Hitch installations

[WX4GPS]

he Mount for the Receiver weighs 200 pounds? gosh that will take a small hit on the mileage... for all the times your not using it.... I thought something for bikes would weight maybe 50 pounds... that must cost a lot for shipping.... Am I wrong? I would like to get a hitch just for a few time a year that I want to put a mobile HF antenna on the vehicle for long trips... and maybe a bicycle if I can get my lazy butt on my bike, it probably needs new tires by now. haha

[WX4GPS]

OKay Nice install. I was concidering doing something like this on my next vehicle cause I am a ham radio operator and it would be nice to have a sturdy mount that I can put on to hold a HF antenna they can be a bit bulky. but I am wondering, a friend of mine said never to get a bolt on hitch, that you always want it welded on. Any comments on this.... I will probably use it for at most 25 pound bicycle or for my antenna which weigh less. Ho much does this thing weight empty... does it add about 40 to 60 pounds to the car having it on there.... Is there a difference between brands out there any comments on this will help me weight my decision. Thanks, Ron

[8FUN8]

I didn't really put the hitch on the scale before the installation, but I'm guessing its approx. 50lbs on its own, the bike rack i put on is approx. 25-30lbs.

Originally I wants to install the more famous brand 'Hidden Hitch', but they don't even have the system for CR-Z, and I end up found 'Curt Manufacturing' Product #11077 and got it online approx. for $120, and took it to install at my friends' garage.

[Jlopez3983]

does your hitch sag at all when weight is put on it...??? i just installed one... and got almost the same exact rack... but for some reason it sags a lot :/

[CR-Z.ealot]

The hitch installation looks great!

Just to note, the car manual states that the maximum load for our cars is only 400lbs / 181kg (check p. 194 or the label in the driver's side doorjamb). Not a whole lot of breathing room after you stick two North American sized adults in there

[8FUN8]

Originally Posted by Jlopez3983

does your hitch sag at all when weight is put on it...??? i just installed one... and got almost the same exact rack... but for some reason it sags a lot :/

sorry I missed your post as busy like hell last couple days.

it does sag a bit like the hitch opening is pointing downward (slight angle) instead of flat.

but I do not have any issue even with the rack is on, due to the rear axle is so close to the rear bumper, even a high speed bump or going up/down to underground garage still perfectly fine to me (I'm living in a condo, up/down the ramp every single day), also had been to multiple road trips, gravel road or muddy light off-road condition with the hitch and don't have any issue at all.

i'll post a picture up after the weekends with some measuring tape to show how much mine sag with the rack is on.

[8FUN8]

Originally Posted by CR-Z.ealot

The hitch installation looks great!

Just to note, the car manual states that the maximum load for our cars is only 400lbs / 181kg (check p. 194 or the label in the driver's side doorjamb). Not a whole lot of breathing room after you stick two North American sized adults in there

you are correct, but lucky that i'm an average chinese (from Hong Kong) and 98% of the time I only have one person (me) in the car, so together with the hitch + rack + gears, maybe just a break-even to two North American adults (absolutely no racial discrimination) ... ^_^

[IsaacMTSU]

8FUN8, thanks for the awesome write up! I just bought a hitch and we're gonna put a flat luggage tray thing on it and drive 7,500+ miles. We'll write up how it goes!

[bheinen74]

Originally Posted by 8FUN8

I didn't really put the hitch on the scale before the installation, but I'm guessing its approx. 50lbs on its own, the bike rack i put on is approx. 25-30lbs.

Originally I wants to install the more famous brand 'Hidden Hitch', but they don't even have the system for CR-Z, and I end up found 'Curt Manufacturing' Product #11077 and got it online approx. for $120, and took it to install at my friends' garage.

and the door jamb says total weight of occupants plus cargo must not exceed 400 pounds.
You are definitely going to void your warranty.....serious.

doh, i re-read a few posts up, you should be fine.

[evilgeniustodd]

It's a shame no one makes an all aluminum hitch meant just for holding bike racks... Perhaps it's time for someone to engineer one......