Hidden Hitch installed!!

[johnsoax]

My Hidden Hitch came from etrailer.com yesterday. It installed pretty quickly. Just 4 bolts! Only problem I had was that the bolts didn't want to start at first. (And I had the washers backwards at first). Now I just have to get a hold of a torque wrench for the 100lbs of torque that this thing calls for!Pictures will follow in the next day or two.

[johnsoax]

I will be mainly carrying bikes and cargo with it. But I have plans to get a small trailer to pull, so I will be torqueing it.Here are the pictures, as promised.

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[johnsoax]

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[johnsoax]

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[johnsoax]

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[NovaResource]

I see it. I thought it was supposed to be hidden?

[ragingfish]

I know on Nick's car you can barely tell it's there when you're looking at it...

[johnsoax]

I was talking to my boss in the parking lot last night (right behind my car) and he asked me if I had gotten my hitch yet. I replied yes. Then he asked me when I was going to install it. I replied that I already had. Then he looked harder and saw it. And to you Nova

[NovaResource]

It was a joke people. Ha ha That's why the was there.

[johnsoax]

quote:It was a joke people. Ha ha That's why the was there.I got it, that's why I stuck my tongue back at you

[NovaResource]

I knew you got it but I don't think others did.

[johnsoax]

Borrowed a torque wrench from work. 100 ft-lbs is tight. Especially when you are on a wheeled creeper I kept rolling all over the place, but I got all of them tightened down. I had to go quite a bit tighter than I had already.

[P POPPR]

Hope you don't mind if I add to your topic. I just installed the same hitch tonight on my 2004. E-Trailer doesn't list the Hidden Hitch brand for 2004. They only list the DrawTite. They said it hasn't been test fitted yet for the 2004's. I ordered it anyway and BIG SUPRISE, it does fit! Who'd of figured? I am very pleased with the fit and ease of installation (15 min). I got the DrawTite brand bike rack. It was the low end rack, and all I can say is that the rack is acceptable. The hitch, although not totally hidden is nice.

[P POPPR]

My guess is that most people would be somewhat cautious when the see all that crap hanging off the back of your car You still can see the lights unless you have your head where it should'nt be.

[ragingfish]

Hence the CHMSL...Shouldn't be a problem.

[ragingfish]

I get stuck behind cars with these things all the time. Never had a problem.

[P POPPR]

Alex, I went with 64 Ft. Lb. I think the instructions lists the hex bolt as 12mm x 40 mm. Isnt the 14mm the 103 Ft. Lb. and the 12 mm the 64Ft. Lb. ?

[P POPPR]

OK. What's CHMSL?

[ragingfish]

CHMSL = Center High Mounted Stop Light, a.k.a. third brake light

[P POPPR]

http://webpages.charter.net/mlreid/Vibe/1.pdfIsn't the bolt 12mm? Torque for the 12mm 64 Ft Lb?

[johnsoax]

Oops, I just saw the 100ft/lbs listed in the middle of the page and tightened them up to that tightness I wonder if it matters if they are too tight?Consulting with a mechanical engineer (I'm electrical)

[johnsoax]

He says it should be ok, but if I was (removed), I would have to replace the bolts. But for the weights involved it shouldn't be a big deal

[Charlievibe]

I was just out looking at the Hidden Hitch and noticed that they recommend you hardwire your car. Has anyone done that? And if you have, how long did it take you to do it?BTW...the pictures of your hitch look great. I was concerned adding the hitch to my car would look weird. I see now it looks cool!!! Nice install job!

[johnsoax]

Not if you only borrow a trailer Then you don't have to worry about the tags on the trailer (as long as they are current).

[cohocarl]

quote:....they recommend you hardwire your car. Has anyone done that? And if you have, how long did it take you to do it?Yes. Here's a post I made on how to do it yourself with pics:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1139It took me a little while to figure out which wires were which, but this post has them already identified. Should only take you a half hour or so if you have some wire cutters, razor blade and a soldering gun.