U-Hual is now showing two hitches available ready to order, one from Curt rated up to 3,500 lbs (p/n 13617), and one from Draw-Tite rated up to 1,500 lbs. Both about $230 for the part.

Instructions are on their site.

Anybody install one yet? Curious how it looks installed...

 

I saw that too. Based on the install instructions, it seems both of them require cutting of the bumper trim, but the Draw-Tite is just a small cut-out for the 2" square tube and the Curt requires a big cut for the long tube running across the car. Draw-Tite is also more similar to the factory hitch, it attaches to both the frame rails and is sandwiched to the bumper beam (which requires bumper removal) and the Curt only attaches to the frame rails (only requires under trim removed).

I was thinking of going for the Draw Tite and having U-haul install, soonest date is December 1st. Would also like to hear others thoughts.

 

Looks like Curt is taking preorders now through etrailer.

Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2" Receiver, Select LYRIQ, Equinox EV, Prologue

Driving the family up to the campground? Hauling tools and equipment from the home improvement store? Pulling your boat to the nearby swimming hole? Whatever your destination and whatever trailer you're towing, Bring It® with a CURT trailer hitch!CURT class 3 trailer hitches are designed, built...

www.curtmfg.com

They have the install PDF on that page and it looks correct, much easier install than stock hitch. Also only $280 MSRP, so like a third the cost at least.

Expected ship date is the end of January 2025.

Edit: After looking at it some more it seems like it will hang below the bumber/stock hitch. I am a little concerned how low to the ground this will be and will wait until I see a picture of it installed to order one.

 

Installed Curt hitch yesterday. Under $200 on Amazon and eBay. Some minor errors with instructions. Clearance under hitch is 8 1/4. Siince it is forward under bumber I doubt you will hit it on things. Here is what I posted on Facebook: I installed the Curt hitch today. A few things that might be helpful. I did this laying on the floor without jacking the car. It would help to raise it even a little, perhaps by driving onto some 2x6s. Instructions have errors and show a panel different from my Equinox. I removed sixteen 7 mm bolts and 4 T15, no pushpins.; not 4, 16 and 2. Panel shows locations of 16 7 mm screws, 12 around edge and 4 in holes in the panel. Could not get 2 of the 7 mm back in due to cross bar. Width measurement was off by an inch and as noted you do not need to cut 7 1/2 inches, my slots were about 4 1/2. I would not cut the panel until after the hitch is installed then you can use it to line up your cuts and determine depth. Bar does stick down a bit so will probably have a minor impact on air drag. I may try to make a deflector to minimize this.

 

Nathan, please update your account Signature (displays below your posts) and your account Vehicle Details (displays below your avatar) with your Equinox EV details. It's easy, see How to Add Your Equinox EV Details to Your Signature

 

I decided to get the draw tight hitch from the trailer.com. I'll post some pictures after I have it installed. The main reason I went for this one is because only the center Mount sticks down and not the whole bar.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Chevrolet/Equinox+EV/2024/DT66KV.html?vehicleid=20246068777

 

How did this one work out? Curious how low it hangs down, is it comparable to the GM one so that the trim kit could also be used?

 

D_Spikeman, how did the Draw-Tite work out? Curious how low it hangs down, is it comparable to the GM one so that the trim kit could also be used?

 

Sorry for the late reply. I waited until it was warm out to do the install. I got the hitch a few weeks ago. Overall not too bad to install, it took me about 3 hours. I followed JimM s guide, the hitch sits 8.5in off the ground. Note, I followed Jims advice and grinded the welds flat before the install. Let me know of you have any other questions.

https://www.equinoxevforum.com/threads/installing-the-draw-tite-76655-hitch.4203/?post_id=48174&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-48174

Pics below, the 1up rack works on the most most extended position for the pin receiver.

 

I had my hitch installed yesterday at my local General Motors dealer. $600 to install. Took them all day long. I spoke to the mechanic that did the work. He said it was much more involved than any hitch he had ever put on. Had to remove all of the interior contents and take the bumper off. After he put the hitch on, he had to cut the belly plate to fit the hitch, and then put the trim piece That goes on the outside. I am extremely satisfied with the way it looks. It appeared as though it came from the factory with it. It was very expensive though.

 

The hitches came off back order and there is a 10% discount on chev.com. The dealer just installed my hitch, but had to order two of them due to missing parts in the package. Was $440 for the install of the hitch and close out. If you are not looking you'd never know there was a hitch.

 

Does anyone have a pic of the GM/Drawtite hitch solution?

based on the looks of things I wouldn’t expect this to be long term reliable at 1500lbs tow.

those who think hitches designed for 1500lbs actually last up here in the salt when used at 1500lbs are kidding themselves, a little wind, a bumpy road, coorsion and a broken hitch setup.

My grandfather, father and myself always end up installing class 5 to everything, it never yields, we already have hitches to share and it can handle extensions without downrating. The class 4 factory provided on my Dodge despite being used well under its rating slowly started getting bent and of coarse then had bad coorsion. My father and grandfather have broken tons of class 1 and 2 hitches in lite duty so we just quit using them.

Sadly it looks like the equinox would need at least a 4 point mount to the undercarriage and tub possibly a 5 or 6 point like a Honda Insight to ensure coorsion and creep don’t prematurely wear it out towing little trailers.

 

Does anyone have a pic of the GM/Drawtite hitch solution?

You can find some of the Draw-Tite hitch here.

I haven't seen the GM hitch but the Draw-Tite is comprised of 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" steel. I think it was originally marketed as a Class 3 hitch and the weight limitation is from the poor strength of the Equinox EV frame it's attached to. It might be that in corrosive environments, any hitch attached to the Equinox EV should get inspected every few years.

BTW, there are 10 bolts holding the Draw-Tite hitch on. If any of them break there should be plenty of very noisy warning before a catastrophic failure.

 

When I bought my Equinox EV up in the Twin Cities the hitch and installation was included in the purchase price for me. I couldn't get it installed upon purchase because they were on back order and it was estimated it wouldn't be available until at least the end of 2024. I had to move back to Iowa last fall and it just was too difficult to me to get back to have the receiver installed so they're refunding me the money. I have to check again with my preferred dealer but it sounds like they may have the part available here and could install it. The guy I bought my Equinox from also suggested I look at places like U-Haul. I haven't quite decided yet if I'm going through the dealer or a third party.

 

U-Haul and a couple other outfit can install a hitch receiver in the 2025 Equinox. However that hitch configuration puts the hitch below the rear bumper. I don't like the look and also how close it puts the receiver to the payment. I want one that comes through the square spot imbedded in the bumper. I assure the official Chevy unit includes a new bumper cover with a cutout for the receiver. I'd love to see a picture of one......

 

I had GM install mine and it looks great!! They charged be about $400 for the install.

 

Just had the GM OEM tow hitch installed on my '24 3RS. Was very expensive, but I like the resulting look.

 

Nice. That is what I am looking for. If I may ask, what did it cost you installed?

 

The kit was
Trailer Hitch Trim Bezel in Black
Part No.: 85572426 $95.00
1,500-lb.-Capacity Hitch Trailering Package
Part No.: 86580822 $895.00

I got 20% off sale coupon and free shipping to a dealer plus used GM points from the car purchase to make the cost lower than the list price. But still very expensive. I did not shop around for a dealer. Just used the closest Chevy dealer where I purchased the car. But their service is super expensive. I ended up paying $660 total just for labor.

 

When ordering the hitch from GM, you can select a dealer for installation. Each available dealer will list their install price, which varies wildly. I found a dozen dealers in the PHX area were charging $350 to $950 for the same installation.

I went with the $350 install

 

I am looking at adding a hitch to the EQEV. Mine is base LT (no wiring/trailering provisions). I do like the look and integration of the GM hitch. Has anyone had the 1,500 lbs (86580822, $895.00) installed on a base LT? On the Chevy site they show it not compatible with the base LT (I can only assume it is because of the lack of trailering provisions). But absent the harness, I would assume it would install the same as the 75- lbs hitch (87858529). I can't see the usefulness (for me) of the 75-lbs hitch.

 

Yes it is compatible with base LT. I had it installed on my base LT by a different dealer than the one I purchased the EQEV or the hitch from as their install quote was a fraction of other dealers- just $350 I.e. not worth my time to do it myself.

You need to also purchase the cutout for the bumper for $100

 

I think the rateing refers to the lack of pre wireing for a trailer. I installed it for my 2LT but did not ust the trailer wireing I just use it for my eBike rack. It is higher then after market hitchs and has a much higner tongue rateing.

 

Look in past pages of this discussion. I had the shop my dealer uses to install hitches install mine. I did not use the glued-on cover plate. I had the installer cut a 5.5” by 4.5” hole in the bumper fascia. I paid $280 for the install.

 

Thanks Tim, I just saw your earlier posts. Are you able to post a pic of the cutout in your bumper? Curious how it looks without the plastic piece.

 

Yes, they charged $140 an hour, 280 for the job. A picture is in posted earlier in this tread I will send another later this morning. They were good! They followed the 3 GM written directions exactly; they install hitches all day long. I also copied the GM instructions and posted them on this thread.

I have no intentions of ever towing with the Equinox EV so I had them cut out just enough to expose the hitch for an extension to place my bike rack into. I did not want to spend $100 for a plate to be glued on with an empty hole for the hitch electrical connectors.

GM's hitch is very solid but a pain to install. I had an aftermarket hitch on another cat and it strapped underneath and was always hitting the road on bumps and backing out of the driveway.

I did the install last June the day after I got the Equinox EV it was a pain to find the hitch and have it shipped to me but I am very happy with it and the looks of it. Good luck!

 

Here is a picture of the cutout. Whar is cool is that it turned out to be in the center black band of the Fascia.

 

Check out the ECO HITCH- Stainless Steel hidden hitch for the Equinox EV. The design is totally different and to me looks far more robust. This is what I just ordered, and will let you know how it goes on install. See video below from manufacturer (see comments section in the video for the torque specifications)

Stainless Steel Trailer Hitch Part Number: X7492S (2”)
Hitch receiver type: This hitch will feature a Hidden design
Receiver size: 2"
Weight Rating: 5000 pounds towing, 750 pounds tongue weight at the trailer ball