Well, I decided to add a hitch to my '08 Santy AWD Limeted without the tow package. When I purchased the Santy, I couldn't see spending the extra
couple grand for a tow package and 3rd row seat when it's just me, my wife and daughter, and hauling a little lightweight trailer and sometimes a hitch
mounted bike rack. . For $180.00, I can install one myself!
A few casual observations that may help someone if they decide to do the same in the future and want a couple pointers!
#1 - I found that etrailer.com was my cheapest option for a purchase (at least when I purchased it, this may change at any given time!) I bought a Draw-Tite hitch, but the Hidden Hitch brand is identical. They even have an instructional video of an actual install of the very hitch on an '07 Santa Fe (which will also fit the '08 and I am assuming the '09 thus far -no feedback yet). Shipping was free, but I opted for the 3 to 5 day express shipping for $7.50 more and it was delivered from St. Louis to my home (halfway between Harrisburg & Philly, PA) in 3 days. Good deal!!
#2 - Hitch install is CONSIDERABLY easier than it was on my '02 Santy 7 years ago! No complaints there. A helper is definately, well.... helpful, but if you are installing it on you're own - it weighs in at 50lbs., and you will want to prop one end up on something while you mount the other end. Otherwise, put your significant other to work, or better yet, your children. If you do not have any children, I highly recommend borrowing someone elses children which in turn will give them something constructive, rather than destructive, to do!! (j/k of course, but you get the idea!) To be honest, there is only 4 bolts, 2 on each side and you're done.
#3 - My best advice for install of an aftermarket hitch on the 2nd gen Santy: Run the screws in the holes prior to attempting to mount the hitch. Sounds obvious I know, but as I noticed, there was a little undercoating that dripped into the threads when the vehicle was manufactured. This would indeed be most aggrevating to those who choose to throw on the hitch without checking to see if the screws will thread all the way through. I had a wire pole brush for the battery posts that I was able to use to clean the threads enough to use.
Next, if you have the means, I would definately recommend backing the Santy up on a set of ramps. You can crawl under the back without them, but if you're a big boy like me, you find that the bottom of the hitch is darn near sitting on your chest while you're trying to mount it. A little more breathing room would be nice!
Also, use a 5/8" short socket with a long extension on a wrachet-wrench. This will make a world of difference trying to mount those screws in a tight little area between the muffler and the side of the hitch. Big hands, big problems, tiny space, several curses, if you don't have these two items, because it is such a very, very simple 5 minute install if you DO have these two items! Me???? I had the opposite! A 5/8" long socket with a short extension. This works, but it left me relying on threading the screws by hand in a tiny area which added 10 more minutes because my hands do not fit between the muffler and the side of the hitch! Duh!
I haven't tackled the wiring harness as of yet. But thats a simple task as well, just time consuming.
A few casual observations that may help someone if they decide to do the same in the future and want a couple pointers!
#1 - I found that etrailer.com was my cheapest option for a purchase (at least when I purchased it, this may change at any given time!) I bought a Draw-Tite hitch, but the Hidden Hitch brand is identical. They even have an instructional video of an actual install of the very hitch on an '07 Santa Fe (which will also fit the '08 and I am assuming the '09 thus far -no feedback yet). Shipping was free, but I opted for the 3 to 5 day express shipping for $7.50 more and it was delivered from St. Louis to my home (halfway between Harrisburg & Philly, PA) in 3 days. Good deal!!
#2 - Hitch install is CONSIDERABLY easier than it was on my '02 Santy 7 years ago! No complaints there. A helper is definately, well.... helpful, but if you are installing it on you're own - it weighs in at 50lbs., and you will want to prop one end up on something while you mount the other end. Otherwise, put your significant other to work, or better yet, your children. If you do not have any children, I highly recommend borrowing someone elses children which in turn will give them something constructive, rather than destructive, to do!! (j/k of course, but you get the idea!) To be honest, there is only 4 bolts, 2 on each side and you're done.
#3 - My best advice for install of an aftermarket hitch on the 2nd gen Santy: Run the screws in the holes prior to attempting to mount the hitch. Sounds obvious I know, but as I noticed, there was a little undercoating that dripped into the threads when the vehicle was manufactured. This would indeed be most aggrevating to those who choose to throw on the hitch without checking to see if the screws will thread all the way through. I had a wire pole brush for the battery posts that I was able to use to clean the threads enough to use.
Next, if you have the means, I would definately recommend backing the Santy up on a set of ramps. You can crawl under the back without them, but if you're a big boy like me, you find that the bottom of the hitch is darn near sitting on your chest while you're trying to mount it. A little more breathing room would be nice!
Also, use a 5/8" short socket with a long extension on a wrachet-wrench. This will make a world of difference trying to mount those screws in a tight little area between the muffler and the side of the hitch. Big hands, big problems, tiny space, several curses, if you don't have these two items, because it is such a very, very simple 5 minute install if you DO have these two items! Me???? I had the opposite! A 5/8" long socket with a short extension. This works, but it left me relying on threading the screws by hand in a tiny area which added 10 more minutes because my hands do not fit between the muffler and the side of the hitch! Duh!
I haven't tackled the wiring harness as of yet. But thats a simple task as well, just time consuming.
