Are all hitches hidden?

Not countrng trucks and a few old cars, are all hitches hidden?

JCWhitney sells trailer hitches by Curt and by Hidden Hitch.

Three or four of the reviews of the Hidden Hitch hitches talk about
how hidden it is. Aren't all the hitches for passenger cars (that
have receivers, no permanent ball) just as hidden as all the others?


I got my first hitch about 23 years ago and IIRC, hidden hitches were
unusual then, and Hidden Hitch was one of the few brands or the only
one which had a removable ball and draw bar, or the only one that made
a hitch for a LeBaron, but since then, haven't all the hitch companies
duplicated their design?

Thanks.

micky wrote:
> Not countrng trucks and a few old cars, are all hitches hidden?
>
> JCWhitney sells trailer hitches by Curt and by Hidden Hitch.
>
> Three or four of the reviews of the Hidden Hitch hitches talk about
> how hidden it is. Aren't all the hitches for passenger cars (that
> have receivers, no permanent ball) just as hidden as all the others?
>
>
> I got my first hitch about 23 years ago and IIRC, hidden hitches were
> unusual then, and Hidden Hitch was one of the few brands or the only
> one which had a removable ball and draw bar, or the only one that made
> a hitch for a LeBaron, but since then, haven't all the hitch companies
> duplicated their design?
>
> Thanks.

Some are many are not. Most of the companies have hitches that tuck in
close but on some newer vehicles that isn't very easy. Plus the price on
some of them is much higher than a common bar style hitch.
I like having the hitch out of the way because many of the straight
style units also eat some clearance. I don't think I have seen a fixed
hitch type on a small vehicle in a long time.

--
Steve W.

On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:15:13 -0400, "Steve W." >
wrote:

>micky wrote:
>> Not countrng trucks and a few old cars, are all hitches hidden?
>>
>> JCWhitney sells trailer hitches by Curt and by Hidden Hitch.
>>
>> Three or four of the reviews of the Hidden Hitch hitches talk about
>> how hidden it is. Aren't all the hitches for passenger cars (that
>> have receivers, no permanent ball) just as hidden as all the others?
>>
>>
>> I got my first hitch about 23 years ago and IIRC, hidden hitches were
>> unusual then, and Hidden Hitch was one of the few brands or the only
>> one which had a removable ball and draw bar, or the only one that made
>> a hitch for a LeBaron, but since then, haven't all the hitch companies
>> duplicated their design?
>>
>> Thanks.
>
>Some are many are not. Most of the companies have hitches that tuck in
>close but on some newer vehicles that isn't very easy.

Thanks for replying.

What about different companies making hitches for the same car? Do
some companies let the receiver stick out farther, farther back, than
others do, when those other companies prove that it's not necessary?

I just bought a 2000 Toyotal Solara, and it's the nicest looking car
I've owned in a long time. I'd like the hitch to be as inconspicuous
as possible.

>Plus the price on
>some of them is much higher than a common bar style hitch.

Common bar style??

The prices range from 145 to 185, and that's a factor, but mostly I
want the hitch not to show much when there's nothing in the receiver.

>I like having the hitch out of the way because many of the straight
>style units also eat some clearance. I don't think I have seen a fixed
>hitch type on a small vehicle in a long time.

Firxed hitch? Meaning one where the draw bar is permanently
attached? In that case, me neither. It's for that reason I
figured Curt, Hidden Hitch, Draw-Tite, and even Valley Trailer, which
I'd never heard of before, looked about the same after installation.

But the way people were emphasizing Hidden Hitch's being hidden makes
me wonder.


For example:

Curt
http://www.jcwhitney.com/class-ii-re...09d2189y2000j1
Hidden Hitch
http://www.jcwhitney.com/class-ii-re...09d2189y2000j1


And even Draw-tite:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...cleid=20006218
Valley Trailer:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2000201493

micky wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:15:13 -0400, "Steve W." >
> wrote:
>
>> micky wrote:
>>> Not countrng trucks and a few old cars, are all hitches hidden?
>>>
>>> JCWhitney sells trailer hitches by Curt and by Hidden Hitch.
>>>
>>> Three or four of the reviews of the Hidden Hitch hitches talk about
>>> how hidden it is. Aren't all the hitches for passenger cars (that
>>> have receivers, no permanent ball) just as hidden as all the others?
>>>
>>>
>>> I got my first hitch about 23 years ago and IIRC, hidden hitches were
>>> unusual then, and Hidden Hitch was one of the few brands or the only
>>> one which had a removable ball and draw bar, or the only one that made
>>> a hitch for a LeBaron, but since then, haven't all the hitch companies
>>> duplicated their design?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>> Some are many are not. Most of the companies have hitches that tuck in
>> close but on some newer vehicles that isn't very easy.
>
> Thanks for replying.
>
> What about different companies making hitches for the same car? Do
> some companies let the receiver stick out farther, farther back, than
> others do, when those other companies prove that it's not necessary?

Cheaper, Easier to make, feel their design is stronger, just to lazy to
come up with something different.
The primary reason is that they can change which vehicle the hitch fits
by simply changing the mounting plates on the ends.


>
> I just bought a 2000 Toyotal Solara, and it's the nicest looking car
> I've owned in a long time. I'd like the hitch to be as inconspicuous
> as possible.
>
>> Plus the price on
>> some of them is much higher than a common bar style hitch.
>
> Common bar style??

Straight square tube style that bolts in but hangs out in the wind.

>
> The prices range from 145 to 185, and that's a factor, but mostly I
> want the hitch not to show much when there's nothing in the receiver.
>
>> I like having the hitch out of the way because many of the straight
>> style units also eat some clearance. I don't think I have seen a fixed
>> hitch type on a small vehicle in a long time.
>
> Firxed hitch? Meaning one where the draw bar is permanently
> attached? In that case, me neither. It's for that reason I
> figured Curt, Hidden Hitch, Draw-Tite, and even Valley Trailer, which
> I'd never heard of before, looked about the same after installation.

For the most part they don't. It all depends on the design and how may
vehicles they want one hitch to fit.

>
> But the way people were emphasizing Hidden Hitch's being hidden makes
> me wonder.
>
>
> For example:
>
> Curt
> http://www.jcwhitney.com/class-ii-re...09d2189y2000j1
> Hidden Hitch
> http://www.jcwhitney.com/class-ii-re...09d2189y2000j1
>
>
> And even Draw-tite:
> http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...cleid=20006218
> Valley Trailer:
> http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2000201493

FYI -
Hidden Hitch, Bulldog, Reese, WesBar, Draw-Tite, Fulton are all the same
company.

The Hidden Hitch and Draw-Tite class 2 hitchs for your car are actually
the same items with different lettering.
According to the various web sites the cross bars on all of them are
visible under the car.

--
Steve W.

> micky wrote:
>>
>> I just bought a 2000 Toyotal Solara, and it's the nicest looking car
>> I've owned in a long time. I'd like the hitch to be as inconspicuous
>> as possible.
>>
>>> Plus the price on
>>> some of them is much higher than a common bar style hitch.
>>
>> Common bar style??

I have two newer model Toyota's, one of which is a Solara.
I have looked at the owners manual carefully, and neither of
these cars is recommended for any sort of a trailer hitch at
all.

Of course, it is yours and you can do what you want
with it, but there could be legal issues if you put on a hitch
and then have an accident.

On 08/19/2011 07:10 AM, hls wrote:
>
>> micky wrote:
>>>
>>> I just bought a 2000 Toyotal Solara, and it's the nicest looking car
>>> I've owned in a long time. I'd like the hitch to be as inconspicuous
>>> as possible.
>>>> Plus the price on some of them is much higher than a common bar
>>>> style hitch.
>>>
>>> Common bar style??
>
> I have two newer model Toyota's, one of which is a Solara.
> I have looked at the owners manual carefully, and neither of
> these cars is recommended for any sort of a trailer hitch at
> all.
> Of course, it is yours and you can do what you want with it, but there
> could be legal issues if you put on a hitch
> and then have an accident.

your post is a perfect example of the ridiculous disease with which the
industry has managed to infect consumers in this country. anyone that's
ever vacationed or traveled in europe has seen the huge-ass trailers
being hauled around by little fwd hatchbacks. legally. and within
manufacturer towing specs. yet that same vehicle sold into the u.s.
market is not only /not/ rated for towing, it specifically voids warranty.

why? easy. the profit margin on trucks is huge. the margin on cars
much more competitive. effectively ban towing with cars and you get to
sell more trucks. or even, a car /and/ a truck.

there's also the issue about trailer brakes. only the largest trailers
here have brakes, and even then, they're these retarded electric brakes
with effectively no modulation control. in europe, all but the tiniest
[sub 100kg iirc] trailers have brakes, and fully modulated brakes at that.

bottom line, go ahead and tow with your car. if it's an import, it's
definitely designed and built for it, and has a manufacturer spec for it
- just look up those specs on the manufacturer's foreign websites. and
use a proper trailer with real brakes. hydraulic for preference. the
retardation that allows trailers without brakes is surpassed only by the
unquestioning ignorance of those who accept this "don't tow with a car"
deceit and propaganda.


--
nomina rutrum rutrum

On 08/18/2011 07:10 AM, micky wrote:
> Not countrng trucks and a few old cars, are all hitches hidden?
>
> JCWhitney sells trailer hitches by Curt and by Hidden Hitch.
>
> Three or four of the reviews of the Hidden Hitch hitches talk about
> how hidden it is. Aren't all the hitches for passenger cars (that
> have receivers, no permanent ball) just as hidden as all the others?
>
>
> I got my first hitch about 23 years ago and IIRC, hidden hitches were
> unusual then, and Hidden Hitch was one of the few brands or the only
> one which had a removable ball and draw bar, or the only one that made
> a hitch for a LeBaron, but since then, haven't all the hitch companies
> duplicated their design?
>
> Thanks.

"hidden" is just a marketing gimmick. not to be confused with
removability of the ball mount which simply allows different heights to
be accommodated.


--
nomina rutrum rutrum

On 08/19/2011 08:31 AM, jim beam wrote:
> On 08/19/2011 07:10 AM, hls wrote:
>>
>>> micky wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I just bought a 2000 Toyotal Solara, and it's the nicest looking car
>>>> I've owned in a long time. I'd like the hitch to be as inconspicuous
>>>> as possible.
>>>>> Plus the price on some of them is much higher than a common bar
>>>>> style hitch.
>>>>
>>>> Common bar style??
>>
>> I have two newer model Toyota's, one of which is a Solara.
>> I have looked at the owners manual carefully, and neither of
>> these cars is recommended for any sort of a trailer hitch at
>> all.
>> Of course, it is yours and you can do what you want with it, but there
>> could be legal issues if you put on a hitch
>> and then have an accident.
>
> your post is a perfect example of the ridiculous disease with which the
> industry has managed to infect consumers in this country. anyone that's
> ever vacationed or traveled in europe has seen the huge-ass trailers
> being hauled around by little fwd hatchbacks. legally. and within
> manufacturer towing specs. yet that same vehicle sold into the u.s.
> market is not only /not/ rated for towing, it specifically voids warranty.
>
> why? easy. the profit margin on trucks is huge. the margin on cars much
> more competitive. effectively ban towing with cars and you get to sell
> more trucks. or even, a car /and/ a truck.
>
> there's also the issue about trailer brakes. only the largest trailers
> here have brakes, and even then, they're these retarded electric brakes
> with effectively no modulation control. in europe, all but the tiniest
> [sub 100kg iirc] trailers have brakes, and fully modulated brakes at that.
>
> bottom line, go ahead and tow with your car. if it's an import, it's
> definitely designed and built for it, and has a manufacturer spec for it
> - just look up those specs on the manufacturer's foreign websites. and
> use a proper trailer with real brakes. hydraulic for preference. the
> retardation that allows trailers without brakes is surpassed only by the
> unquestioning ignorance of those who accept this "don't tow with a car"
> deceit and propaganda.
>
>

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...ng-conspiracy/

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...lives-edition/




--
nomina rutrum rutrum

On Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:10:21 -0500, "hls" > wrote:

>
>> micky wrote:
>>>
>>> I just bought a 2000 Toyotal Solara, and it's the nicest looking car
>>> I've owned in a long time. I'd like the hitch to be as inconspicuous
>>> as possible.
>>>
>>>> Plus the price on
>>>> some of them is much higher than a common bar style hitch.
>>>
>>> Common bar style??
>
>I have two newer model Toyota's, one of which is a Solara.
>I have looked at the owners manual carefully, and neither of
>these cars is recommended for any sort of a trailer hitch at
>all.

The manual for the 2000 Solara is schizophrenic.

"Your vehicle is disgined primarily as a pasenger carrying vehicle
Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance,
baraking, durability and driving economy. Your safety and
satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment with
cautious driving habits. For our safety and and the safety of others
you must not overload your hehicle or trailer. Toyota warrantees do
not applay to damage for malfuncition caused by towing a trailer for
commercial purposes. Ask your local toyoata dealer for further details
efore towing. "

Then it has 4 more pages on how to tow, including
1.,5 pages of warnings (the whole manaul is full of warnings. If I
were 16 y.o. I'd be scared to drive it.) . They say it can tle 2000
pounds, which is likely more than I can load on t he trailer.



>
>Of course, it is yours and you can do what you want
>with it, but there could be legal issues if you put on a hitch
>and then have an accident.

Basically Toyota is being neutral. They're not recommending, so it
would be hard to find them at all liable. But they're not
prohibiting, but their words couldn't be used against me merely
because I'm towing.

If I violated one of their warnings, that might hurt me, but I don't
intend to violate safe towning practice. And if I did violate safe
towning practice, that would be negligence whether Toyota warned
against it or not. Except wrt things that are specific to their
cars. I don't know if there are any such things. They piont to a
sticke, a Certification Label,r on the door that gives the Gross Axle
Weight Rating, and that is affected by the tongue weight. I'll check
what it says but I'm sure I wont exceed the GAWR, which surely allows
for 2 people in the back seat. When I'm towing, I never have more
than one passenger, and any luggage I carry weighs less than people.

The biggest load I foresee now is the smallest U-haul trailer and a
3-ton AC compressor someone in Delaware may be giving me. I'll need
a trailer for that.