How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2006 Nissan Altima

To add a trailer hitch to a 2006 Nissan Altima you will need a handful of tools, a CURT 11264 trailer hitch and about 45 minutes to complete the installation. Follow these basic steps to start hauling all sorts of hitch-mounted accessories with your Nissan Altima today.

About the CURT 11264

The CURT 11264 is a class 1, bolt-on trailer hitch designed for the 2006 Nissan Altima. The hitch has a max trailer weight of 2,000 lb. and a max tongue weight of 200 lb. Adding this trailer hitch to your Nissan Altima will allow you to haul items like bike racks, cargo carriers or U-Haul trailers.

Tools needed:

• Safety glasses 
• Flathead screwdriver 
• Torque wrench 
• Socket wrench 
• 12mm socket 
• 3/4 socket  
• 5/8 extension 
• 7/16 socket 
• Air saw

2006 Nissan Altima hitch installation steps

1. Remove the spare tire

Remove the flooring in the trunk. Unscrew the center support by hand and remove the spare tire and rubber plug from the front drain hole. Set these items aside.

2. Lower the exhaust

Support the exhaust by wrapping a strap around the tailpipe and tying it to a sturdy engine component, like a crossmember. Use the 12mm socket to remove the two exhaust hanger brackets and lower the exhaust. The first exhaust hanger bracket is above the exhaust muffle and the second is near the center of the vehicle.

3. Widen the access holes

Locate the access holes on the bottom of the frame on both sides of the vehicle. There are two on each side near the rearmost attachment point. Use the air saw to cut away the space between the holes creating one large access hole. Be sure the spacer and carriage bolt can easily fit through the access hole.

4. Thread the hardware

Feed the provided fish wire through the attachment point and out the access hole coil end first. Attach the 7/16-inch carriage bolt and spacer to the coil, push both through access hole and pull the wire until the bolt drops through the attachment point. Repeat this step on both sides of the vehicle.

5. Remove the bumper fasteners

Use the flat head screwdriver to remove the plastic fasteners holding the rear bumper in place. Each fastener is two pieces. Be sure to keep both pieces together for reinstallation.

6. Position the hitch

Pull back on the bumper and lift the hitch into position. You may need a second pair of hands to assist you. Install the hex nuts on the 7/16 bolts and tighten by hand.

7. Attach the trunk strap

Align the two square holes on the trunk strap with the square holes on the hitch plate. Install the ½-inch carriage bolts and flange nuts in each hole. Using another ½-inch bolt and provided circular spacer attached, drop the bolt thread through the front drain hole in the trunk and into the trunk strap hole underneath. Secure with a flange nut.

8. Drill hole in the trunk

Using the middle trunk strap attachment point as a guide, drill a ½-inch hole in the trunk pan over the middle attachment point on the trunk strap. Repeat the previous step using another ½-inch carriage bolt, spacer and flange nut.

9. Torque the hitch and trunk strap

Use the torque wrench to torque the ½-inch bolts on the trunk strap to 110 ft. lb. and the 7/16-inch bolts on the frame to 70 ft. lb. The torque wrench should make a clicking sound when the correct amount of torque has been applied.

10. Raise the exhaust

Use the 12mm socket to reinstall both exhaust hanger brackets. Remove the strap.

11. Reattach the bumper

Return the plastic fasteners and secure the bumper.

Once installed, the hitch should measure:

• 4 ½ in. from the pin hole to the end of the bumper
• 2 in. from the receiver to the end of the bumper 
• 10 in. from the top of the receiver to the ground

You should now have your CURT 11264 trailer hitch installed on your 2006 Nissan Altima. 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!