Trailer Hitch?

[Airman Jack]

I'd be interested, depending on how much it sticks out from the bottom of the car... the more hidden, the better!

 

[goldwing2000]

I've seen the Oz hitch and it looks good but shipping is going to be a killer.

 

[neverendingmods]

I received the hitch-web setup today. I called to make sure this will work on 4-door model as the pic. link only shows it on a 5 door. They "believe" it is same chassis and should work. Can anyone confirm if the chasis are the same between the 5door and 4 door. I'd hate to have a welder already tear my car apart(left tow hook needs to be removed and ground clean) to find out. hitch-web are a couple of nice guys and very honest. They aren't sure though. (nervous)

 

[Loose]

Not sure

I received the hitch-web setup today. I called to make sure this will work on 4-door model as the pic. link only shows it on a 5 door. They "believe" it is same chassis and should work. Can anyone confirm if the chasis are the same between the 5door and 4 door. I'd hate to have a welder already tear my car apart(left tow hook needs to be removed and ground clean) to find out. hitch-web are a couple of nice guys and very honest. They aren't sure though. (nervous)

I'm not sure, but I can tell you they don't share a single body panel.

 

[goldwing2000]

I know the sedan is about 2 inches longer but I dunno where those two inches are.

If the shop you're taking it to is competent, they should be able to put it in place before welding and tell if it's going to work.

 

[neverendingmods]

I know the sedan is about 2 inches longer but I dunno where those two inches are.

If the shop you're taking it to is competent, they should be able to put it in place before welding and tell if it's going to work.

Thanks for the info. I put car on ramps and physically positioned(w/o removing tow loop or bumper strap needed for install/or the in the way brace bar spot welded inner side-to-side on receiver to ensure no bendage) while measuring the distance required. Which is in inside of rear frame rails which is 13". The hitch requires same to outside portion of mating rails. Seems cool there. Seems only thing needed to modify is cutting and grinding down the passenger side(if I remember correctly as I did this before work on the run) and the drivers side compensates for the exhaust bends and tapers. Monday I go to MD. for install(thank God Delaware is close to surrounding states) and hpefully Mon. I'll be receiver installed. Like I said, I physically,aside from removing necessary strap(bumper support out of 2/ and removing the one tow loop and receiver shipping bar) all seemed well. I am driving to another state as they were willing, certified, and againg willing to do this. It looks like it will work. $65 an hour for welding so I may do some prior prep myself. Remove exh. tip(1 bolt) and cut one of the 2 lower/inner support straps.(I may be able to actually just unbolt then cut away the plastic support for rear under valance so I could always remount the removed items needed for install. No actual frame/sub frame mods aside from cutting and grinding passenger side tow loop and bracket. If this item is cut properly, can be re-welded for use if hitch is a problem. But honestly, it seems like it will be cake though I am not on my back trying to MIG weld at such and such angles at specified heating and placement. So, I will be sure to let you guys know how it goes. From my judgement, seems likely it is direct fit(weld) but possibly off 1/8" and minor trimming may be necessary for exhaust side clearance but not an issue for a shop knowing there business. I kept telling them " not to tell you what to do, but specific instructions are included" and guy was cool and said bring her down. A draw-tite/ hidden hitch installer but AWS certified(not sure of correct cert. as not near me now but matched hitch-web requirements for tooling, temp, and other welding standards for chassis. I made sure.

Hitch requirements for install includde GMAW(MIG) welding in short circuit mode using atleast 70,000# Tensile strength welding wire, CO2 shielding gas and work performed by an AWS certified welder(to ensure metal fatigue/stressing is not encountered). No one wants brittle, over heated weld points. My guy says it's a go. Called atleast 8 places(not many in DE. ) and wound up in NE MD. Wish me luck but knock on wood while doing so. (cheers)

Eric

 

[neverendingmods]

I'm double checking all resources before this. Draw tite/hidden hitch has no plans as making a bolt on hitch for the (5 or 4 door). U-haul bounced me around from # to # and basically said(at their primary headquarters) that locals needs to make a custom hitch. This is what hitch-web has made so that is what I'm sticking with. Took some patience to find a certified shop to do install. Car off ground and welding near gas tank(not really) and ehaust(really close) not to mention guy will likely be on his back or have to hoist car up became the biggest problem. I will post back Monday night as to how things went. (group)

 

[goldwing2000]

Draw tite/hidden hitch has no plans as making a bolt on hitch for the (5 or 4 door).

Where did you get that information? Last time I talked to them, they said there was one in the works.

 

[neverendingmods]

Where did you get that information? Last time I talked to them, they said there was one in the works.

I called my local area hidden hitch retail store who then called main offices. This is what the guy told me after he "supposedly" called the main offices to see if/when it would be made. Said the demand was not great enough at time. U-haul (1 800 go uhaul) sales then R&D said no plans in works and to contact my local U-haul and one could be possibly fabricated by them. I did all this after receiving my weld on hitch. I just wanted to be certain before I do this nothing was or is gonna come out for my car soon(bolt on). All info I gave is what was stated to me after about .5 hour of phone calls not to mention the return call to hidden hitch(my welder is an auth. installer but not whom I spoke with) to confirm if one was gonna be made. I was told by both companies that demand was too low. Not to say, in my perspective, that it won't happen but when? When I made sure my weld on will fit(fingers crossed), I could see the factory pre-drilled holes on the rear frame rails right where the weld on is gonna be located. The hitch-web receiver is a nice unit and I'll find out for certain Monday if it is a nice fit like on the 5 door pics. Seems good holdin it up but I can't be in 2 places at once. Again, with the weld on, the passanger side tow hook need to be cut and grinded down. Only time my WRX saw use of rear tow hooks was on an AWD roller type dyno and this car(any fwd can have rear wheels strapped instead incase the performance guys were wondering. Straps go through your rear rims.) The receiver definately(very close) clears the exhaust. Hopefully the extra 2 inches sedan has in length is in middle section of car. If anyone wants some really good pics of the weld on w/o it mounted or painted yet, I can send them e-mail. Let me know. Thing will definately add about 30lbs to rear of car not including hitch or trailer so choose a trailer wisely. Rear susp wear could be an issue if hauling more than a few hundred pounds as stated earlier in thread.

 

[goldwing2000]

Hmmmm... so somebody at Draw-Tite is either BS-ing you or BS-ing me.

I guess only time will tell!

I'm not in a big enough hurry to rush out and get the weld-on, so I'll just sit back and see what happens.

 

[neverendingmods]

Hmmmm... so somebody at Draw-Tite is either BS-ing you or BS-ing me.

I guess only time will tell!

I'm not in a big enough hurry to rush out and get the weld-on, so I'll just sit back and see what happens.

The weld on is very nice and went on with no problems. Hitch-web's supplied instructions were dead on. THE HITCH FITS BOTH 5 and 4 DOOR MODELS. Large trailer Co. did the install along w/ wiring(no powere outlet on light system so a converter is needed/ supplied by hitch-web or any trailer installer. Only the passenger side tow hook needs to be cut off(easy w/ air tool) and then the hitch can be marked for weld points. The Co. who did the install(Area Trailer Sales in Elkton MD said it was a nice piece and could be easily made into a bolt on by just welding on some brackets and fishing the bolts through. They know there stuff(Jeff was the welder/fabricator). If any one wants pics of it installed I can send them E-mail if some one wants to host them. I'm still dealing with dial up and computer was down for 2 days. KX500 and trailer cause no problems braking or driving other than reversing with trailer I need to practice some (smash) . Just wanted to let you guys know install is straight forward and a direct fit even for Sedan. (yippy) (yippy)

 

[willy65000]

The weld on is very nice and went on with no problems. Hitch-web's supplied instructions were dead on. THE HITCH FITS BOTH 5 and 4 DOOR MODELS. Large trailer Co. did the install along w/ wiring(no powere outlet on light system so a converter is needed/ supplied by hitch-web or any trailer installer. Only the passenger side tow hook needs to be cut off(easy w/ air tool) and then the hitch can be marked for weld points. The Co. who did the install(Area Trailer Sales in Elkton MD said it was a nice piece and could be easily made into a bolt on by just welding on some brackets and fishing the bolts through. They know there stuff(Jeff was the welder/fabricator). If any one wants pics of it installed I can send them E-mail if some one wants to host them. I'm still dealing with dial up and computer was down for 2 days. KX500 and trailer cause no problems braking or driving other than reversing with trailer I need to practice some (smash) . Just wanted to let you guys know install is straight forward and a direct fit even for Sedan. (yippy) (yippy)

KX 500? Are you trying to kill your self? Just kidding. Although I did ride one and it scared the hell out of me.

 

[neverendingmods]

KX 500? Are you trying to kill your self? Just kidding. Although I did ride one and it scared the hell out of me.

The 04 500 is rated at 64.5 hp(last year of big bores). If I can get it to stop fouling plugs it may scare me. Can't get potential out of it yet(brand new). The trailer I chose was a single neck/meaning not an A frame type. Cheaper and that way it can no way void warranty if inspected.(Moss ACT) Has 13", full size tires though. The hitch itself states(stamped) that no more than 2k lbs can be towd. My trailer is rated @1100lbs but was told not to exceed 600lbs because of lack of A frame. Only the center of trailer has bolt down supports(boards). I have pics if anyone wants them.

I am very happy with the hitch-web weld on hitch. The hitch(w/o ball and extension) is well hidden on the Sedan. The 2 inches is (I believe after install) in the difference in rear bumpers between the two. Looks more discreet on the Sedan than the pics of the 5door(wagon). More recessed but by about only 2 inches (wink)

 

[goldwing2000]

Ok, I just spoke with another person at Draw-Tite. Apparently, it goes like this:

They have two divisions, one in the US (Draw-Tite and Reese) and one in Canada (Hidden Hitch). Each one does their own R&D and prototyping but they share their results with each other and make one common design with minor differences as needed. The one in CA has developed a hitch but it seems to have clearance issues with the spare tire pan. They sent pictures to the US division and now they would like for me to bring my car in to check it out and see what has to be modified to make it work.

I have an appointment to go see them at noon on the 19th.

I'll let you know what happens from there. (2thumbs)

 

[goldwing2000]

Hidden Hitch has released theirs. $176.87 shipped from the folks who made the weld-on.

http://www.hitch-web.com/proDescrip.asp?ProductCode=347737&OID=8

 

[3Zoom3]

http://www.etrailer.com/productdetail.asp?partno=60999&vehicleid=5598&yearfrom=2004&h=e

Same thing, MUCH better price.
Shippnig to me in Ohio was only $12 via UPS ground.
Jeff

 

[goldwing2000]

Cool. Have you received it yet?

I'm hoping to get an even better price, since I can drive directly to the manufacturer and pick it up.

The Draw-Tite brand allegedly has a better coating than the Hidden Hitch (powder coated vs. painted), so I may wait till that one's ready.

 

[3Zoom3]

Not here yet, just ordered it today. If I get it mounted soon, will post pics. Why would you need a better coating? Ya'll get snow in Michigan????
I've had different brands of hitches on different cars and trucks, and find that no matter what manufacturer it is, it looks like crap after about 4-5 years, anyhow. Even with taking preventive steps (like coating heavily with undercoating or durable paint) when brand new, they all seem to lose their cosmetic edge.

 

[goldwing2000]

... and find that no matter what manufacturer it is, it looks like crap after about 4-5 years, anyhow. Even with taking preventive steps (like coating heavily with undercoating or durable paint) when brand new, they all seem to lose their cosmetic edge.

*sigh* True, true...

Still, I might be able to get a better price from Draw-Tite. Since I'm in no big hurry, I can wait a lil' while longer.

 

[3Zoom3]

Hitch iinstalled

I got the Hidden Hitch from Etrailers.com about a week and a half ago, but just got time to install it last night. VERY happy with it. Perfect fit (literally). All you see is the small receiver box sticking out from under the bumper. Nothing else shows. Took about 1 hour to install on my own. Comes with 1-1/4" draw bar with a drop/ rise to it that fits pointing up as well as down, as well as the retaining pin. Need to buy a ball separately, and wiring kit.
Highly recommended based on the hitch fit and installation. ETrailers was great, too. Item arrived quickly, packed well, and without damage.
I haven't pulled with it yet, but hopefully it can handle a 4300 lb ski boat.
NOT!
Will be pulling a small, light trailer. Total of trailer and typical load should be about 800 lbs max.
Jeff, OH