Well, I got my 2" receiver hitch via UPS

[RogueGuy45]

Guys, I USED to be pretty handy with mechanical jobs, but since I've been chained to a desk for the last 10+ years I have become rather somewhat.

This thing looks as simple as simple can be (Kurt MFG Hitch).

My only question is how difficult is it to drop the exhaust down from that rubber holder? Is it necessary to drop it?

Also, I plan on installing my 4 bike carrier and driving 10 hours to Michigan in June. Have any of you hauled 4 bikes on the back of a Rogue? How did it go?

Thanks!

[wifes rogue]

RogueGuy45, i made a bike rack for my rogue for 2 bikes and drove to Florida from Ontario Canada. Rogue went well, I made my so it was tight to the tail gate, I know the bike racks for 4 sticks out a lot more so there may be more back end weight.
take a look at this link where there was some more talk about bike racks post5091215.html?hilit=bike rack#p5091215

[philipa_240sx]

My only question is how difficult is it to drop the exhaust down from that rubber holder? Is it necessary to drop it?

You do not need to drop the exhaust. With a bit of maneuvering, you can slide the LH mounting bracket above the tailpipe. Just be sure you have some blocks of wood, jack stands, etc to support the weight once you get it up there.

Finally, carefully measure the distances between the mounting holes on the left to the ones on the right. UPS may have not been kind to your hitch. Some of us have received hitches that were banged up/dropped during shipment and the brackets get bent. When this happens, the bolt holes no longer line up. Just use a round file to open up the offending mounting hole.

[RogueGuy45]

My only question is how difficult is it to drop the exhaust down from that rubber holder? Is it necessary to drop it?

You do not need to drop the exhaust. With a bit of maneuvering, you can slide the LH mounting bracket above the tailpipe. Just be sure you have some blocks of wood, jack stands, etc to support the weight once you get it up there.

Finally, carefully measure the distances between the mounting holes on the left to the ones on the right. UPS may have not been kind to your hitch. Some of us have received hitches that were banged up/dropped during shipment and the brackets get bent. When this happens, the bolt holes no longer line up. Just use a round file to open up the offending mounting hole.

I do appreciate your advice. I'm looking forward to this little project, but as you said I do believe I will try to avoid messing with the exhaust pipe if possible.

Well, it will be interesting to see how my little Rogue stands up to a 10 hour drive with 4 bycycles hanging back there, and 4 people in the cabin.

I'm going to zero the milage computer and I will report back on it. We're going to Mackinac Island

[THawks]

Just as Philipa said, the exhaust doesn't need to be dropped. I installed mine with the help of my little brother in 30-45 minutes (taking that long mainly because there was alcohol involved). My brackets were bent inwards a little, just took a ball-peen and hammered the offending side out a little and the holes lined right up.

Onto the bike rack, I have a four bike hanging rack (the platform racks stuck out just a little too far for me) and have had no problem hauling bikes around town. Haven't driven much more that a half an hour one way to the different trails but have had no issues whatsoever. Driving up to ride around Gettysburg (about an hour and 45 away) this weekend so I can get back to you on that Tuesday...

[kerrton]

As stated no need to drop the exhaust but I highly recommend having another person there to help you maneouver it into place and hold it while you get the bolts started. I would say it's almost impossible to do this job by yourself, but it's VERY easy with two sets of hands to guide and support it.

[Nick 568]

...I would say it's almost impossible to do this job by yourself, but...

Sounds like a challenge to me! :P

[kerrton]

Yeah, I said "Almost" impossible!! Give it a try on your own and let us know if you succeed!

if you've got something like jack stands to hold it in place once you get the holes lined up you'd be able to do it, you just need free hands to get the bolts started. It's a simple project, you just need extra hands or supports to hold it while you bolt the thing down!

[Elton Noway]

Guys, I USED to be pretty handy with mechanical jobs, but since I've been chained to a desk for the last 10+ years I have become rather somewhat.

This thing looks as simple as simple can be (Kurt MFG Hitch).

My only question is how difficult is it to drop the exhaust down from that rubber holder? Is it necessary to drop it?

If you haven't seen it already... check out the "video" showing the hitch being installed on a Rogue. You'll find a link to the video in my reply under the heading "Video - Installing a Curt Hitch on a Nissan Rogue" ... in this thread:

bicycle-rack-t487417.html#p5532505 (as they say... A picture is worth a thousand words)

[RogueGuy45]

Ok Guys, mission accomplished. It looks great on there and fit like a glove! I think I got lucky because I had no issues with the hole alignment. Did it myself with the help of a couple of jack stands.

Just a couple of tips for anyone who is thinking about doing this-

1) The bolts holding the tow hook and heat shield on have 18mm metric heads. I have two metric socket sets, regular and deep well and neither set had an 18mm! I had a 17 and a 19 but not 18. I bet most sets are like mine so this is kind of inconvenient. I made the 19 work with no problems but I was apprehensive if I was going to round off a bolt and end up running to the hardware store for an 18mm socket! Thankfully the hitch comes with 3/4" standard head bolts!

2) You can hook two socket extensions together and you'll need it. I have a 5" and a 3" extension so together I was able to do the job.

3) You don't need to drop the exhaust, getting the hitch in there was no problem.

I would say all in all, not a bad way to kill about an hour and save the family $130.00!

Again, thanks for the help guys!

Here she is

[philipa_240sx]

Enjoy your hitch RogueGuy45!

[mdennis]

Guys, I USED to be pretty handy with mechanical jobs, but since I've been chained to a desk for the last 10+ years I have become rather somewhat.

This thing looks as simple as simple can be (Kurt MFG Hitch).

My only question is how difficult is it to drop the exhaust down from that rubber holder? Is it necessary to drop it?

Also, I plan on installing my 4 bike carrier and driving 10 hours to Michigan in June. Have any of you hauled 4 bikes on the back of a Rogue? How did it go?

Thanks!

Hi:
This model of hitch is a champ--I took mine to a muffler shop for the install, since I draw the line on jacking up my car and working under it myself (except for oil changes). No need to drop the muffler. I watched mine being installed in about 15 minutes.

[casperfun]

Looks great. Color coordinated and everything!

[Igg]

Do you happen to have the exact model or part # for this hitch? So I can jump on the bandwagon also?

[philipa_240sx]

The hitch is a Class III/IV with a 2" receiver and is made by Curt Mfg. There is an entire post in the Official Rogue FAQ dedicated to trailer hitches that lists the part numbers. Here is the direct link to get you started:

trailer-hitch-and-pre-wire-t283582.html#p3432118

[RogueGuy45]

Completely successful trip folks! I had 4 bicycles on the receiver hitch bike rack, the luggage compartment packed to the ceiling and 4 adult sized people in the Rogue. 1014 total miles with the AC on the entire trip and I averaged 26.7 mpg.

Other than a couple of GPS gaffs (Garmin took us on a couple of scary Wisconsin and Michigan backroads) the Rogue performed perfectly without a hiccup.