Hi guys -

Was looking at what the options are as far as installing a trailer hitch on the 8 to tow a small trailer (holding track wheels/tires, some tools, etc) to and from the track. There are some 'stealthy' trailer hitches on for the series I with the hitch coming out of the little rotary shaped piece on the rear bumper, but after a search for "trailer hitch" and "trailer hitch install", I didn't see anything related to an SII with a date 2009 or later.

Anyone have this done before? If so, pics/experience/thoughts?

thanks,

PCS

 

I did more poking around online, and all I can seem to find is the Curt hitch for the Series I RX8 - not sure if they all have the hitch coming out of the bumper in the rotor in the rear bumper...

Anyone have an idea on one for the SII?

 

 

A lot of guys tow a small trailer to the track to carry their R-comps, a jack, and a small assortment of tools. I'm just not convinced an 8 has enough torque to actually get moving.

 

that's exactly what I'm looking for... just enough to tow a set of wheels/tires/ez-up/chairs to/from the track. I could tow with a trailer, but that means borrowing a tow vehicle and a trailer, tying everything down, and then driving to wherever the track day is. I have a dedicated track prepped car that I'm in on with a friend of mine that I do this for (that car isn't street legal), but was hoping to not have to go through all that for the street legal 8 when all I want to do is bring extra tires / etc. Besides, when I go with the other car, I have someone else to help with all the loading / unloading / driving duties... whereas when I go with the 8, it's often just by myself, haha.

If I actually owned a trailer and a tow vehicle, that would be a different story... though... it would still be much quicker and easier to move around something smaller for the purpose of tires / tools / etc.

 

probably just buy the S1 hitch and make it fit

I doubt they ever sold enough to warrant offering an S2 version given the much lower sales numbers

there are some threads on here for the S1 install and results

 

My concern with the S1 is that it looked like they went through the 'rotor' in the bumper. If that's the case, then it would go through the bumper on the S2. I'll have to see if i can find a shop in the LA area that carriers the S1 Curt hitches (or can order it) and see how it would fit and if we'd have to make some sort of extension / joint to go around the bumper...

 

Those were modified to go through the bumper to hide it. As purchased it's underneath the bumper cover.

I think this one with the hidden vertical receiver and wrap-around ball mount was a Mazda dealer option in the UK? You could get one custom made for what most of these sell for.

RX8 Towbar

 

Apparently they are made for S2, sorry, but you must not have searched:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...arness-211474/

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multime...horror-195227/

 

hrmm, i google searched, but must not have hit the right search terms or gone through enough pages...

 

My buddy installed #114723 on his and he says he likes it. The one thing he didn't like is that you have to drill. I don't have a picture of it but here is the website he bought it from: Mazda RX-8 Trailer Hitches
Just pick your year and it will give you your options. He said he got his hitch from Hitchweb the next day with free shipping. Hope this helps!

 

Sallyford -

your friend used the 2004-2008 hitch on his 2009-2011 rx8?

I currently have an inquiry in to Curt regarding the fitment on the S1 hitch on an S2 to see if they have any detailed information they can get from their engineering department. Also going to try to find a way to see if i can get the hitch / towbar from the UK...

 

Kind of figuring the Curt hitch was the S1 version and the person in the linked S2 thread didn't know any better.

UK dealer version still seems to be available available, I like it

 

HI,

My Rx8 has grand touring but i like sporty exhaust sound.
Question: If I upgrade my rx8 exhaust system, which exhaust system will provide really good sporty sound.

Also want to put easy removal trailer hitch for bike or small trailer ?
Question: Anyone has experienced to put easy removal trailer hitch on their rx8 ? If so, please help me out to choose correct one for my rx8 ?

Here is some URL that i review:
Bike rack installed into the custom hitch on our 2005 Mazda RX8 | Yelp
Hard Dog Hideaway Vertical Receiver Hitch, Removable Receiver Included for MX5

Good-wing-racing is selling trailer hitch for max 5 but i am not user will it fit in rx8 ?

 

I’ve been searching around for a Series 2 trailer hitch to carry my other daily driver. Winter loss of daylight is coming so the 40 mile round trip by bike isn’t as safe. Rain and texting make for a potentially squished me.

Has anyone recently bought a receiver hitch for a series 2? I’ve got a 2010 R3. The quoted links are past freshness date (thanks once again Team).

 

I think you likely will have to get a Series 1 hitch and modify it to fit.
AFAIK the frame is the same... just the bodywork is different.
Other option would be a roof rack..

 

Thanks. I wondered if the rear frame was the same. Would seem overly complicated to change that too during the revisions.

 

Having just installed a Curt Class I on my Honda (no drilling required) - it appears that this Curt requires drilling on the RX-8 frame.

 

I am interested in a hitch as well - for mounting 3-4 bikes on my existing hitch bike rack on the RX-8.

 

From what I now understand the difference is where the bumper lines up. I think the series 1 hitch pokes through where the rear fog light was located. Not sure what’s in the same location series 2.

 

I think you would be looking at cutting a hole in the rear lower valence in the bumper...

Likely removing the center piece when the hitch is being used and replacing it could be an option as well.

Just going from memory on the rear bumper on SaudRX8's Series 2 on Sunday

 

I thought somebody made one with a hidden vertical receiver?

 

Custom? or a mass produced one?

 

I thought I saw the same in the UK trail I went down yesterday. Seems none are made now for series 2 specifically. The links you sent looked promising but I think need for supply dried up. Curse you Mazda for giving up 9 years ago. On the bright side it won’t be long before we start qualifying for collector plates.

 

If you can order a Curt one for a Series 1 I'm sure it can be modified to fit a Series 2.

Hit me up when you get it and I can give you a hand