I installed this today. As near as I can tell, it goes on like all the others. The directions were clear and straight forward. I'm hand and mechanical, but I've never done what amounts to body work. It took less than an hour. So in case you've been thinking about a trailer hitch, be not afraid. (And to be clear, I'm not associated with Curt and I think any/all of them might be equals in quality and installation. I bought this brand because Amazon had it for about $130 or so, with free shipping. Otherwise I could have easily gone for one of the others.)

I didn't take any pictures during installation because I didn't see what I could add that isn't included in the many online videos and pictoral how-tos. However, my biggest problem is that some how-tos have you lift the car and remove the tires. I had no trouble using a stubby screwdriver with the car on the ground and tires installed. It was only a very, extreme slight inconvenience.

The other issue is that when you put in a hitch or whatever (a bike rack, for me) in the the receiver, the lock that holds it in place is not too easy to place. With my old car (a Toyota Carolla) I would put the bike rack into the receiver and load my bike, then remove it and stick in my trunk while I rode, and put the rack back in when I got done riding to go home. Then I'd remove it after I got home and removed my bike. With this new set up, I can tell when I am in the "season" of riding (mountain bike riding) I will leave the bike rack inserted. And I don't think any of the other receivers are any different in this respect. I got an e-mail from one place and the guy (or girl) said it taks some getting used to. Still, beats the alternative, where it sticks out below the bumper and hits the ground constantly. My Corolla had the frame damaged because it hit too hard once.

Mike Todd

 

I bought the same hitch from amazon. Mine did not come with instructions, but etrailer site seems to have detailed videos on how to do it. Did your come with instructions? What did you use to cut the rear black plastic piece where the hitch sticks out from? Did you end up getting a cover for it when not in use?

 

It came with directions but I think they are on the curt website. Got mine through amazon too. The directions call for removing the plastic/foam insert entirely so I did. I think some manufacturers' products don't intrude so much on the insert but the curt version takes almost the entire area of the insert. There's almost nothing left if you tried to just trim it.

 

My model of mini has a cover already. Just has to be snapped into place when I remove the hitch.