Trailer hitch supplier?

[FranOR]

For those of us who are not mechanically inclined, I went to UHAUL and got a Class-2 hitch installed which is pretty limiting but still great.  I could put on a bike rack - with a support strap just for extra insurance.   I do haul my 4' x 5' trailer which is great but it does cut into the mileage.  I do haul up a 14 degree mountain and drive the trailer at 50+ miles per hour with no problem, and the car doesn't seem to feel any sway nor ay sluggishness, so that's pretty amazing to me.  Anyway, just thought I'd post this for the benefit of others.

Edited August 26, 2013 by FranOR

[zhackwyatt]

For those of us who are not mechanically inclined, I went to UHAUL and got a Class-2 hitch installed which is pretty limiting but still great.  I could put on a bike rack - with a support strap just for extra insurance.   I do haul my 4' x 5' trailer which is great but it does cut into the mileage.  I do haul up a 14 degree mountain and drive the trailer at 50+ miles per hour with no problem, and the car doesn't seem to feel any sway nor ay sluggishness, so that's pretty amazing to me.  Anyway, just thought I'd post this for the benefit of others.

 

Just for my due diligence, from the Owner's manual:

WARNING: Never tow a trailer with this vehicle. Your vehicle is

not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available through

an authorized dealer.

[rtshinn]

I installed the 2" Torklift on my Energi, and use it for an aluminum carrier. I drove it from Akron OH to Roanoke, VA that way with tools in the carrier. Worked great.

I may try towing a lawnmower for a short distance (<1 mi) once a week. Not sure. I would have to buy a light kit if I did.

[maniack]

After doing some research, it looks like the Uhaul installed hitch is the same Curt 1 1/4 inch class 2 hitch that others have installed themselves.  I don't have the right tools to do a self install, so I'm still debating between the Uhaul install of the Curt or having my mechanic install the more expensive Torklift (he will only install hitches that don't require drilling).  I'm torn, as the Curt supports a heavier load but supposedly requires the stabilizer strap.

[timber725]

After doing some research, it looks like the Uhaul installed hitch is the same Curt 1 1/4 inch class 2 hitch that others have installed themselves.  I don't have the right tools to do a self install, so I'm still debating between the Uhaul install of the Curt or having my mechanic install the more expensive Torklift (he will only install hitches that don't require drilling).  I'm torn, as the Curt supports a heavier load but supposedly requires the stabilizer strap.

 

torklift install is really easy to do.  Just require a pair of pliers and a socket set.   Both will cost you less than $20 to get at HD or Lowes or Sears.  You don't even need to jack the car up.  I did it on the floor.  It will help if you have a second person to help lift the hitch into place.

[chrisl]

 I'm considering a roof rack, but the more I look at them, the more I don't like the idea of leaving them on my car for an extended period (I think they could leave scratches on the paint or mess up the rubber trim on the doors, not to mention the hit to fuel economy).  The cost is a bit less with a hitch also.  Have you been able to test the hitch with a bike carrier?  How did it do?

 

I had a Yakima rack with Q-towers on two different cars over the last 20 years, and when you take it off and wipe off the dirt rings you can't tell there was ever a rack there.  I just put landing pads and control towers on my SE because I'd have to replace a lot of fork-mount bike carriers if I switched away from round bars.

[A2gemini]

We just mounted the EcoHitch 1.25 (it was supposed to be the 2.0 receiver but they sent us the 1.25 by accident and decided the smaller size will be better)

I was also concerned about the ground clearance.

 

We have a Yakima rack currently but it is a 2 inch - we could use on the Flex but planning to purchase the 1UP USA rack. I think it is perfect for the C-Max.

The small profile will be so much better than the massive Yakima and the weight and ease of taking it on and off will be an advantage as I won't have to leave it on all of the time.

 

We are waiting to order the rack just purchased the CMax and plan to purchase the Flex on Monday. 

[TorkliftCentral]

For anyone interested in the EcoHitch, it is $25 off until Sept 28th by using the discount code: DRIVEELECTRIC2014.

[Kunari]

For anyone interested in the EcoHitch, it is $25 off until Sept 28th by using the discount code: DRIVEELECTRIC2014.

 

Dang it!!!  Payday isn't until Oct 2.  

[BoomerGer]

Check out Autoanything.com  this is a website that carries Curt brand hitches and wiring harnesses for 2014 (and maybe '15?) C-Max's.  I found one for my Focus at the same location, but U-Haul has a better group of people who will install it for you.

 

Ger