Hi all,

I am trying to decide between the Hidden Hitch (http://www.hiddenhitch.com/images/products/instructions/60985.pdf) or the Honda OEM hitch. And it hits me that the Hiddent Hitch may have much weaker tonge weight cap., because of its design. Please feel free to proof me wrong... Here it goes..

I was reading both the installation instructions for Hidden Hitch and Honda OEM hitch, and I notice that the Honda hitch is hold by 2 bolt each side to the frame. While the Hidden Hitch using only 1 bolt on each side for attachment to the frame.

Correct me if I am wrong, so the Hidden Hitch relies on the small hook under the spare tire pan to hold all the tonge weight. If that is true, wouldn't this mean Hidden Hitch is weaker if I am going to use it for Bike Rack or Cargo Box attachment. Since it may actually cause more stress on the spare tire pan?

ASM

All three brands of hitches use the same three attachment points - the two frame rails, and the tow loop under the spare tire well. Yes, the Hidden Hitch only uses one bolt on each rail, but the hitch bracket is braced against that rail. So I suspect that even if the tow loop attachment was omitted the hitch would not move up or down. HH does rate their hitch for 200 lb tongue weight.

The Valley hitch, with a 2" receiver, uses 2 bolts, but is not braced against the rail. It appears that if only one bolt was installed, and the tow loop attachment omitted, that this hitch would pivot.

The Honda hitch wouldn't pivot with only one bolt per side, but that is because the 'stays' include 2 bushings that fit into the rail.

Note also that the 3 hitches have different ways of securing the bolts to the frame rails. Since the rails are hollow box sections, you can't just put a large bolt through from one side to the other and tighten. That would squeeze the two sides of the box together. Honda uses these 'stays' with bushings. Hidden uses a 'collar'. The Valley hitch is bolted to the outer face of the box, requiring threading the bolt through the larger inside face opening.

My own guess is that the tow loop and 3/8" U bolt that all 3 hitches use (actually 8mm for Honda) can handle the weight of your bikes. Of course, a single point like this could provide the bracing against tilt and sideways motions. This tow loop is strong enough to support at least halt the weight of the car - that is, it is the designated floor jack lift point in the rear.

It appears to me that all 3 are well engineered. For carrying bikes I'd lean toward the Valley/UHaul hitch because it has a 2" receiver.

paulj

Thanks for the comment,

As for the Valley Hitch, someone mention that it is possible to not drill/enlarge any hole. Since one of the hole on the inside is larger then the other one. So, both bolt could be "fish" in the frame by using larger hole. Is that correct?

Also, Is 1.25" receiver really as bad as everyone make it when it comes to selecting trailer and rack?

ASM

By the way, attached is the picture of Hidden Hitch with only one bolt attached. I guess this would mean Hiddent Hitch does depends on the matel loop for support of the tongue weight.

ASM

As for the Valley Hitch, someone mention that it is possible to not drill/enlarge any hole. Since one of the hole on the inside is larger then the other one. So, both bolt could be "fish" in the frame by using larger hole. Is that correct?
ASM

The inside hole on the frame rail is larger than the outside one. The Honda and Hidden hitches pass a bushing or collar through this larger hole. Apparently the inside larger hole is just about the right size to pass the head of the bolt that Valley uses. 'just about' is the key term. Some find that enlarging the hole just a bit makes it easier to get the head through. There have been a number of posts regarding that step.

paulj

The hidden hitch was nice...and the only reason I changed to the Valley / UHAUL was for the 2" receiver.....I have attached a couple of close up shots of the hidden hitch connection points......remember this is after a rear-end collision and there are a few bent up places where they tried to hammer everything back into place (no, I am not happy about that).

G

That side picture of the frame rail mount shows that there is some room for the hitch to pivot around the bolt. That wasn't so obvious in the instructions and other pictures that I've seen. Still the tow loop attachment looks quite sturdy.

So with this design the tow loop provides nearly all of the vertical support, the frame rail bolts provide a lot of side bracing, and all three provide the pull on the trailer.

paulj

I have the U-Hual/Valley Hitch and love it! As for drilling the holes larger my install guy didn't :-D , I feel the U-Hual/Valley is the only way to go.