So i have my new 2015 Fit LX....

I also have a motorcycle that i want to bring with me so i looked around at hitches. I can easily install my self and the wiring as well. So, sourcing a hitch, install and wiring. CHECK! Got that...
The real issue is my Honda Plus Warranty. Here is what happened when I called my dealer and Honda Canada....

--Dealer--
Service Advisor 1 : Well, if we install it then its covered, let me get you to parts.

Parts Guy: We cannot get a hitch for that car, you will have to go third party.

Service Advisor 2: Well if you have to go third party then you could do it your self.

Me: But what about my Honda warranty coverage?

SA2: Well, you should be okay, check the manual about towing or contact Honda customer service and they will advise you whats best.

Me: Okay

-- Honda Canada --
Customer Service Agent: So the 2015 fit CVT and Stick shift cannot tow. "Your vehicle is not designed for towing"

Me: So whats the result if i put a hitch on?

CSA: We might not cover you for anything related to that hitch. Example, transmission damage.

Me: So what if I want to put a hitch on for a bike rack, or a cargo carrier? Something that is not tow related. As in no trailer wiring.

CSA: Well, there is the chance that if you had transmission damage then someone could say that you had a hitch so its possible to tow even without the lighting. "Your vehicle is not designed for towing"

Me: Thanks. (hang up)


Umm...... shoot..... Here i am with my motorcycle and wanting to bring it places with me. to be honest, i would do more damage to the transmission having 4 passengers then I would towing a motorcycle.

 

Don't you worry about a thing, a small motorcycle will not hurt the FIT. Tow smart and be aware that its not an 8 cylinder pickup truck


I have an 875 pound 5x8 utility trailer with electric brakes, tows it just fine.

 

A lot of people install hitches just to use a bicycle or wheelchair rack. Some bicycle racks have auxiliary lighting so they need an electrical connection.

Any dealer who denies a warranty claim based upon the presence of a trailer hitch is asking for a lawsuit.

Extended warranties aren't a very good idea. Letting the dealer dictate how you use the car adds insult to injury.

 

Sounds like a Honda CYA thing, can't blame them for that. However, I don't see that there would be any way they would deny you warranty coverage just because you use a hitch mounted bike carrier.

 

I agree its a CYA situation. A dealer cannot deny a warranty claim by the presence of aftermarket equipment. If after inspection of the damage it is found that the 3rd party equipment was the cause of the failure, then the claim can be denied. This requires an inspection report, pictures, and any other supporting documents. If the dealer was a reputable dealer they should want to retain you as a repeat customer. They SHOULD work with you and fight with Honda warranty to approve your claim. A dealer that flat out denies a claim because they see a hitch likely is because they do not want to deal with the fight Honda warranty will put up. Find another dealer. A dealer like that doesn't want to deal with problems screams inadequate customer service.


Regardless of what is the proper procedure and what is practiced, a dealer should be your ally, not your enemy.

 

The problem is that dealers don't like to do warranty service because they get paid at a lower rate than they generally charge for non-warranty service. They're not going to be on your side concerning the warranty if it is in their interest to be against you.

It's a bit tongue-in-cheek but if you install a hitch it might be a good idea to borrow a bike carrier, put it on the hitch, hang a wheelchair from it, and take a picture. If the dealer sandbags because of the hitch, show them the picture. The spectre of a lawsuit involving an ADA aspect *might* prompt the dealer to do the right thing.

 

All very true. Its a case of fighting fire with fire, the consumer and dealer should both play CYA. Your ADA scenario is a classic example the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" or essentially making the problem get bigger and making it go away before it does that.

 

Dealers like customer pay jobs because they pay a higher rate.

Dealers like warranty because the guy bringing the car in isn't going to say "I'll call you back when I can scrounge up the money," he's going to say "Thanks!"
Dealers like warranty because after they order the parts they know the customer isn't going to shop around in the meantime or decide he can live without the repair- it's free.
Dealers like warranty because the customer on the other side of the counter is happy that he got taken care of and money comes into the store.
Dealers like warranty because if Jim Bob's Transmisson Repair slaps a used unit into a car, the dealership makes $0.

So while dealers really like customer pay, the cost/benefit still makes warranty and service contract work the easiest way to get large amounts of money into the store- especially when they're dealing with low priced cars.

 

I've found my local dealer to be very foot-dragging regarding warranty/TSB work. It's a high-volume dealer in a fairly upscale bedroom community with a number of mechanics. I get the feeling that they squeeze the warranty work into whatever gaps they have in their full-pay work schedule so if I have a warranty issue I expect to wait. Of course the excuse is things like "we're waiting for parts" but we all know how truthful dealers are!

 

first note european jazz (fit) do allow towing; I think its max 1000 pounds.
we have 'designed fits for towing' several times by using air lift shocks to compensate for tongue loads and for heavier duty shock action, mine's been on since 2008 and has towed without drama even a thousand pound lawn tractor so it can be done. Can't see who provided the hitch from here and its raining but there must be at least a couple of hitch suppliers.
the important thing is to see what they say about their hitches on fits; and you can be satisfied with that. its important that youchoose a lightweigt but appropriate trailer. mine came from tractor supply and has been excellent hauling all manner of stuff either too big or too dirty to fit in the fit . doesn't hurt to get better brake pad seither, lie hawk hps. inertia trailer brakes are good too but thats the trailer sellers offering.
oh, and add a dose of common sense.
cheers.and good luck,

 

As it comes to warranty work...

My dealer (as in the guy runs the finance department) has told me they love doing warrenty work because they know that they will not have to haggle with the customer and they know they will get paid. They also know the customer will be happy and return.

It was suggested to me that buy the hitch third party, speak to the service manager at the dealer and offer to have them install it. Also explain to him WHY i want a hitch on it.

Its in the dealers interest to cover me. (My thought)


Matt

 

+1, All very good info. The Jazz is rated to 1000 pounds without trailer brakes, and 2000 pounds with. The Fit here in the States to my knowledge is no different mechanically. The Curt trailer hitch is a Class I with a 200 LB tongue weight limit. It has a 1-1/4" receiver. Torklift makes a Class I hitch for the Fit and features a 2" receiver, but costs a lot more. Both hitches are no drill installation, with the Torklift hitch requiring the most labor.

My 5x8 trailer empty is 875 pounds with 15" wheels, it has 10" trailer brakes, and the tongue weight is 101 pounds. It hauls really well though a bit bouncy. I'm moving my friend out of his house tomorrow and I'll let everyone know how it goes. I do have a set of Monroe Maxx Air struts I need to install in the rear. Thats next on the list!

 

I’ve been eyeing one of these: Freespirit Recreation - Lightweight Tent Trailers

Only about 750 pounds so my fit might work ok. I have a manual and somehow I feel a bit better about that.

 

That thing looks pretty cool and spacious. What do they charge for it?

 

They get 5-7k. Not cheap but really cool. i would be tempted to build one.

 

Wow, that does sound expensive, but I guess it depends on how upscale it is inside.

 

Wonder how much the tent portion costs and will it fit a 5x8? You are right though, it may just be cheaper to build one with a cheap tent from Wallyworld. Plywood and 2x4's and a man can build a skyscraper! (figuratively speaking of course!)

 

It looks like it combines all the worst of a tent and a popup (I've backpacked, lived in a Humvee (and a 5 Ton) and now have a popup) in one expensive package. It does get the tent off the ground, though. Enclosing a utility trailer with a pickup cap would probably be a better move, as well as being cheaper.

 

Yeah, there doesn't seem to be much to it, maybe its those expensive wheels.

 

It all depends what kind of repair needs to be done and how much manufacturer pays. If dealer is smart enough to figure out doing it faster in shorter time than what it says, they will love to do it. If not, they won't.