Trailer Hitches: Where to have one installed?

[berrywise]

I'd like to install a hitch mount on my Mazda PR5. I'd like to be able to hook up a bike rack and occasionally pull a very small trailer (nothing heavy or big). Has anyone had one installed on their car that they would recommend going to?

Thanks all!

[gopherhockey]

I'm not a huge fan of their hitches compared to other brands, but u-haul can actually install one real quick and they do a nice job. They seem to have hitches for all makes & models in stock.

[Magic]

I'd like to install a hitch mount on my Mazda PR5. I'd like to be able to hook up a bike rack and occasionally pull a very small trailer (nothing heavy or big). Has anyone had one installed on their car that they would recommend going to?

Thanks all!

Scott, does your Mazda have the holes in the frame for a class two hitch? You are looking at a class two hitch right? If your car has the holes predrilled in the frame for one, you can just buy the hitch and do the install yourself.

[tedsti]

Check online and see if someone makes a 2" reciever for it. Even if you don't need the load rating of the 2", they are nice since racks are generally more stable in a 2" receiver.

A quick search showed no signs of a 2"
http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-4351&bool=AND&category=c_search&maxhits=10&keywords=2002&keywords_2=MAZDA+PROTEGE+5&GO=GO%21

U haul is not a bad option and generally have lots of hitches in stock.

[berrywise]

Scott, does your Mazda have the holes in the frame for a class two hitch? You are looking at a class two hitch right? If your car has the holes predrilled in the frame for one, you can just buy the hitch and do the install yourself.

I'll have to investigate. I was thinking of picking one of the inexpensive trailers they sell at Northern Equipment to pull stuff around with.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_465468_465468

[bigwheel]

Ihttp://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_465468_465468

Wheels not included? :confused:

[berrywise]

Wheels not included? :confused:

I figured I'd just use a couple of 2x4's as sleds....:cool:

http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=Protege+5&category=hitch&year=2003&make=Mazda&t1=&h=e

Found these. They are only 1-1/4" though. Though it doesn't matter to me for bike mounts since I have both sizes. Future use might be nice though.

[Jess]

I just bought a used "Hidden Hitch" brand, class 1 hitch for my Pontiac Vibe. It is REALLY hidden. All you see on my car is the rubber cover and if you look really closely, you can see the two rings for attaching chains for a trailer.

I bought it for $95 shipped when they run $118 new plus shipping. I also found a few 4 bike racks that are 1 1/4". Some of the newer racks allow you to switch the bottom attachment (usually rotating it 180 degrees) so it can be used with 1.25 or 2" receivers.

Check out the round tube hitches instead of the straight, square tube versions if you want it to be mostly hidden. I wouldn't pay to have it installed if you have a torque wrench. Takes 20 minutes to install if the nuts are already welded into your frame, which is the case with most vehicles these days.

[berrywise]

I just bought a used "Hidden Hitch" brand, class 1 hitch for my Pontiac Vibe. It is REALLY hidden. All you see on my car is the rubber cover and if you look really closely, you can see the two rings for attaching chains for a trailer.

I bought it for $95 shipped when they run $118 new plus shipping. I also found a few 4 bike racks that are 1 1/4". Some of the newer racks allow you to switch the bottom attachment (usually rotating it 180 degrees) so it can be used with 1.25 or 2" receivers.

Check out the round tube hitches instead of the straight, square tube versions if you want it to be mostly hidden. I wouldn't pay to have it installed if you have a torque wrench. Takes 20 minutes to install if the nuts are already welded into your frame, which is the case with most vehicles these days.


Thanks for the review on the Hidden Hitch Jesse. I think that looks like the most promising way to go. I'll have to go in to see about getting anything I need warrantied since I have about 5000 miles left on my warranty and I guess towing voids that :etard:.

[jeffgude]

Burnsville trailer hitch does a good job, no appointment needed/accepted. I've had two installed there. (Their website seems to be out of commission.)



http://dsimage.dexonline.com/previews/WODY/DEFAULT_P101026715_thumb.jpg

[rideharder]

any local auto mechanic will do this. places like tires plus or other national chains wont.

[RichZilla]

I have had all of my hitches installed at the Hitchin Post (a motorcycle shop) in Hopkins. I also agree that the Hidden Hitch brand is the cat's pajamas. They definitely make them as hidden as possible. The Hitchin Post will also install it while you wait. Decent prices and very good service. Very professional, highly recommended.

[jjrsds]

I installed a Curt mfg. hitch on my Pontiac Vibe, took about ten minutes laying on the ground. I steered away from the hidden hitch and have a higher tongue weight and max tow weight with it. With a newer car the blind nuts should be welded in the frame so most of the hitches should bolt up easy. 1 1/4 inch hitch using a Thule T2 rack and no problems being stable as the rack is snug into the receiver, and has a screw on lock. The second link is where Shad (I think he ordered from the same place) and I bought the hitch.

JJ

http://www.curtmfg.com/index.cfm

http://bageco.com

[GettingFaster]

Burnsville trailer hitch does a good job, no appointment needed/accepted. I've had two installed there. (Their website seems to be out of commission.)


I can second this recommendation. I had intended to buy a Rigid hitch from them and install it myself, but for a small charge more they had it done in about a half hour. Rigid hitches are the main brand they carry, which look nice and are locally headquartered in Burnsville.

[Jess]

I installed a Curt mfg. hitch on my Pontiac Vibe, took about ten minutes laying on the ground. I steered away from the hidden hitch and have a higher tongue weight and max tow weight with it. With a newer car the blind nuts should be welded in the frame so most of the hitches should bolt up easy. 1 1/4 inch hitch using a Thule T2 rack and no problems being stable as the rack is snug into the receiver, and has a screw on lock. The second link is where Shad (I think he ordered from the same place) and I bought the hitch.

But, is your Curt hitch really any better when the Vibe manual states something like 150 lb. tongue weight and 1,500 trailer weight as the maximum limits? ;)

The Class I, Hidden Hitch is rated at 200/2,000 lbs. which is enough for 3-4 bikes, provided you aren't carrying heavy downhill or Huffy bikes. LOL.

Ok, I guess my Vibe install took 10 minutes + another 10 to get the tools out and clean everything up. Other cars may vary as the exhaust may need to be moved or removed to gain enough access to tightening the bolts.

[TrailPatrol]

I have had very good luck with U-haul in the two hitches I had installed on my vehicles. Crystal (Henn. Co. Hwy 81, south of Bass Lake Rd.) put one on in about 35 minutes.

Hans

[soupboy]

I make it thrice. B'ville is awesome. Just call ahead to make sure they have what you need and then pull up like it's Jiffy Lube. Sip your java and drive away 30 min later.

I can second this recommendation. I had intended to buy a Rigid hitch from them and install it myself, but for a small charge more they had it done in about a half hour. Rigid hitches are the main brand they carry, which look nice and are locally headquartered in Burnsville.

[Danimal]

Most hitches you can do yourelf, lights are usually plug in type with existing wiring. I'm looking at getting a hitch for my Kia Sorento, all that I have looked at have 4 bolts that bolt on to existing holes. Easy Peezy.

[manual63]

JJ is correct. Curt Manufacturing hitch fit perfectly on my xB. It bolted right on. The only issue I had was that my aftermarket exhaust was too big to the thread the hitch mount through, so I had to have someone help me pull off part of the exhaust to install the hitch. But besides that, bolted right in and no mods were needed. I am sure with the stock exhaust....I could have done it in 15 minutes like the directions state.

[jjrsds]

But, is your Curt hitch really any better when the Vibe manual states something like 150 lb. tongue weight and 1,500 trailer weight as the maximum limits? ;)

The Class I, Hidden Hitch is rated at 200/2,000 lbs. which is enough for 3-4 bikes, provided you aren't carrying heavy downhill or Huffy bikes. LOL.

Ok, I guess my Vibe install took 10 minutes + another 10 to get the tools out and clean everything up. Other cars may vary as the exhaust may need to be moved or removed to gain enough access to tightening the bolts.

No, not really but I like the fact that the hitch is overbuilt a little. :crazy: I wouldn't put 4 bikes plus rack weight on the vibe. My rack weighs around 45 lbs I think (Thule t2 2 place), with my Stumpy 120 and Steel SS I am now around 100 pounds tongue weight. Enough weight that I can feel it. Add on 2 more bikes at a longer distance and the weight from the bike the greatest distance from the mounting point creates a lot more force than the bicycle weighs. I didn't do the numbers but the tongue weight max. would be more than the Vibe recommends. Anyway, if I need to haul more than two bikes I put them in the car. Most of the hitches should work, some are just harder to install than others, due to the make and model of the car. Good luck.

JJ

[Jess]

No, not really but I like the fact that the hitch is overbuilt a little. :crazy: I wouldn't put 4 bikes plus rack weight on the vibe. My rack weighs around 45 lbs I think (Thule t2 2 place), with my Stumpy 120 and Steel SS I am now around 100 pounds tongue weight. Enough weight that I can feel it. Add on 2 more bikes at a longer distance and the weight from the bike the greatest distance from the mounting point creates a lot more force than the bicycle weighs. I didn't do the numbers but the tongue weight max. would be more than the Vibe recommends. Anyway, if I need to haul more than two bikes I put them in the car. Most of the hitches should work, some are just harder to install than others, due to the make and model of the car. Good luck.

JJ

Those of us with light XC bikes don't have to worry as much. :jumpy: I admit I was thinking about buying a 4-bike rack and trying it on my Vibe. It would be very close to the limit but I hadn't thought about the cantilever effect. I presume the factory rated tongue and trailer weight limit have a large safety margin but how large...

I scratched my last car all up, inside and out. Once, I found how effective a spinning, carbide studded wheel is at chewing through paint and sheet metal!! :embarass: A wind gust turned the front wheel that I thought was securely lashed down while I was driving on the freeway. Hmm, maybe I could mount the strap on GrAber rack to carry an extra bike or two if the need ever arises.

Thanks for the info!
Jess

[jeffgude]

Another consideration with a tray-style rack (like JJ's) is ground clearance, especially with the 4 bike version. I have one of these, and it sits low enough on my van that the end occasionally scapes the ground while entering a driveway. Other than that, this setup is great.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/products/thumb/918.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:OpenWindow('images/products/918.jpg', '520', '500'))

[tobyvanness]

You should be able to get a class 1 hitch that will bolt right into your frame.
If your handy with bike repairs you should be able to install it yourself.

[manual63]

Still on sale for $119.00.

It's not as fancy as the Thule or Yakima, but I actually like the simplicity of this rack a lot. It's also very solid and for the price....it can't be beat in my opinion.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22745&subcategory_ID=4411

[manual63]

Just thought I would post a pic of my new bike rack in use.

http://www.t-mobilepictures.com/photos/photo28/c4/53/35edbf2e957a.jpg

Holds my BMX bike and a mountain bike just fine....no conflicts....:)

It's the XPORT 2 bike rack and a Curt Manufacturing 1 1/4" receiver