I did not use an OE one, but the Curt one requires nothing be remove except the rear hatch where the jack is and the battery. The OE one should be the same. I have an 09. Towed 5 or 6 times now with no issues at all with the Curt harness.

 

Out of interest the OEM towbar for Australia mounts to the rails with 10 bolts, the 6 on the underside of the rail plus the extra 2 on either side. And it is only rated for 1600 kg, not 1816kg like yours.

I would think it might be easier to take the skin off. I did but our bar sits higher (you have to trim a piece out of the lower skin for the bar to fit) and the OEM park sensor wiring needed to be moved slightly for the bar. The factory fitted mudflaps had to come off temporarily but they didn't have any adhesive strips, just bolts and plastic clips.

 

Sp I confirmed the mud flap does have some kind of tape along the back which extend from the lower valiance to the top of the bumper.

So I am not sure how if I can easily install the mitsu harness at a later date. If I throw a wire from the jack area does it end up going to back bumper area, or must you route things via the small grommet in the harness install instructions. I have seen a couple post mentioned they just kept the 4 pin "box" in the jack area.

 

Just went ahead and get under my new vehicle and applied tape over the 6 threaded holes where the hitch would install. I am still planning to install a hitch but I am not sure when I would get around to it.

The OEM hitch uses 10 bolts (2 more side facing bolts on each side on top of the 6 bottom facing bolts)

 

I would at the least pack the holes full of grease and tape over them or even
go a step beyond and get the bolts and liberally apply grease and install them. My Outie is an 09 with 24k and I needed to clean the holes with a tap. All it will take is one good salty winter to rust them up.

 

Pic for inspiration - looks like they do have higher capacity in UK 2.2 diesel (4400 lbs) - than the 3.0 V6 (3500 lbs)

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outlanderGT, thats awesome. lol

 

thats crazy....

 

His hitch looks so slick:

 

Wow, that's really overdoing it. First of all its doing a number on the rear suspension...its basically bottomed out.
Second of all if that thing doesn't have trailer brakes, it would be suicidal to drive an Outlander with stock brakes. Good luck going down any sort of grade for a few minutes.
The V6 gasoline engine would be better at engine braking since its higher displacement/more cylinders. Especially the 2009+ with a higher compression ratio. I would rather have safety than initially accelerating a bit faster with the diesel. The V6 has plenty of low end torque, so its not an issue like some cars with max torque at insane RPMs.

I'm quite sure the actual rating is due to laws and whatnot, and not capability. Unless the Euro Outlander has upgrades brakes, rear suspension and a jake brake