New Curt Trailer Hitch Installed on IS350
01-09-11, 11:52 PM
#78
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Location: CA
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Just an update on my hitch - I'm not much of a get-under-the-car type of guy so it took me about 90 mins. No air tools, just some sockets, wrenches, and a pry bar. For the heat shield trimming, since I didn't have any tin snips handy my friend used a small dremel for me. Having a friend also helped moving the hitch into place.
Also a side note: Ordered from RockAuto.com, no tax to CA and it arrived in about 36 hours from the time I ordered with the cheapest shipping option. I do recommend them (not affiliated in any way... I swear).
Also a side note: Ordered from RockAuto.com, no tax to CA and it arrived in about 36 hours from the time I ordered with the cheapest shipping option. I do recommend them (not affiliated in any way... I swear).
01-10-11, 06:58 AM
#79
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01-14-11, 01:44 PM
#80
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I think I got my Curt hitch from etrailer. Easy installation in the garage; no jacking up of the car needed. You do need to lower both mufflers off the exhaust hangers (rubber hangers), which took a little persuasion with a pry bar.
I use the hitch with a Thule T2 bike rack (2" receiver), on a 1 1/4" to 2" adapter. It sticks out fairly far from the bumper, but no problems after ~10 months of intermittent usage. The rack does scrape on driveway entrances. If I had a 1 1/4" version (no adapter extension), I don't think it would scrape the ground.
I use the hitch with a Thule T2 bike rack (2" receiver), on a 1 1/4" to 2" adapter. It sticks out fairly far from the bumper, but no problems after ~10 months of intermittent usage. The rack does scrape on driveway entrances. If I had a 1 1/4" version (no adapter extension), I don't think it would scrape the ground.
01-19-11, 10:01 AM
#81
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I took a quick glance at my hitch this morning and notice there was a bit of surface rust forming already (in the part that looks like a "webbing")... has anyone else noticed this? I guess I anticipated it eventually but not in the 1.5 weeks since I've had it installed so I'm slightly annoyed. Do you guys use any spray or special maintenance to try to keep the rust to a minimum?
01-24-11, 02:51 PM
#82
Driver School Candidate
I took a quick glance at my hitch this morning and notice there was a bit of surface rust forming already (in the part that looks like a "webbing")... has anyone else noticed this? I guess I anticipated it eventually but not in the 1.5 weeks since I've had it installed so I'm slightly annoyed. Do you guys use any spray or special maintenance to try to keep the rust to a minimum?
Incidentally, with 2 mountain bikes on the hitch-mount bike rack, my highway MPG drops off considerably when going 75+ mph. I have an IS 250 AWD, so YMMV -- maybe an IS 350 has enough torque to not suffer as much of a MPG hit.
10-24-11, 01:42 PM
#83
Driver School Candidate
Here are some pictures of my 2008 IS250 AWD. I installed the hitch to use with a bike rack. The process was fairly easy, but its requires 2 people. I tried it by my self and I was using chains and stuff to hold the other end up. One of the shop guys helped me out by holding it in place and from there it was only minutes before I was done. Here is the link to flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/4878977...n/photostream/
Last edited by usna2011; 10-24-11 at 01:46 PM.
10-24-11, 04:21 PM
#84
Wouldn't the trailer height be a lot lower because of how low the hitch is? If you use a higher ball it would probably put more weight on the back than before which is definitely not good for the car... However to each his own!! This is why I kept my Tahoe though!
08-01-12, 11:28 AM
#89
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Very true. I checked the u-haul website and the requirements are:
Must have 1-7/8" or, 2" hitch ball (2,000 lbs. minimum)
Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height 25"
Must have external mirrors on both sides
The allowed cargo in this trailer will be calculated based on the curb weight of your vehicle and the lowest rated component of your hitch system.
Seems from the other posts that the Curt hitch tongue weight is 200lbs and the towing capacity is 2,000 lbs.
Must have 1-7/8" or, 2" hitch ball (2,000 lbs. minimum)
Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height 25"
Must have external mirrors on both sides
The allowed cargo in this trailer will be calculated based on the curb weight of your vehicle and the lowest rated component of your hitch system.
Seems from the other posts that the Curt hitch tongue weight is 200lbs and the towing capacity is 2,000 lbs.
Last edited by gilwood; 08-01-12 at 11:37 AM.
08-01-12, 05:36 PM
#90
Very true. I checked the u-haul website and the requirements are:
Must have 1-7/8" or, 2" hitch ball (2,000 lbs. minimum)
Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height 25"
Must have external mirrors on both sides
The allowed cargo in this trailer will be calculated based on the curb weight of your vehicle and the lowest rated component of your hitch system.
Seems from the other posts that the Curt hitch tongue weight is 200lbs and the towing capacity is 2,000 lbs.
Must have 1-7/8" or, 2" hitch ball (2,000 lbs. minimum)
Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height 25"
Must have external mirrors on both sides
The allowed cargo in this trailer will be calculated based on the curb weight of your vehicle and the lowest rated component of your hitch system.
Seems from the other posts that the Curt hitch tongue weight is 200lbs and the towing capacity is 2,000 lbs.
You need this link
http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/RatesTrailers.aspx
Looks like they will allow you a 5x10 enclosed, if they ask what are you towing tell them something very light. They are strict!