Installing the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2021 Jeep Compass

Click for more info and reviews of this etrailer Trailer Hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc... Check out some similar Trailer Hitch options: https://www.etrailer.com/fitguide.htm Search for other popular Jeep Compass parts and accessories: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle/2021... https://www.etrailer.com Don’t forget to subscribe!    / etrailertv   Full transcript: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-c... How are we doing today, neighbors Ian with etrailer here. And today we're gonna be taking a look at and then installing the etrailer two inch by two inch receiver on our 2021 Jeep Compass. Let's getting into a couple features of that and then the install. Now the Jeep Compass is already known as a very reliable, comfortable four-by-four that's gonna take you out to those campsites or any trails that you may want to get out to. And not having a hitch on the back of it is gonna limit you to just your roof and the capacity space you have in the back of the vehicle. Adding that hitch is gonna open up to cargo carriers, bike racks, or even a small towable, possibly. And while mentioning capacities, we are running at 4,000 pounds total for the towing capacity of this hitch and 600 pounds on that tongue weight. Now, of course, you would wanna refer back to the owner's manual of your vehicle so that way you can make sure that number on the rating is not lower. And if it is lower, go with that lower rated number. This will feature a matte black finish on it with that two inch by two inch receiver, taking a 5/8 inch pin. And it does not come with the kit, so you will wanna look at our options on the website when placing your order to include those nice locking options to keep your accessory or trailer safe. And then I really do like this hitch as far as the safety chain loops. They're nice and accessible. And regardless of what type of safety chain retainer you have, they're going to work fantastically. And a couple measurements to keep in mind for the shank of your accessory or your towable, possibly. If you're looking for that clearance, we're gonna go from the center of the hitch pin hole out to the edge of the bumper, and we're looking at four inches there. So if you've got any folding accessories, that'll kind of give you an idea of how far that's gonna be in and if it's gonna make contact with the rear of the vehicle. And another measurement to keep in mind, from the ground to the inside of that receiver tube at the top, we're looking just below 15 inches. I wouldn't say the install of this one is all that bad. It is a little bit involved as far as drilling some holes for us to be able to fish wire some hardware up into the frame, and that's about as hard as it's gonna get. I'm gonna walk you through that entire process. But if you happen to watch the video and think to yourself, "I don't want to try to tackle that." Please do check out our dealer locator on the website. We'd be happy to help find a trained professional in your area to get this taken care of. But for all those DIYer's, let's go ahead and hop into that install and I'll get you through the process. Underneath the rear of the vehicle here, we're gonna start with two T30 screws that are holding on the fascia, so we'll just drop those out. (electric ratchet whirring) We are gonna be lowering the exhaust. That's gonna be both sides of our muffler. There is a 13 millimeter bolt on the exhaust hangar that we're gonna pull loose. But before we do so, we do wanna make sure we've got some way to support the exhaust system to avoid any damage. Make sure that's good and secure and remove both of those bolts on the hangers. (electric ratchet whirring) (electric ratchet whirring) Now we can come back to the strap or however we're holding that up, and just loosen it enough to where we'll be able to slide the hitch up onto the rails of the vehicle. Now we're gonna be removing the heat shield above the muffler here, we do need to remove three 11 millimeter nuts. The first one is at the rear of the vehicle. And then in front of the muffler, we've got two that hold that up as well. (electric ratchet whirring) (electric ratchet whirring) Now we can pull that heat shield out. If we need to, we may have to lower the muffler just a little bit more here. Make sure you've got good support on that when you loosen up your strap. (metal clacking) We will need to trim this heat shield down. And the best way to do so is you've got a large section that's all just rectangular. We're gonna start at the bins where it tapers in and we'll cut all that off straight across on both sides. I do suggest either a pair of tin snips or maybe a cutting wheel on a grinder would work as well. With that trimmed, we can put it back in the position it was in,