Stealth Trailer Hitch Install
06-14-2010, 04:07 PM
#1
Utopia Taco Bell
Thread Starter
Stealth Trailer Hitch Install
So before I got a trailer hitch installed I noticed a bunch of hate on the forums for hitch installs, mainly because it's a hideous thing to look at.
I used to have a Yakima roof rack to carry my mountain bikes but the clips left scratches on my door sills and it was heavy and awkward to install, especially by myself. In my search for an alternative I decided on a platform style bike rack that attaches via a 1/4" hitch.
I also wanted a hitch so that I could eventually tow a small trailer for tires and a tool box to the track.
So I had the Hitch King in Queens New York, modify a Curt hitch to exit through my rear rotor symbol, but exit flush with the bumper, leaving the pin hidden behind the rear valence. See the results, no one would think I had a hitch installed. The bike rack is a Kuat Sherpa in white. And yes... My car, Volks, and bike rack all match. White and Gold....
This is the rear view with the hitch opening uncovered.
Close up of the hitch exit point.
With the hitch cover installed.
3/4 view - totally hidden.
Kuat Sherpa bike rack - weighs 28lbs and carries two bikes.
Rack installed and ready to receive bikes.
Rack folded up for storage - also an affective rear bumper guard! I love all the color co-ordinating goin' on...
View from back center (low angle is why you can't see tail lights properly)
The hitch and fabricating cost ~$600 and the bike rack cost $400. It was an expensive installation but now that I've spent the money I have no regrets. Totally stealth looks, nothing scratches my car, and the rack is easy to remove, and I can use my sunroof now that there is no roof rack in the way, better gas mileage, and looks a lot better than a roof rack.
I just put on my fireproof suit, let the flamin' begin!
I used to have a Yakima roof rack to carry my mountain bikes but the clips left scratches on my door sills and it was heavy and awkward to install, especially by myself. In my search for an alternative I decided on a platform style bike rack that attaches via a 1/4" hitch.
I also wanted a hitch so that I could eventually tow a small trailer for tires and a tool box to the track.
So I had the Hitch King in Queens New York, modify a Curt hitch to exit through my rear rotor symbol, but exit flush with the bumper, leaving the pin hidden behind the rear valence. See the results, no one would think I had a hitch installed. The bike rack is a Kuat Sherpa in white. And yes... My car, Volks, and bike rack all match. White and Gold....
This is the rear view with the hitch opening uncovered.
Close up of the hitch exit point.
With the hitch cover installed.
3/4 view - totally hidden.
Kuat Sherpa bike rack - weighs 28lbs and carries two bikes.
Rack installed and ready to receive bikes.
Rack folded up for storage - also an affective rear bumper guard! I love all the color co-ordinating goin' on...
View from back center (low angle is why you can't see tail lights properly)
The hitch and fabricating cost ~$600 and the bike rack cost $400. It was an expensive installation but now that I've spent the money I have no regrets. Totally stealth looks, nothing scratches my car, and the rack is easy to remove, and I can use my sunroof now that there is no roof rack in the way, better gas mileage, and looks a lot better than a roof rack.
I just put on my fireproof suit, let the flamin' begin!
Last edited by 416to212; 06-14-2010 at 04:22 PM.
06-14-2010, 04:17 PM
#2
Phone Booth'd
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Very clean install. I can see the usefullness in this. I've mulled over the idea as well since i refuse to put my current bike rack on my 8. A small tire/tool trailer would be great for autox and hpde's/
06-16-2010, 07:03 AM
#15
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Would be interesting to see some pics of just how the hitch was attached to the trunk floor. Last guy I knew who tried this had the attachment bolts rip right through his floorpan, the sheet metal and framing is so thick in that area. Good luck with it but be careful!
06-16-2010, 11:29 AM
#16
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Awsome, were you able to attach the hitch reciever to the frame of the car. Is it even possible? If not keep and eye on it. Over time it could break loose going down the road.
07-07-2011, 01:10 AM
#22
Utopia Taco Bell
Thread Starter
I'm reviving an old thread but I forgot to upload a picture with the bikes on the car. Just thought now that it's summer some of you might be looking at carrying bikes or tire trailers to the track. I've now had this set up for more than a year its proven to be very useful and practical.
Here's a pro that was a pleasant surprise. When I park in Manhattan with the rack folded up, NO ONE even gets close to touching my rear bumper cause it looks like a crazy bash guard! LOL I just park at the front of line of cars and I never get scratched!
Here's a pro that was a pleasant surprise. When I park in Manhattan with the rack folded up, NO ONE even gets close to touching my rear bumper cause it looks like a crazy bash guard! LOL I just park at the front of line of cars and I never get scratched!
07-15-2011, 08:19 PM
#23
Shinka
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Thanks for the info about your work there 416! I finally got mine done too! I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it to anyone else who rides.
My story's a bit different. I found a local speed shop / welder here in the DC area who said he'd do it. I gave him the Curt hitch that you can get for the RX-8 ($175) and he estimated it'd be an extra $200 for labor and 2 hours to do it. 3 hours later it was far more complicated than he thought and raised it to $300 and a few more hours. Nearly 8 hours after starting, they finally finished it! And he gave me a few words of advice for anyone else thinking about going this route:
1) He loves the way it looks and said he'd do it for his RX-8 if he had one!
2) DON'T buy the Curt hitch as a starting point. He basically cut it into such pieces that there was nothing left of the original in order to get everything to fit.
3) Just find a welder that will custom weld some 1-1/4 inch square tubing and a few brackets. Having finished it, he thinks that a custom one would not only be far easier, but take less time and cost less money overall... he estimates $450 total (which is cheaper than I paid for the Curt hitch and the labor on the work).
Here's a few pix:
If anyone wants any other details, drop me a line!
My story's a bit different. I found a local speed shop / welder here in the DC area who said he'd do it. I gave him the Curt hitch that you can get for the RX-8 ($175) and he estimated it'd be an extra $200 for labor and 2 hours to do it. 3 hours later it was far more complicated than he thought and raised it to $300 and a few more hours. Nearly 8 hours after starting, they finally finished it! And he gave me a few words of advice for anyone else thinking about going this route:
1) He loves the way it looks and said he'd do it for his RX-8 if he had one!
2) DON'T buy the Curt hitch as a starting point. He basically cut it into such pieces that there was nothing left of the original in order to get everything to fit.
3) Just find a welder that will custom weld some 1-1/4 inch square tubing and a few brackets. Having finished it, he thinks that a custom one would not only be far easier, but take less time and cost less money overall... he estimates $450 total (which is cheaper than I paid for the Curt hitch and the labor on the work).
Here's a few pix:
If anyone wants any other details, drop me a line!
