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.
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Finished the trailer hitch wiring. The 2016 was just plus and play with two additional relays included.
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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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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Yeah, I hear the rear clicking too. I think I'll get used to it though.
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