Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 2012 Jeep Compass and Can the Tow Hook be Re-Installed  

Question:

Expert Reply:

When choosing between the Draw-Tite or Curt trailer hitch, I would recommend going with the Draw-Tite hitch simply because it will save you a little bit of money and there is no real advantage in choosing the Curt hitch over the Draw-Tite hitch for your vehicle.

The main difference between the Curt and Draw-Tite hitch is that the Curt hitch has a slight higher towing and tongue weight capacity. Your vehicle will have a 1,000 lb or 2,000 lb towing capacity, based on how it was equipped, so either way you will be limited to the towing capacity of your Jeep, not the hitch. You should check your owners manual to verify the towing capacities of your Jeep.

Also, Curts warranty requires the use of a stabilization strap for any non-trailer loads such as a bike rack or cargo carrier. Although, it is a good idea to use one, Draw-Tite does not require that you use a stabilization strap.

The tow hook cannot be re-installed once the hitch is installed on the Jeep Compass. The hitch can be used for the same purpose that the tow hook served, but Draw-Tite and Curt do not recommend re-installing the tow hook.

Removing the heat shield is not necessary for the installation of the Curt or Draw-Tite hitch, it is a tip that Curt mentions that may make the installation easier. You will find that on the driver side the heat shield seems to block the inside of the frame rail. Removing the heat shield will make it easier to access that part, but you could also just fold that part of the heat shield out of the way.

You can see in our installation videos that I have attached that the heat shield is still attached for the Curt and Draw-Tite hitch installation.

expert reply by: John H

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