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ibmx2
09/29/2010, 08:36 AM
Do they make any for the VX that do not require drilling
I would only need it for putting a hitch mounted bike rack on it

Needs not to be load bearing for hauling trailers

VX KAT
09/29/2010, 08:49 AM
Do they make any for the VX that do not require drilling
I would only need it for putting a hitch mounted bike rack on it

Needs not to be load bearing for hauling trailers

Many have what we call the "Tone" hitch. It is much lower profile, slightly recessed design. It requires cutting the rear cladding. Here's a thread that shows a few types.
I just bought the hitch that Tom4Bren mentions in post #69. Getting it installed soon.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15541

Curt makes a hitch, don't think it requires any drilling. Circ you just put one on didn't you?
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=16113&highlight=ganzman+hitch

vt_maverick
09/29/2010, 08:53 AM
FWIW, the Tone hitch tends to bend under direct load from hitch-mount cargo platforms, tire mounts, etc. Maybe not a problem if you're carrying one bike, but something to consider if you're carrying four.

RamAirZ
09/29/2010, 09:11 AM
I have a Reese hitch on mine, no drilling on it. It would work for your bike rack, I've towed a car on a dolly with it for about 300 miles.

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/7830/img5153c.th.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/img5153c.jpg/)

SilverBullet75
09/29/2010, 12:16 PM
I have a Curt/Uhaul. Holds my 250lb jet ski with NO problems! Rock solid!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Copy_of_IMG_1671.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/15584)

It does need drilling, but very simple to do. Worth it in my opinion.

Trudy Carp
09/29/2010, 03:02 PM
I have a Reese hitch on mine, no drilling on it. It would work for your bike rack, I've towed a car on a dolly with it for about 300 miles.

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/7830/img5153c.th.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/img5153c.jpg/)

I have a Da'Lan hitch on my Iron Man, they specialize in hard to find, direct fit, no drill, class III's. It pulls my raft trailer @ 70 mph on the interstate......
protects my rear bumper cover when I'm doing Hell's Revenge, Kane Creek, & Fins & Things in Moab. It also destroyed the Audi A-4 that rear ended me
.....just took some paint off the hitch....and I didn't even have my ball mount in. Thank you Da'Lan!

RamAirZ
09/29/2010, 04:10 PM
Ya I like mine, the skidplate factor is nice lol

circmand
09/29/2010, 04:24 PM
Many have what we call the "Tone" hitch. It is much lower profile, slightly recessed design. It requires cutting the rear cladding. Here's a thread that shows a few types.
I just bought the hitch that Tom4Bren mentions in post #69. Getting it installed soon.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15541

Curt makes a hitch, don't think it requires any drilling. Circ you just put one on didn't you?
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=16113&highlight=ganzman+hitch

It has 6 bolts that attach the hitch to the fram. It is very high quality. 2 of the holes are pre drilled they hold the tow hooks 4 holes need to be drilled.

It is so simple I feel comfortable doing it.

tom4bren
09/30/2010, 08:16 AM
FWIW, the Tone hitch tends to bend under direct load from hitch-mount cargo platforms, tire mounts, etc. Maybe not a problem if you're carrying one bike, but something to consider if you're carrying four.

Even 4 bikes aren't going to get close to the weight that will affect the hitch (actually the bumper that it's mounted to). It was SilverBullet (post 5 in this thread) that experienced that problem with carrying a jetski on his. I'm guessing that it was pushing 300lbs.

If he's not wanting to drill any holes then I'm guessing that he DEFINITELY doesn't want to take a box cutter to his cladding. He's still better off going with the Curt or U-Haul design.

vt_maverick
09/30/2010, 10:34 AM
I don't know Tom, I definitely had lean on my hitch with about 70 lbs of stuff loaded in a 150 lbs cargo carrier. I admit that I have no idea how much four bikes + a mount would weight though.

etlsport
09/30/2010, 10:45 AM
i have carried 4 bikes in the tone style hitch with no problem. the bike rack itself moves in the hitch more than the hitch. but the install on the tone hitch is not for those without patience and the willingness to cut into your VX,

the install requires drilling into the frame, cutting the rear tube bumper, and cutting the rear cosmetic bumper

Daly
09/30/2010, 12:00 PM
I actually have a new in the box Curtis Hitch Class III that I was going to put up for sale.
I am in NY. Not sure what shipping goes for.
Make an offer.

Bob Barker
09/30/2010, 04:34 PM
It has 6 bolts that attach the hitch to the fram. It is very high quality. 2 of the holes are pre drilled they hold the tow hooks 4 holes need to be drilled.

It is so simple I feel comfortable doing it.

Same hitch for me too. Pretty straight forward install, drill 4 holes (2 on each side) drag a bolt and plate through back opening of frame and tighten with nuts. All hardware supplied, only thing needed is a drill and bit the right size. I just carried a hitch cargo basket on mine with about 200lbs of luggage (4 women packing for a 1 night trip...) from central FL to SC and we had no issues at all.

ibmx2
09/30/2010, 06:33 PM
I live in Illinois so I would like not to drill the frame because it would be place for salt to get in and live
in hoping do to the light load that there is one that will just clamp to the frame
nor do I want to cut the cladding
is the Reese the only one you don't have to drill
. I think I may be missing something because whenever I look at the directions for the Hitches. It seems they all say to drill

Mile High VX
10/01/2010, 04:56 AM
I just carried a hitch cargo basket on mine with about 200lbs of luggage (4 women packing for a 1 night trip...) from central FL to SC and we had no issues at all.

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

I can so relate...:yeso::yesb::yesgray::yesy:

circmand
10/01/2010, 07:45 AM
I live in Illinois so I would like not to drill the frame because it would be place for salt to get in and live
in hoping do to the light load that there is one that will just clamp to the frame
nor do I want to cut the cladding
is the Reese the only one you don't have to drill
. I think I may be missing something because whenever I look at the directions for the Hitches. It seems they all say to drill

The VX was not designed for towing. It can but was not designed for it. The more points of attachment you have and the wider the attachment points the stronger the hitch. So since the VX has only 2 predrilled holes in the fram and no predrilled holes in the bumper you are going to have to drill or only use 2 holes and bolts to attach the hitch and lose capability. As for rust I would suggest treating the holes after drilling then treating the whole are after attaching.

vt_maverick
10/01/2010, 08:17 AM
+1 - Sounds like the bar style hitch is for you, but you shouldn't let a fear of rust push you to sacrifice the strength of the mount point. As circ said, just treat the drill holes with an anti-corrosion coating and you'll be fine.

tom4bren
10/01/2010, 08:19 AM
Or install the hitch of your choice ... then move to the desert.:tweed:

VX KAT
10/01/2010, 08:42 AM
Or install the hitch of your choice ... then move to the desert.:tweed:
Or move to the desert, then get the hitch of your choice!;)

tom4bren
10/01/2010, 09:01 AM
But if he moved to the desert, then it would be too friggin hot to ride his bike & he wouldn't need a hitch.

BTW KAT,

I noticed that the hitch from Welder Guy was drilled for the smaller pin. If you plan to use the larger pin, you'll have to have that hole drilled out which would be much easier before it is installed.

Tom

r_code72
11/04/2010, 02:06 AM
I actually have a new in the box Curtis Hitch Class III that I was going to put up for sale.
I am in NY. Not sure what shipping goes for.
Make an offer.

i a in kingston, ny and wold be interested in the hitch for sale