Getting Trailer Hitch Installed in Toronto
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
Getting Trailer Hitch Installed in Toronto
I'm interested in getting a trailler hitch to mount a bike rack on my 2003 TL. Does anyone have a recommendation for a garage to do this work in Toronto? Also, any suggestions on which bike rack? My wife and I have both road bikes and mountain bikes but nothing with any funny frame shapes (just a sloping top tube on the MTBs). Thanks in advance.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
I got the Frontier 3 bike rack from Wal-Mart. It does the job and the price is right. 
As far as installation (the hitch) goes it is not that difficult to do it yourself. Maybe 30-45 minutes at the most requiring minimal amount of tools
As far as installation (the hitch) goes it is not that difficult to do it yourself. Maybe 30-45 minutes at the most requiring minimal amount of tools
Cruisin'
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
A good hitch for our car is Hidden Hitch PN 60913 and wiring harness PN 18336 both available from etrailer.com. I installed them in about an hour on my 03 TLs. The hitch uses existing mounting holes and is hardly visible. Also, the harness plugs into an existing tow connector located inside the trunk near the driver side tail light.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Wynantskill, NY
Jcho,
I got my hitch for my '99 TL about a year ago at
http://HitchesOnline.com/
The hitch uses the "tow loop" under the licence plate (see it?)....it just runs a bolt through it and the hitch reciever. Then you just have to drill two holes into the tire compartment of the trunk tray for the front of the hitch.
1. Take out the tire!!! (or risk drilling holes in it!)...use that cord and hook to hold open the tire cover for easy access.
2. Take out your tire jack (you'll need that)...bolt the hitch to the tow loop with the single bolt (use the included spacers so it centers). Use your tire jack to support the front end of the hitch. Use the jack to raise the frame snug to the car....it fits nice right up into the shape of the trunk. Just about centers and holds itself in place by itself!!
3. Be sure the tire is out of the trunk...then drill the two holes. Vacume and wipe out any metal filings from drilling. Use the the 2 bolts and washers to bolt the hitch to the car.
4. I applied a high grade marine caulk around the bolts under the car before tightening them to be sure its waterproof....then applied more around the outside of them after I tightened them up. But watch it, that stuff gets everywhere! I got some on my hands and had to wait a half hour to touch my car...that green stuff sticks to everything.
5. Tighten all three bolts to spec (90 foot pounds? I forget)
Ok, you're done with the hitch. The tire sticks up slightly (5/16"?) because it now rests on the top of the two bolt heads. The tire cover will stick up slightly too unless you trim the foam block supports under it (that rest on the tire). But its no big deal if you don't trim them. Now the wiring....
Forget where I got the T-conector, but maybe it was HiddenHitch.com. They have them. Your driver side rear light has a connector in there for it. Remove the threshold over the trunk latch....just use a coin to remove those 4(?) plastic insert screws (takes 1 minuet)....then remove the cover inside the trunk over the drivers rear light. Easy.
Connect the T-connector/adapter to the cars plug....I didn't want the wiring harness hanging out my trunk and rubbing and maring the paint. So I cut the ribbon cable maybe 1 or 2 foot after the "adapter box"....then ran the ribbon cable from under the car up where the licence plate light wire runs....there is a rubber "tube" that goes tight around the wire to keep out dirt and water....perfect!!! It's pretty tappered, snug and may take some effort.....as I recall I may have pushed a wire down from the top then taped it to the ribbon cable and pulled the ribbon cable back up to get past the tight tapperd end.
With the ribbon cable back up in the trunk you need to re-attach the ribbon cable where you cut it. I used Posi Connectors....
http://www.posi-lock.com/lock2.html
....with some di-lectric grease in them to keep out moisture. NAPA has the Posi-Connectors. I then used electrical tape to tape up the joint and connectors....then used some plastic ties to secure the adapter box and wire to the car. The "box" may have fit in the rear light compartment, can't remember. There are already ties there for other wires to secure it too.
Now just put your light cover back on and put trunk threshold back on. Your done.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/hitch.html
My trailer....I use for my ATV. I try to limit total weight for trailer and cargo to 1000 lbs.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/...1seTrailer.JPG
Jeff-
PS If you buy the TL snow plow kit let me know, I have some tips on installing that too
I got my hitch for my '99 TL about a year ago at
http://HitchesOnline.com/
The hitch uses the "tow loop" under the licence plate (see it?)....it just runs a bolt through it and the hitch reciever. Then you just have to drill two holes into the tire compartment of the trunk tray for the front of the hitch.
1. Take out the tire!!! (or risk drilling holes in it!)...use that cord and hook to hold open the tire cover for easy access.
2. Take out your tire jack (you'll need that)...bolt the hitch to the tow loop with the single bolt (use the included spacers so it centers). Use your tire jack to support the front end of the hitch. Use the jack to raise the frame snug to the car....it fits nice right up into the shape of the trunk. Just about centers and holds itself in place by itself!!
3. Be sure the tire is out of the trunk...then drill the two holes. Vacume and wipe out any metal filings from drilling. Use the the 2 bolts and washers to bolt the hitch to the car.
4. I applied a high grade marine caulk around the bolts under the car before tightening them to be sure its waterproof....then applied more around the outside of them after I tightened them up. But watch it, that stuff gets everywhere! I got some on my hands and had to wait a half hour to touch my car...that green stuff sticks to everything.
5. Tighten all three bolts to spec (90 foot pounds? I forget)
Ok, you're done with the hitch. The tire sticks up slightly (5/16"?) because it now rests on the top of the two bolt heads. The tire cover will stick up slightly too unless you trim the foam block supports under it (that rest on the tire). But its no big deal if you don't trim them. Now the wiring....
Forget where I got the T-conector, but maybe it was HiddenHitch.com. They have them. Your driver side rear light has a connector in there for it. Remove the threshold over the trunk latch....just use a coin to remove those 4(?) plastic insert screws (takes 1 minuet)....then remove the cover inside the trunk over the drivers rear light. Easy.
Connect the T-connector/adapter to the cars plug....I didn't want the wiring harness hanging out my trunk and rubbing and maring the paint. So I cut the ribbon cable maybe 1 or 2 foot after the "adapter box"....then ran the ribbon cable from under the car up where the licence plate light wire runs....there is a rubber "tube" that goes tight around the wire to keep out dirt and water....perfect!!! It's pretty tappered, snug and may take some effort.....as I recall I may have pushed a wire down from the top then taped it to the ribbon cable and pulled the ribbon cable back up to get past the tight tapperd end.
With the ribbon cable back up in the trunk you need to re-attach the ribbon cable where you cut it. I used Posi Connectors....
http://www.posi-lock.com/lock2.html
....with some di-lectric grease in them to keep out moisture. NAPA has the Posi-Connectors. I then used electrical tape to tape up the joint and connectors....then used some plastic ties to secure the adapter box and wire to the car. The "box" may have fit in the rear light compartment, can't remember. There are already ties there for other wires to secure it too.
Now just put your light cover back on and put trunk threshold back on. Your done.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/hitch.html
My trailer....I use for my ATV. I try to limit total weight for trailer and cargo to 1000 lbs.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/...1seTrailer.JPG
Jeff-
PS If you buy the TL snow plow kit let me know, I have some tips on installing that too
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Wynantskill, NY
Oh, and you can store the part of the hitch that holds the ball in that "tray" in the trunk on the drivers side....I put mine in a plastic bag then wrap it in a couple clean while cotten cloths...the kind you buy to wash your car with. Fits snug in here.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Wynantskill, NY
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Wynantskill, NY
Here's a neat Trailer Circuit Tester.....
Price: $3.28
Part Number: 50080304
http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi...tegory=trailer
....if the link won't work goto http://www.iboats.com/mall/ then click the trailer section.
.......Also, I only paid about $75 including shipping for my hitch a year ago, looks like HitchesOnline.com prices went up a little. But this may be a new hitch that requires no drilling?? Not sure on that (don't go by the picture)....but it looks like '99-'00 uses a different hitch than '01-'03....
Price: $3.28
Part Number: 50080304
http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi...tegory=trailer
....if the link won't work goto http://www.iboats.com/mall/ then click the trailer section.
.......Also, I only paid about $75 including shipping for my hitch a year ago, looks like HitchesOnline.com prices went up a little. But this may be a new hitch that requires no drilling?? Not sure on that (don't go by the picture)....but it looks like '99-'00 uses a different hitch than '01-'03....
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BlingBling INSPIRE 32V
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,386
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From: OC area, CA
Originally posted by JeffNY
Jcho,
I got my hitch for my '99 TL about a year ago at
http://HitchesOnline.com/
The hitch uses the "tow loop" under the licence plate (see it?)....it just runs a bolt through it and the hitch reciever. Then you just have to drill two holes into the tire compartment of the trunk tray for the front of the hitch.
1. Take out the tire!!! (or risk drilling holes in it!)...use that cord and hook to hold open the tire cover for easy access.
2. Take out your tire jack (you'll need that)...bolt the hitch to the tow loop with the single bolt (use the included spacers so it centers). Use your tire jack to support the front end of the hitch. Use the jack to raise the frame snug to the car....it fits nice right up into the shape of the trunk. Just about centers and holds itself in place by itself!!
3. Be sure the tire is out of the trunk...then drill the two holes. Vacume and wipe out any metal filings from drilling. Use the the 2 bolts and washers to bolt the hitch to the car.
4. I applied a high grade marine caulk around the bolts under the car before tightening them to be sure its waterproof....then applied more around the outside of them after I tightened them up. But watch it, that stuff gets everywhere! I got some on my hands and had to wait a half hour to touch my car...that green stuff sticks to everything.
5. Tighten all three bolts to spec (90 foot pounds? I forget)
Ok, you're done with the hitch. The tire sticks up slightly (5/16"?) because it now rests on the top of the two bolt heads. The tire cover will stick up slightly too unless you trim the foam block supports under it (that rest on the tire). But its no big deal if you don't trim them. Now the wiring....
Forget where I got the T-conector, but maybe it was HiddenHitch.com. They have them. Your driver side rear light has a connector in there for it. Remove the threshold over the trunk latch....just use a coin to remove those 4(?) plastic insert screws (takes 1 minuet)....then remove the cover inside the trunk over the drivers rear light. Easy.
Connect the T-connector/adapter to the cars plug....I didn't want the wiring harness hanging out my trunk and rubbing and maring the paint. So I cut the ribbon cable maybe 1 or 2 foot after the "adapter box"....then ran the ribbon cable from under the car up where the licence plate light wire runs....there is a rubber "tube" that goes tight around the wire to keep out dirt and water....perfect!!! It's pretty tappered, snug and may take some effort.....as I recall I may have pushed a wire down from the top then taped it to the ribbon cable and pulled the ribbon cable back up to get past the tight tapperd end.
With the ribbon cable back up in the trunk you need to re-attach the ribbon cable where you cut it. I used Posi Connectors....
http://www.posi-lock.com/lock2.html
....with some di-lectric grease in them to keep out moisture. NAPA has the Posi-Connectors. I then used electrical tape to tape up the joint and connectors....then used some plastic ties to secure the adapter box and wire to the car. The "box" may have fit in the rear light compartment, can't remember. There are already ties there for other wires to secure it too.
Now just put your light cover back on and put trunk threshold back on. Your done.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/hitch.html
My trailer....I use for my ATV. I try to limit total weight for trailer and cargo to 1000 lbs.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/...1seTrailer.JPG
Jeff-
PS If you buy the TL snow plow kit let me know, I have some tips on installing that too
Jcho,
I got my hitch for my '99 TL about a year ago at
http://HitchesOnline.com/
The hitch uses the "tow loop" under the licence plate (see it?)....it just runs a bolt through it and the hitch reciever. Then you just have to drill two holes into the tire compartment of the trunk tray for the front of the hitch.
1. Take out the tire!!! (or risk drilling holes in it!)...use that cord and hook to hold open the tire cover for easy access.
2. Take out your tire jack (you'll need that)...bolt the hitch to the tow loop with the single bolt (use the included spacers so it centers). Use your tire jack to support the front end of the hitch. Use the jack to raise the frame snug to the car....it fits nice right up into the shape of the trunk. Just about centers and holds itself in place by itself!!
3. Be sure the tire is out of the trunk...then drill the two holes. Vacume and wipe out any metal filings from drilling. Use the the 2 bolts and washers to bolt the hitch to the car.
4. I applied a high grade marine caulk around the bolts under the car before tightening them to be sure its waterproof....then applied more around the outside of them after I tightened them up. But watch it, that stuff gets everywhere! I got some on my hands and had to wait a half hour to touch my car...that green stuff sticks to everything.
5. Tighten all three bolts to spec (90 foot pounds? I forget)
Ok, you're done with the hitch. The tire sticks up slightly (5/16"?) because it now rests on the top of the two bolt heads. The tire cover will stick up slightly too unless you trim the foam block supports under it (that rest on the tire). But its no big deal if you don't trim them. Now the wiring....
Forget where I got the T-conector, but maybe it was HiddenHitch.com. They have them. Your driver side rear light has a connector in there for it. Remove the threshold over the trunk latch....just use a coin to remove those 4(?) plastic insert screws (takes 1 minuet)....then remove the cover inside the trunk over the drivers rear light. Easy.
Connect the T-connector/adapter to the cars plug....I didn't want the wiring harness hanging out my trunk and rubbing and maring the paint. So I cut the ribbon cable maybe 1 or 2 foot after the "adapter box"....then ran the ribbon cable from under the car up where the licence plate light wire runs....there is a rubber "tube" that goes tight around the wire to keep out dirt and water....perfect!!! It's pretty tappered, snug and may take some effort.....as I recall I may have pushed a wire down from the top then taped it to the ribbon cable and pulled the ribbon cable back up to get past the tight tapperd end.
With the ribbon cable back up in the trunk you need to re-attach the ribbon cable where you cut it. I used Posi Connectors....
http://www.posi-lock.com/lock2.html
....with some di-lectric grease in them to keep out moisture. NAPA has the Posi-Connectors. I then used electrical tape to tape up the joint and connectors....then used some plastic ties to secure the adapter box and wire to the car. The "box" may have fit in the rear light compartment, can't remember. There are already ties there for other wires to secure it too.
Now just put your light cover back on and put trunk threshold back on. Your done.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/hitch.html
My trailer....I use for my ATV. I try to limit total weight for trailer and cargo to 1000 lbs.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffny61/...1seTrailer.JPG
Jeff-
PS If you buy the TL snow plow kit let me know, I have some tips on installing that too
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
Thanks for all the posts. Hidden Hitch actually has a distributor here in the hinterlands of Canada. I called them up and they referred me to a retailer who includes installation in the purchase price ($179 Canadian). I have an appointment for Saturday morning. Thanks again.
Jonathan
Jonathan
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
guys, thinking of expanding cargo space. do you the hitch can hold a cargo carrier with no issues?
any recommended vendors & installers? most of the places here in toronto don't answer their phones. like Hitch & Trail and Rack Attack.
any recommended vendors & installers? most of the places here in toronto don't answer their phones. like Hitch & Trail and Rack Attack.
but to answear you question though, a cargo carrier will not be able to hold very much weight before you make it sag so much in the rear that it will basically be undrivable)
a better option would probably be a roof rack with a carrier on top
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