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Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic?

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Old 01-15-2004, 04:04 AM
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Default Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic?

Hey guys,

to sum it up, i moved to florida from ohio several months back... and most of my shat is still up in ohio... i cant get it yet as i'm still cramped into a 1bedroom apartment... but, i'll be having a 3bedroom house in the not-so-distant future (~9 months)... and i'm going to want to get some of my stuff down here...

the biggest thing is my big craftsman toolbox, jacks, jackstands, etc, etc... and perhaps i can have my dad find me an air compressor (or whatever else) by then...

i was looking on u-hauls webpage... and it'd be like $700+ to rent a uhaul truck and drive it the 1200 miles... but, i can rent one of their trailers for like $130...

well, could my civic handle that? what kind of hitch do i need to get?

i'd want a (i think they're called) reese hitch, right? thats the ones that take the square thingie and has the locking pins? they're alot better than hitch ***** (lol), right?

i looked up my car on u-hauls trailer hitch guide, but, it said it was not available online... is this a bolt-on thing? or will it need to be welded? where do i even look to get a trailer hitch besides like u-haul? does like summit racing sell these things?...lol

thanks for the help
and sorry if its a dumb question

-mike

ps. the car is a 96 civic coupe ex 5spd
Old 01-15-2004, 04:55 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (supadupamikey)

pep boys and autozone can order them for your car
Old 01-15-2004, 05:06 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (94blackhatch)

i know they make them because i have seen them

go to a place that specializes in trailer hitches, just look through the yellow pages.
Old 01-15-2004, 05:07 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (supadupamikey)

First off, if you have ~9 months why not just save up the extra money and rent the truck. Do you really think your civic will be able to pull you tools and jacks and a compressor?? That would be a serious strain on your clutch. Plus you have to factor in the cost of installation of the hitch, and the ugly factor if you don't get it removed after you're done moving.

I would save up and get the truck.
Old 01-15-2004, 05:13 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (Daily Driver)

Yo, I'd have to agree, I seriously doubt that clutch and/or tranny would hold up to that much weight drag.....plus, you know how when you go through those mountains in WV and the car loses all power cause of the altitude? Imagine that with a few hundred lbs more behind you....hehe
Old 01-15-2004, 05:25 AM
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120-something hp at the crank is not going to handle something like a trailer filled with heavy things like tools and an air compressor very well.

I've driven a Jimmy (V6) SUV with an empty boat trailer before and it really bogged the car down big time. I know it's different from your situation, but I am just saying that a car that bogged down was hard to drive on crowded roads because you have a longer length and less power and therefore merging into traffic becomes a major problem.

Save your money and rent a truck, you'll thank yourself later.
Old 01-15-2004, 05:28 AM
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My old mans del sol pulls a 4x6 ft utility trailer just fine. he loads it down with all kinds of **** and the car takes it in stride. He can put all of his Auto-X goodies on it.. and he has no problems going up hills.
Old 01-15-2004, 05:37 AM
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I would buy a small reliable truck for 1000-1500. The little early 90s nissans and mazda trucks sell for around that price and run forever. It is always nice to have a truck but if you didn't want to keep it, clean it up a little and sell it for a couple hundred more than you bought it for.
Old 01-15-2004, 06:07 AM
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Default Re: (fire7882)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fire7882 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would buy a small reliable truck for 1000-1500. The little early 90s nissans and mazda trucks sell for around that price and run forever. It is always nice to have a truck but if you didn't want to keep it, clean it up a little and sell it for a couple hundred more than you bought it for.</TD></TR></TABLE>

my buddy just bought a friends 86 mazda truck for 400 bucks. looks like hell but hes taking to to chicogo and back and all over ohio. drives it on 2hr trips weekly. find an old beatup mazda b2000, b2200, or b2600. i have a b2600 i pulled a chevy 1500 truck up a hill with my mazda no problem. it even pulled a v8 truck with a trailer and a chevey 1500 on the trailer up a hill. got the v8 truck stuck going up my driveway and had to hook my mazda up to pull it out.

burn the clutch up alittle but we got them out.
Old 01-15-2004, 06:44 AM
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You gotta factor in the 1,100 mile trip he's taking in each direction though....not something I'd want to attempt in an early 90's anything, let alone a pickup....
Old 01-15-2004, 06:47 AM
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Draw-tite makes a bolt on hitch for that car. I am sure that it is a very low tongue weight though. Also, civics are not designed to pull loads. If you read your owners manual it specifically says not to tow anything. But installing the hitch (if you decide to go that direction) is super easy. It comes with everything necessary to install and can be done in like 15 mins with a good drill. I put one on my dads Grand Marquis...gravy.
Old 01-15-2004, 09:14 AM
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Default Re: (-TRINiTRON-)

hey guys, thanks for the info

i realize my poor civic was never supposed to pull a load... but, i gotta work with what i have... besides, i've seen civics driving around with 4 'average' size americans inside... and figure they're 200-250 a piece... all my tools and my skinny *** combined dont weigh as much as them... hehe

theres no way i could afford to buy another (albeit old'n busted) vehicle... let alone license it in florida, cover it with insurance, yadda yadda

my tools aint worth that much... i'd be better off just starting a new collection with that $1500 at Sears...

ps... my email notification wasn't working... weird... didn't even know i had replies...

thanks again!
-mike
Old 01-15-2004, 09:34 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (supadupamikey)

i have a hitch on my coupe.got it at U-Haul.it has their name on it,but it looks to just be a rebadged Reese type unit.the manin limitation is the tongue weight-you'll have to be very careful when loading the trailer to try to get even weight on both sides of the axle.keep in mind also that the U-Haul trailers are very heavy to start off with-you need to get an idea of howmuch weight you're going to be pulling to figure out if it's even possible.......
i've pulled two motorcycles on my 8'x5' trailer for about 800 miles before,no problem.....but i've also got a turbo'd C1 providing the power
i'd say your EX with stock motor will probably have a hard time pulling any considerable weight.
my vote is to check into a rental car/truck,and see if they either come with hitches or if they allow you to tow with their vehicles.you couls rent an SUV or truck for a fraction of what the U-Haul truck would cost,then pull the U-Haul trailer with it.the towing capcacity will be much higher than your civic too.
chris
Old 01-15-2004, 10:03 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (TeamNextGenChris)

You've got a great idea...

Now you mention it... I'm thinking there are some places where you can rent a vehicle by the number of days... with unlimited miles... just pay the $30/day or whatever with no limit on the miles... and i can make the drive straight through... made it in 17 hours in the civic... probably take a good 20 or even more towing the trailer though... probably take 5 damn hours to get through freaking west virginia... yuck!

but you got the wheels turning in my head... i'll keep my eye open for some place like that... maybe i could rent like a toyota truck for a few days for something reasonable (like ~$100-$150)... and then like $150 to uhaul for a trailer... plus i could bring more stuff that way too... load that truck down too...

yeah... damn my little d16...bah! it'd have an h22 in there if i had the money...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamNextGenChris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have a hitch on my coupe.got it at U-Haul.it has their name on it,but it looks to just be a rebadged Reese type unit.the manin limitation is the tongue weight-you'll have to be very careful when loading the trailer to try to get even weight on both sides of the axle.keep in mind also that the U-Haul trailers are very heavy to start off with-you need to get an idea of howmuch weight you're going to be pulling to figure out if it's even possible.......
i've pulled two motorcycles on my 8'x5' trailer for about 800 miles before,no problem.....but i've also got a turbo'd C1 providing the power
i'd say your EX with stock motor will probably have a hard time pulling any considerable weight.
my vote is to check into a rental car/truck,and see if they either come with hitches or if they allow you to tow with their vehicles.you couls rent an SUV or truck for a fraction of what the U-Haul truck would cost,then pull the U-Haul trailer with it.the towing capcacity will be much higher than your civic too.
chris</TD></TR></TABLE>
Old 01-15-2004, 10:21 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (supadupamikey)

yeah... damn my little d16...bah! it'd have an h22 in there if i had the money...

atleast you have a d16..i have a d15...it will barely get up to 65 with 4 people in the car..especially with **** in the trunk...bad road trip car...
Old 01-15-2004, 10:26 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (Daily Driver)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daily Driver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First off, if you have ~9 months why not just save up the extra money and rent the truck. Do you really think your civic will be able to pull you tools and jacks and a compressor?? That would be a serious strain on your clutch. Plus you have to factor in the cost of installation of the hitch, and the ugly factor if you don't get it removed after you're done moving.

I would save up and get the truck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

sure iot could pull a trailer. Lots of ppl use little trailers to haul their autox gear and tires, especially those who don't have trunk room....ie=miata drives. I see tham do it alot.

getting a hitch put on is rather pricey though.
but pulling tools and jacks is fine, maybe not a car trailer
Old 01-15-2004, 10:33 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (civicgirl114)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicgirl114 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

getting a hitch put on is rather pricey though.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
my U-Haul hitch only cost about $150.installed in myseld in about a half-hour,super-easy.
chris
Old 01-15-2004, 10:38 AM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (supadupamikey)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by supadupamikey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You've got a great idea...

Now you mention it... I'm thinking there are some places where you can rent a vehicle by the number of days... with unlimited miles... just pay the $30/day or whatever with no limit on the miles... and i can make the drive straight through... made it in 17 hours in the civic... probably take a good 20 or even more towing the trailer though... probably take 5 damn hours to get through freaking west virginia... yuck!

but you got the wheels turning in my head... i'll keep my eye open for some place like that... maybe i could rent like a toyota truck for a few days for something reasonable (like ~$100-$150)... and then like $150 to uhaul for a trailer... plus i could bring more stuff that way too... load that truck down too...

yeah... damn my little d16...bah! it'd have an h22 in there if i had the money...

</TD></TR></TABLE>
last year when we went to indy for the F1 race,i was comparing prices from the different rental places.you could get small SUVs(something like a ford explorer) for about $30/day with unlimited mileage.i didn't look at pickups,but i'm sure they're comparable in price.you should be able to get a one-way U-Haul emclosed trailer for under $100 total.if you only keep the truck for one or two days,you can get it done really cheap.
chris
Old 01-15-2004, 10:42 AM
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Default Re: (supadupamikey)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by supadupamikey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">besides, i've seen civics driving around with 4 'average' size americans inside... and figure they're 200-250 a piece... all my tools and my skinny *** combined dont weigh as much as them... hehe
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok, what you need to realize is that the weight of having people in your car is COMPLETELY different than the weight of the trailer. My 2004 CRV has a 2.4 and these are the different limits for the CRV...

Total Trailer Weight: The total weight of the trailer and everything loaded in it must not exceed 1,500 lbs.

Tongue Load: The weight that the tongue of a fully-loaded trailer puts on the hitch should be approximately 10 percent of the trailer weight.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo, and the tongue load is 4,320 lbs.

Gross Axle Weight Rating: The maximum allowable weight on the vehicle axles are 2,610lbs on the front and 2,250 lbs on the rear axle.

So just because you see 4 "average" people in a car, that doesn't mean it can TOE as much weight.
Old 01-15-2004, 12:44 PM
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Default Re: Can I put a trailer hitch on my 96 civic? (TeamNextGenChris)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamNextGenChris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
my U-Haul hitch only cost about $150.installed in myseld in about a half-hour,super-easy.
chris</TD></TR></TABLE>

well I meant pricey for someone who just needs it to move some stuff....
Old 01-15-2004, 12:48 PM
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Default Re: (explosive)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by explosive &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">120-something hp at the crank is not going to handle something like a trailer filled with heavy things like tools and an air compressor very well.

I've driven a Jimmy (V6) SUV with an empty boat trailer before and it really bogged the car down big time. I know it's different from your situation, but I am just saying that a car that bogged down was hard to drive on crowded roads because you have a longer length and less power and therefore merging into traffic becomes a major problem.

Save your money and rent a truck, you'll thank yourself later.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's more the torque than the hp that matters with towing. My buddy has a 2000 Sonoma (4 cyl) that only produces 120 hp and 140 tq. We pulled an estimated 3500 lbs with it on a daily basis. He does lawn service. A Civic has the power to tow, just not the drivetrain for it.
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