Class 1 hitch from U-Haul (For my Bike rack)
 

I have been in touch with the research and development department at U-Haul about the availability of a hitch for my BRZ. I must have been at the right place at the right time because just yesterday I received a hitch sent directly from their headquarters to try out on my car. I have an appointment tomorrow to have it installed. I'll keep you posted as to the fitment and how it looks after the installation.

Currently U-Haul is listing this hitch as:
Part number U-Haul: 2013 Scion FR-S Rear Wheel Drive trailer hitch components. #25927 $199.00

Here are a few pictures before installation. (Well I guess I'll have to read up on how to post pictures because I received an error that my dimensions are too large in my jpeg file to load properly) Pictures to follow.

I can't wait to be able to attach my bike rack and transport my bikes again.

That's great. This should put an end to (at least, in part, resolve) all the threads on trailer hitches, roof racks, bike racks, kayak racks.

I found that the best solution (not my BRZ) has been a trailer hitch which allows one to keep the bike rack as different cars come into use.

When you get to modifying your JPG use a 'medium' size.

Interested in pictures compared to the 'offroad' one sold by one of the members on here.

How much did it set you back?
How does it attach?

I got mine last week after a 6 week wait. It was about 18lbs and pretty heavy duty with a max tongue weight of 150lbs. No cutting of the car is needed and it attaches to the bumper support area like the off-road hitch but uses thicker material. Only real complaint is that I had to use an angle-grinder on the hitch to get it to mount on my FR-S bumper studs. Just like the off-road hitch, it is close to the stock muffler, but the 1/4" of clearance seems to be enough. Standard receiver just below the bumper cover makes for easy connections.

Subbed b/c I need a hitch.

Installed pictures
 

Here's the installed pics showing the tight clearance to the muffler.

wash your car :P
any pics of the hitch not installed?

I had my hitch installed today by a locally owned hitch installer and over all the hitch just needed "a little persuading" but otherwise went flawlessly.

The installer said the instructions could have been more clear. This is what he wrote down for me to report back to U-Haul.

Add to instructions:

Step 1 - Lower exhaust four rubber isolators.

Step 2 - Remove two fascia brackets and reinstall after hitch is installed.

His suggestion to U-Haul is to notch around the fascia brackets.

Here are some pictures I took of the hitch both before and after installation. I am sorry if they are out of order, I am trying to learn the new Windows 8 program.

I will be emailing U-Haul with my experience having the hitch installed on my BRZ. If I were you I would place my order for one of U-Haul's hitches listed for the Scion FRS. I believe it will take 10 days to receive your order.$199.00

Good luck. I am off to go take my bikes on a road trip with me. :thumbup:
PS You can't see the U-Haul stickers after the hitch is installed.

So, is this hitch installed by removing the rear bumper like Kast's in another thread? In that thread, some folks had to trim off a flange and in some cases needed to mash the muffler so the hitch does not touch. Was that required here?

Also, do you mind giving the installation cost?

Thanks,

awesome! i will be buying this soon!

I wonder if the stock height or if the car is lowered by an inch or more if the hitch will drag onto the driveway or street? I like that one, but I wish they had one where the hitch receiver was removable so it doesn't affect anything when not in use.

What would be even more cool is the red triangle is removable and the hitch receiver is behind that...hidden away.

BTW, thank you for the post

Can't have everything. For instance, if one 'lowers' their car (without adjustments available), I wouldn't plan on any off-roading.

No flange trimming because it uses thicker metal rather than the gusset support. Muffler clearance is a problem as I heard a new exhaust noise this morning. The hot exhaust pipe expanded enough to touch the hitch at the muffler. I used a crow-bar to flatten the muffler a little where it was touching.

I didn't watch the installation but I believe they would have to have taken the bumper off. They did not have to manipulate the muffler and so far I haven't heard any type of rattle or noise from the hitch coming in contact with the muffler. I should be receiving my new Kuat Sherpa bike rack in the mail tomorrow and I am hoping this is the hot set up for this car.

I paid $80 (flat fee charged at this shop for a hitch installation) and it took them 50 minutes to install it. I hope all this information helps you out some.

Just ordered mine today

Sent from my yotaru.

Anyone with aftermarket exhaust have these bad boys installed? I'm a bit hesitant to pull the trigger to not have it fit with a Perrin exhaust.

I have no muffler....nameless track pipe so I have no worries for filament.

Sent from my yotaru.

I am just now re-reading your post about the installation instructions. Was the installer more familiar with your car or with hitches? To me it sounds like he or she was more familiar with the twin cars. If that is so, how did you find such a person because all I can think of is going to the U-Haul dealer.

Is there any one who can supply the instructions that came with the hitch?

Thanks, again, for your replies,

Brian

U-Haul Instructions:

1 - Remove the 4 bolts (two on each side) connecting the bumper to the vehicle frame.

2 - Loosen the 2 nuts (one on each side) connecting the bumper to the vehicle frame. Do not completely remove.

3 - Install the hitch on the vehicle, then torque the 2 nuts to 36 ft-lbs.

4 - Reinstall the 4 bolts removed from step one, then torque them to 41 ft-lbs.

The hitch uses existing hardware.

Now, go back to one of my previous posts above and look at the comments the installer suggested U-Haul make to their instructions. The suggestions might make sense to you if you are familiar with the cars.

The installer I took my car to is an independent shop who specializes in custom hitches and welding. They had never worked on a BRZ before but it didn't seem like they had any real issues completing the installation.

Good luck.

I'm curious about wiring it the hitch for lighting the trailer...any body got input or instructions on that.

Sent from my yotaru.

I think most people use this for bike racks or very small trailers that don't require lights. If you were to wire for a trailer, I assume you'd have to tap the lines going to the tail lights.

Thats what Im hoping to avoid....I getting a very small one rail motorcycle trailer.

Pictures with the uhaul hitch and Kuat Sherpa rack
 

I've gotten so many compliments on the new bike set up. The Kuat Sherpa rack looks so good on the car and is so easy to use. There is no shimmy while driving with both bikes on the rack.


Now if I can just figure out a way to transport the third bike. (I have to have all my toys with me)

Here is the trailer my FRS will be pulling...still waiting on the hitch to come in.

Sent from my yotaru.

Any photos of just the hitch?

Just posted a DIY thread the other day. Don't have the link at the moment though.

I got a flat 4 universal wiring kit...should be a pretty basic setup..I'll check out the thread. Thanks.

Sent from my yotaru.

Hitch is on!

Sent from my yotaru.

Do you by chance know what number hitch yours is? On the uhaul website they only show #29176 and the install guide that goes with that hitch requires drilling and it attaches a different way than the one shown at the beginning of this thread. Thanks

Interesting, I wouldn't mind installing a hitch on my car to carry bikes and gear for trips, or even pull a small trailer to auto x.

That looks awesome! Might be a silly question but do you know if you have to follow the 55 speed limit with that rack on? I know it's not a trailer but I slightly remember reading on BARF, when I use to have a bike, that this question came up in the LEO forum and it might have been stated that this type of rack requires the enforcement of the 55mph rule due to it extending far off the car.

Looks nice! A few questions for owners:

1) What is the hitch rated to?
2) How much does it weigh?
3) There is no cutting or drilling necessary, correct?
4) If you have aftermarket exhaust, can you post up what you have as people post to this thread?

Thanks! Would love to get this for my bike rack and pulling a small trailer (for motorcycles).

No drilling for my hitch from uhaul, don't remember the #.

I believe it's around 150 tongue weight and 1500 trailer weight

Prob weights around what the factory exhaust is, I have a track pipe so there is no clearance issues that some mention.

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Attachment 69206

The rig

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Looks good! Is that a Bandit 1200?

Thanks, and yes...2005 bandit 1200, last year for the air/oil cooled.

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Did something change? The hitch Uhaul has listed now contains instructions that make it sound EXACTLY the same as the Curt hitch NOT like the one previously made by a member on here????

Bump anyone know?

Just ordered my receiver from uhaul and yes it is a different part number. Will post pics of install in a separate thread upon install

Did anyone get to the bottom of the Uhaul p/n change? I was about to order this but I don't like this 29176 p/n design. I want the design on the first page of this thread.