Finally got my hitch installed last night. Took 3(!) gruesome hours. These minnesota cars don't help one bit Unfortunately I was only able to install 5 of the 6 bolts. I'm surprised that mitsubishi would drill holes in to the frame but not cover them to prevent any damage to the threads (4 of the 6 bolt holes were used by the tie down brackets the other 2 were just open and rusted). Which leaves my tow package incomplete(?). In addition to that i broke 2 of the bolts that held up the heat shield. I have no luck. So now i'm driving around without a heat shield (until i can find replacement bolts) and an 83% completed hitch.

Would it be smart to have the tow hitch welded to make up for the missing bolt?

 

I just installed my Curt hitch last night and it was not easy. it might have been easy if the bolt holes on the hitch lined up with the frame holes. must have been damaged in shipping. there was no support in the shipping box to handle the weight of the hitch and it bent the sides to different dimensions.

I beat the hitch into alignment and installed without moving the muffler. I also only have 5 of 6 bolts on so far. not due to rust but the hitch is still not aligned perfectly. the missing bolt is the middle of the muffler side. middle. how can the ends be bolted and the middle cannot? damn.

wanted to send it back for a replacement but really need the hitch NOW!

 

looks like this is still an active thread. I stumbled on this forum while searching for the 7pin connector images. I found an oem hitch on an Outlander sitting at a wrecker yard, and put it onto my '07. I'm trying to find a decent spot to mount the 7pin connector where it doesn't hang too low or interfere with the Spare tire. Please send your suggestions or post your pics.

 

If the hitch is the oem version, it should have a small plate with two holes in it. The oe light harness comes with a plastic mount that matches the two holes. Two screws and you're done.

 

Just wanting to add my experience to this thread. I have an 09 and I got my Curt Hitch and went for the install. I cleaned all the holes , but knew from the start the passenger ones would give me trouble. As I thought I could not get one bolt started on the passenger side due to the rust and dirt. The drivers side the turned in but were difficult. After a trip to the hardware store to get a tap (I can't believe they had one) I carefully ran the tap through all the holes. The center passenger one was felt a bit dicey, the bolts seemed to turn in snugged up fine. I used some Loctite (heavy duty heat for removal) 277 and although I could not get my torque wrench up there, got them to what felt like 37ft lbs. That really is not that much. Took me 3 hours including the trip to the store 5 minutes) and frogging around with the tap. If you live in the rust belt I suggest you invest in the tap to clean the holes ($7). A few 5 cent plugs would take care of this making it a 30 minute job.


EDIT Just installed the Curt 56102 wiring harness from Amazon for around $40. Plug and play, works well and took about 20 minutes to install

 

Hey guys, why do you guys not want the OEM hitch? It uses more bolts to install and I'm sure it is more compliant with warranty. I know the round bars are a little obnoxious, I have read someone said you can't lower the tail gate, but I have seen pictures of dealership cars with the tail gate operating just fine.

Got 8 pages of info and not one person bought the OEM hitch?

 

Indeed, why don't most of us want to pay more for getting same or even less?

Give us a favor, explain where those "extra OEM bolts" are going?

DrawTite Class III hitch is being hold with 7 bolts, it can haul bigger load than Outlander itself is rated, and it costs small fracture of OEM's price.

 

I know nothing about towing but learning..
I see some dealers have the car with the OEM tow kit and is there any reason not to consider those?

 

No reason at all except cost, I think on my 09 the tow package was $400 or so but the dealer had none in stock with the package. The install of the OEM hitch and wiring was over $500 when I asked about it. The salesman told me how easy the install was. I have less than $200 and about 2 hours for the install. The install is quite easy. The newer Outlanders may have more bolts.

 

Question for those who installed the OE towing harness, did you really have to undo the rear bumper skin like the instruction says to do? Because I am going to put on the OE mud flaps now and I am not sure if this means the mud flaps have to come off and I would lose the adhesive.