becker69
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- January 28, 2001
- Messages
- 988
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Centennial, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 01 Sport Trac
First let me premise this by saying 2 things; 1. I did searches on this brand of hitch and only one person from searching has one... 2. The install was a major PITA and thought I could get some laughs due to my bad luck. I ordered the hitch online (great price) then I went on Temporary DutY to Vegas (I know... how hard is it in the military now? 
When I got back, the box looked like it had been to Columbia and back and the packing list said 'all complaints or whining should be completed within 3 days of shipment reciept' or something like that (I was on day 9). So I bought a torque wrench... some random sockets and 5 days later I set out to install it....
Well regardless of details... let's just say that the first hour didn't go so well (not to mention I am trying to overcome my mechanical ineptitude). Tonight I got squared away and guess what.... I measured it and the hitch was short.... after cursing a storm I looked at the side hitch flanges (or whatever you call them) and one was completely bent inward and upward. I had not even check the hitch to see if it was square?!! After measuring the welds and the hitch itself... I concluded that the bend/length problem WAS NOT because of Putnam.... After reviewing my options; swallowing $110, or *****ing at UPS to ultimately get nothing.... I bent that **** over (so to speak). After about an hour of bending the sides outward... I finally got into shape enough to install. Absolutely nothing went right when trying to line up holes for bolts or anything. It took me 3 hours to get that mother #uc$$# on!! Holy hell was I mad... ultimately I ended up with one the best hitches I have looked at installed on my own truck by myself. The finish on it is really quite good. Anyhow just had to share how my lack of mechanical skills/proper tools can still yield a sound installation. Take care.
Now it's time to have some beers
When I got back, the box looked like it had been to Columbia and back and the packing list said 'all complaints or whining should be completed within 3 days of shipment reciept' or something like that (I was on day 9). So I bought a torque wrench... some random sockets and 5 days later I set out to install it....Well regardless of details... let's just say that the first hour didn't go so well (not to mention I am trying to overcome my mechanical ineptitude). Tonight I got squared away and guess what.... I measured it and the hitch was short.... after cursing a storm I looked at the side hitch flanges (or whatever you call them) and one was completely bent inward and upward. I had not even check the hitch to see if it was square?!! After measuring the welds and the hitch itself... I concluded that the bend/length problem WAS NOT because of Putnam.... After reviewing my options; swallowing $110, or *****ing at UPS to ultimately get nothing.... I bent that **** over (so to speak). After about an hour of bending the sides outward... I finally got into shape enough to install. Absolutely nothing went right when trying to line up holes for bolts or anything. It took me 3 hours to get that mother #uc$$# on!! Holy hell was I mad... ultimately I ended up with one the best hitches I have looked at installed on my own truck by myself. The finish on it is really quite good. Anyhow just had to share how my lack of mechanical skills/proper tools can still yield a sound installation. Take care.
Now it's time to have some beers
