Adding a "Hidden Hitch"
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From: High Point, NC
Adding a "Hidden Hitch"
I want to add a "Hidden Hitch" to the back of my Prowler so I can use a receiver style bike rack (dual function - from TT to Excursion and back).
I've looked around and I'm really sure what to do - buy a "custom" hitch or, I'd thought about having someone fab one for me. I'm not planning on using this to pull a triple or even carry one of those "add a trunk" utility boxes - just the bikes. So I thought it really doesn't have to carry much - in fact, I could probably just find one off any vehicle and "bolt it" up to the frame/bumper.
Has anyone adding one before? What did you do? Do I really need to invest a lot of $$ in to this project? Or am I way off base and need to let a "professional" do it?
I've looked around and I'm really sure what to do - buy a "custom" hitch or, I'd thought about having someone fab one for me. I'm not planning on using this to pull a triple or even carry one of those "add a trunk" utility boxes - just the bikes. So I thought it really doesn't have to carry much - in fact, I could probably just find one off any vehicle and "bolt it" up to the frame/bumper.
Has anyone adding one before? What did you do? Do I really need to invest a lot of $$ in to this project? Or am I way off base and need to let a "professional" do it?
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Republic of TEXAS
I had one on my '98 S-10. it was behind the license plate bracket (which had to be swapped out for one that was hinged). Discount Hitch installed it for me. don't remember how much it costs, but seems that it was reasonable.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Utah County, UT
Your trailer frame is much wider than a vehicle so adapting a vehicle receiver would require a new cross piece anyway. I'd just stop by a shop some where and a get a few quotes. Seems last time I checked it was close to 300 for everything all welded up.
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From: High Point, NC
I did a little more research on RV.net yesterday and lot of folks have had problems with rear mounted bike racks becasue of the up/down motion of the trailer. Some people even reported thier bike to be dragging the ground at the end of a trip (bike rake bent under the torque).
So - I thought about a roof rack, but the X is so tall that it would be cumbersome to load and unload.
Then I saw Top Pop Rails that is designed to go on the front of the TT, over the LP tanks - nice concept, but i don't think it would work for me. My Prowler doesn't have the much tounge room.
I also found Bodiak front hitch, which is a good concept - but by the time I buy the front hitch and the bike rack...well, it's a little more that I care to spend.
So I guess for now - we'll just keep them in the TT and take them out when we arrive.
So - I thought about a roof rack, but the X is so tall that it would be cumbersome to load and unload.
Then I saw Top Pop Rails that is designed to go on the front of the TT, over the LP tanks - nice concept, but i don't think it would work for me. My Prowler doesn't have the much tounge room.
I also found Bodiak front hitch, which is a good concept - but by the time I buy the front hitch and the bike rack...well, it's a little more that I care to spend.
So I guess for now - we'll just keep them in the TT and take them out when we arrive.
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