You're obviously a newb & an idiot for not knowing what the thread is about . . .

 

now now ed....lets all get along....

im kidding....whats up. im in dallas just about to go to my first autox event up here with TRSCCA.

-J

 

anyone?? anyone out there have the UHAUL HITCH FOR THEIR Z???

part number 249483 on uhauls web site?

im curious if its an knock off of the Curt model? or if its a complete different design? if you have to cut the bumper? etc?

- jason

 

I cant speek for the UHaul Hitch, but i have the Curt one on my car and the trimming of the bumper was minimal. I got it from Summit and got a really good deal..

I have not used it for a small utility trailer but ahve been looking into one. As for now i use it for a bike rack and it works fine. I have noticed its a little more bouncy than the one that was on my civic. Probably due to not being mounted directly to the frame.

 

I added some reinforcement to the aluminum bumper due to the "bounce" issues using the Curt hitch. And that seemed to cure the problem. I will post a pic of the reinforcement a little later...I can't find it right now.....

Note: I pull a 4x6 utility trailer and I was concerned that the bumper would not be able to handle that kind of weights.

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Yeah i would really like to see how you reinforced the aluminum piece. Once i make it home i can get some real good pics of the hitch installed, bc of my exhaust.

 

I would be curious too, and how much was your trailer?

 

Basically, it is just a large piece of Aluminum angle welded to the back side/closest to the car body and along the bottom where the Curt hitch is mounted/screwed in.

Pics coming soon

 

the trailer was $329 from Northern Tool and Supply

 

Well I finally got around to getting some pictures of the mount onto the aluminum bracing...

 

i have a Curt hitch as well but did not beef it up at all. i pull the same sized trailer but its from TSC instead. Not sure there is really any difference in weight however. i do only have one tool box, slam full, but still only one box. as long as the weight is even front to back, i have no problems at all. just can't back up hill is all, the clutch screams if i try that.

 

So that's what it looks like. The dealer put it on for me and I haven't had the car on a lift to look it over.

I also have a similar setup to Billhyco. I have been able to back up a shallow hill however it takes a long time to get it straight. I find it's easier to take the trailer off the car and push it where I want it. I can't backup for s*#t.

BTW, the dead weight on the tongue is about 55#. I have an equipment box in front with the tires over the axle. Not much more than a jack, some stands, minimal tools and misc items so I'm nowhere near the load that laze1 is pulling. I don't even feel it at 85 mph. That TSC trailer pulls great.

 

Pics of my bumper bracing made from some scrap Aluminum

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In know I haul way too much crap..but you never know what you will need 300 miles away from home at the track. However all the guys I travel with know where to borrow the tool that they forgot to bring, or spare rotor, or .....

But I tell you the best thing I carry are the fuel jugs....it is so nice not having to go get gas during lunch during track days....

 

BTW: If I where to do this again, I would extend the bracing all the way out to the end of the bumper where is bolts to the car....but this works fine even with my big-*** trailer.

 

Yep, I understand, I haul a buttload of things as well!

Never thought about the fuel jugs, not a bad idea, especially considering how much fuel my TT G35 burns!

 

I will have to see what i can come up with to add additional support to the brace.

Laze1 .. Do you remember what wire harness you are using. I know i need to get the powered unit but have not really spent a whole lot of time looking for one. And I was think of having the box in the car then running the wires through one of the grommet's, and then putting the coupler just behind the bumper so that it wasn't seen. Just curious where you ran yours?

 

I ran the "red hot lead" from the battery, thru a wiring harness hole-grommet just behind the battery into the passenger compartment, then along the passenger side door jam under the carpet, then along the passenger side of the rear storage area. Then ran the trailer coupler thru the center grommet where the hatch opener/tag lite exits the car.

You might can do this without removing the rear bumper cover, but i it is more difficult. I did this the same time I installed the hitch..so I had the entire back of the car off.

This is what I used, it worked fine.

etrailer.com
1507 East Highway A
Wentzville, MO 63385
636 327 3156

118176KIT -Circuit Protected Modulite 4 Pole Harness with Hardwire Kit $64.95

 

Having fuel jugs is the way to go...I normally use 1/2 to all of a full tank of gas in the mornings, and same for the afternoon at "good events" at tracks like Roebling Road or Road Atlanta that you are on the throttle hard most of time.....

BTW: I normally do not have any fuel in the jugs when driving to/from the events. I fill them up at the last gas station before the track. I do it this way for safety and to reduce trailer weight.

 

Thanks, now that i know it works I will look into getting one...and I have already upgraded the stereo so I have power ran all the way to the back of the car. I knew that part was going to be the easy part..lol..