2025 RS trailer package (Receiver Hitch) (What does it look like installed)

[penright]

We just bought our 2025 this week and I was looking for receivers that would fit it. I found one on the Chevrolet website.
My question is what does it look like installed?
I can not find any pictures online. I joined this forum a while back, while I was working on my granddaughter's 2017. I was hoping maybe someone has had one installed and would share a picture.
It also says the hitch plug and bezel are sold separately, I do not see them anywhere. If it was something in the refrigerator, I would just ask my wife, I am sure it is right in front of me and I just don't see it.
Anyone with any experience that can help?

 

[penright]

Last night, I took a picture of the underside.





I also zoomed in on the bracket




It looks like to me that you have to pull the bumper. Then it slides into the frame rail up to the flange. Then the bumper and exhaust mount goes back on. I am making that assumption based on the threads are on the bracket and there are just 4 bolts with no nuts. The two flat washers with the two holes, makes me think they have to come from the bottom. The flat washers look like it adds support by sandwiching the frame rail between the washer and bracket. I like the way it is connected between the rail and bumper. That adds some support from downward weight, but also rear pull.

The Curt model that I found is a lot cheaper but is more of the traditional method of fishing the bolt through the frame rail. It has 3 bolts but they only hold it against the frame rail.

I still would love to see some pictures. The Curt one was a 2024 model, I think.

 

[AmmoJoe]

Hi I just came across your post in the weekly email. I have a 2019 equinox (I know you have a 2025 and there is a model change) and I installed an aftermarket hitch receiver. If I can give you any advise it is to go with the oem one if it mounts up higher than an aftermarket using the frame holes underneath. I say this bc the one on my car is very low and I wind up scraping if I have anything hitched up. I bought a hitch riser to bring it up higher but coming out of my driveway I will still scrape the underside of the riser or the bottom of a cargo basket, empty.

 

[penright]

@AmmoJoe thanks for the info. I was about 70 toward the OEM. Not sure if it will be any lower, I guess that depends on whether they give a new lower valance. Comparing the pictures it does not look like it.
Now I am about 85% toward the OEM. My only question now is about the valance. The RS has the painted one, I don't want to start cutting on it. I wish could find someone with a 2025 that had pictures.

 

[AmmoJoe]

@AmmoJoe thanks for the info. I was about 70 toward the OEM. Not sure if it will be any lower, I guess that depends on whether they give a new lower valance. Comparing the pictures it does not look like it.
Now I am about 85% toward the OEM. My only question now is about the valance. The RS has the painted one, I don't want to start cutting on it. I wish could find someone with a 2025 that had pictures.

View attachment 2648

On the previous generation the rear bumper would actually get cut and a trim piece would be installed. The part would replace the actual metal bumper underneath the cover.

 

[penright]

On the previous generation the rear bumper would actually get cut and a trim piece would be installed. The part would replace the actual metal bumper underneath the cover.

Thank you, .....
I can see that now, my first thought, it was sandwiched between the bumper, how the hitch sits in front of the flange there is no way. I don't see the trim piece in the photo of the OEM.

 

[Rocky]

2024 LT
I purchased a factory GM hitch (84078271). The receiver sits up inside the rear bumper. Much cleaner than any other third party receiver I've seen. It took 2 - 3 hours to install. I found a good video on youtube showing / explaining the work. My bezel trim piece was factory cut and clipped in on the top and screws hold the bottom. Easy to remove and expose the receiver or keep covered when not in use like there is no hitch. The hitch plug was included in the kit I purchased.

 

[AmmoJoe]

I like the rear bumper on the 22-24 models with that hitch cover.

 

[penright]

My bezel trim piece was factory cut and clipped in on the top and screws hold the bottom.

Thanks for the picture. That should be the same since 2025 sits on the D2XX platform. I am not that knowable, I just know how to Google.
I am guessing you installed your, correct? I am guessing mine is not "factory cut". Am I missing something?

 

[Rocky]

This post is for a 2024 LT. I have not seen a 2025. I believe 25 is the start of a new gen body (4?). So this application may not apply to your vehicle.
Yes, I did do the install of the hitch
The pictures of your fascia' don't look like mine. Per the 3 attached fascia pictures. My hitch trim cover was factory cut and screwed in place.
Hope this helps...

 

[penright]

Hope this helps...

Very much so. It tells me mine is going to be hard. I think GM would have considered that for the new body style. I reached out to the salesman, and he pointed me to a service writer.
The body is new. My understanding is the frame is not and looking at your "Hitch Expose" that part looks the same. Thanks so much for your time in putting this together for us.

 

[penright]

With the help of @Rocky pictures, I started calling, first bouncing around Chevy, then a local dealer. Rocky's cutout was a factory cut out and this online video of a 2018 shows him cutting and installing a bezel.

The dealer pointed out the online specs and said the bezel was sold separately. He could find one for the 2024, but not the 2025. Since I don't have enough experience with a new car, especially bleeding edge new, I am not sure if the documentation is behind or does it means it will not exist in 2025 models. Not sure where to go from here, I guess just wait to see if they list a 2025 bezel someday. I wonder how often to check?

 

[penright]

My GM friend pulled the instructions for the rear fascia. The bottom line is that the instructions looked just like the Gen 3 in the video.


Something is not right. I hope someone from GM runs across this post.
This document has the right year (red arrow) but later on, instructions do not match the 2025 as you can see from my pervious pictures.

 

[penright]

Some have asked me about the OE install. I have not done that yet. I would like to but I don't trust the Kit. The instruction pictures do not match what I am seeing. Also, I heard that the connector may not be as expected.
The 2024 has 6 pins and the 2025 has 4.
Can someone who has done who has done both can confirm? I did go back to the 2024 video and stopped it, tried to capture a picture but could not see the pins.




2024 connector from the video


OEM install instruction ...

 

[Enjin]

I used the etrailer install instructions for the 2024 (for my 2025). I installed the 2024 hitch on my 2025. The harness has been the issue. The 2025 uses a 4 pin, trailer side Molex part number 33471-0401 while the earlier 2024 Equinox used a 6 pin of the same family. I can't find relays in the 2025 and the fuses are populated under the hood so should 'plug and play'. With the 33471-0401 connected to the 4 pins on the std 4 pin trailer flat conn (like the GM pic in Penright's Oct 10 post) I get no power. One of the 4 pins on the 33471-0401 is ground. I'm wondering if GM now 'code' the hitch power...which would be a PITA.
I did contact etrailer re the same, they advised Curt is aware of the '4 pin issue' and 'Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector - Preorder # C88RV. ' and the picture of C88RV (as of this posting) on etrailer isn't the pending C88RV. https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/CURT/C88RV.html.
FWIW the 33471-0401 is available on Amazon or Ebay. It's typically used for ignition coils.

 

[penright]

@Enjin Thanks for the pictures it helps me to picture what it would look like if I go after market. I like the way OEM intergrates into the bumper fascia.

The only down side of after market it how low and some have commented on it draging. I thinking the stance on the 25E is a bit higher and that might not be a problem. Curious, have you driven it enough to get a feel for that?

I am strarting to think finding a proper "cut out"/"Trim" for the OEM is somewhere between highly unlikely and not going to happen. I like the way your after market came out.

 

[Lee]

The only down side of after market it how low and some have commented on it draging.

I lost interest when I saw there's no factory hitch for the 25.
I would hate to have someone try to cut out a spot on the painted bumper cover.
I would also worry with the dip at the end of our driveway causing the hitch to drag if it's mounted low like the one in the picture.
I noticed the lower part of the bumper cover in the picture is not painted. Is it a LT?

I like how the factory hitch is hidden on my 2018.

 

[penright]

I lost interest when I saw there's no factory hitch for the 25.

Techanlly there is a hitch, just not the trim for the fascia

I would hate to have someone try to cut out a spot on the painted bumper cover.

Oh, you are so right on that one. I was joking with a friend who is a GM mechanic, I should pay the $1000 and make your dealership figure it out.

I would also worry with the dip at the end of our driveway causing the hitch to drag if it's mounted low like the one in the picture.

I think the angle of the picture is a little deceiving.

I noticed the lower part of the bumper cover in the picture is not painted. Is it a LT?

I would guess so, @Enjin can correct me, since that is his car. The painted one is an RS, and without knowing for 200% that the trim would work, there is no way I am cutting on it. I will let the after-market one be a skid plate for the bumper cover. I say that joking, but truth for it to scrape, you are within a few inches of the bumper cover.

 

[Lee]

I checked my 2018.
From the bottom of the bumper cover to the garage floor is 12 inches.
The bottom of the factory installed hitch is 14.75 inches to the floor.
The factory receiver is 3 inches top to bottom.

If a trailer hitch was installed and the top of the receiver touches the bottom of the bumper cover, the bottom of the receiver would be 9 inches from the floor.
@Enjin what is the distance from the bottom of your 2025 bumper cover to the floor?

Penright, what is the distance from the bottom of your bumper cover to the floor?

 

[penright]

Penright, what is the distance from the bottom of your bumper cover to the floor?

My wife took it out of town and will be back Friday night. Stand by and I will report back.