Torklift Eco Hitch INSTALLED with pics and bike rack.

25767 Views 37 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Ringo6702, Apr 24, 2015

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · Mar 15, 2013 (Edited)

Ordered a Torklift Eco Hitch:
http://shop.tlcentral.com/store/pc/...25-Stealth-ECO-Series-Trailer-Hitch-p1068.htm

Had the great folks over at Stingray Chevrolet do the install for me (took them no time at all)

Installed a Thule 917XTR T2:
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Thule/TH917XTR.html

Anyway since there are hardly any pictures of Volts with bike racks I figured I would post on the rack I got.

Enjoy!

The rack fits excellent, and it can be folded up when not in use. I just put this setup together today and have not got a chance to use it yet. I will post some more pics tomorrow. As you can see there is PLENTY of clearance so it is highly unlikely that one would scrape using this combo.

NEW PICS:

UPDATE!

I apparently had the scoops for the wheels on backwards. No big deal, but a small modification is required. Without modification the scoop will hit the rear bumper when folded up. Only one scoop needs trimming.

Pics of the modification of the scoops.

The passenger side scoop DOES NOT need to be trimmed.

UPDATE ON MILEAGE:

Getting roughly 3.5 miles per kWh

I went all highway yesterday at 65 MPH with the bike rack folded up, and achieved exactly 40 miles on a single charge.

I went all highway today at 65 MPH with 2 bikes on the rack, and got 35 miles on a single charge.

So, in the end, this hitch is by far the way to go if you are planning on hauling bikes, while the roof rack is by far the "coolest" way to haul them around IMO, my method appears to be more efficient which in the end is what really matters.

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1 - 20 of 38 Posts

Volusiano

· #2 · Mar 15, 2013

It looks great. Doesn't seem to have a clearance problem to me either.

But can you explain to me your rationale to go with this hitch over the Invisi hitch that Torklift also offers? It's only $25 difference, so your decision can't be all about the price difference, no?

And I wonder if you'd mind sharing what the installation cost is from Stingray, so I get an idea?

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 15, 2013

Volusiano said:
It looks great. Doesn't seem to have a clearance problem to me either.

But can you explain to me your rationale to go with this hitch over the Invisi hitch that Torklift also offers? It's only $25 difference, so your decision can't be all about the price difference, no?

And I wonder if you'd mind sharing what the installation cost is from Stingray, so I get an idea?

I went with this style hitch, due to overall height. If the rack was mounted behind the tag, my bike would catch all sorts of wind, thus dropping the mileage, also I did not want to have a hole behind my tag. I paid for about a 45 minutes of service time. Since the rear bumper does not have to come off it saves a lot of cost as well.

Volusiano

· #4 · Mar 15, 2013

Thanks. All good points about the wind resistance due to the height, and lower installation cost.

Prohidium

· #5 · Mar 15, 2013

Wouldn't one expect a lithium powered electric bike on that carrier? lol

Maz94protege

· #6 · Mar 15, 2013

Looks good! Still on the edge, dont know if Id do a hitch rack or since I already have roof bike rails, get cross bars.... hmm. in the end it seems like it will cost about the same.

Joule

· #7 · Mar 15, 2013

Mike McG said:
I went with this style hitch, due to overall height. If the rack was mounted behind the tag, my bike would catch all sorts of wind, thus dropping the mileage, also I did not want to have a hole behind my tag. I paid for about a 45 minutes of service time. Since the rear bumper does not have to come off it saves a lot of cost as well.

Volusiano said:
Thanks. All good points about the wind resistance due to the height, and lower installation cost.

I had the same exact question as Volusiano. Great reasons. Thank you so much for posting these photos. I've been thinking about doing this with mine. I currently slap a trunk carrier on the big old Caddy when I take my bike out but would like to have a way to do it with the Volt too. This seems like the best way to do it.

hvacman

· #8 · Mar 15, 2013

With the bikes low like that, what % mileage loss do you see?

I considered the stealth hitch, but with the bike rack installed, I could picture the bottom of the rack tongue extension hitting the pavement when making a sudden transition on a short steep driveway. That looks that is a possibility from your photos. I did get the invisi-hitch and use a Yakima rack. Yes, there is significant aero drag with the bikes hanging high. CD range goes from 40 miles down to about 26 when driving at 65 mph. I'm taking the rack to welding shop to have them cut off about 15" off the rack vertical post to get the bikes back down behind the car. I may take the (bike) wheels off, too, on long trips. They add a lot of drag by themselves.

AtlantaVolt

· #9 · Mar 15, 2013

Maz94protege said:
Looks good! Still on the edge, dont know if Id do a hitch rack or since I already have roof bike rails, get cross bars.... hmm. in the end it seems like it will cost about the same.

I am in the same boat, and the Rhino roof racks look nice. I am going to have to see if their aero cross bars will fit my existing bike rails. I think I would prefer the roof rack, but that is a very nice hitch setup!

titanfanzzz

· #10 · Mar 15, 2013

I am also interested in this. Can you guys give me advice on whether to go with 2" or 1.25"?

Heb80

· #11 · Mar 15, 2013

hvacman said:
I considered the stealth hitch, but with the bike rack installed, I could picture the bottom of the rack tongue extension hitting the pavement when making a sudden transition on a short steep driveway. That looks that is a possibility from your photos.

Your front splitter (plastic above the front air dam) would impact the driveway before the rack would ever scrape.

The OP is definitely not going to have a problem with as high as that rack sits. My rack sits much lower and I haven't had a problem yet.

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 16, 2013

New pics added to first post.

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 16, 2013

titanfanzzz said:
I am also interested in this. Can you guys give me advice on whether to go with 2" or 1.25"?

1.25 is the way to go, you should be able to get an adapter if you need a 2 on a diff vehicle.

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 16, 2013

Heb80 said:
Your front splitter (plastic above the front air dam) would impact the driveway before the rack would ever scrape.

The OP is definitely not going to have a problem with as high as that rack sits. My rack sits much lower and I haven't had a problem yet.

Went up some pretty steep places today, and ZERO issues with dragging. PERFECT setup IMO.

2BeLivingGreen

· #15 · Mar 16, 2013

hvacman said:
With the bikes low like that, what % mileage loss do you see?

I considered the stealth hitch, but with the bike rack installed, I could picture the bottom of the rack tongue extension hitting the pavement when making a sudden transition on a short steep driveway. That looks that is a possibility from your photos. I did get the invisi-hitch and use a Yakima rack. Yes, there is significant aero drag with the bikes hanging high. CD range goes from 40 miles down to about 26 when driving at 65 mph. I'm taking the rack to welding shop to have them cut off about 15" off the rack vertical post to get the bikes back down behind the car. I may take the (bike) wheels off, too, on long trips. They add a lot of drag by themselves.

Interesting CD range data there. Amazing what a bike can do to drag, or maybe even more amazing is how well the VOLT goes through the wind on it's own.

If you do get the bikes lowered can you post similar observations on your CD EV range? As that would be some helpful advice to help fine tune the hitch design/style that other owners may base their decision on? Thanks for the input.

2BeLivingGreen

· #16 · Mar 16, 2013

Mike McG, nice setup there and great pictures too. I am considering a hitch for bike use as well on mine. I have one picture request if possible and that is can you take one in the side view lower with rear tire/fascia/bike rack in view (like only a few inches off the ground) so I can tell what the clearance and angles might be for the bike rack installed relative to the ground? I appreciate that the hitch has cleared ramp angles I just was curious as to how the rack might affect the approach angles as well.

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 16, 2013

UPDATE!

I apparently had the scoops for the wheels on backwards. No big deal, but a small modification is required. Without modification the scoop will hit the rear bumper when folded up. Only one scoop needs trimming.

Pics of the modification of the scoops.

The passenger side scoop DOES NOT need to be trimmed.

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4

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 16, 2013

2BeLivingGreen said:
Mike McG, nice setup there and great pictures too. I am considering a hitch for bike use as well on mine. I have one picture request if possible and that is can you take one in the side view lower with rear tire/fascia/bike rack in view (like only a few inches off the ground) so I can tell what the clearance and angles might be for the bike rack installed relative to the ground? I appreciate that the hitch has cleared ramp angles I just was curious as to how the rack might affect the approach angles as well.

I will get you those pics ASAP.

As for range, I really have not noticed anything negative. I was able to get 46 miles out of EV mode yesterday, however on the highway the seem to have a little more drag. I did re position the bikes to where they are centered more, and I will be going for another drive today to see the difference. I will update the results when I finish. Thanks!

Mike McG

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 17, 2013

Pics as requested.

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Heb80

· #20 · Mar 17, 2013

Check out my thread at the link below for approach/departure angle info for the Volt with a bike rack.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?34425

2BeLivingGreen said:
Mike McG, nice setup there and great pictures too. I am considering a hitch for bike use as well on mine. I have one picture request if possible and that is can you take one in the side view lower with rear tire/fascia/bike rack in view (like only a few inches off the ground) so I can tell what the clearance and angles might be for the bike rack installed relative to the ground? I appreciate that the hitch has cleared ramp angles I just was curious as to how the rack might affect the approach angles as well.

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