The dealer did ours, but the factory hitch comes with instructions, a cutting template and the molding that goes onto the bumper once you've cut it. A sharp utility knife or a coping saw (or any small tooth alternative) will work fine - just be careful and take your time when cutting to prevent damage. The hitch itself is a direct bolt on just like any aftermarket setup. The factory hitch also comes with a heavy duty bracket for your wiring.

The only real installation difference, is the factory hitch requires you to cut away part of the bumper, whereas an aftermarket hitch will mount below the bumper making it lower to the ground.

I can take a few pics of our hitch if you need them.

 

I have a Curt aftermarket hitch. As mentioned the receiver is pretty low to the ground because it is under the bumper. I used a 2" drop, ball carrier and turned it upside down. This puts the ball at the perfect height for my utility trailer. I have scraped the receiver a couple of times, but no damage.


Phil

 

I have a Curt aftermarket hitch. As mentioned the receiver is pretty low to the ground because it is under the bumper. I used a 2" drop, ball carrier and turned it upside down. This puts the ball at the perfect height for my utility trailer.

This is an older post, but I saw this. I have a 2014 T&C with a Reese hitch. The Receiver is just under the Bumper cover, just about as high as the exhaust. It came with the 2 inch drop carrier. This to me is way to low. My 5x8 single axle utility trailer is pitched forward and the safety chains drag on the ground if I don't tie them up. I can't find anything with Zero Drop, and the ones that provide "Rise" are these big heavy looking things. Is it safe to use the drop hitch carrier upside down?

 

After dealing with the miserable ground clearance of the Curt hitch on my '06, I think it is money well spent to install the Mopar hitch. I wish I had.
Congrats on the new van!

 

Thanks for all of the great/quick responses. Ground clearance issues is the main reason I am leaning toward the Mopar Hitch. I have installed a hidden hitch on another vehicle and it was a breeze. The only part I don't like about the Mopar hitch is cutting the brand new pearl black bumper, but I was able to find the instructions and have a question for those in the know.
http://www.mopar-accessories.com/en-US/imagehandler.ashx?id=13970

Anyone know what the 2 tools used in step 22 are?

 

I'd say a pencil, reciprocating saw and a de-burring tool

 

Unless you have a steady hand, I'd use a handsaw as opposed to a reciprocating saw - on thin plastic its easy to slip or cut too much. A Dremel tool would work very well if you have one. As far as de-burring goes, if you don't have the tool, a metal file will work just as well.

 

Looks like i only typed half my post lol

I was going to add on that a dremel and and a file or sandpaper would probably work better IMO

 

Thanks guys, that pencil was really throwing me for a loop :thumb:. I have never used a de-burring tool, but a file seems like a much better alternative as I have a couple on hand. I'll let you know how the install goes after UPS dilevers the hitch.

For those looking for a hitch I found one for a reasonable price at http://bonnevilleparts.com/hitch-receiver.html.

 

For those looking for a hitch I found one for a reasonable price at http://bonnevilleparts.com/hitch-receiver.html.

Nice price, and only $17 UPS Ground shipping to my zipcode. I am at the same decision point and am wondering if the extra cost, time and effort to install the Mopar hitch is worth it for maybe 2" extra ground clearance. I had a HiddenHitch on my '99 GC and it very rarely bottomed out and no harm done when it did.

 

I have a hitch on order for my 2011 Crew. I noticed that the aftermarket hitch for 2008-2011 vans do not have the crossbar below the bumper like the previous years. I don't think that you have to trim the bumper on the newer years. There are a couple videos around showing installs. I can confirm this week hopefully ... hitch is supposed to be in Wed.

 

I don't think that you have to trim the bumper on the newer years.

I didn't have to trim anything on my HiddenHitch '99 GC install. The receiver sits snug under the bumper. The installation instructions tell you if you need to trim or not.

 

http://www.etrailer.com/tv-hitch-install-2008-dodge-grand-caravan.aspx

Here is a link to one of the videos.

 

That is a lot cleaner design than the one for the '06.

 

I don't currently have any pictures, but it looks exactly like the picture I've attached. You can just barely make out the spring loaded plastic cover for the wiring on the far left of the picture.

Sorry its so small, but its all I could find online (I'm at work).

Our 2009 GC hitch was also a factory Mopar, but it was installed higher than the 2011 - they must have changed the hitch design.

 

Would you have any idea what the part no. is for the 7 pin wire harness? I've been looking online, but all I can find is the repair kit. I have the towing package on our van, but it came with the 4 pin harness. Thanks again.

 

looks identical to the mopar one on my 05. Hope the 2011 turns out the same.

 

The 2011 vans launched later than expected and with the tow package only being an option on the Crew, Chrysler likely didn't expect there to be very much demand. We took delivery on our van April 15 (after waiting since January for it to be built) and the wiring for the hitch wasn't released from the manufacturer/supplier until mid May.

In fact, I'm still waiting on the bug deflector, which should be shipped to the dealer in the next week.

 

I don't know if this helps but the bag with our harness has the number 68079378AC on it. I assume thats the part number? It's a 4-way trailer tow harness and came with our 2011 T&C limited. We actually only really wanted the load level suspension but this was what they had. Now I'm actually sorta glad we got it after seeing how integrated the factory hitch would be. I might be adding it afterall .

 

The part number for the 7 pin trailer tow harness is 82212455AB. This part is for the 2011 model year and does not work with the 2008-2010 model year vans. The 2008-2010 part number is 82210857AC.

Therefore, the installation guide posted earlier does not apply for the 2011 model year, although some of the steps will be the same.

 

Thought I'd follow-up and let you all know that I installed the Mopar hitch this weekend. Took longer than I thought (3 hrs), but turned out great. Here's a couple of comments I have.

- You have to remove the tail lights before you can remove the bumper (not noted in the instructions).
- Don't forget about the wiring for the back-up sensors. The plug is located behid the passanger side wheel (also not noted in the instructions).
- The bolts located under the mufler are a real pain. I would recommend starting all steps on that side. Makes the rest seem easy.
- Cutting the bumper is easy. I used a jig saw with a blade designed to cut plastic. No melting and left a nice smooth cut.
- Test fit the bumper before re-installing it.
- While you got the bumper and tail lights out intall the trailer wiring.

Hope this helps.

 

Do you have pics of process or how it looks after install? How much more clearance do you get with factory compared to aftermarket?

 

There looks to be maybe 1" at best for extra clearance. The Curt hitch is at the same level as the exhaust. It will install in less than an hour and the cost is less than half that of the Mopar hitch.
It is a bear by the muffler, but you can take the exhaust hangers loose from the front of the muffler on back to gain "wiggle room".
The 4 wire harness install just involves removing the tail light assemblies and fishing the plugs up through the bumper ends.

 

Installation Instructions

I have a 2011 T&C with towing package. I installed a Hidden Hitch, and worked out fine. Receiver is just below the bumper. One thing though, I have misplaced the instructions for the installation of the factory wiring harness P/N 68079378AC that came with the vehicle. It looks like it's plug and play, but not sure where to start. Does anyone have a link or a download where I can get a copy of the installation instructions? Appreciate any assistance. Thanks.

ETW

 

Nothing solid, but see post #68 here - http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sh...11-and-12-tow-package-load-leveling-suspension-trans-cooler-heavy-duty-radiator

 

I put a Curt hitch on my 2010 Van. IMO, the Curt hitch is much more "beefy" than the OEM hitch on my 2013. My OEM hitch looks very wimpy by comparison. The Curt hitch might hang slightly lower but it's worth it.

 

I use an internal type 2" to 1-1/4" adapter,

which allows me to run a 1 1/4" ball mount with a 4" rise, as well as all of my old mounts.

PS: I have run mounts reversed (drop to rise) without a problem.

 

Yes, just flip it and you are good to go.

 

I have the OEM receiver hitch on my 2010 Grand Caravan, and I flipped mine as well. (I think that the OEM hitch is a bit higher than the after-market ones, but probably not a lot. If I were building my own, I'd do it like the OEM system, which replaces the steel bumper, but have the receiver come out of a hole in the facia, instead of doing a cut out at the bottom. But that said, I have yet to drag mine anywhere.)