Hi "E" owners. Last Saturday, I used my U-Haul hitch for the first time to pull a 5x8. I didn't seem to feel the drag too much, especially once I got it on the highway. I drove it at 55 to 60 mph eventhough U-Haul recommends 45mph, who drives 45? I did stick to the slow lane though. What I really did feel were bumps in the road and especially railroad tracks! There were times I thought I was gonna loose the back of the E! Overall, it was a much better ride on the highway, and if I played the radio, I didn't notice the "hitch noise" everytime I'd hit a dip in the road. Take it EEE ZEE. 8)

I don't have one but I've seen these neat rubber inserted shock absorbing drawbars. Should take care of the hitch noise.

I have the honda hitch and I pulled my motorcycle trailer with my bike and a lot of luggage on it plus a roof rack and a pod of luggage in that all the way from north carolina to connecticut and then from there to nebraska. It was a long trip and I even went about 80 most of the way! Inever had a problem. :P

Realizing that Honda doesn't even allow for a full load of people, much less account for pulling as much as a skateboard. What ARE people finding is an acceptable hitch weight?

I totally sold someone on the Element last weekend when I was the carpool for the hike, but his ONE show stopper was that he wants to haul his tiny pop up trailer, which I believe he says weighs about 1200 pounds.

Any thoughts on this being REALISTICALLY and repeatabley doable, probably with another person or two in the Element?

I told him probably not, and last I heard he was looking at a (shudder) Jeep Liberty.

Honu, the Element can tow 1,500# and have a full 675# load inside. That's the specs. With trailer brakes the towing weight can apparently be much higher based on CR-V published limits in Australia.

Many people in this forum, including me, have towed 1,500-1,800# up and down mountains with no problem.

Brian (briboy) has been pulling a pop-up camper trailer around for almost a year now with no problems!

I've been pulling a popup trailer this summer and it is no problem. I have a 1300 lb. Coachman. I do have trailer brakes but don't think they are really neccesary. I can virtually ignor the trailer and the E is fine. I love my E! If I had known how easily it pulled I would have bought a larger popup!

Hey Folks,

I am thinking about getting a hitch bike carrier. The recommended hitch size for the E only has a 1 1/4" receiver however, the carrier I want needs a 2" receiver. Have you heard anyone putting a bigger hitch on the E. The carrier I want moves to the side so I can access the rear. That would be a huge benefit. I can't find a carrier that moves to the side and fits into a 1 1/4" receiver.

I looked at getting a roof mount but I don't have a rack and overall it will cost to much.

Thanks.

I eneded up getting an 1 1/4 becuase that is all I could find, I got a 2 inch adapter and it seems to work fine, just sticks out a bit

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I can't find a carrier that moves to the side and fits into a 1 1/4" receiver.

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Try buying a hitch adaptor ..It takes an 1.25" hitch to a 2 " ..I bought one for my cargo platform that isn't made for a 1.25 " hitch.

[quote:5bab5d4875=" "]Hey Folks,

I am thinking about getting a hitch bike carrier. The recommended hitch size for the E only has a 1 1/4" receiver however, the carrier I want needs a 2" receiver. Have you heard anyone putting a bigger hitch on the E. [/quote:5bab5d4875]

Yes. Do a search, tons of information.

Short answer: Delta makes a 2" hitch which they call "Class III" and it's available from sportrack.com and also from U-Haul, but for U-Haul to find it, you have to tell them you have a 4WD Element. Cost about $110 from either place. It's easy to install and works great for a bike rack.

jinx

I had to pull a Uhaul last month. Opted for lower profile (older) rather than 5X8 which has higher wind profile. Well it was tucked behind the E and didn't have any problems. Never had a hitch noise problem as long as you keep some decent weight on the hitch.