[sjsz06]

Has anyone installed a Draw Tite hitch (2017 Envision - 2.5L)?
Or - how do you remove the rear bumper fascia? I followed the directions about what items to remove, but the fascia itself seems still solidly attached. Since the car is new I hate to force anything.

 

[Gerald]

The clips are definitely going to be real tight on there as it's the first time they'll be coming off. Once you get the screws around it and around the hatch, you should be alright to get a trim tool and slowly get in there.

 

[NormT]

I'll be installing one soon too!

Once you have all the screws removed...

"Carefully push a small nylon wedge between the fascia and the rear fascia guide. Insert a small flat-bladed tool into the fascia slot and depress the snaps one at a time and pull on the fascia at the same time to gradually remove the rear fascia (2) from the rear fascia guide. Disconnect rear bumper fascia harness electrical connections."

 

[NormT]

Finished the trailer hitch wiring. The 2016 was just plus and play with two additional relays included.

 

[J T]

I'm going to go with the Draw-Tite hitch as well (ordering from etrailer). And then going with the Tekonsha harness. Just discovered that I have the "factory trailer connector," so no running a wire all the way to the battery (had to do that when I wired up my chevy sonic with a harness. Pain in the arse!)

 

[NormT]

Yes, my 2016 Pll was prewired and the pigtail tucked under the rear bumper.

 

[J T]

Gonna do the install today. I didn't want to fuss with it, but my local auto repair shop down the street wouldn't do it because they only do repairs/installations on jobs they can warranty. Not even going to bother asking the Buick dealership as they'd probably charge me an arm and a leg for the install.



I've watched the installation video on the etrailer site several times now, and the more I watch, the more confident I'm feeling about not screwing anything up. Only thing I'm missing is a torque wrench, so off to the auto parts store I go.

 

[NormT]

The tightening is a little tough when you're on your back unless you work out often. I think I put a foot on s tire for more leverage plus you'll need an extension or two. Some silicone spray and a large screw driver or prybar helps with the rubber exhaust hanger a little easier. I put one on our Acadia at the sane time and can't remember all the install details.

 

[J T]

I'm not sure what you're referring to with tightening on your back. There are three nuts on each side holding the rack on that get tightened to 38 pounds. All of them can be tightened while in a kneeling position (since my vehicle won't be lifted at all). Rubber exhaust hanger? There is no mention of this in either the instructions or the video.

 

[J T]

So, are new members not allowed to edit their own posts after a certain amount of time has passed? Weird. Anyway, meant to say in the post above, "holding on the bumper," not "rack."

 

[NormT]

Mine must have been the Curt hitch as the bumper did not need to be removed

 

[J T]

Mine must have been the Curt hitch as the bumper did not need to be removed

Ahh, well that explains it. The three previous trailer hitches I installed (one on my wife's Encore) involved being under the vehicle and having to tighten the nuts while on my back. So I understand where you're coming from now.


Got my Draw Tite hitch installed in a couple of hours with only one minor issue which set me back about an hour. Otherwise, it went much better than I expected.

 

[J T]

etrailer install video that I used for reference: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-trailer-hitch-2017-buick-envision-76080.aspx


For the wiring harness, I went with Tekonsha: https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...Envision/2017/118725.html?vehicleid=201747503





Some photos of my install. This looks a lot messier than it actually was (glad my wife didn't see it!) Pulling off the bumper cover was quite simple once the necessary screws were removed. Then it was just a matter of loosening up three nuts on each end of the bumper, placing the hitch on, reinstalling the bumper and then tightening the nuts back down to 38 lbs. From there it was just a reverse procedure to put everything back together. I was afraid I'd screw something up, but to my surprise everything snapped back into place nicely. I did have to make one slight modification though. There are two T15 screws that must be removed underneath that are holding the bumper cover to brackets attached to the frame (seen at 3:56 in the install video). Once the hitch was in place, the holes in the cover for those two screws no longer lined up. This resulted in having to drill a new hole about a 1/2 offset for each one. You'll see that in one of the photos.


The finished pictures include a 2" to 1 1/4" adapter I purchased at U-Haul for $15. I use this for my Thule bike rack, and in place it only sticks out a couple of inches from the bumper cover. I don't foresee this being an issue with bruised shins or anything. Plus I won't have it in place other than when I'm using my bike rack.

 

[jonjonbear]

Don't you hate those dang relays? Now the turn signal clicks front AND back! We put the Curt hitch on. Didn't have to take off the bumper. Nice you can put the access cover back on. We rarely use the hitch so nice we don't have to look at it.

 

[J T]

Yeah, I hear the rear clicking too. I think I'll get used to it though.

 

[NormT]

I have some sound deaden by Dynamat playing around and will see what I can do to lessen the clicking.