I recently installed a hitch I got from HitchesOnline.com it's the Curt Manufacturing C11330/DH247330 1 1/4" receiver hitch.

The instructions are pretty straight forward and the install is pretty easy. The biggest hurdle for me was getting the hole enlarged in the frame rail. I ended up using a 1 1/4" hole saw and it worked fine. If you have a 3/8" drill you should be able to find drill bits easier in this size.

The steps are as follows:

1) Remove plastic push fastener from rear bumper fascia straps. (Reuse later.)
2) Enlarge 3/4" access hole on passenger side.
3) Fishwire 7/16" carriage bolts and square hole spacers into passenger side frame rail as shown.
4) Raise hitch into position and secure with hex bolts and conical washers through driver side weldnuts.
Install flange nuts onto carriage bolts on the passenger side.
5) Reinstall rear bumper fascia straps removed in step 1.
6) Torque all 7/16" fasteners to 50 lb-ft and 10 mm fasteners to 37 lb-ft.

It should take you anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes to install with a friend. I've drove with the hitch for over 1500 miles with a Saris Cycle-On Pro bike rack attached and had no issues.


straight on view of the receiver


rear angle view


side profile shot of the hitch


bolts attached to the frame


hitch orientation with tabs not secured yet


hitch attached to frame. Depending on what angle you want for the hitch you should tighten or loose the front or rear bolt. This picture was taken before I realized that the rear bolts should be tighten in order to tilt the hitch to the correct level.


another side picture


pic with rack attached

Has anyone else had succes with this hitch or others?

 

well nice DIY for the peeps who need this! I dont think this every went through my mind when buying this car but good job!

 

Yeah I run a downhill and freeride website so I move bikes around a lot. I have a sub so throwing bikes in the back doesn't work out anymore.

 

hahaha nice job.

 

i wonder how much a tC could pull...

I'd love to tow a little trailer to shows and such with supplies and presentation pieces

 

I think it says it in the book. That's a good idea and looks like you could set it up to take that hitch off pretty quick. A small lockable enclosed trailer to carrier your slicks to the track would be nice.

 

Hauling too much weight with a unibody frame is certainly a no-no.

Bikes won't hurt, though.