This is the first accessory I personally installed on the Vue. The MSRP for the Saturn OEM Trailer hitch is $345.00 for the basic version, $447.00 for the Vues that have the chrome package from the factory. The only real difference between the two versions is the Chrome Fascia below the rear bumper comes with a notch already cut for the hitch to come through. On the basic version you need to cut a notch in the non-chrome fascia that is below the bumper (the outline where you need to cut is already outlined on the back of the non-chrome fascia). If you want to cut your own notch in your existing chrome fascia you can do so, but I chose to go with the more expensive hitch setup that included a pre-notched chrome fascia.
Instead of paying the high MSRP for the hitch I purchase it from
Saturnparts.com for 262.84 including shipping. Ironically, Of course prices change all the time so by the time you read this the price may be different. (Ironically, I checked this site 1.5 weeks later and the hitch is up to $275.00 plus $24.66shipping.) At any rate you can shop around the Internet and find it much cheaper than the MSRP. There are also cheaper after market hitches available. After reading the experiences other owners had installing their own hitch I opted to go with the OEM hitch. Other hitches often take quite a bit of pounding and forcing to get things to line up right. The OEM hitch goes on smoothly and can easily be accomplished by one person. The OEM hitch is a class 2 hitch meaning it uses a 1.25 inch receptacle and is rated for a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Although the other after market hitches are often Class 3 hitches capable of pulling much more weight, the Saturn Vue is only designed to pull 3,500 pounds so the Class 2 hitch was the decision I made.
I can't stress enough that going for a Class 2 or Class 3 hitch is a personal choice. There are advantages to both. The biggest advantage I see to the Class 3 hitch is the ability to get attachments for the two inch receptacle such as bike racks, cargo trays, and even barbecues! I don't anticipate I'll ever be using one of these items. Some folks also feel more comfortable having something meant for a heavier weight even though the Vue is not rated for that weight. I probably went the most expensive "do-it-yourself" way by going with the OEM hitch. There are quality hitches out there at a lower price. I went with the OEM hitch simply because I knew it would be a snap to install and am comfortable knowing that the hitch was designed for a Vue and ONLY for a Vue.
The tools required for installing the trailer hitch:
Phillips Screw driver
Metric Socket set with ratchet
Torque Wrench
Wire stripper
Wire connector crimping tool (pliers will work in a crunch)
Heat Gun or High Wattage Blow Dryer
Good Music and a liberal amount of Patience... don't be in a hurry
If you've ever used a ratchet wrench then you have enough experience to pull off this job. If you've never worked on your vehicles before don't let this task intimidate you. It truly is a "minimal mechanical skills" required job. When I say minimal skills, I mean that if you can put together a Lincoln Logs house with your kids or have assembled a bike at Christmas time then you have the mechanical skills required.
Time required: Approximately 1.5 hours. I took three hours because I was carefully documenting everything I did and took the time to learn other things about the rear end of the vehicle while I was taking it apart. The instructions that come with the OEM hitch are fairly decent but they don't necessarily tell the whole picture. Here is a link to the instructions that came with it:
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 (pages 4 through 9 are the simply the same as 1 through 3 in other languages). You can see the differences between what I did and what the instructions said I needed to do. Also, I believe my pictures will help someone that is trying to decide if they have the experience to knock out this kind of job.