Trailer Hitch

[04LEMASS]

Need to get a hitch for my 04 pathfinder LE for my atv. Any ideas of a good one that will be decent priced? Are they easy to install? Is the wiring there already or do i need to do all that?

[fueler]

yeah its easy, three or four big bolts on each side. Make sure to crank them down tight.

You have to do the wiring yourself.

[Densetsu]

To be honest, I just went down to U-Haul and picked one up. Can't remember the brand -- took the sticker off right away -- but it's a standard, round tube hitch. Installation is fairly easy, three bolts a side. Definitely helps to have a second set of hands, because otherwise it can be hard to line things up when putting in the bolts.

Wiring, I just used a Reese trailer connection kit from Canadian Tire. Unplug the harness from the tail lights, then plug them into a splitter that leads to a 4-pin trailer light harness. No wire splicing or anything necessary.

All in all it was around $160 and a couple leisurely hours for the install.

[Chuck Tribolet]

What Densetsu said.

Mine is a Draw-Tite. It went on when I bought the '01 new and is still fine. It's probably towed my boat 70,000 miles.


Chuck

[04LEMASS]

Thanks alot. @Densetsu, are you saying there is a harness i can unplug going into my brake lights on my car?

[Densetsu]

No prob! Yeah, each taillight has a harness on it. If I remember correctly, you'll have to remove the plastic on each side of the cargo interior -- it just pries off and then snaps back on. The harness will be accessible from back there. Once it's all connected, there's a module you have to secure somewhere, and a wire you have to ground. I put the module and ground wire beside the stereo amp. Plenty of space to secure and ground things back there.

Your kit might be a bit different, but it should all be the same general idea. Other kits that ask you to cut or splice wires usually lead to trouble, as a lot of people cut corners and just twist wires together and wrap electrical tape around them. Might work for a while, but eventually it'll lead to problems.

[04LEMASS]

okay so is it basically a splitter? One end goes back into my tails lights the other goes to the trailer. And how do i run the wire to under my car? Sorry for all the questions

[Densetsu]

Pretty much, yep. I don't think there's a way to run the wiring underneath the vehicle. All I've done with mine is run the wires under the carpet, and then store the plug in that little trunk / storage space in the cargo area. Just run a length of it out underneath the hatch when it's time to hook up a trailer.

[Chuck Tribolet]

There's a drain in the left rear compartmemt of my '01. I routed the cable through that.

Chuck

[04LEMASS]

okay ill check it out thanks. Any problems with the spar tire? is it in the way

[Chuck Tribolet]

You may want to drop the spare when route the wires, but the spare isn't in the way.


Chuck

[04LEMASS]

@chuck tribolet. Im having trouble finding the drain for the wires on my 04. Is it on the drivers side?

[Chuck Tribolet]

On my '01, IIRC, it was in the bottom of the area just ahead of the tail lights on the driver's side. You have to run one wire
under the carpet from the passenger's side. I'll try to remember to check when I get home.


Chuck

[jiannichan]

Reviving an old thread. Just picked up a Reese hitch for my 00 QX4. Having some trouble getting it on. It seems to be an extremely tight fit. I am able to get one side in while the other side is held up with jack stands. After I get 1 bolt in on one side, the other side can't be lifted up to line up. It seems to get stuck, even if I use a jack to raise it. Does it have to line up perfectly and both sides have to go up at the same time, meaning I would probably need a 2nd set of hands to help? All the holes appear to be correct but it is VERY tight. I don't know if it may have been bent/damaged during shipment or what.

I initially bought a Curt hitch but that one didn't fit. I got 1 bolt in on each side of that one but none of the other holes would line up, and the hitch couldn't be raised all the way because it was hitting the frame. Basically the tongue was angled down. I was probably sent the wrong one so I returned it.

[EdBwoy]

I don't think I had to wrestle the one on my qx4 that much, yet I did it by myself. The complexity was just that the unit was heavy thus awkward to manipulate.

Since it seems to be a tight fit anyway, is it possible for you to just lift both sides up without bolting anything at first ? Maybe a second set of hands would be helpful here.

The one I installed was an OEM hitch from a junkyard, no idea how much they would differ in design.

[jiannichan]

This is the 2nd hitch I have purchased through Amazon, with both boxes coming pretty damaged. I know for a fact that the Curt hitch I bought first wasn't the right fit since only 1 bolt on each side lined up and I wasn't able to straighten the the tongue. This Reese hitch, the box was pretty damaged as well. Everything looks to line up but I am wondering if it was damaged to the point where it bent in the 2 mounting brackets. I guess I can try to get a 2nd set of hands to help me install it. I think I have enough time to return it if I find it doesn't fit.

[asnorton44]

Should install pretty well with one person I got a used uhaul hitch and it went in tight but didn't give too much resistance.

[jiannichan]

Should install pretty well with one person I got a used uhaul hitch and it went in tight but didn't give too much resistance.

This is giving ALOT of resistance if you get one side on first. I am finding it difficult to lift both sides up evenly. Weather is sucking for the next few days so I won't be able to get it installed any time soon until the weather gets better.

[EdBwoy]

Might you know if your qx4 has been in any rear accidents or for some reason had major bodywork back there?
That's the only other reason I would see of the hitch not fitting. It's true that both of these could have been damaged during transportation, but considering what a hitch is supposed to pull, it would take a lot of force to permanently deform them - even before installation.
I hate to think that both of those hitches would come with the wrong dimensions considering how long these vehicles have been out and how many units have been sold - but anything is possible.


Also, I understand that you posted on this forum to see if any other owners have had the issues you faced, but have you asked the 2 manufacturers if they have received reports of any fitment issues? My bet is they would try to lay the blame on you, but it doesn't hurt to ask as well.

[jiannichan]

Update: Had a friend with a similar model Pathfinder who had a hitch on there. Took it off and it fit mine perfect. The Reese I have doesn't want to install on his either. Compared the 2 hitches and it looks like the Reese I ordered might have been damaged during shipment because the distance between the 2 braces that you bolt in is slightly less. Packaged it up and sent it back to Amazon already.