Thanks everyone for sharing so much information and your experience! I'm close to buying a 2018 Metris passenger van, and will most likely end up buying one without a factory-installed hitch (given what's available). I don't plan on towing a trailer and just need the hitch for a bike rack. My local dealer quoted ~$1,500 for parts and labor, which I assume includes the full towing kit incl electrical. Having read this forum thoroughly, my inclination is just to order the hitch, nuts and bolts, and install it myself. Given my plan, I would greatly appreciate it if you can confirm the following (and of course please feel free to comment, offer advice, etc.):
1. Parts needed (only for occasional bike rack use):
A 447 310 04 00 trailer coupling (hitch itself)
N 0000 0000 32 76 -- Nut (6)
N 9101 0501 20 01 -- Screw (6)
2. Where to buy: I'm not 100% sure, but it seems the hitch (447 310 04 00) is "discontinued" and stock is not being replenished. Is this true? I spoke to a couple of parts vendors and they said "place an order and wait," because they don't know if it's available.
3. Torque settings for the bolts: I couldn't find this information. Do I need a torque wrench for simple "bike rack only" hitch install? Can I just tighten the bolts down as hard as can, manually (average strength male)?
4. Inner plastic bumper removal: In the Youtube install video, it says this "hard inner plastic bumper" needs to be removed. It's not clear in the video, but won't removing this inner bumper reduce the overall protection provided by the van's rear bumper? Maybe it's just a small part, but I couldn't tell exactly what this inner bumper was.
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Many many thanks again.
1. Parts needed (only for occasional bike rack use):
A 447 310 04 00 trailer coupling (hitch itself)
N 0000 0000 32 76 -- Nut (6)
N 9101 0501 20 01 -- Screw (6)
2. Where to buy: I'm not 100% sure, but it seems the hitch (447 310 04 00) is "discontinued" and stock is not being replenished. Is this true? I spoke to a couple of parts vendors and they said "place an order and wait," because they don't know if it's available.
3. Torque settings for the bolts: I couldn't find this information. Do I need a torque wrench for simple "bike rack only" hitch install? Can I just tighten the bolts down as hard as can, manually (average strength male)?
4. Inner plastic bumper removal: In the Youtube install video, it says this "hard inner plastic bumper" needs to be removed. It's not clear in the video, but won't removing this inner bumper reduce the overall protection provided by the van's rear bumper? Maybe it's just a small part, but I couldn't tell exactly what this inner bumper was.
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Many many thanks again.