New owner with pictures of trailer hitch and scuff plates

Today marks 5 weeks with my new Outlander XLS 4WD and 1,500 miles so far.

Since there were previous posts on what the trailer hitch and scuff plates (OEM) looked like, I thought I would include a few pictures.  One thing about the trailer hitch that comes installed -- you likely don't want it removed, as you'd have to remove part of the muffler to do so!  (I was going to have the dealership do that when they fixed my side mirror noise, but they showed me the underside of the vehicle and how much it would take to remove the trailer hitch equipment.)





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I'm not sure who is supplying the OEM hitch but Curt Hitches is the first to have an aftermarket hitch for the 2007 Outies.  You can get it for around $130 to $160 depending on where you buy from - rated at 4000 pounds towing and 400 pound tongue weight.  Hitch installation is pretty easy as the Outlander is prefitted with weld nuts (3 on each side).  You do need to drop the muffler to access the right side but that is pretty easy as well.

The problem with the 2007 Outlanders is the location of the spare tire - it impedes the ability to have a "truly hidden hitch" which is why the OEM version is so fugly.  It is the same issue with the Curt hitch from looking at its design.

However, what would life be without its challenges?  I have some ideas how to solve this problem so I have ordered the Curt hitch and will let you know how I make out.

Here is the Curt hitch:


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Real simple 30 min project. You drop part of the muffler and the bolts are right there for you. If you take it off I will buy it from you.

I would keep the hitch, they are very useful even if you dont own a trailer you can rent one when needed and save lots of $.
 
I thought about after market, I can get one installed for not much over $160. But then the mud flaps are expensive and I want those too.
 
However the curved back ball mount is very unique and Id bet serves some purpose related to the towing characteristics of the outlander. By the time I tracked down a ball mount like that I would be close to $250 plus the mudflaps.
 
I have a hitch on my truck and on the minivan I traded in for the outie. I am very familar with towing and if Mitsu came up with that crazy ball mount theres got to be a reason.
 
I do know that since the manual requires you to use a trailer with surge brakes (something I am all too familiar with) they must be aware that hitch dive when hitting bumps will cause the brakes on the trailer to engage, yanking the vehicle back at 60 mph is a little unnerving and not good for it or the trailer tires.
 
The hitch should be the correct height and position related to the vehicles center of gravity, meaning the trailer hitch doesnt lever the front off the ground under load.
 
Even on a standard minivan it should look like this. Its hard to tell but the trailers center is back a ways making the weight at the hitch very high. Before I modified the suspension it was almost touching the ground.  The trailer should be level and the rear shouldnt sag.