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  • Toyota Venza Curt Hitch: Not a Happy Camper

    by
    brian_fenner
    Published on 03-08-2010 11:55 PM
    4 Comments Comments
    Been looking for a hitch for my new 2010 Venza.....searching this and other boards looking for the best one. Despite some possible fit issues mentioned on the boards, I decided on the Curt hitch and here's what transpired.........
    1. Before ordering I called Curt tech support and inquired about the fit issue. They explicitly told me the issue has been corrected with the Venza hitch with a new design hitch that lowered it a bit to eliminate the original issue of it contacting the rear bumper when installed. All old hitches were pulled out of circulation he told me.
    2. Happy with their response I ordered the hitch from etrailer.com
    3. Received the hitch and it had numerous scratches and marks on it......very poor packaging from etrailer.com
    4. Called etrailer and complained........all they could do for me is send me a bottle of touch up paint. Since it was mainly cosmetic and on the backside of the hitch I settled for a $10 compensation and touched up the marks myself so there was no potential for rust. Checked date code of hitch and it was made in Dec 2009......should be a new designed unit, this is good.
    5. Not to bad of install but with the AWD you need to remove the stabilizer bars. Plus you need to lower the muffler/exhaust so the hitch will clear when mounting it.
    6. Got it mounted up by myself (not an easy task with 1 person) but was happy until I started snugging up the mounting bolts.
    7. Problem fixed? BS! :thumbsdow
    8. If I snugged the bolts up tight it would distort the rear bumper and put way to much pressure on it. Leaving it this way would surly crack something in short order. :disappoin
    9. I called Curt and asked them what the heck is up. I also told them I had spoke with the tech support before purchasing the hitch and what they said. He denied anyone had told me the hitch had been redesigned! He said they don't do that. We exchanged a few words here.......I don't like being called a liar. Then he says they have a spacer bar that should be in the kit that should lower it enough to clear the rear bumper, that was omitted from the kits by mistake????? Ha?
    10. So, I had to remove the hitch and put everything back the way it was and wait for this so-called spacer bar for both sides. Should be here in a few days.
    Needless to say I'm not very happy with this fiasco........If the spacer bar turns out to be a joke I'm calling etrailer and have them pick up this thing.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Curt Hitch: Not a Happy Camper started by brian_fenner View original post
    Comments 4 Comments
    1. doncanz's Avatar
      doncanz - 04-07-2011, 11:29 AM
      Note to self..."must stay away from etrailer"
      Reply
    1. VenzMeister's Avatar
      VenzMeister - 06-29-2011, 08:14 AM
      I just installed mine on my 2011 the other night and the fit was perfect. Three bolt on each side. I did not have to drop the muffler. The hitch does not move the soft bumper at all, it sits at exactly the same level.
      Reply
    1. ruffelg's Avatar
      ruffelg - 07-30-2011, 02:06 PM
      Just installed my Curt hitch on my 2009. My buddy and I hooked it up in 30 minutes. Very easy to install. We did drop the muffler a few inches but that was easy too.
      Reply
    1. bigallis1's Avatar
      bigallis1 - 08-02-2011, 05:24 PM
      Added a Curt hitch to my 2011 Venza last week.Got it from E-Trailer. Date code on the hitch was Dec. 2010. The top of the hitch does touch the rear bumper, but not to the point where it bows the bumper as has been posted by others.
      The fit is perfect. I am happy with it.
      I received it in packaging from e-trailer and it was not packed as well as it should have been.When UPS delivered it, the hitch mounting points were protruding thru the bottom of the box.There were some scratches also.I repainted the hitch, (should not have had to do that) Not sure if the problem was UPS or the e-trailer shipper or both.I did a rating and commented on the condition on arrival.
      Reply

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