randomsolutions

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I was wondering if anyone has any updates (and hopefully pictures!) for what they have done for a hitch on their TSX?

I really want to take my mountain bikes with my TSX, but I don't want to scratch the paint or have a roof rack.

Also, I have read in a lot of places people thinking of buying a UK version hitch, but I haven't ever seen someone who actually has shelled out the money. Anyone???

Thanks!

bluepacific

I had a custom hitch made and installed at a company in Kent, WA. Their website is http://www.torklift.com. This is a 1-1/4" square hitch and I use a Thule rack to carry my bike. I forgot how to input links to pics but I will list the links and you can copy and paste to look at my hitch.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3552/dscn05084ql.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7726/dscn05072xx.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/626/dscn05050su.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3656/dscn05068st.jpg

daniel1113

That's a nice setup. I am looking to get an identical setup for my TSX, unfortunately, I am out in PA. How much did it cost you total for the custom hitch, and then for that specific Thule rack?

bluepacific

The hitch was $250 installed and the Thule rack was also $250.

daniel1113

Oh wow... that's not bad at all. Any regrets?

bluepacific

No regrets. Most of the hitch is hidden under the car, only the square is showing which when filled with a rubber plug does not take away from the rear appearance of the car.

djbarber

Any idea if this was a welded design or bolt-in design? I'd like to buy and install myself, but I don't own a welder. Also, what kind of modification is made to the bumper? Looks like there is a notch in it. Can you post a close up view of notch? Thx

VroomVroom

I don't think that's a notch - it looks like the receiver is simply being reflected in the bumper. Nice setup!

San-AnT

nice

sander

Here are two made for the TSX and they are pretty cheap.
http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp...=Acura&t1=&h=e

bluepacific

The hitch was made from stratch at the hitch company at the web site listed in the previous thread. Part of the hitch was welded to the car and the receiver assy is bolted to that. There is no cutout in the bumper, that is just the square receiver with the rubber plug installed. We had to remove an aerodynamic piece from under the rear of the car to install the hitch. Any good hitch company with good welders should be able to make a hitch to match any vehicle.

daniel1113

This may be a silly question, but...

If I wanted one of the Draw-Tite hitches made for the 2006 TSX installed on my 2004 TSX, would I just order the hitch myself online and have a local guy install it? Or, do I call up a local installer first and have them order the hitch? It should fit without any problems and be easy to install, I just have no means to do it myself here at school. Thanks.

LoveMyTL-S

I would think if you have a basic tool kit you can install this hitch. Perhaps with a little help from a friend. You may get a better price ordering it directly online (looks like they are on sale right now).

helraiser

Euro hidden hitch. Total price to have it imported and installed, just about $1500. Yup, I took it up the bum without any lube BUT she looks soooo neat and it's a true hidden hitch!

daniel1113

Maybe it's just me, but that "hidden" hitch seems a lot more visible, and ugly, than the cheap hitches for sale here in the US.

jihan3

Great info!

I've been checking etrailer.com for a while looking for a hitch for my 2004 for a while now. It still doesn't show up for the 2004 and 2005 TSX's, but thanks to you, now I know that it's out for the 2006's.

I'm going to see if the mounting holes used for the 2006 hitch are present in my 2004 TSX.

Anyone have this hitch installed? I'm curious how it looks.

I installed a HiddenHitch on my girlfriend's RSX last summer and it's pretty nondescript. However, it's already started to rust (Chicago winter ).

Thanks for the post!

tiprout machine

Hey,i'm a new guy here and this is great !! I can get all the info i need.I'v been wondering on how a hitch would look on my TSX...now i know.Thanks

daniel1113

I have a 2004 TSX and went ahead and ordered the Draw-Tite hitch from etrailer.com. I will let you know how it fits when I get it next week.

svmtbman

This is exciting news! I have been looking for a hitch since I got my TSX. Please do let us know if the Draw-Tite works on the 2004. Did you order the wiring harness for the trailer too? I have a 2005 and will be ordering this setup as soon as you let us know it will work.

P.S. - thanks for being the official tester!

AlwaysL8

I have also been trying to find a bike rack solution for the TSX. I was really excited when I saw the link to etrailer.com that had two (count 'em, TWO!) hitches for the 2006 TSX.

I called etrailer and asked if it would work on a 2005 TSX. The sales rep checked with the technician, and they said that it won't work on the 2005 TSX because there was a change where it mounts on the TSX between 2005 and 2006. Bummer!

BDI Racks offers a solution for ~$200. It's a receiver and rack that mounts to the license plate holes. The only problem is that the TSX only has the top two holes drilled for the license plate. BDI recommends drilling two more holes at the bottom, which I'm hesitant to do. If you're interested, here's a couple of links that show the BDI rack:

http://www.bdiracks.com/bdiplate.html
http://www.duettomotors.com/general/gen_bike_racks.htm

I liked bluesolutions' custom hitch installation. I'm going to go to a local hitch installer that does custom work later this week to get a firmer price.

Of course, the other option is to just trade in my 2005 for a 2006 -- I can get the hidden hitch receiver, ~15 more hp, memory seats, and iPod port, fog lights, the option to get the Hondata chip, and a new car to boot! (But then there's that little thing called depreciation to deal with.)

-- Melissa

svmtbman

Bummer, I was hoping this would work on my '05!

helraiser

Odd because you don't see any part of the hitch. The only thing you see is this piece that covers the section of the bumper that the tongue attaches to. The hitch and everything else is behind the bumper itself.

I like it a lot more than these other hitches. I've never been much a fan of seeing the actual hitch especially when not in use. Would then laugh at the name "Hidden Hitch" cuz it's there staring you in the face and at the same time, taking away from the rest of the car - even if it is the ass of the car!

But you know what they say, one man's junk is another man's treasure!

ola

daniel1113

Well, I think the cover is pretty nasty and much more visible than the naked hitch.

rastaman

Does anyone know if you have the skirt on the back if it would make a difference when you put on the hitch? Otherwise put, is there enough space to still have a hitch on the back and the skirt?

waterrockets

For what it's worth, here are the installation instructions for the Hidden Hitch model:
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/pdf/N60831.pdf

I may crawl underneath and see if it looks similar enough to fit my '05 with some drilling.



I found one for an Accord that I think i can copy for the TSX with my 225A stick welder:
http://www.etrailerpart.com/PDF/55180.pdf

I need to get under the TSX to examine it a little better. Our tow hook is different than the accord's, so the camping parts would need to be different...

o3jeff

Has anyone confirmed if either of the hitches from etrailer will work on a 2004?

rastaman

I put on a customized hitch that looks really good. It was professionally done by a person that has much experience with putting hitches on cars that don't have hitches made for them. If anyone that lives in the Toronto area wants a hitch, call a person named:
Ed Groot
Vangro Welding
726 Dundas Street East,
Mississauga, Ont
905-279-6082

svmtbman

I'd like to know this too, did you ever get the hitch in daniel1113?????

djbarber

Do you have pictures of the hitch? I live in Boston but will be in the Toronto area for a week this summer so this might work for me. How long did installation take? Is it a welded-in hitch or bolt in?

rastaman

It was a welded in hitch and I think that it looks great. It took about 2 hours but if he is does your job without distractions, I believe he could do it in less than 1 hour. I will see about getting pictures for you.

daniel1113

It will be arriving tomorrow (it was backordered for two weeks), so I will try and install it ASAP.

JAXFLTSX

is there a receiver hitch for a 2005 TSX???

waterrockets

A long time ago I called U-Haul and they said "yes," but I was just checking. Since then, other forum members have not been able to get a U-Haul confirmation that it's available. It's not on their site, so you'll have to call them.

Other than that, no. You have to get a custom hitch. Seems like they run around $200.

If I every get my honey-do list whittled down enough, I'm going to weld my own.

djbarber

Rastaman, could you post those pics? Also, what did you pay for the hitch/install?

rastaman

When I get home I will try to post the pictures. I paid $260 I think for the hitch.

sleepytrousers

I just signed up to fill you all in on what I found out. SInce I was observing your thread while fishing for information on the exact problem you all are discussing, I figured I owed it to everyone to post this info. My Girllfirend has a 2004 tsx and we, as you very well know, couldn't find a hitch. After stopping by a couple shops and Uhaul being one, we decided to buy a couple hitches and see what the deal was. We got the 04 rsx hitch from hidden hitch and the 06 tsx hitch from drawtite. Both hitches were ordered from ehitch.com. They came in 2 days ago and I can tell you from first hand experience that the 06 TSX hitch bolts right on as if it were made fro the 04 tsx. I don't know why people have to make things hard for others and make us all sit here chasing our tails and making some of us spend rediuculous amounts of $ on special custom hitches. Its damn absurd. Well let me know if you have any special questions but I can verify for you all that the 06 tsx hitch from drawtite bolts right on. No special mods needed here. Good Luck and thanks for the posts..............

jihan3

Excellent! Thanks for the info. My wallet will soon be ~$100 lighter

I have one question about installation - to lower the exhaust, do you need to remove all 5 exhaust hangers? Besides the hangers, is there anything else that needs to be done?

Thanks again!

avonterr

I can't find a site called ehitch.com. Can you please check this? Thanks.

waterrockets

I'm pretty sure he meant http://www.etrailer.com/

Wintermute

Can you could post a picture of the hitch installed on your gf's TSX?