Testing waters: Sport and Type-R Removable Trailer Hitch

[george34]

There is not a manufacturer that makes a trailer hitch for the sport hatch (center exhaust) so I made a custom hitch. I have seen some people install a Curt hitch on a sport model but it does not look great. Curious the level of interest at $200+shipping? First 5 people to show interest at this price get it. Price may be increased in the future depending on the cost for a shop to produce more.

The hitch was designed with the intent of being used for a hitch type bike carrier. I have little concern that this set-up couldn't be used to pull a small tire trailer (autocross or track days). I have not installed it to a Type-R but I see no concern of it working on a Type-R also. Also this may work on a Si but I have not gotten under a Si to really check (I will investigate this further pending the level of interest)
.
Also I did not like the idea of always having the trailer hitch visible when it's not in use, so I designed it to be removable for both weight reduction and appearance.

Estimated install time is 2hrs. No modification to the bumper are required.

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[FearTheH]

This is a good idea in theory, however, it is coming with a pretty large risk as well in the event of this failing and putting someone else's life at risk. Hitch manufacturers have the funding to have all of their products properly engineered as well as insurance to back up their products in the event of a manufacturer error that leads to some sort of accident.
I don't know you, and you may be able to weld circles around me but either way don't wanna see one of my fellow Honda enthusiasts get hemmed up in legal troubles over just trying to make a few bucks!(nothing wrong with that, either) hopefully this helps!

 

[george34]

Hey Chris, Yes this has been concern of mine. If there is enough interest I would likely work with an attorney to create some league document to cover myself.

Really just trying to see how many other people are interested in a hitch for the civicX with center exhaust (sport hatch, Type R, and Si). Possibly from there the design and data showing interest would be presented to someone for further assistance and to keep me away from any legal concerns
**could be a future sponsor for civicx.com too

 

[Shinjari]

I like the idea. I'm bummed that my center exhaust prevents me fro using my Kuat 2 bike carrier I had on my previous car. I sold my roof rack to use a hitch mount due to it being easier access.

This looks very similar to the trailer hitch for the Mazda miatas. The base mounts attach to the chassis, and that cross bar installs into it. http://www.bethania-garage.com/hitch.htm

PM me to discuss details of this. Based on the pictures my concern is a cantilever moment and just not sure how your design is counter acting that.

 

[aalhaimi]

I'm interested. PM me with more pictures and details, please.

 

[willphmoto]

Id be interested, but only if it can tow 1000lbs ish.
race bike on a trailer to the track.

 

[ltrinh]

I am interested.
More details would be great. I don't plane to carry anything more than 3 bikes max. Total bike weight + rack would be 150lbs max.

Thanks. This is great and nice looking too.

 

[Judeprimes]

I modded my own hitch not to pull a trailer with but to add a cargo carrier here are some pics of the progression incase anybody want to try it. The original hitch was rated for 200# tongue weight which was fairly conservative. I cut and dry fit the placement of the receiver then welded it all back together in the right places. No rubbing or cutting of the plastic or the exhaust and I did not even have to touch the exhaust for the modification project. I think the pics are pretty self explanatory so I'm not writing a play by play and DIY at your own risk. For my intended purpose it has been working great.
I have added the aluminum cargo carrier and jumped up and down on it myself(225#) to test it. No issues noted. Receiver does not touch the exhaust,no rattle and you cant even tell its there. As far as a trailer goes it is not wired for lights at the moment so I have not tested that. The belt drive transmission in these is not meant for towing so regardless of the hitch capabilities that will be your limiting factor in my opinion. How the belt would handle that load would be the question. In my opinion a small kayak trailer that you can easily maneuver by hand or maybe even a small trailer with a 4-wheeler on it could be possible but nothing heavier than that. Hope this helps somebody out it sure has for me. Hauling gas cans to the store or deer home is much easier and cleaner. So far this hatchback has hauled home 4 deer and a #2 state record grouper for Louisiana (363#) of course on separate occasions. Now with the basket I am headed out on an out of state hunt after Christmas and haul home the harvest all the while staying around my typical 40ish MPG range....Gotta love it

Hope this helps somebody out

 

[baldheadracing]

I'm interested - but the Type R exhaust uses different, and additional, hanger locations from the other models so I wouldn't be surprised if the hitch didn't work with Type R's.

 

[Judeprimes]

I'm interested - but the Type R exhaust uses different, and additional, hanger locations from the other models so I wouldn't be surprised if the hitch didn't work with Type R's.

Yeh IDK I don't have a Type R clearly but I did not have to touch the exhaust at all to add this so I'm not sure it would matter. The assembly does not bolt to the bottom of the car it attached to the rear up above the exhaust. the mount utilizes the same bolts as the bumper and came with longer bolts to replace the factory ones.

Additionally I'm not interested in selling them I'm only sharing what I did successfully for anyone interested in repeating or modifying their own.

 

[baldheadracing]

Yeh IDK I don't have a Type R clearly but I did not have to touch the exhaust at all to add this so I'm not sure it would matter. The assembly does not bolt to the bottom of the car it attached to the rear up above the exhaust. the mount utilizes the same bolts as the bumper and came with longer bolts to replace the factory ones.

Additionally I'm not interested in selling them I'm only sharing what I did successfully for anyone interested in repeating or modifying their own.

The original poster is thinking about selling his design/product for hatch sport, Type R, and possibly Si owners.

 

[Ryan83]

There is not a manufacturer that makes a trailer hitch for the sport hatch (center exhaust) so I made a custom hitch. I have seen some people install a Curt hitch on a sport model but it does not look great. Curious the level of interest at $200+shipping? First 5 people to show interest at this price get it. Price may be increased in the future depending on the cost for a shop to produce more.

The hitch was designed with the intent of being used for a hitch type bike carrier. I have little concern that this set-up couldn't be used to pull a small tire trailer (autocross or track days). I have not installed it to a Type-R but I see no concern of it working on a Type-R also. Also this may work on a Si but I have not gotten under a Si to really check (I will investigate this further pending the level of interest)
.
Also I did not like the idea of always having the trailer hitch visible when it's not in use, so I designed it to be removable for both weight reduction and appearance.

Estimated install time is 2hrs. No modification to the bumper are required.

Hi George34,

I have a 2019 Hatchback Sport Touring that I'd like to put my hitch mount bike rack on. Is it possible to buy a custom hitch from you?

 

[Shredman91]

Still interested in making any of these? Would love to carry a few bikes on my hatch!

 

[Tow_Pkg]

I'm definitely interested

 

[lunabar825]

Interested

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