The trailer hitch on the Cherokee I bought not too long ago is welded to the uni. Anyone know why the shop would have done this? I don't exactly trust the integrity of the hitch, so would it mess things up to cut the hitch off (grind out/down the welds, etc) and install one the proper way? I do plan on pulling a small trailer and wheeling a little bit sometime down the road, so I want the hitch to be strong so I won't lose a trailer and have a decent recovery point. Thanks!

 

you my have a factory tow package
if you do then leave it the way it is

 

Even factory would have been installed with nutstrips.

 

The first thing I did when I got my XJ was install a Reese Class III hitch (overkill? maybe)...Used the nutstrip and spot welded it in six places on each side of the mounting brackets...

Id leave it unless you were doing some mods that required you to remove it...

 

I am thinking of mods way on down the line where it may need to be removed. Although maybe when the time comes, I'd be better off selling this XJ and buying a different one to avoid this potential headache.

 

I guess my main question is - how trustworthy is this work?

Where would be a good place to take it to, to get an honest opinion of the integrity of the hitch?

 

If the holes line up with the uni-frame just throw some grade 8 bolts and nut strips in. Then it will be stronger than stock.

Duane

 

Hopefully this is the case, sounds like a good idea. I may give the installer a call (there's a sticker on the hitch of the 'dealer' - not the mfg) and see why they may have welded this on. Also a closer manual inspection may yield some answers, too.

Thanks for everyone's reply!

 

If it isn't lined up so you can fit bolts in, then cut it off. Never trust a hitch, bumper, or tow hooks by welds alone. However, if you can fit bolts through, then I would just throw some bolts in and call it good.

 

x2^^^^

 

I haven't looked at all, but I saw a outlining a hitch install, and it looked like there are already threads on the passenger side (weldnuts?)

These are the nut strips, right?


Take the bumper off and they slide inside the frame, correct? If there are already weldnuts, then my intuition tells me the nut strips won't fit.

Sorry for the stupidity, I swear I'm capable of wrenching, it's just that this is all new to me. Gotta start somewhere I guess, good thing I found this forum and all the capable and experienced people on it. Thanks again guys.

 

A hitch is a pretty straightforward installation. Just line it up in the center and look at where the parts match up. I can take a picture of mine if you want (it's bolted in). Don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

I know it's pretty straightforward, I'm just thrown off by the video link I posted in the previous post. Buuuut, I just did a quick google and it appears that there is already a nut strip on the passenger side? Is this true?

Another question, why on earth would the installer weld the hitch on? Thats a lot more work than just bolting on. Prep the metal, etc, etc...I wonder what they biffed up. I wonder what they could have biffed up.

 

Most likely they just showed it on one side to save time. I think they're on both sides. A simple look under the XJ should answer that.

Edit: I don't quite get your question. Could you give a time in the video?

 

That wasn't the case. They inserted some sort of 'shim' and then a carriage bolt, and then they bolted on from the underside, probably to save $$. From what I'm reading, the nutstrips are a good idea because they spread the force out across the frame. I think I've got a good idea of what to do now, I've found the part #s for the nut strips, I'll take a closer look this next weekend and see what's going on. I'll post what I find here.