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Full transcript: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-trailer-hitch-2011-buick-enclave-13424.aspx
Today on our 2011 Buick Enclave, we’ll be installing our Curt hitch, part number 13424. This is what our hitch will look like once it’s installed. Next we’ll give you a couple of measurements. This will assist your selecting accessories such as a ball mount, bike rack, or cargo carrier. From the center of hitch-pin hole to the outer most edge of the bumper is 5 inches. From the top of the receiver-tube opening to the ground is 18-3/4 inches. Now we’ll go ahead with installation. To begin our install, we’ll first need to remove the rear fascia door.

To remove this fascia access panel, we’ll take the fastener, turn it to unlock, and then pull down on the fascia. Repeat the same process for the second fastener on the other side. Once we’ve released the fastener, we’ll pull the fascia free. We’ll set this aside as it will not be reinstalled. Next we’ll point out our attachment points. We have a total of six attachment points.

On each frame rail there will be sets of well nuts built into the frame by the manufacturer. The center of the hitch will also have two attachment points. These are pre-drilled holes into the bumper beam by the manufacturer. Now to get our hitch in place, we’ll need to lower the exhaust using a safety strap to help support the weight. To remove the rubberized slider from the metal hangers, we’ll spray each one with some spray lubricant and then use a pry bar or pliers to remove the rubberized slider from the metal hanger. Now with all the rubberized sliders out of the way, we’ll use the safety strap to safely lower the exhaust. Next we’ll want to clean out the weld nuts, because over time they’re going build up with rust, dust, dirt, and debris and make it difficult to install the new hardware.

Using our spray lubricant and a 1/2-inch nylon tube brush, part number 814092, we’ll thoroughly spray each one of the weld nuts and then use the tube brush to clean it out. Once we’ve thoroughly cleaned out the weld nut, we’ll take one of the new fasteners to make sure they’ll go nice and easily. Each one of the weld nuts will get a new 12-millimeter bolt and a 1/2-inch conical-tooth washer with the teeth to the washer facing the hitch. For our center attachment points, that will go in the bumper beam, we’ll be using the 1/2-inch carriage bolt along with the SMSP6 square-hole spacer and the 1/2-inch flange nut. To get our hardware into the frame, we’ll be using the 1/2-inch bolt leader provided with our install kit. Let’s put our hardware into the bumper frame first. We’ll take the 1/2-inch bolt leader, feed it through the attachment point, and out the end of the frame.

There we’ll carefully slide on the block and thread on the carriage bolt. Then we’ll feed the block and bolt into the frame and pull them into position. Once we have them in place, we’ll remove the bolt leader and repeat the same process on the other side. Now we’re ready to install the hitch. It’s a good idea to get an extra set of hands to help you hold the hitch while you install the fasteners. As we bring the hitch up into position, we’ll be careful not to push our carriage bolts and blocks back up into the frame. We’ll also install the weld nut fasteners finger tight. Note: Each process we do on one side, we’ll repeat identically on the opposite side. Now we have all our hardware in place, we’ll tighten it down. Next we’ll torque to specifications as indicated in the instructions. With the hitch secured and torqued to specification, we can reinstall the exhaust, and we’re ready to hit the road. That does it for the install of the Curt hitch, part number 13424, on our 2011 Buick Enclave. .