trailer hitch install

[ThunderChunk]

hey guys whats involved in installing a trailer hitch and how hard is it? i seem to have found a class 1 hitch online for $126 and was trying to do this in hte most cost effective way possible(i.e. myself) but im not too good of a mechanic. thanks in advance.

 

[brickisred]

What kind did you get? I installed a Hidden Hitch a while back and it wasn't too bad. The hardest part was squeezing the hitch in between the bumper and the lowered exhaust. I had to wedge a piece of wood between exhaust & frame to keep it down. Grab a buddy and get them to do that. Also take your time with fishing the bolts into the holes in the frame. Took me about an hour and a half by myself with no jacks or lift... The instructions are pretty thorough.

 

[ThunderChunk]

What kind did you get? I installed a Hidden Hitch a while back and it wasn't too bad. The hardest part was squeezing the hitch in between the bumper and the lowered exhaust. I had to wedge a piece of wood between exhaust & frame to keep it down. Grab a buddy and get them to do that. Also take your time with fishing the bolts into the holes in the frame. Took me about an hour and a half by myself with no jacks or lift... The instructions are pretty thorough.

no need to remove the exhaust?

 

[brickisred]

No, just pop it off the hanger (oil on the rubber mount helps) and gently push the muffler down fit the hitch in. Tight fit but it is doable. Would def recommend a second set of hands... (eekdance)

 

[brickisred]

This is assuming you have a stock exhaust...

 

[Celco]

http://www.hitchesforless.com/

This is where I got my DrawTite hitch. Ended up being about $80 for the hitch. I can get you the correct part number when I go home because they ordered me the wrong one first, so they resent out the correct one to my house.

They were only like 45 miles away from me so I actually drove out there so they installed my wiring and picked up the ball and some D-clips. Ended up being $150ish out the door for everything.

 

[Navy_P503]

For those of you with a hitch can you post up some pics?

 

[2slow2go]

I just installed my hidden hitch this week end. Took me in all about 30 to 40 minutes to install by myself. I had the back of the car on ramps. Like others said, hardest part was getting the hitch between the bumper and the exhaust.
I think it took longer for me to do the wiring for the lights, then the actual install.
Good luck.

 

[brickisred]

What the hell, I'm bored out of my mind... (cheers)
Pics of my installed Hidden Hitch. I forgot that you need to take the fuel evap canister (??) off as well. When my bike rack isn't attached it is all but invisible.

 

[Navy_P503]

Nice install. Thanks for the pics. I've been going back and forth on whether or not I want to get a hitch.

 

[brickisred]

Thanks,
Do it, you won't regret it! Very convenient. Got it so I can carry my pig around, hehe...

Much easier than a roof rack.

 

[chaztor]

its one of the easier things you can do with a ratchet wrench. I put on a class II hitch from eTrailer.com. Like the previous poster noted, the evap canister was a slight pain, there was not room to rebolt but its been wedged up there w/ friction for two years now with no issues. I've ordered several times from etrailer and their prices and shipping times have been great, but be prepared to touch up your hitch as there is usually a few scratches on them.

BTW, most hitches, Reece, Hidden Hitch etc. are manufactured by the same company so don't sweat the name too much.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

anybody tow a waverunner w/ their P5? lol

 

[chaztor]

anybody tow a waverunner w/ their P5? lol

One, not one of those 5 passenger ones either, and an aluminum trailer should be ok.

 

[spotthedogg]

I have been using my hidden hitch for bike rack only up to now. I would like to know what people are using for a wiring harness since I have a little 4'x4' I set up to carry 4 DH bikes.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

I think you'd just have to wire it off one of the taillights and just hang it out the hatch when you use it...

 

[chaztor]

or a more sano install you click in... http://www.etrailer.com/c-ELEB.htm

 

[rossin04]

2003 Protege5 hidden hitch ground clearance issues

I am thinking of installing a hitch in order to carry a bike or two. Just wondering how much the hitch will lower the ground clearance of the back end. I had a hitch installed on my previous car (1992 Honda Accord) and found that it bottomed out with a bit of weight in the trunk. This often occurred even without the bike rack attached to the hitch. Would an installed hitch protrude lower than the exhaust pipe? Thanks

 

[Hank3]

Here's the only pics I have of my P5 where you can see the hitch. It doesn't reduce the ground clearance all that much IMO. I've had my P5 for a year now and have never come close to scraping...even on steep entrances/exits.

 

[Shasta]

Bump from the grave. Will the hitch fit with an aftermarket exhaust? I just bought a hitch and just to make sure when I go put it on, I have all new gaskets for my original exhaust should I to remove my cat back system. Thanks