maneuver.
Good luck!

 

[bnelsonr]

I received a email that my hitch from eTrailer.com has shipped 5/14/21. Should be here Tuesday, 5/18/21 along with the wiring harness. My online order also shows all the details of it being shipped. I'l know for sure when it arrives. Guess I had better get my ramps out and dusted off. According to their website the hitch has increased $42.90 since I ordered mine on 4/5/21.

 

[Jose969]

Installed my hitch on Sat morning and it took all of maybe an hour. Of course, my neighbor stopped by, so that may be the reason it took a little longer. Dropping that third hanger was def something that needed to be done to help create more room on the passenger side. I was able to get it done on my own, it just took some yoga poses to get it done. LOL. It looks nice and clean and I was able to find a hitch bike rack the same day and put my hitch to good use. I do need to still mark the bolts with a paint pen, just to CMOA. Later on, I'll purchase the four-pin harness and install that. I would do the seven, but I'm not sure how to do the electric trailer brake system to tow the max weight.

 

[tritonx6]

Installed my hitch on Sat morning and it took all of maybe an hour. Of course, my neighbor stopped by, so that may be the reason it took a little longer. Dropping that third hanger was def something that needed to be done to help create more room on the passenger side. I was able to get it done on my own, it just took some yoga poses to get it done. LOL. It looks nice and clean and I was able to find a hitch bike rack the same day and put my hitch to good use. I do need to still mark the bolts with a paint pen, just to CMOA. Later on, I'll purchase the four-pin harness and install that. I would do the seven, but I'm not sure how to do the electric trailer brake system to tow the max weight.

Totally relate to the yoga poses. Had to do a few poses myself today to install on my own.

 

[bnelsonr]

I installed my Curt hitch yesterday along with the wiring harness. Nothing overly challenging. The AWD is nice when backing up onto a 6x6 with a couple of 2x4's to help. Now to find a plug for the receiver. Looking at the "HitchHammer". It would give some protection but not sure of the look.

 

[ChuckH0308]

I installed my Curt hitch yesterday along with the wiring harness. Nothing overly challenging. The AWD is nice when backing up onto a 6x6 with a couple of 2x4's to help. Now to find a plug for the receiver. Looking at the "HitchHammer". It would give some protection but not sure of the look.

I was looking at the Curt and it appears it doesn't have a mounting bracket for the connector plug. Is that true, and if so, what did you do to mount the plug?

 

[bnelsonr]

I was looking at the Curt and it appears it doesn't have a mounting bracket for the connector plug. Is that true, and if so, what did you do to mount the plug?

You are correct, the Curt does not have a bracket for any electrical plug. Myself, I prefer it doesn't have one as I put the 4 pin plug in the storage area in the rear. When I need it, I run it out the back & close the hatch on it. Keeps the plug clean & I don't use it very often.

 

[ChuckH0308]

You are correct, the Curt does not have a bracket for any electrical plug. Myself, I prefer it doesn't have one as I put the 4 pin plug in the storage area in the rear. When I need it, I run it out the back & close the hatch on it. Keeps the plug clean & I don't use it very often.

Thanks for confirming!

 

[Digiuser]

That looks good! Would you mind providing the measurement of level Ground up to the bottom of the hitch. Just curious to know how close I'll be cutting some of my entry angles. Thank you!
View attachment 457644
Here is another picture that gives a better perspective on the ground clearance. For towing a trailer I have a ball mount with an 8 inch rise. Works just fine.

I installed my Curt hitch yesterday along with the wiring harness. Nothing overly challenging. The AWD is nice when backing up onto a 6x6 with a couple of 2x4's to help. Now to find a plug for the receiver. Looking at the "HitchHammer". It would give some protection but not sure of the look.

That's fantastic that you got the Curt installed. Would you mind letting us know what the clearance distance is from the road up to the bottom, lowest point of metal on the underside of the hitch? Thank you!!

 

[bnelsonr]

That's fantastic that you got the Curt installed. Would you mind letting us know what the clearance distance is from the road up to the bottom, lowest point of metal on the underside of the hitch? Thank you!!

From floor to underside of hitch receiver is 12". I have a full tank of gas & about 75# of tools inside the hatch. The hitch rails are above the bumper so all you see is the receiver itself.

 

[Digiuser]

That’s great. That’s what I noticed in other pictures with the Hyundai/Kia hitch is that it has a lot of stuff (steel) on the left and right of the receiver and the curt looks much cleaner! Now need to find where to get it before summer is over lol! With 12” I would think you don’t need to worry at all about approach or departure angles with a hitch mount bike rack.

 

[Dennis_H]

I'm new here after just getting a 20201 Santa Fe 1 couple weeks ago. Was looking for a trailer hitch for a bike rack and found a pretty good price on RealTruck.com. Much cheaper than etrailer even.

CRT-13473 - Curt Class III Trailer Hitch​

1​

$175.99​

https://imp.i128439.net/c/404739/79...u=https://realtruck.com/p/curt-class-iii-trailer-hitch/v/hyundai/santa-fe/2021/

Mine is on the way... Haven't seen what lighting adapter is used for a standard 4-prong in case I want to pull my little kayak trailer using the Santa Fe. Anyone have a link for that? And is there already a place to plug in, or do you have to splice in?

 

[Saltycajun]

Jonathan, thank you for the update on your hitch quest and especially the part number for the 7-pin harness. Excellent photos of your very clean install!
Yesterday I canceled my eTrailer order for the Curt hitch - Aug 16 delivery, lol! I bit the bullet, so to speak, and ordered the Hyundai hitch online as well as the 7-pin KIA harness. I couldn't find the 7-pin harness available from any aftermarket suppliers, only the 4-pin. Both the hitch and harness will be here within the week.
Thanks again for the update and good luck with your Santa Fe!

 

[Saltycajun]

I finally have a hitch installed on my 2021 Santa Fe Calligraphy. Thanks to all who posted here and helped me get the right parts. I ended up getting the OEM hitch from my dealership (~ $380), 7 pin KIA harness, from KIA parts online (~ $165 - and it came a week early). Installation at my dealer (~ $140). All together about $680.
View attachment 456859
View attachment 456860
View attachment 456861
View attachment 456862
View attachment 456863

 

[Saltycajun]

Jonathan, where was the extra box on the Kia harness installed? Can you take a picture?

Thanks!

 

[Jose969]

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of the wireless brake option that some of you talked about in here? I have the Santa Fe SEL, so I would have to have a wireless brake to tow up to the max allowable for my car. Thanks for your help.

 

[droric]

From floor to underside of hitch receiver is 12". I have a full tank of gas & about 75# of tools inside the hatch. The hitch rails are above the bumper so all you see is the receiver itself.

Could you post a photo of what the curt hitch looks like installed?

 

[Dennis_H]

I ordered the Curt from RealTruck a month ago. Great price, but it still hasn't been shipped. New date is in July, but it's not on the website anymore... Haven't needed it yet, so I'll wait.