Yes, There is a cutout line embossed in the bottom half of the bumper. The instructions say to take a piece of chalk and rub it against the back. The chalk will fill in the little embossed lines and give you a cut out pattern. I got my hitch thru eBay from a dealer in Syracuse NY. I had it in two days, totals with shipping and tax was $233. Here is the part number I used. #82212597AB, this will not fit the R/T. Here is the phone number of the dealership 1-888-233-2002. It came with the bezel for the cutout. Here's a link to the installation manual... http://starparts.chrysler.com/info/default/k6861334.pdf
I also installed the factory wiring harness #82212196AB $89 with shipping handling, again eBay Steve White was the dealership 1-800-779-3634, After installing the wiring harness you need to have the dealer add the towing package to the computer to enable the feature. This cost me $20. Here is a link to the Wiring harness
http://www.mopar-accessories.com/en-...=3060&pc=68117

 

I woner if it would work on a heat if it wont on an RT...

 

This is from one of the eBay sites
Item Description-

OEM Part # 82212597AB


Designed as a one-piece welded assembly for added strength, Mopar Hitch Receivers match your vehicle's towingcapacity. Covered with two-layered,E-coated paint finish to resist rust.

Notes: For Crew/Express/Citadel models. Includes trim bezel.2' receiver opening.

Will NOT fit Heat or R/T Models!

This part fits the following vehicles:

Dodge: Durango 2012 - 2012

 

Checking online it looks like for the R/T and the Heat you need part number 82213155
http://www.mopar.com/part/82213155

 

I see you installed the Dodge Tow Bar & Wiring Harness.
I had no problems with the Hitch install on my 2011 Durango Heat (thanks for the details!) but...
My progress on the Dodge Wiring Harness is only partilly complete. I can't get the 2 smaller trailer tow wires (yellow & dark green) to seat properly into the TIPM C7 G connector (slots 47 & 48 respectivley). They go only half-way in and will not seat no matter how hard I try to push them in. I have them properly alingned I am sure ~ is there a trick as the first larger wire seated fine...?? Thx! Paul

 

Don't force them in. You actually have to take the connector apart a little bit, then they slip right in. I am doing this from memory but I think I remember a red clip that lifts up where the wires slip in the back. Once you seperate that apart a little you will be able to slip the new pins in place. Once I did that the pins slipped right in. I actually tried foring them in the first time and wound up breaking a pin. Fortunately where it broke I was able to solder it back. Are you going to install a brake controller? If so, when installing the wire harness for that, the instructions tell you to splice into WH/TAN wire that comes off the brake like switch above the brake pedal. (The wire circuit is L50 in position 2 of the connector) My 2011 Crew does not have a WH/TAN wire. Instead it has a WH/GR wire in that connector position. I went ahead and spliced into that and all is working fine.

 

Found a better price on that part#

http://moparonlineparts.com/dodge-du...er-p-2309.html

 

Paulywog60: I had an issue with that one as well. Mine was that there was a plastic "cover" to the opening in the plug. However it was actually a long plastic piece that had to be removed by disassembling the connecter like jnschnit mentioned. Once I had the connector open and those removed, however, it was rather resistant to letting the new pin receptacles in. That just took some patience to finally get them in.


Since this thread started as uhaul hitch vs. factory, I think there's something else worth mentioning for anyone trying to decide on either. That's the spare tire, the non-tow equipped model comes with the compact donut spare (18x4) which won't cut it if needed when towing anything of moderate weight. Part of the Durango's tow package is the full size spare (18x8). So if you're going to tow, you need to decide if you'll risk the compact or need the full size spare. If you want the full size spare, the OEM hitch will allow it to fit along with a couple of the aftermarket (under bumper) hitches: full size spare hitches So far I've read that the Curt one won't fit the full size spare and I haven't heard anything about the uhaul one.

If you decide you want the full size spare, the rim part number is 68051987AB and is expensive. I lucked out and found one with the tire on ebay from a wrecked 2011 Grand Cherokee, so you may have to be patient and keep an eye out for a deal. I'm not willing to risk a 900 mi drive towing my old car behind me with only the compact spare to fall back on.

 

Wow, Good point on the spare, Guess I will have to check eBay, Thanks for bringing that up.

 

Check, new spare tire! I wouldn't have thought about that to be honest.