Hidden Hitch for new Tow Vehicle

[papmom35]

Hi All,
I finally got my dream tow vehicle: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Loredo Limited, 4.7 V8. I love it but it didn't come with an installed hitch. I've been looking at the hidden hitch from etrailer.com. It's the only one that comes up in a search for my model SUV. It looks easy enough to install but my brother, who will be installing it has only installed the hitches that bolt onto the frame on each side. He's never seen such a small hitch assembly and is skeptical. Does anyone here have experience with these kinds of hitches and are they just as sturdy as the traditional style hitch assemblies? Also, is the wiring harness really as easy to install as etrailer makes it out to be on the video? Is ti really plug and play so to speak? ONe other question, do I have to remove any part of the bumper/fender etc to install the hitch if we go with the hidden hitch?
Thanks in advance for any response to this newbie's questions. I'm so excited to possibly be getting on the road at some point with the Paphut after a year of looking at it sit forlornly in my drive!!

Pam

[mvperini]

I hope somebody that owns the type of jeep with this style of hitch is here on the forum and can answer all of your questions. or you could go on-line and see if there are any reports of problems with the hitch. what is the specs. for the tow weight and tounge weight on the hitch?

Regards

Mike

[wired]

I installed a Hidden Hitch from E Trailer on my wife's 2006 Accord and the install went exactly as they showed in the video. The tongue and hitch ratings are listed and you can believe the ratings. I was actually more concerned about installing the wiring harness I got from them but that was actually the easiest part. It took me all of 5-10 minutes and truly was plug and play. If E Trailer advertises the harness as plug and play, I would believe them! It was nothing more than unplugging the light plug, plugging that into the E Trailer harness and then plugging the other end of the harness back into the original light plug. Piece of cake!

[papmom35]

Thanks Wired! That's very encouraging!

[CliffinGA]

http://www.jeepworld.com/accessories/grandcherokee/trailerh.htm

Also Curt makes one also I found on the net thats a classIII also.

Cliff

[papmom35]

Hi Cliff,
That hitch looks like its the more traditional side frame to side frame hitch plus it's welded on, not bolted and it requires the bumper to be cut. That is going to require professional installation I think. Was I looking at the right link? It went to Jeep World and didn't say what the brand was.
Oh I see, in addition to the one from Jeep World, you're saying Curt makes a class 3 hitch for the jeep as well. I think I saw that on etrailer-didn't see any difference but price between that and the Hidden Hitch.
Pam

[Dale M.]

Expand your search.... There has to be at least 3-5 manufactures that have hitches that will fit your vehicle....

IF you limit the style hitch you think you need it will make process a lot more difficult..... Almost all manufacturers have bolt on hitches with no cutting or welding required (it's almost a thing of the past)...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=trailer+hitch+jeep+grand+cherokee

http://www.thefind.com/search?query=tra ... d+cherokee

http://lmbtfy.com/?q=trailer+hitch+jeep+grand+cherokee

Perhaps this one... Says 5 min install time, and no drilling, and is class 3...

http://www.thehitchstore.com/class-iii- ... -1153.html

Dale

[Engineer Guy]

I put a 5k lb Hidden Hitch on my 2000 Montero Sport. It bolted on from underneath. No drilling or welding. Highly recommended. Don't second guess them, and you'll be fine.

[papmom35]

Thanks EG and Dale. I think I'm going to go with the Hidden Hitch and Wire Harness from etrailer. I'll let u all know how it turns out.

[Tucguy]

I have the 1 1/4" receiver Hidden Hitch on my 2004 Honda CRV and I love it. It is just that, it is more under the vehicle than most of the hitches I have seen. I have a lighted accessory that is plugged into it when I am not using the trailer. It is a combination tail lamp and brake light. Even with the light installed, it is still out of the way of using the tail gate as I do often. The Honda CRV has high mounted tail lights and I think having another light low under the bumper is just more visiblity. I installed the hitch myself and had the dealership install the etailer wiring harness as they are good at removing the interior panels to install the harness without hurting anything. It is a piece of cake. You should use a torque wrench to torque the bolts correctly as instructed and as with any hitch check those bolts periodically.

[papmom35]

thanks Tucguy! Good to hear you like the hitch. Interesting accessory that extra light-will have to look into that!