rgood10921

Attached are Hitch Instructions for adding a hitch to a Panoramic equipped R-Class vehicle. Hope they can help someone...wish I had them before I did it myself! I am also including the hitch instructions that came with the hitch.

AsianR350

Hat off to you.

avlis

Impeccable timing. My Hitch arrived from Amazon a few days ago.

Blk04cobra1

Very nice write-up. Only thing that sucks is there is no wiring for lights.

rgood10921

I have the modulite hoppy wiring harness purchased and ready to install, I am not going to tackle that job until I have a need to tow something that requires lights. Right now it is just bicycle carriers and cargo carriers that I am using the hitch for, no lights needed. If and when I do the wiring, I will write up those instructions and post.

Blk04cobra1

that would be great as I have a client who would be interested in seeing that write-up

avlis

I finally completed my hitch install using these instructions. They were are great help, but my install was very difficult.

First, do not lower the exhaust like the instructions say. Simply remove the chrome exhaust tips with a T25 Torx bit. It was fairly simple to lower the exhaust, but getting the bolts back in caused me fits and killed 30-60 minutes of my time.

Second, my four mounting holes simply did not line up. The most I could get was three out of four (and that was only after using a pry bar). The fourth hole was always about 1/2" off no matter which bolts I started first. I ended up using a die grinder to slot both forward holes. Which required a trip to the hardware store for a fresh grinder bit.

Third, cutting the plastic was extremely easy with a Dremel tool and cutting wheel. It took less than a minute to trim each piece once I marked the locations. I had to trim 1.5" depth on the bumper cover.

Forth, the M10 x 140mm bolts stripped when I tightened the nuts to 53 LB FT. Both of them. Required another trip to the hardware store for something to get me by. Trying to get replacements from Draw-Tite now.

Due to the alignment difficulties, I cross-threaded one of the forward bolts. I ended up having to remove the spare tire to chase the threads from the backside of the weld nut.

All told, it took me over 7 hours to do this install. I would have been done in two hours if the holes lined up and I didn't drop the exhaust.

G_Ski&Bike

Thank you so much for taking the time to not only document the procedure but thank you for taking the time to post this!

BallJack

Awesome! Thanks for posting this.

W203Ramos

old thread but THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

ste

I just did the hitch install on my 2006 R350. Took me couple hours, the job was not that hard.
The instruction it came with is not that good. Do NOT follow it!
First, remove the bumper, that is an easy job, and make the later hitch install easier.
Do NOT cut the black plastic, or remove any screws on it. It doesn't even touch the installed hitch.
Install the hitch in reverse order, put the screws for the cross bar in first, but not all the way in. Then you do have to muscle the bumper side to get the screws in. I lay on my back, with two feet pushing on it, and my hands pulling the bumper metal bean, push in the screw when the holes line up with a finger. Without pumper on it, this could be done easily, and with it off, I could cut the bumper with knife easier too.

Hope this helps the future installer.

Steve.

radodrill

For those of you looking for a factory wiring solution see this thread

MassieS

Is the bumper cutout visible once the hitch is installed?

radodrill

The cutout is about a 1-1/2 in x 6 in strip at the very bottom edge of the lower bumper cover where it is already under the car. The reason for this is that the lower bumper cover slightly overlaps the trunk pan, while the vertical support bracket for the receiver is inline with the actual metal bumper. The cutout will not be noticeable if you cut it just deep enough to clear the support bracket for the receiver.

MassieS

Thanks for the rapid response. We just need a receiver for a bike rack. :-)

MSC2254

Yea, the cutout is really minimal. I doubt you'll see it even if you later remove the hitch. HOWEVER. I am really disappointed with the hitch itself. It hangs lower and juts out much more than I would like. It is really obvious, particularly in profile, particularly the bar that goes back to the T that attaches to the trunk pan.

MassieS

Yikes. I think that would really bug me. Which brand did you install? Thanks again

MSC2254

I installed the Curtis brand. But my impression was the aftermarket news are all the same this different names slapped on. I'll try to take a pic tomorrow if you want.

MassieS

That would be great! Thanks again. This forum is the bomb. :-)