i want to get a bike rack for the fit, what kind of hitch should/could i get and how hard is it to install myself. Im not too sure what it entails and all i want to carry is at most 2 bikes.

thanks


also, would buying a hitch used from craigslist be advisable or just buy it new?

 

check out uhaul.com

i just picked up one of their hitches for my element and it was super easy to install.

going to order one next week for my fit too. the installation looks just as easy.

seems like some of the best pricing aorund too, and the quality of the one for my element is perfect.

 

Try here The Hitch Store

 

I got mine installed by uhaul. You can also try e.trailer.com

I have a platform mount Swagman bike rack that carries two bikes. I drove across country with it with my mountain bike and had no problems at all. I have also carried two bikes on it. I also got a long cable with a padlock to lock the bikes onto the rack.

Swagman Bike rack

 

i ended up buying a swagman platform 2 bike carrier and hitch from etrailer.com should be here wednesday

 

For those who have a hitch added to the Fit, do you feel any difference when driving it without the rack? It adds some weight to the car, so I'm wondering if it slows down the car noticeably.

 

no difference. Looks really low though

 

I see. Thanks. No going up or down a steep driveway for sure. I'm going to try fitting two bikes inside the car first and see how it goes.

 

I don't see a significant problem with steep drives either as the angle would have to be pretty extreme.

Here is how it sits - my car is dropped roughly 2".




I have yet to hit it on anything.

 

I had a Draw-Tite hitch put on my '08 Sport MT (by "Truck N Trailer USA") and have used it to transport a motorcycle (for servicing) on a lightweight utility trailer. Later, I bought a bike rack - an Allen 532RR, and with that I ran into a "hitch".

The Allen rack requires that you insert it into your Draw-Tite hitch and slide a horizontal bolt through both of them to secure it. It fits in, but the insert would not go in all the way so that the bolt holes lined up. It turns out there's a vertical (mounting?) bolt through the Draw-Tite's hitch tube that blocks the Allen rack's insert from getting in deep enough to line up the securing bolt holes.

I ended up having to drill an extra hole through the Allen rack's hitch insert part so that I could use it. As a result, it doesn't go in as deep as it should, but at least the rack can be secured. That said, and presumably unrelated to this "depth problem", the Allen rack is also a bit cockeyed, even though it doesn't seem noticeably loose going in. Apparently a little wiggle room is all it takes to result in it sitting unevenly. Again, it still works and isn't going to fall off, but it's quite a bit less than hoped.

I'm not sure if "Hidden Hitch" (another make that has kits that will work for the Fit) has this vertical bolt that would block a bike rack insert from going in all the way.

I give the Draw-Tite rack and A for towing a small trailer, but a C- for usefulness with a bike rack.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the pics. The hitch seems to fit the Fit pretty well I used to think it might look awkward on a small car like this. My concern with the steep hill is when I have the rack and bikes on it. The rack would stick out further.

 

I think fleet farm also installs hitches. It's been a while tho...

 

I'm also looking at getting a hitch kit and cargo rack. Two kids under five and a road trip seem to necessitate extra storage (even with the Fit's great cargo space). The wife is opposed, but I think this is the way to go. Anyone care to convince me that a roof rack would be superior? They look awkward to access, and have to be terrible for gas-mileage, road noise, etc. I looked on the hitch store and e-trailer. It looks like I'm going to be out somewhere between $200 and $250 for a hitch kit and basket. One concern I have is that a class-1 hitch only holds 200lbs at the tongue and these baskets cantilever out further (I was told you lose a third of weight capacity for every foot you go out. Anyone have any input on this? I am not looking to carry really heavy stuff, but luggage ain't light either.

 

etrailer.com is a great source. that's where i got the hitch for my teggy and the hitch for my yazz

 

For two adults and two kids, I recommend driving to the nearest car rental place and renting a minivan. Adding external storage is going to drop your mpg anyway. I just did an 11 day rental for <$500. Built in DVD system made the trip bearable as well.

 

Got mine installed a uhaul, too. If you order online you get a discount. I was worried, too, about it being too low, but so far so good. I use mine with a Kuat rack, which only weighs about 12 pounds, and can't tell any difference in how the car handles.

 

Not really an option for us at this point, but thanks. I have a '96 Grand Caravan, but with over 160k miles and no AC, it's a no-go.

 

BW, what brand hitch do you have installed