CURT 13381 3 Trailer Hitch Instruction Manual

CURT 13381 3 Trailer Hitch

Product Information

glasses
Level of Difficulty| EASY (No drilling required)

Product Usage Instructions

1. Before you begin installation, read all instructions thoroughly.
2. To ease installation, 2 people may be required.
3. Using proper tools will greatly improve the quality of the install and reduce the time required.
4. If you need help or have questions, call technical support at 877.287.8634.
5. Lower exhaust by removing (2) bolts from each rear exhaust hanger bracket (1 per side) using a 13mm socket.
6. If your vehicle is a 2022 or newer model and has a plastic shroud connecting the frame and bumper cover rear of the muffler, remove it and return it to the vehicle owner.
7. If your vehicle has factory hardware, follow these steps:
8. Remove (4) M10-1.5 x 40mm bolts from the outside of the frame rails with a 16mm socket (2 per side).
9. Raise the hitch into position and reinstall the (4) M10 bolts removed in step 1.
10. Torque all M10 bolts to 45 ft-lbs.
11. Periodically check this receiver hitch to ensure all fasteners are tight and all structural components are sound.

Note : Safety glasses should be worn at all times while installing this product. Never exceed your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended towing capacity.

If you are hesitant to undertake this task on your own, contact an authorized CURT installer for additional assistance. This product complies with safety specifications and requirements for connecting devices and towing systems of the state of New York, V.E.S.C.Regulation V-5, and SAE J684. For more information, visit www.curtmfg.com.

WARNING
Safety glasses should be worn at all times while installing this product .
WARNING : NEVER EXCEED YOUR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED TOWING CAPACITY For more information log onto www.curtmfg.com & for helpful towing tips log onto www.hitchinfo.com

WEIGHT CARRYING:

• TRAILER WEIGHT:  3,500 LBS.
• TONGUE WEIGHT: 525 LBS.

PRO INSTALL TIME: 20 MINUTES
NOVICE INSTALL TIME: 30 MIN.
IF YOU ARE HESITANT TO UNDERTAKE
THIS TASK ON YOUR OWN, CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED CURT INSTALLER FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

INSTALLATION REQUIRES

INSTALLATION TIPS

1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION, READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY.
2. TO EASE INSTALLATION, 2 PEOPLE MAY BE REQUIRED.
3. USING PROPER TOOLS WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE INSTALL AND REDUCE THE TIME REQUIRED.
4. NEED HELP OR HAVE SOME QUESTIONS? CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT 877.287.8634

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

VEHICLE PHOTO: REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO

HITCH ILLUSTRATION MAKE SURE YOUR HITCH MATCHES

PERIODICALLY CHECK THIS RECEIVER HITCH TO ENSURE ALL FASTENERS ARE TIGHT AND ALL STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS ARE SOUND
CURT Manufacturing LLC. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and/or workmanship at the time of retail purchase by the original purchaser. If the product is found to be defective, CURT Manufacturing LLC. may repair or replace the product at their option, when the product is returned, prepaid, with proof of purchase. Alteration to, misuse of, or improper installation of this product voids the warranty. CURT Manufacturing LLC.’s liability is limited to the repair or replacement of products found to be defective and specifically excludes liability for incidental or consequential loss or damage.
For more information log onto www.curtmfg.com
This product complies with safety specifications and requirements for connecting devices and towing systems of the state of New York, V.E.S.C.Regulation V-5 and SAE J684.

INSTALLATION WALKTHROUGH

1. Lower exhaust by removing (2) bolts from each rear exhausthanger bracket (1 per side) using a 13mm socket.
   2022 and newer models: If present, remove the plastic shroud connecting the frame and bumper cover rear of the muffler and return to the vehicle owner. Vehicles with factory hardware:

2. a. Remove (4) M10-1.5 x 40mm bolts from the outside of the frame rails with a 16mm socket (2 per side).

3. a. Raise the hitch into position and reinstall the (4) M10 bolts removed in step 1. Torque all M10 bolts to 45 ft-lbs. Vehicles without factory hardware:

   • 2b. Fishwire 7/16″ carriage bolt and CM-SP2 spacer through the access hole in the bottom of frame rails and leave in the frame.
   • 3b. Raise hitch into position feeding fisheries through mounting holes in hitch. Pull hardware out of frame and secure hitch with 7/16″ nuts. Torque all 7/16″ hardware to 59 ft-lbs.

4. Raise the exhaust back into position and reinstall the remaining fasteners removed in step 1.

TDWINGI SAFETY INFORMATION

Gross Trailer Weight I GTW

• The Gross Trailer Weight is the weight of the trailer & cargo. Measure this by putting the fully loaded trailer on a vehide scale.

Tongue Weight / TW

• The downward force that is exerted on the hitch ball by the coupler. The tongue weight will vary depending on where the load is positioned in relation to the trailer axle(s}. To measure the tongue weight, use either a commercial scale or a bathroom scale with the coupler at towing height. When using a bathroom scale with heavier tongue weights, use the method shown and multiply the scale reading by 3.

Weight Carrying / WC

• The total weight of both the trailer and the cargo inside.
• Never exceed the weight capacity of your trailer hitch.

Weight Distribution / WD

• Used to balance the weight of the cargo between the front and rear wheels throughout the trailer, allowing for better steering, braking, and level riding.

Sway Control

• A device used to reduce the lateral movements of the trailer that are caused by the wind. This works in conjunction with a weight distribution hitch. Do not use this on a class 1 or 2 hitch, or with surge brakes.

How Much Can You Safely Tow?

Ball Mount
The ball mount is placed inside the opening of the receiver hitch which is mounted to the vehicle. Make sure a hitch pin and chp is properly securing the ball mount to the receiver hitch before you begin towing.

• A: Rise. B: Drop. C: Hole Size. D: Length.

Trailer Ball
The connection from the hitch to the trailer. There are many factors that determine the correct hitch ball:

• Number one is the hitch ball’s gross trailer weight rating.
• The mounting platform must be at least 3/8″ thih ck.
• The hole diameter must not be more than 1/16 larger than the threaded shank.
• Every time you tow, check the nut and lock washer to make sure they are fastened securely.
• A: Ball Dia. B: Shank Length. C: Shank Dia. D: Shank Rise.

Coupler
The component is placed over the trailer ball to connect the vehicle to the trailer. Be sure that the coupler size matches the size of the hitch ball and that the coupler handle is securely fastened. To determine what size hitch ball you need for your application you will need to know the size of the coupler that is on the trailer. Be sure your coupler is properly adjusted to the ball you are using.
NOTE : For added security, the use of safety devices such as Coupler Safety Pins and Locks is strongly recommended.

Safety Chains

Safety chains are a requirement and should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Always leave enough slack so you can turn. Never allow the safety chains to drag on the ground and never attach the chains to the bumper.
Trailer Classification: Safety Chain Breaking Force • Minimum

• Class 1: 2,000 lbs. (8.9 kN}
• Class 2: 3,500 lbs. (15.6 kN)
• Class 3: 5,000 lbs. (22.2 kN)

The strength rating of each length of the safety chain or its equivalent and its attachments shall be equal to or exceed in minimum breaking force the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the trailer.

Electrical

• Trailer lights, Electric Brakes, Break-away systems – Every time you tow, be sure to check that all components are working properly.

Wiring identification by color

GROSS LOAD CAPACITY WHEN USED AS A WEIGHT-CARRYING HITCH:
WARNING : DO NOT EXCEED VEHICLE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED TOWING CAPACITY
FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ONTO WWW.CURTMFG.COM
HAVING INSTALLATION QUESTIONS? CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT 877-287-8634

INSTALLATION STEPS

1. Lower exhaust by removing (2) bolts from each rear exhaust hanger bracket (1 per side) using a 13mm socket. 2022 and newer models: If present, remove the plastic shroud connecting the frame and bumper cover rear of
   the muffler and return it to the vehicle owner.
   Vehicles with factory hardware:

2. a. Remove (4) M10-1.5 x 40mm bolts from the outside of the frame rails with a 16mm socket (2 per side).

3. a. Raise the hitch into position and reinstall the (4) M10 bolts removed in step 1. Torque all M10 bolts to 45 ft-lbs.
   Vehicles without factory hardware:
   2b. Fishwire 7/16″ carriage bolt and CM-SP2 spacer through the access hole in the bottom of frame rails and leave in the frame.
   3b. Raise the hitch into position feeding fish wires through mounting holes in the hitch. Pull hardware out of the frame and secure hitch with 7/16″ nuts. Torque all 7/16″ hardware to 59 ft-lbs.

4. Raise the exhaust back into position and reinstall the remaining fasteners removed in step 1.

PERIODICALLY CHECK THIS RECEIVER HITCH TO ENSURE THAT ALL FASTENERS ARE TIGHT AND THAT ALL STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS ARE SOUND.
CURT Manufacturing LLC., warrants this product to be free of defects in material and/or workmanship at the time of retail purchase by the original purchaser. If the product is found to be defective, CURT Manufacturing LLC. may repair or replace the product, at their option, when the product is returned, prepaid, with proof of purchase. Alteration to, misuse of, or improper installation of this product voids the warranty. CURT Manufacturing LLC.’s liability is limited to the repair or replacement of products found to be defective and specifically excludes liability for incidental or consequential loss or damage.
This product complies with safety specifications and requirements for connecting devices and towing systems of the state of New York, V.E.S.C.Regulation V-5 and SAE J684.

SCAN FOR MORE INFO

Documents / Resources

| CURT 13381 3 Trailer Hitch [pdf] Instruction Manual
13381 3 Trailer Hitch, 13381, 3 Trailer Hitch, Trailer Hitch, Hitch
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References

• CURT: Trailer Hitches - Trailer Wiring - 5th Wheel - Gooseneck

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