Any tricks on reinstalling the trailer hitch cover?

[CharonPDX]

(Mine got removed while my delivery person was still at my house, and has been stored in a cabinet in the garage ever since.)

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[veerthetiguy]

(Mine got removed while my delivery person was still at my house, and has been stored in a cabinet in the garage ever since.)

I'm with you - is there a downside to keeping it off all the time? I'm in SoCal so not a lot of snow/ice but occasional rain

 

[JohnB R1T]

I took mine off the first time I installed the hitch. It's been off ever since and stowed in the gear tunnel. I will likely put it back when I sell the truck. Most of the time, the hitch is in place, but sometimes not.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I bought the aftermarket fasteners from the person on here they are on backorder but look to be projected return in Nov. https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair?_pos=2&_fid=32a026c00&_ss=c

It turns those coin screws into hand-operable fasteners and makes the process much easier. You still need to lie on the ground but don't need a tool; they are also easier to line up.

 

[rodhx]

Interesting, I never gave it much thought. Works the same as the cover my 2009 Tahoe had. I just undo the 2 screws and pull it down, putting it back on I just line the tabs up and push them in then rotate the cover up and attach the screws.

I’ve had mine off maybe 8 times, just like the one on the Tahoe, over time it is easier to pull out and push in, the first few times it is fairly tight.

Yep, I have mine off several times a year. It's a bit fiddly but no real problem. Helps to have it pointed down to line up the tabs, then push it up into place and tighten the screws.

 

[johnj2803]

I wish they had something similar to my model Y

Amazon.com: Hitch Cover for Tesla Model Y, Magnet Design for Quick Installation : Automotive

 

[jeeden]

I bought the aftermarket fasteners from the person on here they are on backorder but look to be projected return in Nov. https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair?_pos=2&_fid=32a026c00&_ss=c

It turns those coin screws into hand-operable fasteners and makes the process much easier. You still need to lie on the ground but don't need a tool; they are also easier to line up.

I think everyone has pretty much put the answer here across different responses. To summarize:

- Get the thumbscrews above and replace the factor slotted screws, makes like much easier
- Line up the tabs starting at one side, get them engaged a little and then give the cover a good whack and it will pop in
- For removal, unfasten, pivot the bottom out and then pull straight down hard.
- In all cases, avoid twisting or pulling "outward" so you don't snap the tabs off.

 

[SwampNut]

I bought my truck used and the cover was missing. But I've also had the experience, more than once, of someone bumping my vehicle while parking. Plus it's nice to have a step into the bed. Aaaannnd...those plastic bumpers will not do well off road if I bottom them out. So I did this for about $70...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NVHVVRP

Protection from all of these problems and a nice step.

 

[a99ieJem]

I think everyone has pretty much put the answer here across different responses. To summarize:

- Get the thumbscrews above and replace the factor slotted screws, makes like much easier
- Line up the tabs starting at one side, get them engaged a little and then give the cover a good whack and it will pop in
- For removal, unfasten, pivot the bottom out and then pull straight down hard.
- In all cases, avoid twisting or pulling "outward" so you don't snap the tabs off.

I used these Mcmaster-Carr thumb screws in mine. https://www.mcmaster.com/94188A210

Cheaper than those others and also in stock.

I haven't had to get down on the ground since replacing the screws...as long as the tabs are set properly as @jeeden instructed.

*Edit: I do believe I had to trim the flats on those screws a bit so they would fit in the recess properly. I just used some wire cutters to clip both ends.

 

[jeeden]

I used these Mcmaster-Carr thumb screws in mine. https://www.mcmaster.com/94188A210

Cheaper than those others and also in stock.

I haven't had to get down on the ground since replacing the screws...as long as the tabs are set properly as @jeeden instructed.

*Edit: I do believe I had to trim the flats on those screws a bit so they would fit in the recess properly. I just used some wire cutters to clip both ends.

I had forgotten that I actually did get the mcmaster ones as well. I don't think I needed to trim them though. They have been flawless and I was pretty surprised they weren't stock since they are on Ford SUVs etc.

 

[CharonPDX]

I'm with you - is there a downside to keeping it off all the time? I'm in SoCal so not a lot of snow/ice but occasional rain

In theory slightly better efficiency - but the only time eking out every bit of efficiency matters for me is when I'm towing.

 

[9527]

I’ve been getting that cover removed and reattached a lot this summer (for a bike rack) and I’ve got the hang of it. But I do see the plastic taps starting to wear out.

I might just make this a once a season thing. Put the cover on for winter, and leave it off for the summer. I might get something like the Weathertech bumpstep

 

[Scottm]

I bought the aftermarket fasteners from the person on here they are on backorder but look to be projected return in Nov. https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair?_pos=2&_fid=32a026c00&_ss=c

It turns those coin screws into hand-operable fasteners and makes the process much easier. You still need to lie on the ground but don't need a tool; they are also easier to line up.

yes this is what I do to. It’s not that big of a deal when you can do it by hand.

 

[Heimat]

I used these Mcmaster-Carr thumb screws in mine. https://www.mcmaster.com/94188A210

Cheaper than those others and also in stock.

I haven't had to get down on the ground since replacing the screws...as long as the tabs are set properly as @jeeden instructed.

*Edit: I do believe I had to trim the flats on those screws a bit so they would fit in the recess properly. I just used some wire cutters to clip both ends.

I used the same, and cut the ends off. Great replacement.

 

[Geomglot]

I used these Mcmaster-Carr thumb screws in mine. https://www.mcmaster.com/94188A210

Cheaper than those others and also in stock.

I haven't had to get down on the ground since replacing the screws...as long as the tabs are set properly as @jeeden instructed.

*Edit: I do believe I had to trim the flats on those screws a bit so they would fit in the recess properly. I just used some wire cutters to clip both ends.

Thanks to the suggestions here I ordered them from McMaster - $1.92 each, $14 shipping to Canada ? but they did arrive in a day. I also had to trim the flats (used my angle grinder!) so they would fit into the recess. This seems to be a good solution.

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