Anyone Ever Install a Hitch on a Nissan Altima? - The Hull Truth

BobEver · 03-22-2005, 03:55 PM

A 1999 Altima to be specific? A hitch, plus related wiring.

Trying to find out how difficult it would be.

Thanks

Josh · 03-22-2005, 04:15 PM

If They sell them, the installation should be fairly straight forward. It just a bolt up. The wiring on the other hand could be more difficult. Finding the appropriate harness for a Japanese sedan will not be easy. If you find the harness, the installation is not too bad if your farily handy. If your not handy, take it to Uhaul and tell them what you want.

Can't imagine what you would want to tow with an Altima!

gf · 03-22-2005, 04:25 PM

Click here.

Josh · 03-22-2005, 04:33 PM

Guess they do sell 'em, you can tell I drive trucks...

Seacat FL · 03-22-2005, 07:12 PM

I noticed a specific tow rating in my 350Z owners manual. Don't remember what it was because I thought it was absurd.

Apparently not everybody else does. Here are details of a hitch installation on a 350Z:

http://www.solo2.org/blogs/christoc/...1/28/1175.aspx

Think it will haul my 27 Pro-Line Walk?

gumshoe · 03-22-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

BobEver - 3/22/2005 2:55 PM

A 1999 Altima to be specific? A hitch, plus related wiring.

Trying to find out how difficult it would be.

Thanks

Sorry, not on that specific car, but on a sentra. It was very easy, 2 holes to drill - which requires something with a bit more power than the average rechargable drill. Other than that, very straightforward, seemed as if it was only about $100 or so.

Oh, the college days, towin' the bass tracker with the sentra.

HullSlap · 03-22-2005, 10:51 PM

Nothing wrong with U-Haul but they tend to do a sloppy splice job (my old Civic, Sentra and Accord) with the wiring. Check the Nissan website for a factory trailer wiring harness and see if they have on-line instructions. Not sure about Nissan but Honda has that info. My Honda Odyssey took about two hours of removing panels but the harness just snaps into place. Assembly is usually easier. Most auto hitches just bolt right on so I would do that yourself with a torque wrench.

If all else fails go to a dedicated trailer hitch shop. One hitch shop in my area fabricates and powder coats custom hitches for the price of off the rack models. They also do higher quality wiring for the most part.

gumshoe,

I hauled my old whaler with a Sentra and my wife's Civic back in my college days. Hardly knew it was back there.

BobEver · 03-23-2005, 12:04 PM

Thanks to all for the replies. BTW, the Nissan manual says I have a max tow capacity of 1000# with 100# on the tongue. I just picked up a small tiller driven boat to mess around with.

Called a local hitch place (not Uhaul) and they quoted me $250 installed for the hitch and wiring.

Josh · 03-23-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

BobEver - 3/23/2005 12:04 PM

Called a local hitch place (not Uhaul) and they quoted me $250 installed for the hitch and wiring.

That sounds a little high to me. I paid $140 for my SUV's hitch and another $30 for the wiring harness. I did the installation myself so it was only $170 all together. Can't imagine installation being $80! I'd call around and see what I could come up with.

Good luck!

enygard · 03-23-2005, 02:38 PM

I installed a hitch on my 99 Maxima. Ordered it from Hidden Hitch, I believe. Right around $100. Install was a breeze, as all you do is remove the tow hooks and it bolts into the same holes. Altima could be pretty similar. As far as wiring, I just used the universal adaptor and spliced into the brake/turn signal wires. I hang the plug out the trunk when I tow, and tuck it away the rest of the time.

It tows my 16' Carolina Skiff just fine, although I don't ever go on the highways.

Good luck,

Eric

74Formula233 · 03-23-2005, 03:05 PM

$250 installed is a decent price.

On that car, it is likely that you will have to cut an access hole in each "rail", as they are closed tube. There are 2 to 4 holes you drill yourself, which is easy, but making the access holes is not as "fun" LOL. You need the access holes to get the captive nut plates and bolts in there, then you need to drop them thru the holes from inside. Then the hitch gets bolted up to them.

Then you have to install the wiring, which, in some cases, involves a converter box.

Trust me, the $250 isn't bad once you look at what you have to do. It's not a big deal or a hard job, but it certainly is worth $80 to drop it off and pick it up at the end of the day done.

It's not the same "easy access" as a truck!

EDIT: I just read the above post about the Maxima......maybe yours is similar.....depends on the Class.

The procedure I saw was for a Mazda Millenia, with a Class II hitch.

boatsaleswon · 03-23-2005, 03:12 PM

I tow my 28 Scout with my Toyota Camry, I am not sure what to tell you. Sorry I couldnt help myself

BobEver · 03-23-2005, 04:03 PM

Also:

Looks like you might have to temporarily drop the exaust on the Altima, dont know if I want a non-pro like myself messing around with CO.

Thanks again for all the advice.

ESMDChris · 03-23-2005, 04:18 PM

i'd pay to have it done personally.....pep boys will install it for $50 if you buy it there.

i used to tow my jon boat with a civic.......

good times getting up out of a slimy ramp with my stickshift and crappy clutch.

boobania · 03-23-2005, 09:34 PM

I know you can get hitches very reasonably priced on E-bay. The sellers also sometimes give install pointers. I believe there is some hole drilling required. If you have the tools and the patience, I'm sure it isn't too hard. But as a previous poster mentioned Pep Boys, etc., you may want to hand the smashed knuckles, aggravation

(and liability) over to them for $50.00. Very cheap insurance.

boatowner1122 · 03-23-2005, 09:44 PM

I tow my F250 with my Trophy 19'.

Philyteach · 03-23-2005, 09:59 PM

Quote:

boatowner1122 - 3/23/2005 9:44 PM

I tow my F250 with my Trophy 19'.

So how do the door seals hold up while your towing it? Any leaks? I might be interested in taking my truck with me too.

boatowner1122 · 03-23-2005, 10:04 PM

No leaks, no gelcoat problems and the diesel runs great.