getting a hitch and transporting bikes

[LiquidSilver]

Howdy

Now that I have my SilverBox back the work continues to customize it. Initially I thought I would get a roof rack and bike carrier but I hardly see my self slinging a mountain bike all the way up there.

So I have decided that maybe a hitch mounted bike carrier is better and performance bikes certainly carries some affordable one.

Has anybody installed a U-Haul hitch? Would you go for a level 1 or 3?

Any reason not to get the U_Haul instead of the Honda one?

Other ideas for carrying 2 bikes?

Much obliged?

[thomasj2]

I've used a hitch mounted bike rack for years, it's so easy my wife can handle it. She'd never be able to hoist the bike up onto a roof rack.

Find a 2" receiver hitch for the element. I have the Curt hitch on my CRV.

The bike rack I have is a 6 yr old Hollywood four bike rack.

[IN MY]

Check the archives here. There have been posts on Uhaul and others. I think they said Uhaul was fine. The issue was price and image. Not sure on outcome. I think some have them and some don't.

[cburton]

Don't know what you plan to tow, however, you should only get a Class 1 hitch for the Element. Class 3 is a heavy duty type hitch for full size vehicles. The probabilty of finding a class 3 hitch is 0%, unless you have some type of home made job. Besides, the Element would never handle that load!
U-Haul does a good job, however, it does pay to shop around. Also, know what you plan to tow. It helps a great deal as far as the electrical connections go..

[LiquidSilver]

Thanks.

I am not into towing anything. All I want is to use a hitch type bike carrier so I figured a class 1 would be more than enough

[kidguitar]

I was told by the dealer that installing the wiring harness on the Element is a big deal. It is not pre-wired and it clips onto the hitch. I suggest having the dealer install the wiring harness. --kidguitar

[cburton]

While it does make the hitch more useable by having the wiring done, don't feel like you have to have it done when you get your hitch. Heck, buy the hitch and install it yourself. It's not that difficult, and you'll save some $$.
I don't see the Element being that much different than any other vehicle. You can always get the wiring done at a later date, either by the dealer with the $$ you saved by installing the hitch yourself, or wiring it yourself and save some more $$.

[kidguitar]

I respectfully disagree with Chris. The hitch install is only 4 bolts. All you need is a torque wrench. But, the wiring is a big job. The interior of the vehicle has to be ripped up (I believe). And, I shopped 6 different Baltimore dealers for it and they all confirmed that it was at least a 6 hr. job for them. The Element requires all electrical to be placed above a threshold minimum mm so as to allow a threshold of standing water. I was told that this electrical harness must go from the back to the front inside the vehicle and that the Element in 2003-04 was not prewired like many other cars. --kidguitar

[psschmied]

The information I found suggests that the Element has a t-connector ready for a trailer harness.

Check out etrailer.com. Although I don't have first hand knowledge of them, they have 2 different 3rd party hitches for the Element and 2 different plug in harness/adapters. From the part numbers and descriptions, oyou should be able to get more information. Also, their "satisfied cutomer" page has a quote:

"Fred, Volcano, HI 4/2/2004
Aloha, I placed the order on Monday of this week late in your work day. The order shipped on Tuesday and today, Friday I have it. Great service to be able to get something to Hawaii that fast. The order was complete and as advertised. A note to anyone installing the wire Kit (T-one connector from Draw tite) on the Honda Element. Pull the passengers rear panel for the connector. Not in the instructions. The Hitch installation took 5 minutes and was a breeze. Everything was there and aligned up perfetcly. A very satisfing experience dealing with this company. Was recommended by a fellow at a swap meet that had purchased from them. Mahalo, Fred " (sic)

[BoomerGer]

Well, he said he was not towing ANYTHING!! Just using it as a mount for bicycles, so who needs to hook up the electrical???

Ger

[psschmied]

My previous reply was to point out that other 3rd party alternatives custom fit such as Hidden Hitch are available,. They are also half the cost of the Honda OEM hitch, even through the Marketplace. Secondly, to squash a rumor about difficulty or cost of making the wiring connection.

The site I listed also has a selection of reasonably priced 2 bike carriers for a 1-1/4" hitch mount.

[N3OKI]

I went with the hidden hitch. Paid less than 100.00 for it installed it myself less then an hour. I had a local trailer shop do the light harness for me. COST ABOUT 45.00 for the work with wires.
I pull a 6ft. X 10ft. utility trailer with no trouble and that is with the small rec. We have put both my 88 Goldwing (1500) on it along with the wifes Yamaha V-Satr 1100 classic (both at the same time) and no trouble pulling. And the load alone put the car over on capaity.

Bill