I need the ability to pack a bike and some additional storage space on my vehicle, currently a 2003 325i. Since I'll only be doing this occasionally, weekly perhaps, I don't want to get a new vehicle so I was considering the feasibility of putting a hitch on my 325 so I could use either a hitch mounter cargo tray or bike rack when needed. Obviously I won't be hauling anything terrible heavy, I understand my car wasn't made to pull a boat  Any reason why I shouldn't? |
| Reply » Trailer hitch on a 3 series? |
Thule
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| Reply » Trailer hitch on a 3 series? |
I'll assume you're making some reference to the roof racks system, although since they make many different products I have no clear idea what you mean in your one word post.
What I like about a hitch as opposed to a roof rack is that I can remove the rack when not in use and maintain the look of the vehicle which I'm unable to do with a permanently attached rack.
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| Reply » Trailer hitch on a 3 series? |
The DaLan hitch does great for me. Search and you should find some posts. hitchweb.com sells them, or you can buy mine for next to nothing when I sell the car in January.
The hitch is great for a bike rack (if you cycle often forget the 'accident waiting to happen' roof mount) and is also occasionally used to tow a small (<200lb?) utility trailer to the Home Depot - max load it has ever had is probably ~800lbs.
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| Reply » Trailer hitch on a 3 series? |
[quote=hsdrichb;2088420... a hitch mounter cargo tray ..
Any reason why I shouldn't?[/QUOTE]
Just caught that one!! This is a big no, no. All hitches for a three series have no where near enough tongue weight for a cargo tray - you'll bend sheet metal if you start loading one up. Don't put tarp over bike on a hitch mounted bike rack either - traveling at 80mph on the highway will generate a lot of force on the mount.
Other than those points my rack has worked great and we are putting one on our '07 Wagon.
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| Reply » Trailer hitch on a 3 series? |
thanks for the info, this is what I was considering;
http://hitchestogo.com/merchant2/mer...tegory_Code=CC
it's rated for a class 1 hitch, which is the kind compatible with a 3 series.
You say the hitch will bust under load with this tray? Even if I stay with the capacity? I'm not talking about the trays that hold a motorcycle of something, I just need to strap some extra luggage down.
Maybe I am better of with a roof rack and a cargo container?
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Trailer hitch on a 3 series?