Class I trailer on a P5?

[Celco]

I just got into the next level of autocross this year with buying a set of race tires. I was going to just throw the tool box, jack, and tires in the back of the hatch and go on my way.
Well, I got the oprotunity to get someones old 4x5 autocross tire trailer. I did a little bit of research on trailer hitches on P5's and got a little bit of info, but i wanted to know if anyone else on here has had/have a trailer for their P5.

Where did you get the hitch, how much $$$, how was the install, have you had any mechanical problems on your car with towing, what do you tow?

I know manual says no towing, but I have seen quite a few of custom Class I P5 hitches so it can't be all that bad. Right off the bat for all you nay-sayers I do not plan on towing anything other than tires/jack/toolbox/cooler/chair (like 250lbs tops)... I am not moving again so I wont be hauling an apartment worth of stuff on it, no wave runner or motorcycles (I am poor enough as it is, this is budget racing).

Thanks,
Celco

 

[nautical_lifens]

i have a hidden hitch on my p5.... was there when i bought it

 

[Qcpro5]

+1

I would like to know if you could tow a jetski without doing any damage?

 

[Reitrof]

+2. Hidden hitch.

I have a small 4x4 trailer I used to tow stuff. Also have towed a 16' ft motorboat a few times with no issues. Car currently has 159,000 miles and no issues.

 

[Celco]

bump.... Anyone?

 

[Tom03es]

I've bought hitches from these guys before:
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2003_Mazda_Protege+5.htm

Using a trailer is the way to go for hauling tires and tools. My last track car (Saturn SC) I stuffed my race tires, my jack, tools and everything into the cabin. It sucked. And probably wasn't all that safe- lots of heavy potential projectiles.

 

[Celco]

Now what is the difference between the DrawTite and Hidden Hitch? I take it if you have the Hidden Hitch you have to cut into your bumper for a receiver hole and DrawTite just hangs low?

Id like to NOT cut my bumper so DrawTite is probably the way to go ehh?

 

[Foolish]

My P5 Hidden hitch did not require any cutting. It's also only so "hidden" as it's actually just below the level of the bumper and has a little cover/cap thing. Here ya go. Yes, the car is filthy, I know.

 

[Shasta]

+1

I would like to know if you could tow a jetski without doing any damage?

Your probably looking at around 1000lbs with the boat and trailer, I'm sure its possible, I'm looking at towing around 700 lbs and no more.

 

[SeminoleMan]

I'm interested in getting the hidden hitch for my P5 so I can get a rack to haul my moutain bike around. Any ideas if my RB catback will interfere with the hitch?

 

[Reitrof]

I'm interested in getting the hidden hitch for my P5 so I can get a rack to haul my moutain bike around. Any ideas if my RB catback will interfere with the hitch?

Didn't on mine.

 

[rednecks_r_us]

There was a guy on here named Danny that used to haul his jet ski behind his P5.

 

[brickisred]

Now what is the difference between the DrawTite and Hidden Hitch? I take it if you have the Hidden Hitch you have to cut into your bumper for a receiver hole and DrawTite just hangs low?

Id like to NOT cut my bumper so DrawTite is probably the way to go ehh?

I'd agree with going with Hidden Hitch. I did a lot of research on this when I bought mine. The DrawTite uses holes that are on both horiz. and vertical planes, and I've read that it is harder to line up when installing. Plus you have to unscrew some bumper bolts. Hidden Hitch just bolts up to four existing holes in the frame. The hardest part was fitting the hitch in between the lowered exhaust and the bumper without scratching the hell out of it. Would be easier with four hands. Got mine from the etrailer link above, as well.

 

[Purrfectangel]

I had a hidden hitch installed on mine last fall. She sits lower in the back now naturally, helped in the extra weight dept this winter. It cost $215 for the hitch and install. I have a 4x6 that I tow behind mine baby to haul my wheeler, about 850-900 pounds total. I don't recommend hauling more than that and becareful of hills or you and your tranny are gonna have a disagreement

 

[SeminoleMan]

Thanks for the pics and info everyone! I agree that the Hidden Hitch sounds like the ideal choice.

 

[Foolish]

I'm interested in getting the hidden hitch for my P5 so I can get a rack to haul my moutain bike around. Any ideas if my RB catback will interfere with the hitch?

I had the MSP axleback on there at the same time as the Hidden Hitch and there wasn't a problem. That said, the Previous owner of the hitch zip-tied something to the bottom of that side of the hitch so his exhaust wouldn't bang against it. I can't remember if mine was close or not, but I've gone back to stock exhaust (at my wife's request - her car) since.

I do find it oddly ironic that the "Hidden Hitch" model comes with a cover that's easily visible and says Hidden Hitch on it, but I have no complaints.

Edit: Forgot to mention: I use it for a bike rack as well, but I had to grind out just a bit of the bike rack to make it fit in the Hidden hitch receiver. As you can see in the huge underneath picture of the red car, there's a little "stop" welded into the bottom of the receiver, and my rack was 1-2mm too long, so it hit the stop. In order to get the pin through, I had to grind just a bit of the back edge of the bottom of the rack so the pin holes would line up.

 

[Celco]

Forgot about this thread but since asking my original question I ended up getting a Draw-Tite. Whole thing cost me $170 OTD. I ended up getting the hitch sent in the mail to my door and I put that on myself because they had ordered the wrong hitch in the first place.

But that said, have help when you put on the draw-tite hitch. It was such a pain with the horizontal and vertical bolts while holding everything by myself. I was fatigued and shaking by the end of the install. But it works well and everything lines up after some "persuasion" :lol:

I don't know how much weight with my tire trailer I am pulling but the P5 does it all just fine. So much easier than taking out the seats and getting the interior all dirty. Ill get some pictures of the install up when I can.

 

[brickisred]

Just went for a ride today, first time in a while, so I thought I'd snap some pics of my hitch rack while I had the bike on. It's a Sportworks T2 that I found on craigslist. Was a little bent out of shape from what looks like the seller backing into something, but I took it all apart at work and straightened it out pretty good. Got a deal on it anyways. So far I absolutely love this thing! So easy to load the bike. Takes literally 15 seconds. No wheel/seat removal, no frame contact. Going to put a small basket on the roof rack for other stuff, so this is a good solution for the bike.

 

[Foolish]

I've got a newer (I think) version of the Sportworks rack. I love it too! I don't think I've got a pic of it on my P5, but this is it on the MPV. Great rack, sold by Thule now, still ridiculously expensive!

 

[brickisred]

Great rack, sold by Thule now, still ridiculously expensive!

Nice...
I wish they still made that kind. Definitely expensive. And it's hard to find a used one. Also was a little alarmed when I went to pick it up and it wouldn't fit in the hitch. (because of the stop) But 5 min. with the grinder did the trick. Overall, with a new hidden hitch and the used rack, I spent less than the cost of a new Thule T2, or a full on roof rack system... Gotta love craigslist! I can't believe I went so long without a hitch receiver though. Very handy...