Anyone here tow a small utility tire for tires and tools for road racing or autocross with their Civic? If so what kinda hitch did you get?

 

I had a "Hidden Hitch" on the ITR and I know they were available for the Civic. They are very low profile and are great for anything like a 2-wheel tire trailer or smaller. If I was going to put another hitch on a regular car, I'd check Hidden Hitch out again. The price is right too and the install took me 15 minutes.

 

I've been planning on getting one of those small trailers from harbor frieght for a couple of years now, so I'm interested in this as well.

So the hidden hitch will work with a lowered car? Is it visible on the car? I've never seen one installed on a honda; but there are certain hitches I've seen on miatas that are pretty ugly and stick out like a sore thumb.

And what type of wiring harness is needed for this? Is it something that has to be hardwired in, or is it something that could just plug in like some of the truck kits out there?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a trailer n00b.

 

I looked briefly at one point and couldn't find any listings for civic hatchbacks.

The coupes had listings though. I'm assuming it has something to do with the lack of room around the muffler area on the hatchbacks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JeffS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The coupes had listings though..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, that was the one I was looking at, but I coudn't find any listings with one installed or what the clearences were.

 

how does the "hidden hitch" attach? I'm assuming it's just a bolt on and no cutting involved? any pics?

 

I installed a Hidden Hitch on my wife's '95 Civic Coupe. It came with all mounting hardware: 2 bolts and backing plates for the frame rails and 1 bolt and hardware for the rear tie-down hole. No drilling required.

The Hidden Hitch was not obtrusive, though the Hidden Hitch label kinda stood out. Ironic, don't you think?

As for electrical hookup, you won't find any plug-in wiring kits like those available for some trucks. However, you can buy a pre-wired 4-wire flat connector that converts separate brake and turn signal wires to the same bulb on the trailer. It was a pretty easy hookup.

Keith, who knows a guy who used to tow his F440 racecar on a small trailer behind his 3rd gen. Civic sedan...

 

My CRX had a lame U-Haul hitch on it when I bought it. I've been meaning to get a utility trailer to haul tires or a kart or something back there . . .

 

I used to have a '99 Si. I had a Reese Class I hitch. Complete bolt on. 2 bolts in existing holes in the frame rails and kind of a U-bolt through the factory rear tow hook and a bolt through that. Took about 15min to put on with a couple hand tools. I actually put it on in a parking lot where I met up with some friends. Weighs 26lbs I think.

I used to to haul two motorcycles about 180miles to the beach. Since it was only once a year, I never bothered rigging up lights or brakes. Hell I don't even think the trailer had electric brakes or any brakes for that matter other then a emergency one if the trailer came unhooked.

I think the Class I is rated up to 2,000lbs GTW and 200lbs TW. Got it for like $100. Had no problems with my civic towing. Trailer probably weighed maybe 300lbs and the bikes were about 400 each wet. I had P+'s front and Ultimates back and ATE s00per bl00e. No problems.

I had no complaints. Install was CAKE as I said. Not even noticeable even with my snazzy "H" emblem hitch cover. AND it even cleared my ITR 23mm (JDM) bar and m00gen twin loop.

I even drag raced a Dodge 1500 with a HEMI in it towing a motorcycle across the bay bridge and SMOKED it......ok I'll stop.

 

I have same one on my 90 civic si as targa

 

Is anyone else amazed at Google ads at the bottom of the page being relevant to the topic at hand?

I hate being marketed to.
/rant
/OT

[edit, I scared off the ad for trailersnhitches.com ... I feel like I'm being watched!

 

Here's a pic of the hidden hitch on the Integra. I believe the Civic design is very similar.

 

Great, thanks for all the info everyone. Looks like just what I needed for a hitch. Stealhty, can unbolt the tounge, and easy enough to take off during the off season. It also looks like it might hide my blingin' comptech sway from the rear, which wouldn't be a bad thing either.

 

i have a hidden hitch brand hitch on my coupe.i've towed two sportbikes on a 5'x7' trailer a few times with no problems.
as far as i know,all the major hitch manufacturers make Honda applications.
i only install mine when i need it,as it is an eyesore.i can install it or take it off in about five minutes.it attaches with two bolts through the framerail(which i just runs the nuts back up on when i take it off),and a U-bolt through the tow hook.
for wiring,you'll need an integrator.about $20-$30 at any towing supply store.i hardwired mine to the factory taillight harnesses,then tuck the 4-way plug and wire behind the trunk trim panels.when i need it,just run it out the trunk and close the trunk on it.this keeps it out of sight when not in use,and out of the elements like it would be if tied up under the bumper.
Chris

 

http://www.etrailer.com/produc...=&h=e

Looks as though there is a hatchy model now.

So all I'll need is the hitch and a ball to fit the trailer and a wiring kit, correct?

http://www.etrailer.com/Mercha...ELEBF

Is this what I'll need to wire the trailer lights?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.etrailer.com/produc...=&h=e

Looks as though there is a hatchy model now.

So all I'll need is the hitch and a ball to fit the trailer and a wiring kit, correct?

http://www.etrailer.com/Mercha...ELEBF
yes,that's what you need for the wiring.
Chris

Is this what I'll need to wire the trailer lights?

</TD></TR></TABLE>
yes,that is what you need.
Chris


Modified by TeamNextGenChris at 1:13 PM 2/28/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.etrailer.com/produc...=&h=e

Looks as though there is a hatchy model now.

So all I'll need is the hitch and a ball to fit the trailer and a wiring kit, correct?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You will need the drawbar, as well, unless you get one with the attached drawbar.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
http://www.etrailer.com/Mercha...ELEBF

Is this what I'll need to wire the trailer lights?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

That looks like what I used on my wife's Civic.

 

The hitch I installed on my hatch was much smaller and required drilling into the bumber beam. I have hauled some loads that were at least 1500lbs and no problems Just had to shift to 3rd to make it up hills.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here's a pic of the hidden hitch on the Integra. I believe the Civic design is very similar.


</TD></TR></TABLE>


Um - anyone else find it funny that if "Hidden Hitch" were really hidden, you wouldn't be able to read their marketing???

 

Can you really tow a kart and trailer with a civic? Tire trailers are small and light enough, but karts are much heavier aren't they?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Burgh &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can you really tow a kart and trailer with a civic? Tire trailers are small and light enough, but karts are much heavier aren't they?</TD></TR></TABLE>

All the specs I've seen rate the capacity at 2000lb with a 200lb tounge weight, so you should be fine.

 

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


Um - anyone else find it funny that if "Hidden Hitch" were really hidden, you wouldn't be able to read their marketing??? </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you read the thread I posted way back when I originally got that hitch, I made the same comment. Needless to say, I pulled the stickers, but after that I didn't take any more pictures.

Smartass