Trailer Hitches--Anything new going on?

2349 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by sosmerc, Oct 5, 2017

Cheburashka

Discussion Starter · Sep 25, 2017 (Edited)

I have a leased 2015. I'd like to put a receiver hitch on it so I can transport bicycles. I've seen the various stealth models out there, but I can't see paying upwards of $300 for a receiver hitch for a leased car. I also don't want to cut into the bumper, for the same reason. Finally, I only plan to use it during late Spring and early Fall, so removable would be good. I'll be carrying two mountain bikes.

What have people's experiences been with the Curt 112211?

It uses a 1 1/4 socket, so I don't think it will add much to the bottom end. It's not very attractive, but I don't think it will scrape.

I'm also toying with the idea of making it more like the Stealth hitch, which would involve splitting the plates that hold the receiver and using bolts, spacers, and two heavy duty plates with four holes drilled in them to hold it on while I'm using it. Any thoughts on that?

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· #12 · Oct 3, 2017 (Edited)

FWIW, I have the exact Curt hitch on my 2012. When you install it, make sure you super tighten the driver side bolts so that there is absolutely zero "play" between the hitch, the underbody sheet metal, and the thick metal plates that reinforce that mounting point. Another Volt owner in my area "just tightened" it which allowed the hitch to move ever so slightly at that D/S mounting point. Extending that movement out a foot or two where the bike rack is, it'll look like the bikes are going to heave off the rack. Bottom line, get a big-ass breaker bar and tighten the heck outta the D/S bolts; it'll probably even flatten some of the sheet metal. That's OK - you want a super solid connection. But don't over tighten the passenger side bolts.

By using a hitch rack, you don't suffer the miles per charge reduction from a roof rack. Plus I can carry two bikes without disassembling. Do I trust the hitch? Definitely: I'm carrying a Yeti SB6c worth 3/4 of the current value of my Volt! I'm not using a stabilizing strap either - it's solid, no bouncing.

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