Chris,

Thanks for the info/photos and I have one more question. Do you know if the ball is interchangeable or are you stuck with one size?

 

The hitch arm shown in my pictures is a one piece forging. The manufacturers may be able to provide alternative arms.

The one I have is the european standard of 50 mm. In the past I have used a 50 mm ball to take the old english 2 inch couplings there is a little slack but I have never had one detach itself.

I hope this helps.

 

so what I'm gathering from this, in that it is a 1 piece, is that it won't work for a bike rack...

 

I think I would be totally freaked out if I saw an RX-8 heading down the interstate....pulling a sailboat, jet ski, etc. It would never-ever happen with my 8!