Jayrox

Hey Gang,

I just installed a class 1 Hidden Hitch on our P5 this weekend. I would like to say it went in like a breeze. It wasn't too bad, the worst part was that it was a little chilly under the car on Sunday. I had to drop the muffler a bit which meant pulling off the rear-most rubber hanger for the install.

Hidden Hitch have made a decent product. It fits really nicely behind the rear skirting. You only see the end of the hitch and a bit of the bracing at the exhaust cutout. With the hitch cover on, it's hardly noticeable. Very slick indeed.

The Cat and I are planning on getting a small utility trailer and pulling (way) less than 1000lbs. Basically we need extra space to throw camping junk. We may also get one of those trailer hitch bicycle racks.

Anyone know of a place we might get a small trailer for less than a grand that isn't a Crappy Tire special?

Jayrox

alcoholiday

i've got the same hitch and i'm really happy with it too. i just use it for a bike rack though so i didn't do the electrical.

sorry i can't help with a trailer lead. i've only seen the cantire ones.

DaleK

Could one of you two post pictures of the receiver, etc? Everything I have seen with a P5 so far seems to require cutting out the skirt around the receiver, which I am not too keen on, but I would be interested in a hitch for a bike rack, and maybe a utility trailer.

For trailers, check all the big outlets like crappy tire and home depot. Also, there are SEVERAL custom trailer manufacturers around that you might want to check. Goertzen Trailer in Airdrie
Goertzen Trailer from shopincalgary (website listed on the page seems to be missing though??) and also Airdrie Trailer (I think that's the name). I know the Goertzens, they are decent people. These companies make a lot of the horse trailers you see around these parts.

Dale.

Jayrox

Hey DaleK,

Will post pics tonight. No sweat. And thanks for the link. I may give Goertzen a call. Already called Airdire Trailer before, they had something simple but it was pricey too.

Alcoholiday, thanks anyway. Just puttin' feelers out. We've checked Wally world as well and their trailers are all around the $300 mark with no box or bed, basically just a tongue, frame, wheels and lights. We are hoping to get a nice covered jobby that will fare well in inclement weather. This of course jacks the price up.

We were looking at a Herman (http://www.letsgoaero.com/), the company is in the States but they are relatively close.

alcoholiday

same here. i'll pop up a couple pics tonight of the hitch with a rack on it.

no cutting or drilling at all. the hidden hitch part # is 60948.

DaleK

Thanks guys!

Jayrox

If you are considering purchasing one. I would recommend Hidden Hitch. If you like to support Canadian then you should know that they are a Canadian company. Reese is another good brand and the price is comparable. However, Reese are a little more expensive and are a U.S. company.

We went to The Hitch Shop. The Manager there is a decent guy. Some of the other staff are gruff and not overly friendly. They do know their stuff though.

If you do get one and need a hand installing it drop me a PM, we could set something up. This goes for anyone...

Don't know why I didn't think of taking pictures as I was doing this. Bad Jayrox!

alcoholiday

damn. i deleted the pics i had of my hitch in my last computer housecleaning. i'll snap some new ones later this week. sorry about that.

Jayrox

s'okay alcoliday, I'm pretty handy with the digital.

Check out:
http://www.digitaldemesne.net/protege/

Scroll Down to "Trailer Hitch", here's the breakdown.

Top row: (l -> r)
1) back shot, can't really make out the hitch (kinda the point)
2) hitch with cover on
3) hitch with cover off (got your attention now)
4) hitch with draw (supplied, but no ball)
5) underbody at bumper (notice cutout for sheetmetal join)

Bottom row: (l -> r)
1) driver side rear corner (fun tucking that sucker under those hoses)
2) driver side close-up
3) passenger side corner (getting the muffler hanger out of the rubber shock damper was fun)
4) passenger side close up

There you have it. Click the thumbnails to get the larger image. Hope that helps.

Jay

90210brandon

Who is the Foxy lady in the three quarter length black leather jacket??? Hehe, Kari... Jarrod, your decals look good!

Jayrox

Thanks D.

Those pics were only mockups of what the car could look like with the decals. We only ended up getting the hood decal. It gets some stares when we are out and about.

skyhawk174

Hey J

Looks great. Now you are making me want to get something to put on my hood. I managed to get a deflector cheap so I'll be putting that on soon. However, before I do any of that I have to get my front bumper cover repaired. Some idiot did a hit and run on our baby (P5) so I have to get that repaired. Sent you a PM by the way.

Jayrox

Thanks Sky! I still like your pinstriping and the tribal accents at the ends. Very nice. K and I are debating getting some electric blue reflective pinstriping for the sides of our baby.

Not sure whether there is any legal issue with reflective material on a normal car. I suppose I should call and find out.

Got your PM and replied to the email addy you provided. Sorry to hear about the ding, bastards! That's low, but then the culprit is not a very good driver and probably not too bright.

We too have a dent on our baby that our youngest caused when he was getting out of the car with his saxophone. The case went wild on him and banged the side of the car under and behind the rear driver's side window. I might be able to pop it out from the inside, I'll have to take the inside paneling off to do our window tinting so I might take care of it then.

Couldn't stay pristine forever... could it?

neuromancer

Sorry to interupt this thread

Did you find someone to do the body work? I might know someone (brother in-law of a friend) who you might want to talk to.

Jay

skyhawk174

Thanks Jay, I'll get a couple of quotes and let you know.