I saw some pics of the "Valley" hitch and that looked pretty nice.... but I can't find anywhere to buy them.

What other hitches are there available for the Element... and what/where are the best places to purchase them?

Any help would be much appreciated :)

Most discussion of the Valley hitch also mentions that it is sold by Uhaul outlets as well. One on line source of hitches is etrailer, which also has online installation instructions. I believe I posted some links to these instructions back when this section was first setup. People who have installed their own hitches might also have mentioned where they got their's from.

paulj

FYI: I searched "hitch" and got a TON of threads. I looked thru a few of them but wasn't finding the info I needed.



So I hope I didn't upset anyone with this thread :)

There is this recent thread on part number for the Valley Hitch
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14359
with etrailer links
There were a number of recent threads on whether Uhaul dealers carried this hitches and how long installation took.

Basically there are 3 choices
- the Honda hitch
- the Hidden hitch
- the valley/uhaul hitch
along with the alternatives of ordering over the net or getting a dealer or hitch shop to install it.

I bought a Hidden Hitch online for around $125 or less. It's been two years, so I don't remember any details, except that it took longer to fill in the order information than it did to install it myself. It's got the "wimpy to some" 1 1/4" receiver, but since I don't have a 45' Hatteras Sportfisher to tow around, I'm not all that worried.

I bought the Valley hitch and it does work well however their bolt system is kind of a joke. You have to fish a wire through the holes with a bolt attached with a washer of sorts that keeps it from turning once inside your frame rail but the washer won't fit and you have to file the hole out and it's just stupid in my opinion. Go get four hardened allen head bolts the same size and stick them right in the holes using an allen wrench and put a hardened nut and lock washer on. It's much easier than messing with Valley's system. The hitch was tight on the frame and it would be good to file or grind a champher on the leading edge so you don't tear the under coating and paint off of the frame. You can order one from etrailer.com. They had the best price I could find and they were fast. Just a reminder, a 2005 wiring harness is different than earlier models. It's not cheap either!! I just got a recall on the harness so I have to take it in so they can check it out so if you get one or have one you might want to take it in and let the dealer check it out before you install it.

I bought a Hidden hitch from hitchesonline.com. It's a class I. I didn't go for the class II or III for 2 reasons. One the Element isn't designed to haul the kind of weight that class II and III are for. ( i know that it's easier to find accessories for the II and III) Two the II and III hitches rub the bottom of the bumper.....I definately don't like that. But to each their own. My class I does everything i need it to do. That is really what matters. Hope this helps a little

I got a Hiddenhitch from Hitches For Less online. Hitch, ball, and wiring for 170.00. Hitch showed up and was banged up. I complained and they gave 40 bucks back. I bought a can of paint for 5 bucks problem solved. Installation took about 10 minutes.

Works fine for my teardrop.

I just went to my local U-Haul today to look at trailers (to figure out how large a trailer I'll need for an upcoming move) and order a hitch. They told me that the Class III is the only one that is approved for a 2005 Element (as in, when they put "2005 Element" into the computer, the III is the only one that shows up). This seemed bizarre to me since the Element is not rated to two anywhere near the weight the Class III is made for.

Where they trying to put one over on me? I have no need for boat towing either, so I'm not sure why I'd need this huge hitch.

Look at the hitches that etrailer offers for the Element:

http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=Element&category=hitch&year=2005&make=Honda&t1=&h=e

The class III Valley hitch is probably the one that the Uhaul computer listed. Many people have installed this. If you want a 2" receiver (say for your bike rack), this is the one to get. The Hidden Hitch is a bit cheaper, and for most towing use just as good. Again, many have installed this model. Or you can get the Honda hitch.

I would not recomend the Drawtight hitch, which was designed for the CRV. It requires drilling holes in the sparetire well, which is a shame, given that there are perfectly good holes in the frame rails (used by the other hitches). Installation instructions for these 3 hitches are available on the etrailer site, so you can judge for yourself what is involved.

Pictures should be easy to find on threads in this section.

paulj

So, if I ever want to use a bike rack, the III is the one I'd need, right?

I don't see myself needing a bike rack, but you never know. If the III is the most versatile hitch then I'll stop worrying about being had.

Thanks for the link!

Just so you guys know, etrailer.com isn't the cheapest place to buy your Class I hitch for your Element.

www.usa-trailer-hitches.com has the Hidden Hitch for $7.00 less and they toss in a few extras that etrailer's Hidden Hitch doesn't include.

Check it...

http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-4351&bool=AND&category=4_cl12-t&maxhits=1&keywords=hh0296&GO=GO%21


Their shipping rates are cheaper, too!


.

I got all the stuff in that picture with my Hidden Hitch from E-trailer.com...

Just so you guys know, etrailer.com isn't the cheapest place to buy your Class I hitch for your Element.

www.usa-trailer-hitches.com has the Hidden Hitch for $7.00 less and they toss in a few extras that etrailer's Hidden Hitch doesn't include.


For the Hidden Hitch this may be a better place, however I don't see the Valley hitch here. Also the Draw-tite hitch shown in the instructions is very different from the picture. etrailer's picture matches the instructions for this model.

paulj

I got all the stuff in that picture with my Hidden Hitch from E-trailer.com...

Ok, but it's still $7 less and the shipping is less costly, too.

That's enough to buy you a decent lunch. :)

There is another alternative...I got my Curt hitch from Summit Racing, shipped to my door. Easy install also, :) Tim

Ok, but it's still $7 less and the shipping is less costly, too.

That's enough to buy you a decent lunch. :)

I was going to add that last night...you are absolutely correct...$7 is still $7.

Have you posted pictures and a description of the installation for the Curt hitch? I found the instructions at
http://www.hitchsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=25617

In the instructions the hitch looks simpler than its competitors, using a single vertical bolt on each frame rail. It is even more apparent with this that much of the load is taken up by the U bolt through the tow loop.

paulj

I also purchased my class III hitch from E-trailer.com. Great service and easy install. I also added a Reese 350Lb weight distributing hitch model 66024 to my vehicle because I tow a small pop up trailer. This combination straightens things out very well and also provides stability and sway. By the way, I also purchased my wiring harness from e-trailer.com and a trasmission oil cooler from them as well for installation on the Element. Later. The Very Old Dog.

I also purchased my class III hitch from E-trailer.com. Great service and easy install. I also added a Reese 350Lb weight distributing hitch model 66024 to my vehicle because I tow a small pop up trailer. This combination straightens things out very well and also provides stability and sway. By the way, I also purchased my wiring harness from e-trailer.com and a trasmission oil cooler from them as well for installation on the Element. Later. The Very Old Dog.

Where in the heck did you find room to fit in the trans cooler?

That engine compartment is pretty darned cramped! :shock:

I also purchased my class III hitch from E-trailer.com. Great service and easy install. I also added a Reese 350Lb weight distributing hitch model 66024 to my vehicle because I tow a small pop up trailer. This combination straightens things out very well and also provides stability and sway. By the way, I also purchased my wiring harness from e-trailer.com and a trasmission oil cooler from them as well for installation on the Element. Later. The Very Old Dog.


The Valley hitch that I installed on my E came with a warning stating that it was not to be used with a weight distributing hitch. What type of class III hitch do you have?

I just ordered the Hidden Hitch (Class I) from www.hitchmart.com.
Cost was $113 and free shipping. Best price I could find (incl. shipping). I will report back on vendor, hitch and ease of install after I get it...

Next is to tackle that 2005 trailer wiring issue... :?

Roll on!
Shawn

I tried to order from hitchmart and they told me it would be a month to a month and a half before they could ship one.. said it was on back order

Really? :? I ordered at 9 p.m. on 10/25 and received yesterday afternoon (10/27, 36 hrs from IL to SC!)... No problem at all. I also see in another post that you got the same hitch from hitchfinder.com (though they did "soak" you for an extra twenty five cents!) I'm glad to hear that you're happy with it... I plan to install tomorrow and will report back.

Shawn

I just went to my local U-Haul today to look at trailers (to figure out how large a trailer I'll need for an upcoming move) and order a hitch. They told me that the Class III is the only one that is approved for a 2005 Element (as in, when they put "2005 Element" into the computer, the III is the only one that shows up). This seemed bizarre to me since the Element is not rated to two anywhere near the weight the Class III is made for.

Where they trying to put one over on me? I have no need for boat towing either, so I'm not sure why I'd need this huge hitch.


You WANT the class III since it has the 2" receiver. If you get a 1 1/4" receiver you will have to buy adaptors for just about any attachemnt like a bike or cooler rack. Price should not be any more. UHaul has teh best prices for the E at $129 and no shipping. Wiring is another issue altogether though....

I vote for Uhaul as well. The price was about what it cost from E Trailer.com.
It looks good and fits well. It's more hitch than you'll ever need for the Element but it's worth a few dollars more. I paid $170 total for hitch, plug in harness,installation, and life time Uhaul warranty($5 extra)

www.hitchfinder.com You can get the 1 1/4 inch hitch(Hiddenhitch) for $!02 and $11.25 shipping I ordered one at 9am one day and the next day it was at my house. 20 minutes later on my car and loaded with bikes.

www.hitchfinder.com You can get the 1 1/4 inch hitch(Hiddenhitch) for $!02 and $11.25 shipping I ordered one at 9am one day and the next day it was at my house. 20 minutes later on my car and loaded with bikes.
I saw your post the other day. I agree it's a great price but it's a 1 1/4" receiver. I had one before and most accessories seem to be in the 2" size. So you either wind up adapting it which throws off the angles or you pay more for the 1 1/4 version. My preference is a 2" receiver.

for $12 you get the 2 inch adapted at Wal-Mart. What kind of stuff you sticking in there. I have the bike rack, a basket and a grill that plugs in there.

I installed my new Hidden Hitch yesterday and I could not be happier. :grin: The hitch fits perfectly and looks great. It was extremely simply to install. It took about 15 minutes and that included about 5 minutes of mucking about and looking for tools. No fishing for bolts, no drilling, no dremeling. Just plug and play!

Now to tackle that wiring harness issue! :|