[chindog]

Today I received my Curt 13119 hitch for my 2012 CR-V EXL. Got a good price on it, too. Bought it from JC Whitney with a 20% coupon, and the delivered price was $105. Now, it's time to put it on. The installation videos on the interwebs show the removal of the undercarriage cover, cutting out the hole where the driver's side hitch bracket will mount, and replacing the cover. I'm wondering if it is really necessary to remove the cover. Since the dimensions for the cutout are graphed out pretty well in the installation instructions, wouldn't it be possible to do the cutting without removing the panel? Has anyone ever done the installation without removing the panel?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[chindog]

I wound up taking off the cover to make the cut. The installation instructions said it would take 1/2 hour for a professional, or 1 hour for an amateur. It wound up taking me 3 1/2 hours, most of which was trying to figure out how the panel went back on. Also, the installation instructions, and the videos on the internet, didn't mention how to handle the insulation pad on the cover. I ripped the insulation pad from the points where it was glued, and cut out the section where I cut the cover panel. Then, I put some new adhesive down around the pad after i had made the cuts.

I still haven't mounted the hitch. But, I've got the hole on the driver's side connection ready to go.

 

[chindog]

MrJones, I think you left your flashlight inside the undercarriage panel.

I wound up taking the panel off to cut the opening. Then, when I was putting the panel back on, I got vertigo from laying on my back under the car, so now I've got the cutout done, but haven't yet mounted the hitch.