DON'T BUY CURT CLASS III HITCH

[Shad0wXCalibur]

I originally had planned to put on a Hidden Hitch Class III which looked pretty good in how it mounted. 8 bolts to the frame/body AND to the bumper itself to get rid of those brackets. It came in bent.... I needed a hitch for a trip. I should have postponed it and gotten another replacement. Instead I decided to try the Curt despite it's 4,000 pound rating. I'm returning that thing so fast. The instructions say it mounts between the bumper brackets and frame. That doesn't even make sense because that would force the bumper down. I tried to mount it without the bumper brackets but I had to go find better hardware to even install it. The 4 first bolts, you're supposed to re-use the original bolts that held in the bumper brackets. They aren't even long enough for that (IF you went by their instructions and shoved them through the brackets AND hitch!) I had to go buy washers to use them without the brackets. The washers included for the farthest back two bolts are too big for the bolts and thin. They crushed incredibly easy inside the mounting holes on the hitch. I had to get stronger washers. The bumper can't be remounted properly. I'm sure there's SOME way to make it work but I expect a company to design a product I paid almost $200 for properly in the first place. I'm taking it back and sticking with the Hidden Hitch. It's a great design and stronger. I just have extremely bad luck and got a bent one....

[tedanderson]

I hate when that happens!

[DonD]

Yep, stick with HH..I did.

[Big_kid]

My HH came from pick n pull during a ½ price sale. I had to borrow a sawzall to get it out, but it was worth getting.

[jrsride2002]

DAMN!!
That just sucks!

Im glad you posted! I was about to return mine for a Curt. I feel pretty stupid for getting the Reese hitch, im going to take it off and return it, then buy a Hidden.

I share your disappointment,
~Junior

[mschultz]

I just installed one of these Curt Class III hitches on my '89. The only hard part was getting the bumper bracket bolts out, other than that it was easy as pie. It only drops the bumper about 1/4" as that is the thickness of the hitch brackets. The fact that there was only 2 bolts to fish through the frame was also desirable. My carriage plates for the 2 half inch bolts were very heavy duty. I bought this hitch, brand new, on Ebay for $145.00, with free regular shipping, it only took 2 days to receive. a GREAT deal!!! Also, when used with weight distributing hitches, this is good for 6,000 lbs. More than one should ever decide to pull with a 'stro!!!

Mike

[Wagon Master]

Why not go with a factory hitch?

Anyone know who made those, BTW?

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Wouldn't know where to get one. I'm sure they were made because GM didn't put those weldnuts on the frame for no reason. The Hidden Hitch one is a great design. Mine just came in bent. Getting a hold of the online seller to get a replacement.

[Philly758]

I just installed one of these Curt Class III hitches on my '89. The only hard part was getting the bumper bracket bolts out, other than that it was easy as pie. It only drops the bumper about 1/4" as that is the thickness of the hitch brackets. The fact that there was only 2 bolts to fish through the frame was also desirable. My carriage plates for the 2 half inch bolts were very heavy duty. I bought this hitch, brand new, on Ebay for $145.00, with free regular shipping, it only took 2 days to receive. a GREAT deal!!! Also, when used with weight distributing hitches, this is good for 6,000 lbs. More than one should ever decide to pull with a 'stro!!!

Mike

I ordered my Curt Class III hitch from eBay and installed it without any issues. I actually like that it comes in 3 pieces, so you can easily lift and align the side plates under the bumper bracket (I can only imagine the joy of lifting the entire hitch assembly to install it).

[Cmozez]

I put a Curt on my old 2005 Safari and it fit like a dream. I loved it and plan on putting one on my 2002 Astro

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Not sure what ya'll did to get the Curt to work so easily but I just got done installing the replacement Hidden Hitch and it LOOKS awesome. Does away with the bumper brackets entirely and is mounted on there real good. I feel comfortable with the 5,000 pound rating it has even though I'm not gonna try to pull that much with it

[Philly758]

I guess I don't really understand where else the hitch would mount and what would be more solid? Pictures?

[Shad0wXCalibur]

The Hidden Hitch bolts to the body with 8 bolts instead of 6. 6 on the "frame" and 2 farther up foward just before the bumper. Then the hitch itself bolts to the bumper so no bumper brackets needed anymore. I don't know how much of a difference 2 extra bolts make but it must have been enough for it to be rated an additional 1,000 pounds on the Curt and I only paid ~$175 for it so I got a real good deal on it before the price just went up on Amazon and charges shipping now. I got it with free shipping.

Here's a screenshot of the installation video showing the additional bolt.

[Mongo]

Can you put a full size spare underneath with the Hidden Hitch? Also please post the model number. Thanks.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Can you put a full size spare underneath with the Hidden Hitch? Also please post the model number. Thanks.

I have a full size spare under my van. I think it's the short body Astros that have issues with spares and hitches. The hitch I bought was Hidden Hitch 87516.

[DRZ]

I have Curt class III on both my Astros But I don't mount them between the bumper brackets and the frame. They need a little modifying to do it this way but it isn't a big deal imo.

[Martym]

HI,

I just purchased a Curt and started look at how to install it today. Quick question - When you take off the bumper mount and slide the plate in under it, I understand it drops the bumper down about 1/4". While the three bolts under the plate are easy to get in and don't get shifted, what about the bolts on the bumper that go to the plate?? The holes will now be off and won't line up. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Marty