Aftermarket Trailer Hitch Receiver

[ebod]

I just got my wife a new car, and now I get the 2004 LC she used to drive (currently all stock). The first change I need to make is to put on a trailer hitch. There's an Eckhart shop near my house that will put on the heaviet duty hitch (see below for why I want it) for $289 (much cheaper than the $400 plus install the dealer wants for a factory hitch). My questions are:

-- Has anyone heard good or bad things about Echkart hitches?

-- The hitch would go under the bumper (not through a hole in the middle like some I've seen), is this a problem?

-- The only thing I'll really be towing is a decent sized utility trailer with a few dirtbikes. Since I hate towing the trailer, I want to use a hitch mounted carrier (2-bike versa hauler-type) when I ride alone or with just one buddy. Total weight could be a bit over 500 lbs. Assuming the receiver can carry the weight (the reason for the heaviest duty one), will I need to do anything to ensure I'm not sagging so badly it looks like I'm popping a wheelie. Will I need airbags? If so, how much do they generally cost? If I upgrade springs, will the everyday ride suck?

 

[BMWSTOY]

Check out www.sleeoffroad.com, he has them for $75 if I remember correctly - OEM

 

[Wellcraft19]

Not really what you asked, but I would be very hesitant to put 500 lbs or more on a receiver mounted (bike) rack.

With such a heavily loaded rack you will see a lot of "twisting" forces on the receiver (like if you are looking at the vehicle from the side, forces will be clock-/counter clockwise around the hitch.

When towing a trailer, even with excessive tongue weight, the forces are mainly vertical and lateral forces (up/down, back/forth), very little twisting, if any.

Not sure I'd trust a receiver for that type of abuse... (even though I've seen some loaded - I keep my distance).

Apart from that, my receiver (stock) sits under bumper. Fully visible.

 

[e9999]

the lower receiver assuming it's as strong as the "middle" one would of course result in a loss of a couple of inches of clearance. This is bad if you don't want to catch anything with it offroad, or it's good if you'd rather hit the steel receiver than plastic...


what is heavy duty? do you mean class 4 or above?
your average class 3 would usually be rated at 500lbs tongue weight, but yes having over 500 lbs twisting on it, say on dirt roads, may be a bit much. I could probably be talked into doing a couple of times at low speed, but I'd not make a habit of it.

You won't see a catastrophic droop with 500 lbs, even way back there, I woudl think. Maybe a tad over an inch or so with OEM springs?

 

[EdsCruisin]

I have seen custom rigs for this type of load. They simply weld two more receivers to the outer ends of the draw bar and weld two additional bars on the carrier. This distributes the weight to three (or two) points and prevents the rotational torque. I have never seen this on a 100, but I have seen it on cars and other trucks. Seems to work well.

 

[boze_man]

for those using the hitch for carrying dirtbikes etc on a hitch mounted carrier i have copied the link to versa-hauls website that shows how much weight can safely be placed on a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier (for their products but could be used as an estimate for others as well)...for 2006 LC is roughly 250-300 lbs on the carrier so would think more than 1 bike would be a problem...

http://www.versahaul.com/vehiclecarrycapacity.htm

also from some other threads sounds like height is an issue as well...