That's right. I'm currently in the process of building my own tow hitch. Before anyone says anything stupid like "it's not a truck" or "just go get a truck", I'm only talking about towing a 4ft x 8ft single-axle mini-trailer weighing roughly 500lbs total (trailer included). It's so I can haul my dirtbike to and fro without using the Silverado 2500 (¾ ton truck only getting 11mpg).

Here's a basic photo of the trailer:




If anyone has anything useful to contribute like photos of other setups, please do.

 

So far:

 

More:











Play close attention to the notch shown here in the last photo. This is required in order to clear the lip in the rear bumper support piece.

 

looks really good dude, props!

 

are u using gas with ur welder? its spitting a lot

 

It's a 90A Flux Core MIG welder with temp on high.

 

Thanks not a bad idea, Ive been wanting to do something like this with my tC for towing the Lude around since I cant afford a truck right now

 

So it's finished. I know my car is filthy, but here ya go:







^^^ Those are just temporary bolts to hold it in place for the test-fitting.



^^^ It sits snug against the tow hook, but for added support I added the U-bolt. It's not going anywhere.



^^^ Here's how it looks front the rear.



^^^ Here's how it looks from the side.


For mounting to the bumper support, I used:

2 - 7/16" x 1" Hex head stainless steel bolts - 39¢ each
4 - 7/16" stainless steel flat washers - 19¢ each
2 - 7/16" (ID) stainless steel nuts - 25¢ each

For mounting to the tow hook, I used:

1 - Stainless steel U-bolt of unknown size and unknown cost (I already had it)
1 - Stainless steel flat side-by-side washer of unknown size and unknown cost (I already had it)
2 - Stainless steel nuts of unknown size and unknown cost (I already had them)

Total cost of project:

Standard Class III Tow Hitch Receiver (2") - $13
Scrap Steel for welding - $0
Mounting Hardware - $2.20 after tax
Spray paint (two coats) - $0
Labor - $0
TOTAL - $15.20

The ball and ball mount will be purchased later, but here they are:



^^^ Tow Ball Mount with 4" Lift/Drop - $21.99 + tax



^^^ 1⅞" Chrome-plated Steel Ball with ¾" Shank - $9.99 + tax

 

Cool

[ENDURO/DUALSPORT * COUGH * COUGH *]

 

Today, I hooked everything up for the first time. A trial run for Wednesday when I'll be hauling just the trailer about 300 miles.





Picked this up on the way home, after realizing lights are important. It's exactly 6ft long, cost $30, and says it fits 2001-2002 Preludes. :-)




I need some ideas on how to run the lighting wires. Since most are unaware, the plug is located on the driver-side rear end, next to the tail light bulbs.

I was thinking of running it down under the carpet, under the donut spare, through the trunk drain bung, and then back to the bumper on the underside of the car.

 

mad mad props, Kronn.

that's how i would run it and have a good piece of rubber where it goes through the drain hole so that you don't cut your wires.

what is a prelude's tow capacity? what's in your tool box or whatever that box is? you've got to be over 1000lbs

 

and...will our 5th gear hold up to that kind of punishment?

 

Nice write up.

I know you were probably using a crappy welder but them welds look like ..... BTW I'm not trying to bash on your work. But even poopy looking weld can hold good.

 

Trailer = ~200lbs
Bikes = ~220lbs each
Toolbox = 5lbs (empty)

So I'm sitting at about 650lbs total towing, however, one of the bikes is just there for the photo. If I do haul a second bike, it'll be a mini weighing 50lbs less. The most the toolbox will ever carry is about 40lbs in gear.

I've heard that the Prelude's towing capacity is between 700 and 1000 pounds, but I'll be short of that no matter what.

I'm aware they look like ****, but they are definitely strong. We've already tested them with about 500lbs of tongue weight and nothing budged.

 

I found this Prelude hitch at a junkyard recently...probably sold by U-Haul or something

Looks like yours worked out pretty good though.

 

I knew they existed, but I'm not a fan of the design. Plus, almost-free = almost-free.

Here's a new one:

 

That is USDM as f*ck

 

As funny as it looks to see a Prelude towing anything. That's pretty nicely done. I can't say much, I pulled a Kia Sorento off the interstate and to my boy's house with my 4th Gen. Lol.

However, for the record, if I ever saw you driving I would make fun of you. Not cuz I think it's retarded, just cuz it's a Prelude, towing something lol. Shoulda seen the Benz towing a Uhaul, and I mean, a BIG Uhaul trailer. Him trying to stop that massive thing was almost the funniest thing I've ever seen. Had to start stopping about 20 minutes b4 he got where he was going.

 

Thanks for the writeup; im going to try this out for towing a small boat. Unsure the weight but it can't be much..

 

Mad props for building it yourself..
although i would have used a arc welder, if one was available. but hey.. migs will do the job..

My friend was planning to get a hitch put on (or made) to put on his teg... so when he buys motors .... this give me a general design.. thanks alot..

 

nice idea with the U bolt on the tow hook