Trailer hitch diy (lots of pics)
My hitch receiver only weights 30lbs. I doubt I would be able to feel 30lbs..but I might.
If it wasn't such a pain in the butt to take off I would just to see the difference again..ha.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 200
From: NSW, Australia
What you have shown in the link is indeed a sway bar/anti-roll bar. It bolts onto either side of the twist beam rear axle to make it stiffer so that body roll in cornering is resisted. It moves and twists with the suspension.
From the photos, the tow hitch bolts on to the body (it should never attach to moving parts of the suspension) and plays no role in reducing roll
The tow hitch might improve stability by acting like a bracing strut and making the body itself stiffer. You can buy bracing struts for front and rear that do this. They are not sway bars.
From the photos, the tow hitch bolts on to the body (it should never attach to moving parts of the suspension) and plays no role in reducing roll
The tow hitch might improve stability by acting like a bracing strut and making the body itself stiffer. You can buy bracing struts for front and rear that do this. They are not sway bars.
What you have shown in the link is indeed a sway bar/anti-roll bar. It bolts onto either side of the twist beam rear axle to make it stiffer so that body roll in cornering is resisted. It moves and twists with the suspension.
From the photos, the tow hitch bolts on to the body (it should never attach to moving parts of the suspension) and plays no role in reducing roll
The tow hitch might improve stability by acting like a bracing strut and making the body itself stiffer. You can buy bracing struts for front and rear that do this. They are not sway bars.
From the photos, the tow hitch bolts on to the body (it should never attach to moving parts of the suspension) and plays no role in reducing roll
The tow hitch might improve stability by acting like a bracing strut and making the body itself stiffer. You can buy bracing struts for front and rear that do this. They are not sway bars.
ahh ok thanks for the clarification. I learned something new today.
Just wanted to add to the installation. I installed mine about 3 weeks ago. Just noticed this DIY. Props for taking the time for others, I was too impatient.
Point 1. Instructions tell you to cut the piece of plastic on the driver side rear so that the Hitch sits flushed. You don't need to do this. Just put the hitch on and have the piece of plastic overlap it afterwards. You do need to disconnect it though.
Point 2. When you secure the bolts on the passenger side, the muffler is on rubber hooks so there's some wiggle room. Might not look like it but you can shift it to the right and left a little with the torque wrench so that it aligns straight.
Point 3. For the Key Hole, Get a Metal file that is as thick as the metal square brakets on the thin side. Then just file the notch about half a centimeter.
Point 1. Instructions tell you to cut the piece of plastic on the driver side rear so that the Hitch sits flushed. You don't need to do this. Just put the hitch on and have the piece of plastic overlap it afterwards. You do need to disconnect it though.
Point 2. When you secure the bolts on the passenger side, the muffler is on rubber hooks so there's some wiggle room. Might not look like it but you can shift it to the right and left a little with the torque wrench so that it aligns straight.
Point 3. For the Key Hole, Get a Metal file that is as thick as the metal square brakets on the thin side. Then just file the notch about half a centimeter.
Just wanted to add to the installation. I installed mine about 3 weeks ago. Just noticed this DIY. Props for taking the time for others, I was too impatient.
Point 1. Instructions tell you to cut the piece of plastic on the driver side rear so that the Hitch sits flushed. You don't need to do this. Just put the hitch on and have the piece of plastic overlap it afterwards. You do need to disconnect it though.
Point 2. When you secure the bolts on the passenger side, the muffler is on rubber hooks so there's some wiggle room. Might not look like it but you can shift it to the right and left a little with the torque wrench so that it aligns straight.
Point 3. For the Key Hole, Get a Metal file that is as thick as the metal square brakets on the thin side. Then just file the notch about half a centimeter.
Point 1. Instructions tell you to cut the piece of plastic on the driver side rear so that the Hitch sits flushed. You don't need to do this. Just put the hitch on and have the piece of plastic overlap it afterwards. You do need to disconnect it though.
Point 2. When you secure the bolts on the passenger side, the muffler is on rubber hooks so there's some wiggle room. Might not look like it but you can shift it to the right and left a little with the torque wrench so that it aligns straight.
Point 3. For the Key Hole, Get a Metal file that is as thick as the metal square brakets on the thin side. Then just file the notch about half a centimeter.
Thanks for the input.
but I did talk about your #1 and showed a pic.
Also take out the one plastic clip from the fram on the drivers side so the hitch reciever sits flush against the frame...
Opps, I didn't actually read through your DIY that detailed, I was going mainly from memory form the official instructions. Your DIY is nice. What rack are you putting in? The T2 Fits, that's the one I have, also has enough clearance when it folds down to open the hatch, even with bikes on it. There's another thread I put the pics in.
Opps, I didn't actually read through your DIY that detailed, I was going mainly from memory form the official instructions. Your DIY is nice. What rack are you putting in? The T2 Fits, that's the one I have, also has enough clearance when it folds down to open the hatch, even with bikes on it. There's another thread I put the pics in.
Yea I got this rack from etrailer.com...
2 Bike Hitch Mounted Folding Rack w Frame Mount Cradles for 1-1/4" Hitch 63120 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com
I mostly got this one because to the 2" rise on the part that comes out of the hitch for some added clearance from the ground. This one also unlatches and I am able to get in the back hatch area. I looked at the T2 also wasn't for sure how it worked so I went with the one I did. I am very happy with this one.
Remember I am lowered but even lowered I think there is at least 4" ground clearance. Thats why I got the rack I did just to have an added 2" of clearance.
The only thing you might have an issue with since your upper brace is at a little bit of an angle you might want to buy an adapter to make sure the bike sits level on the rack. I bought this one for my wifes bike...
Swagman Easy-Out Women's and Alternative Frame Bike Adapter for Hitch Bike Racks 09006 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com
The only thing you might have an issue with since your upper brace is at a little bit of an angle you might want to buy an adapter to make sure the bike sits level on the rack. I bought this one for my wifes bike...
Swagman Easy-Out Women's and Alternative Frame Bike Adapter for Hitch Bike Racks 09006 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
From: Livermore, CA
This past weekend I was able to fit 2 bikes on the rack, and 2 bikes inside with plenty of room to spare for gear. Everyone was amazed at how much stuff I could put in such a small car. I didn't take pics of the arrangement, but I probably could have put three bikes in the back if I'd tried. They were all mountain bikes, and the smallest was a medium Blur.
Going camping this weekend. Worried that I won't have enough room for 3 adults + gear for 2 day trip without having a roof rack or hitch with cargo rack installed. I just emailed eTrailer to see if my local retailer may possibly have anything like this in stock for me to pick up by the weekend. Can we just swap Fit's for the weekend?? Cmon' we're friends, right!? 
Last edited by reako; Jun 7, 2009 at 07:13 PM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
From: Livermore, CA
If you are not taking bikes you should have no problem getting gear plus three people in there. When we went we took a huge tent, two sleeping bags, a grill, a tub with utensils in it, a cooler, bike gear, two bags of clothes, pillows... It never even got up to my eyeline in the rearview. Pack wisely and you'll be cool.
If you are not taking bikes you should have no problem getting gear plus three people in there. When we went we took a huge tent, two sleeping bags, a grill, a tub with utensils in it, a cooler, bike gear, two bags of clothes, pillows... It never even got up to my eyeline in the rearview. Pack wisely and you'll be cool.
Check out the gear...am I missing anything here? What do you guys think of this setup?
Does everything look like it will fit alright? Suggestions? Thanks!
Last edited by reako; Jun 9, 2009 at 01:56 AM.
Everything looks fine to me. I'm interested to see pics of one of those platforms installed on a fit.
One a side note I might recommend that I wouldn't load that platform with much over 60lbs. I'm not sure how the extended weight on the back would react to the front of the car. Being that platform sticks out 2-3ft that 60lbs hanging out there could easily feel like 100+lbs on a good bump and with the curb weight being so light on the fit...I just don't want any issues. We don't want any nose hoping going down the freeway lol.
Honda fit wheely image by lawn-boy-1998 on Photobucket
I highly doubt you would have any issues but I tend to be overly safe.
pm me if you have any questions during install.
One a side note I might recommend that I wouldn't load that platform with much over 60lbs. I'm not sure how the extended weight on the back would react to the front of the car. Being that platform sticks out 2-3ft that 60lbs hanging out there could easily feel like 100+lbs on a good bump and with the curb weight being so light on the fit...I just don't want any issues. We don't want any nose hoping going down the freeway lol.
Honda fit wheely image by lawn-boy-1998 on Photobucket
I highly doubt you would have any issues but I tend to be overly safe.
pm me if you have any questions during install.