How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Adding a trailer hitch to a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport requires only a few tools, a CURT 13152 trailer hitch and about 40 minutes to complete the installation. Follow these basic steps to start hauling hitch-mounted accessories with your Hyundai Santa Fe Sport today.

About the CURT 13152

The CURT 13152 is a class 3, bolt-on trailer hitch designed for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The hitch has a max trailer weight of 6,000 lb. and a max tongue weight of 900 lb. No welding or drill are required for this installation.

Tools needed:

• Safety glasses
• Exhaust pliers
• Torque wrench
• Battery post cleaner
• 17mm socket Hacksaw
• ¾ in. socket Swivel
• 17mm socket
• 5 in. extension
• Locking strap
• Power drill

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport hitch installation steps

1. Remove the underbody paneling

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws holding the underbody paneling in place. Gently pull the paneling away from the body. Repeat this on the passenger side.

2. Lower the spare tire

Use an 11mm socket to lower the spare tire. The fastener is located underneath the vehicle on the passenger side. Note that the fastener is reverse thread. Remove the spare tire from the cord completely and set it aside.

3. Lower the exhaust

Use the exhaust pliers to push the isolator rods from the rubber exhaust hangers. There are three exhaust hangers: one on the driver side, another toward the center and another near the rear axle on the driver side. You may need to use soapy water to loosen the rods.

4. Trim the bumper posts

Use the hacksaw to remove the part of the bumper posts blocking the rearmost attachment holes on top of the frame on both sides. These can be discarded after they’re removed.

5. Clean the weld nuts

Use the battery post cleaner and scrub the weld nuts on the frame to create a clean thread.

6. Position the hitch

Using a second pair of hands, lift the hitch into position. Install the carriage bolts in the driver side frame rail and fasten with the hex bolts. On the passenger side, install the carriage bolts through the spacer then through the frame rail and fasten with the hex nuts. Install the M10 bolts in the weld nuts with the conical washers facing up so the teeth contact the hitch.

7. Torque the hitch

Use the torque wrench with the ¾-inch socket and torque the carriage bolts to 110 ft. lb. Fit the torque wrench with the 17mm socket and torque the M10 bolts to 48 ft. lb. You may need the 5 in. swivel to reach the rearmost M10 bolt on the driver side. The torque wrench should make a clicking sound when the correct amount of torque has been applied.

8. Raise the exhaust

Use the exhaust pliers or your hands to push the isolator rods back into the rubber exhaust hangers at all three locations.

9. Reinstall the underbody paneling

Put the panels back in place on both sides of the vehicle and reinstall using the screws that originally held it in place.

10. Return the spare tire

Reattach the spare tire to the metal clamp and use the drill with the 11mm socket to raise the tire back into place. Note that the fastener has a reverse thread.

Once installed, the hitch should measure:

• 5 in. from the pin hole to the end of the bumper
• 3 in. from the receiver to the end of the bumper
• 12 in. from the top of the receiver to the ground

You should now have your CURT 13152 trailer hitch installed on your 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.

Whatever vehicle you drive, we have a trailer hitch for you. Don’t have the time to install yourself? Schedule a professional installation at uhaul.com and we’ll do the work. If U-Haul doesn’t have a hitch for your vehicle, nobody does!