I spoke with Dave Montgomery who is an engineer at DaLan Hitch about having a class 1 hitch made for the RX-8. He needs to try to sell the idea to management before he can start to work on the project. If you are interested in a hitch please reply so that we can get a head count and I can show Dave that there is some interest in this. Thanks!

Examples of other DaLan hitches. (http://www.hitch-web.com/dalan.asp)

Originally posted by Speed Racer
I spoke with Dave Montgomery who is an engineer at DaLan Hitch about having a class 1 hitch made for the RX-8. He needs to try to sell the idea to management before he can start to work on the project. If you are interested in a hitch please reply so that we can get a head count and I can show Dave that there is some interest in this. Thanks!

Examples of other DaLan hitches. (http://www.hitch-web.com/dalan.asp)

Absolutely! Count me in.

Very interested.

what exalcty could you towe with it?
________
Ipad guides (http://ipadguides.info)

Four tires.:D

I'm planning on towing a small track trailer (http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/trailer/) and using my Sportworks bike rack (http://www.bicycleracks.com/stIndex.asp).

http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/trailer/photos/111_trailer_side_lg.jpeg

I'm interested. Make it less than $500 so Mazda can buy it for me. :)

Interested.....

only if it is detachable though, like the mazda one seems to be.

Count me in as well.

Vince

Very Interested.

I have had a hitch on all three gen RX-7s, and two Miatas. I do not have an RX-8 yet, but would love to buy a hitch before I bought the car. My past hitches have all been receiver hitches. They were DrawTight "Sportsman II" and 1 1/2" square receivers.

Put me on your list.

John

The Canada manual specifically warns about NOT fitting a trailer hitch. I don't have it handy right now, but I seem to recall a statement about voiding warranty..

Maybe best to check first..

Count me in. I will order immediately.

roachman

Originally posted by canzoomer
The Canada manual specifically warns about NOT fitting a trailer hitch. I don't have it handy right now, but I seem to recall a statement about voiding warranty..

Maybe best to check first..


If the same goes for US versions, then no...lol. How do you think it would affect handling of the car. (Granted, you'd be driving 'normal' when your towing). What about weight distribution?

(Still interested though)

count me in!

I need something to hang my bike off of that won't scratch up the roof, or the trunk. It's just what I've been waiting to hear! Something not more than $300 would be nice too..

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who is interested in a hitch. I want to try to get a few more names on this list before I pass it along. So if your interested please respond. Thanks!

my bike is interested.

I'd be interested, so long as the hitch didn't detract from the great RX-8 appearance. (The one pictured looks really strange.)

It may be possible to design a hitch that has the receiver "nested" in the rotary emblem. I have the foglight there now and have seen receivers that can take foglights when the trailer isn't attached. It would be nice, if such a foglamp "mount" could be replace with a trailer ball extension, when needed. Then the foglamp could then be mounted in the trailer end.

When not in use, the receiver would either be hidden inside the valance or contain the foglamp or other "insert.". (I think I saw this on the DIY channel.)

Any engineers out there want to comment on feasibility? I bet that such an "integrated" solution would really appeal to a larger market than something that looked like an afterthought, especially if the design had some sound engineering rationales behind it.

Btw, I'm interested in carrying fairly lightweight (< 300 lb) loads. Surfboards up to 9'6", camping equipment, and occasional "outsized" loads.

Any word from Dylan on the hitch?

I haven't heard anything recently from Dave at DeLan Hitch and will try to get in touch with him this afternoon. If I get in touch with him I'll keep everyone posted. :)

what about trailer brakes and air shocks. ;)

just kidding - I'll have to see it first.

A good trailer hitch can save your life!

Finally heard from Dave at DeLan Hitch and he said that they will not be making a hitch for the RX-8 because they are currently focusing all of their attention on the SUV market. So we will need to explore other options.

Has anyone found any more details about the Mazda hitch that is being released in Europe?

umm...the only words on the page about towing in the owners manual says "do not tow anything with your rx-8" or something like that. ...

welcome greg
and put your flame suit on

OK, let's light the barbeque gently..

If you look at the suspension under your RX-8 you will notice some small little links that go from the suspension arms to some sensors.

The ECU monitors ride height, and does some compensations in the traction control system and other places based on this.

I would strongly suggest investigating those systems very thoroughly before you contemplate putting any load on the back with a trailer hitch..

Originally posted by canzoomer
If you look at the suspension under your RX-8 you will notice some small little links that go from the suspension arms to some sensors.

The ECU monitors ride height, and does some compensations in the traction control system and other places based on this.Really? I thought those sensors were for the auto-levelling HID headlights. At least, that's what the Tech Highlights CD says.

Perhaps one of our Australian friends can confirm - both Oz models have DSC/TCS but only the Leather Package has HID's, so if the sensors are present on the base model it would support your theory, but their absence would support the Tech Highlights CD.

Actually, I guess an even simpler test would be to disconnect one or both of the sensors on one of our cars and see which system(s) give a warning light on the dash.

There are both sensors for the headlights, and ones for the suspension.

A trailer hitch is available in the UK as an optional extra.

Have a look at http://www.mazdarx8.co.uk/news accessories broshure and price list.

It doesnt look the kind of hitch I'd want to tow much with, and very phalic btw, definatly a 'boy' car muhahahahhaha

Rob,
Yeah, it is kind of funny looking and expensive ($815 USD for tow bar & harness) but if it works I might be able to overlook those things. If you happen to hear of anyone selling the UK accessories for less please let us know. Thanks!

Originally posted by Speed Racer
Rob,
Yeah, it is kind of funny looking and expensive ($815 USD for tow bar & harness) but if it works I might be able to overlook those things. If you happen to hear of anyone selling the UK accessories for less please let us know. Thanks!

Ahh, I see where your going wrong. Your doing currency conversion.

"If" you had to buy in Uk and ship to US then that would be correct.

"If" it becoms available in US it'll be 80% of the price in £ in $, i.e. $250ish for the towbar etc. I'm sure someone wil make/sell one in the US. I cant see them selling that many in the UK, the prices of the options are beyond rediculous. US peeps tend to tow more stuff too.

(You seen the priec of the key? £80 plis £64 for a leather case, thats the kinda rip off state we live in).

Rob,
Can you do me a favor and ask your dealer two questions for me?

1. Is the hitch a class 1 receiver?

2. What size is the ball?

My dealer cant even tell me when the car will turn up, nevermind the details of some obscure accesory, sorry. Meybee sometine in november when they actualy have cars...

If they did reply I wouldnt trust the response at the moment.

I still cant see why you would want to ignore mazda's warning and take the chance that you would degrade your baby's perfect handling by wearing out the rear suspension prematurely. ah well I guess I'm the only one who thinks this car shouldn't be an suv...:)

greg,
if it makes you feel better I wont be using one

Actually ya it does make me feel better. For a second there I was starting to question myself and why I was picturing myself driving through twisty roads and accelerating on entrance ramps while the rest of the rx-8 community was dreaming about putting bikes on top and dragging a uhaul or lawnmower service trailer or whatever.

Originally posted by Greg
I still cant see why you would want to ignore mazda's warning and take the chance that you would degrade your baby's perfect handling by wearing out the rear suspension prematurely. ah well I guess I'm the only one who thinks this car shouldn't be an suv...:)

Greg,
Try to look at it this way. Mazda is saying that the car is capable of towing just by listing a tow bar as a factory option. If the car is as fragile as you believe it to be why would they sell this item?!?

I don't plan on pulling anything heavy and imagine that the track trailer fully loaded is only going to weigh about 500 lbs. In my opinion I'd rather load my track tires and tools on a small trailer and look like a dork. Versus packing everything into the car and driving 6+ hours one-way on R-compound tires to even get to the track. The latter of the two just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me but if you are not going to be using your car this way then it will not be an issue for you.

Originally posted by Speed Racer
In my opinion I'd rather load my track tires and tools on a small trailer and look like a dork. Versus packing everything into the car and driving 6+ hours one-way on R-compound tires to even get to the track.You forgot option (c): carry the race tires and wheels in the rear seat. You can fit four OEM wheels with Hoosiers back there - two each on either side of the center hump. Stand them vertically, across the car, with the tread against the hump and the rear door, one behind the other on each side. Grab four tire bags from the friendly folks at your local Discount Tire, and you don' need no stinkin' trailer. :p

Been there; done that; shoulda taken photos to prove it.

Damn, I knew that I was forgetting something... back seats!!! :p

I've let this one go along time before I threw in my .02 . I was acctually pleased to see that there was so much responce too the hitch idea. It's a good indication of the demographic of RX8 owners. People who lead an active life style and don't just sit behind the screen all day. That's a good thing!

My last car (WRX sedan) had a roof rack on it. Best way to cary a bike on a car in my opinioin. Used to manage a bike shop back east and loving my bike even more now that I'm here in AZ. I even left the rack on the car out at the track. Creates serious down force.LOL But I this is the first car I've owned that I can't bring my self to put one on. In fact, I mean not to. I'll use my lil trunk. That's what quick releases are for! HAHA!

My guess is that becuse of the shape of the roof they, meaning the big names in the industry( Yakima, Thule, Saris), may not have anything to offer for the RX8. I sent out an email to the big three and will update everyone soon. For those who are serious about the Hitch, Reese has been contacted as well. More to come soon.

I dont see why no roof rack. The roof is shaped, but it only dips in the middle, and thats not where anything will be touching.

The car is rated for 75kg (~150llb) load on the root - how would you get that on their if not with a roof rack, road-surfing?

Got the first responces back form one of the mentioned companies, Yakima. They make a roof rack. I copied the email for you all to see. I'll update again when I hear from the other companies.

"Hi Michael. Thanks for your inquiry about Yakima Products!

We do have a roof rack system for the RX-8. To install it, you'll need a set of Q Towers, two pairs of Q60 clips, and a pair of 48" crossbars. The system has a weight limit of 165 lbs., but has some limitations because of the size of the roof. I've placed the measurements and fit notes for the installation below. If you have any other questions, please contact Customer Service at 888-925-0703 7am to 5pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. If you reply to this email, please include all previous correspondence.

Thank you,
Yakima Support

M1: 36 7/8
M2: 6
M3: 36 7/8
M4: 28

Notes:
102. Surf/Sailboard length limited to 10' or less on this application.
103. Kayaks must be carried with HullyRollers, LandShark, Mako saddles, HullRaiser on this application.
104. Canoes must be 14' or less on this application.
112. The sunroof should not be opened while the rack is installed. Remove rack when not in use.
114. Caution! Check clips after installing. Grab each clip and try to pull them hard away from your vehicle. If the clip moves tighten the adjustment post. If the clip still moves, recheck your measurements between the towers and adjust if necessary. Check clip again."


This is the best roof rack company in my opinon.

I can see it now... An RX-8 with rour wheels and tires stacked on the roofrack, looking like some sort of throwback from the old Monte Carlo Rally. :)

http://www.stratossupersite.com/images/Munari1_small.jpg

Hey, someone's already thought of this (http://www.lumenique.com/Cars/mcoupe/modifications/roofrack.htm)!

http://www.lumenique.com/images/mcoupe/roofrack1.jpg

still seems ironic to me:
Mazda manual: do not attempt to tow anything with your rx-8(paraphrased)
Mazda aftermarket: Tow hitch available!....
You guys figure this out for me.

wow thats ugly on the roof

Originally posted by mikeb
wow thats ugly on the roof

OT: Mike are you postwhoring?

I am definitely interested as well.

Good to hear Yakima has something for the roof rack for bikes if needed.

I would also be interested in a hitch for my shifter kart. But I think I'll use my wife's Volvo V70 instead and give her the 8 when I need to tow.

But I don't think a small trailer of less than 1,000 lbs should be a problem. I see people in Miata's do it, and I've had no difficulties towing in my Ford Contour at all, and that's not exactly a torque demon either. Same thing with 3-series BMW's... manual says "no towing," but there are hitches available and people use them for very light duty towing without wear problems.

Something else you can carry on your roof rack.

I'm gonna tow my motor home with it :p

Not really sure how I stumbled on this old thread... and I'm sure a new one has been started but, it looks like we have options out there now...

Seems DALAN decided to make one after all:

http://www.hitch-web.com/proDescrip.asp?ProductCode=372815&OID=8#

Of course now that the car has been around, there maybe other options out there as well.

I have the Dalan 1.25" class 1 hitch (1st pic), bought and installed last week at Uhaul, very clean design, the frame of the hitch is completely hidden behind the bumper, with the small receiver exposed under the bumper, hard to notice it unless you're real close. Also, just bought a new Thule Hitching Post Pro 937XT bike rack for $152 (including Thule 955 No-Sway attachments) that carries 2 bikes (2nd pic), perfect fit for the hitch, my 2005 Specialized Rockhopper bike is very secure on the rack even at high speeds on the expressway, very happy with this setup. Nothing touches my car like a roof rack or trunk rack does.

I have the Dalan 1.25" class 1 hitch (1st pic), bought and installed last week at Uhaul, very clean design, the frame of the hitch is completely hidden behind the bumper, with the small receiver exposed under the bumper, hard to notice it unless you're real close. Also, just bought a new Thule Hitching Post Pro 937XT bike rack for $152 (including Thule 955 No-Sway attachments) that carries 2 bikes (2nd pic), perfect fit for the hitch, my 2005 Specialized Rockhopper bike is very secure on the rack even at high speeds on the expressway, very happy with this setup. Nothing touches my car like a roof rack or trunk rack does.

How much was the install, I think I'm ready to move one notch up in autox and start running a dedicated set of tires (thinking Hoosiers).

labor & parts were $220 plus tax for the Dalan hitch receiver at the local Uhaul shop.

what exalcty could you towe with it?

a motorcycle why not take all your toys where ever you go

Um only do this if you would like to b in the same category as this guy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY