[munscher]

I'm planning to get a Class III hitch for my 2007 EX AWD. It will be used for towing occassionally as well as potentially a bike rack and/or hitch carrier. I'm sure I want a Class III hitch, and it looks like i'll need to go with the Honda wiring harness.

My question is what are the pros/cons and/or any significant differences between the Valley and Hidden hitches? I would prefer the hitch to revert to stealth mode when not in use (aka hidden), but does the "Hidden hitch" do that to any greater extent than the Valley?

Any and all pictures would be great also! Thanks.

Also, is there a better place to purchase either of these hitches than E-trailer.com?

 

[munscher]

Wow, 89 views with no replies. I've gotta learn how to ask better questions

 

[GaryS]

The sticky at the top of this section contains a picture of the U-Haul/Valley hitch. Believe it or not the Hidden Hitch is very similar.

Do a search for Hidden Hitch as there are several Forum members who have one.

 

[dragonflydreams]

go with the Hidden Hitch...

i've been asking myself the same question - should i get the Valley/U-Haul (same hitch) or HiddenHitch/DrawTite (same hitch)... the only real difference i've found is how they mount to the frame - the Valley/U-Haul attaches to one wall of the frame and you have to modify/enlarge one of the holes to get the bolt through and then fish for it with a special wire, whereas the HiddenHitch/DrawTite utilizes both walls of the frame which seems to me to be a stronger way of attaching it and you don't have to modify/enlarge any holes or be fishing for bolts... the double wall method (HiddenHitch/DrawTite) is also how Honda apparently mounts their hitch...

 

[Twilightzero]

The third option in this is the Curt hitch, which is almost the same as the other two except uses tubular steel and uses the fish-a-bolt method. All of the above will otherwise be more or less the same. Just stay AWAY hitches that drill through the spare tire pan and bolt there! :shock:

 

[munscher]

i've been asking myself the same question - should i get the Valley/U-Haul (same hitch) or HiddenHitch/DrawTite (same hitch)... the only real difference i've found is how they mount to the frame - the Valley/U-Haul attaches to one wall of the frame and you have to modify/enlarge one of the holes to get the bolt through and then fish for it with a special wire, whereas the HiddenHitch/DrawTite utilizes both walls of the frame which seems to me to be a stronger way of attaching it and you don't have to modify/enlarge any holes or be fishing for bolts... the double wall method (HiddenHitch/DrawTite) is also how Honda apparently mounts their hitch...

Does the Hidden hitch use spacers inside the frame to withstand the compression of the frame? If not, that answers it for me.

 

[lizzurd]

Does the Hidden hitch use spacers inside the frame to withstand the compression of the frame? If not, that answers it for me.

The Hidden Hitch uses collars that slide inside the frame rail.

You can see the install instructions here.

http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=87506

 

[GaryS]

the Valley/U-Haul attaches to one wall of the frame and you have to modify/enlarge one of the holes to get the bolt through and then fish for it with a special wire

Trust me, it's not that big of a deal. To enlarge the holes on my installation I simply inserted the handle of my Craftsman 18" breaker bar into the hole and pulled down on the other end. This resulted in a slightly elliptical hole that the bolt fit through perfectly. The wire "bolt fish" is ingeniously designed and I saved it to use with my trailer light wiring install. It really came in handy for that job.

 

[dragonflydreams]

Does the Hidden hitch use spacers inside the frame to withstand the compression of the frame? If not, that answers it for me.

yes, as Lizzurd points out the Hidden Hitch has a collar that goes inside the frame that prevents it from being compressed when tightening the bolt - so the hitch is actually attached to the entire frame (both walls) instead of just one side of it, which seems to me like a much stronger way of attaching it...