hitch on MSP?
- Thread starter Tommy1005
- Start date
I just got my hitch put on last night. I went with the Hidden Hitch. I ordered it from www.hitchmart.com it was $113 with free shipping. Since it came out of Dallas, it only took a day to get here. I took some pictures of the install, and will take some of the hitch once it clears up a little outside. I will be towing my JetSki to outside of Austin tonight, so I will take some pictures with it hooked up, and will let you know how the speed did towing it.
Tommy
Tommy
Got one and installed it a while ago (Hidden hitch). Works great. Had a thread on it but it's old (maybe 6-8 months?).
Only problems with a standard Hidden Hitch are:
1) Clearance on the diagonal brace on the Racing Beat muffler - had to Dremel the thing off so when the exhaust gets hot and grows it doesn't bang the hitch.
2) Clearance on the fuel pump - had to bend a pump bracket slightly to make it fit.
Good things:
1) VERY sturdy - have used it to raise the whole back end of the car no problem
2) Unobtrusive: The crossbar is totally hidden and the mount/receiver hole cover is subtle
3) Easy install - all tools/bolts included and a decent ball mount comes with it.
Even with that it was maybe an hour install, would highly recommend removing the muffler to improve clearance while installing and to allow better Dremeling if it's necessary.(15 minute job, 2 bolts and silicone-spray the hangers and it pops right off).
JC Whitney has the Hidden Hitch cheap, it even comes with a ball mount and a nice hitch cover, and most JCW catalogs give a 10% discount or free shipping or something.
I have more pics of the install and more details if you need 'em but it was pretty easy - if you can change oil you can do this no problem. I have NOT wired up the lights yet as I use the hitch for a bike rack - but that's on the list as I have a small utility trailer I want to be able to tow.
Only problems with a standard Hidden Hitch are:
1) Clearance on the diagonal brace on the Racing Beat muffler - had to Dremel the thing off so when the exhaust gets hot and grows it doesn't bang the hitch.
2) Clearance on the fuel pump - had to bend a pump bracket slightly to make it fit.
Good things:
1) VERY sturdy - have used it to raise the whole back end of the car no problem
2) Unobtrusive: The crossbar is totally hidden and the mount/receiver hole cover is subtle
3) Easy install - all tools/bolts included and a decent ball mount comes with it.
Even with that it was maybe an hour install, would highly recommend removing the muffler to improve clearance while installing and to allow better Dremeling if it's necessary.(15 minute job, 2 bolts and silicone-spray the hangers and it pops right off).
JC Whitney has the Hidden Hitch cheap, it even comes with a ball mount and a nice hitch cover, and most JCW catalogs give a 10% discount or free shipping or something.
I have more pics of the install and more details if you need 'em but it was pretty easy - if you can change oil you can do this no problem. I have NOT wired up the lights yet as I use the hitch for a bike rack - but that's on the list as I have a small utility trailer I want to be able to tow.
Attachments
mine came with everything but the ball and wiring. I will post pics when I get back from the lake. It is definitely a clean look. Instead of cutting on the factory muffler I just had a pipe custom made to go from the d/p and dump over the rear axle attached to the first hanger. It took the second hanger completely out of the equation. I didn't have to ben the fuel pump braket because I bolted it back on after I tightened and torqued the hitch bolt. It snugged down right on top of the nut with no clearance problems. So far I am pleased, I will know more after this weekend.
Tommy
Tommy
(just lobbing the waterballoon in a large and long-raging "weight" battle...)
"That hitch weighs about as much as a subwoofer and amp..."
An extra 30-40lb isn't going to be noticed much except at the track... and if I can tow a trailer and bring the race wheels/autox tires perhaps that'll offset any weight discrepancy
but I'd have to actually OWN race rubber and DO autoX for this to make a difference, so this is a pointless post and maybe I'll delete it... later...
"That hitch weighs about as much as a subwoofer and amp..."
An extra 30-40lb isn't going to be noticed much except at the track... and if I can tow a trailer and bring the race wheels/autox tires perhaps that'll offset any weight discrepancy
but I'd have to actually OWN race rubber and DO autoX for this to make a difference, so this is a pointless post and maybe I'll delete it... later...
actually the Hidden Hitch only weighs 20lbs, which I think is a well added weight. hitch looks great, I took some pictures, now I need to delete some off my computer so I can upload them onto here, and then onto this page. The car towed the ski with absolutely no problems, except my cover on the ski didn't want to stay on for some reason, but I think I fixed that.
now alot of the people I know are using a deal called a tire tail that carries your tires kinda like a bike rack would carry your bike, it's a pretty slick set-up and a couple hundred bucks cheaper than a trailer. I still like the trailer idea though because I can put a tool box on there and leave all my autox stuff in one place instead of having to find it everytime I go.
MSPM1cheLe
DRVRMOD
- :
- 2010 BMW 135i
bringing this thread back after 6 years.... just to say thanks to it my seadoo now has a way to the lake! 
sorry for the crappy cell pix. but this is the same "hidden hitch" part # 60927 i think :]
sorry for the crappy cell pix. but this is the same "hidden hitch" part # 60927 i think :]
MSPM1cheLe
DRVRMOD
- :
- 2010 BMW 135i
bringing this thread back after 6 years.... just to say thanks to it my seadoo now has a way to the lake!
sorry for the crappy cell pix. but this is the same "hidden hitch" part # 60927 ordered from jcwhitney.com
sorry for the crappy cell pix. but this is the same "hidden hitch" part # 60927 ordered from jcwhitney.com
