Curt Manufacturing 11447 Class I Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This hitch is difficult to install. It is VERY heavy! I've installed probably 8 or 10 hitches in my lifetime, this was one of the most difficult installations. The fit on my 2006 Saturn ION was not good. The "kick-up" receiver hit the bumper requiring a moderate rework to even permit completion of installation. It's bottom component is extremely visible from the rear. To be fair, I'd have to say the design of my Saturn isn't "hitch friendly". This would also most likely be so for its sister, a Chevrolet Cobalt ,or a Chevrolet HHR. I guess Curt gave it their best shot. This hitch does not, like some others, bolt to the (alloy) bumper reinforcement. To it's credit, it bolts solely to the frame. (As such "frame" exists- not much)
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The ball is too close to the bumper. It's installed, I'll use it. (see addenda, can't use) I now wonder if I need to reassess other (brands of) hitches that bolt to the bumper reinforcement and weigh less than half (of the Curt).
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The instruction sheet gives times of 30 minutes to a `professional' and 1 hour to a DYI owner. I'm an accomplished mechanic and it took me over 2 hours, including the modifying time to TRY to make it fit.
Addenda 2-6-11: Hitch totally unuseable as ball is nearly against the rear bumper. (disregard previous "I'll use it" it ain't gunna' happen, Holmes) Draw bar profile totally WRONG! ADDITIONAL (at this time unknown how) modification necessary to secure clearance from rear bumper. Movement of hitch rearward IMPOSSIBLE! Back to the drawing board. VERY POOR DESIGN, I WISH CURT HAD THIS OVERLY HEAVY, ILL FITTING HITCH BACK!!!
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Addenda 2-8-2011: I am corresponding with "Curt Manufacturing" as to their take on this now unuseable, fully installed hitch. The ball mount, in addition to being unuseably close to the bumper, is about 2 1/2" higher than industry standards. (too high for a tow bar or trailer) It is TOTALLY unuseable without a change in the profile of the ball mount. I will in any case be obliged to live with the unsightly low totally visible hitch cross tube, even if a lower, properly profiled ball mount is sourced somehow. My title "could be better" is a gross understatement. Make that "could be useable"....if.....~This is NOT deserving of the 3 stars I assigned to it. No stars at this point.
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Addenda 3-14-2011: Very good tech. support from Curt Manufacturing. Another ball mount sent no charge, sadly the one sent was as much too low as the first was too high. The Curt staff member stated "there was no mount between the two" (in height).
At least I can now use the hitch by mounting an additional height ball. Curt Manufacturing tech support a "10", hitch design a low "03". Hangs way down and looks like ....(close to well but with an 'H') A two star product ~ being generous.

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