Hitch Install U-haul nightmare

[CC58]

Bought a Class II Curt hitch /w receiver for $111 on Amazon. Also got the plug and play tow wiring harness on Amazon for $35.

Went to U-haul to install the hitch. I figured they do it all day, so would do a good job. Didn't turn out that way.

While I'm waiting I hear two phone complaints and one walk in complaint of overcharging on mileage. So I figure I'll get overcharged too. After one hour they are done and I get a bill for one hour labor of $75. I know others have had it done for $50 and instructions say its a 20 minute job. I say nothing and just pay it cause I'm happy to get the hitch installed.

I get home and notice the tailpipe is 1/2" to the left. Climb under car and see 3 of the rubber hangars are not fully installled. After a few minutes with channel locks, its cured. Then I notice the two rear bolt threads are 1/4" inch shorter than front two bolts. After thinking about it, I think they left out the reinforcing plates on the front two bolts. The two rear bolts support the load so they are critical. I'm not happy the front bolts are missing reinforcing plates. Going back to U-haul tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[paris1]

Your mistake was in assuming that just because they install hitches "all day long" that they would know how to install anything other than a U-Haul brand hitch on a vehicle as relatively new (rare?) as a CX-5.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Your mistake was in assuming that just because they install hitches "all day long" that they would know how to install anything other than a U-Haul brand hitch on a vehicle as relatively new (rare?) as a CX-5.

Yes without that plate your hitch is liable to rotate under load. I believe U-Haul uses the Drawtite hitch for the CX-5

 

[billybud]

Yes without that plate your hitch is liable to rotate under load. I believe U-Haul uses the Drawtite hitch for the CX-5

I am very happy with my class III hitch installation...no cut in bumper, tucked under neatly....my dealer has it done by local specialist in trailer hitches/installations.

I did have to get a 6 inch rise on the draw bar because the hitch is low under the bumper...works great...

 

[Arnold63]

Maybe it would have been different if you had bought the stuff from them? 75 bucks to install a hitch and wiring for parts not purchased there is more than fair. They need to make money to stay in business. I'm suprised they did it at all!

 

[deuxdiesel]

Most likely they charged you "shop time" which is the $75 an hour, whether it took them 20 minutes or an hour. Remember that low skill jobs like oil changes and unfortunately in your case, a hitch install, usually go to the lowest paid wrench. You should make sure the install it to spec, because that could be seriously dangerous.

 

[CC58]

Was dreading crawling under CX-5 to figure this out, but did it today. First I got a piece of coat hanger to fish around in hole to see if forward bolts had the flat piece under them. They did! Okay, so why do the rear bolts only show 1/8" of thread while forward bolts show 3/8" thread? Get out my torque wrench and set it to 110#. Forward bolts check okay. One of the rear bolts is several revolutions loose! After torquing it down it shows 3/8" thread. Yes! Torque the other rear bolt down and its still shows 1/8" thread. How could that be? Because the square part of the bolt isn't square with the flat piece? I loosen that bolt and giggle it and it drops 1/4", and after torquing shows 3/8" thread!!!

Now I'm confident all the flat piece are there and bolts are properly torqued. I'm good to go!!!

All the things U-haul did to screw up a simple hitch install:
1) Three of rubber grommets were not completely installed causing tail pipe to be offset almost an inch.
2) One bolt was three revolutions loose.
3) One bolt was not properly pulled through square hole of flat piece reducing thread shown by 1/4".
4) Gouged part of plastic cowling, but only visible from below, on a new car with only 400 miles.

I'm glad they did install all four flat pieces. That would be a PITA to correct. My bad back will be a wreck after yanking on torque wrench at 110#, but its worth it for peace of mind.

When you just don't care about your job.