e85 Trailer hitch...FINALLY

XMetal · 07-23-2014, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donoman

This is great!!! I hate using the strap-on bike rack that we have. Not only does it scratch the paint, but I'm also worried that our bikes will be gone after one of the straps accidentally falls off!

This thing can hold 1000 lbs... what else other than bikes can you guys think of mounting there!!!?

It CANNOT "hold" 1000 lbs! It claimed as a class I and has a maximum tongue weight of 200 lbs. It can, however, "tow" up to 2000 lbs. If you use it as a rack, all the weight will end up being "tongue" weight; which won't be very much if you leave some room for "margins" and include the weight of the rack itself!

Shipkiller · 07-23-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

It CANNOT "hold" 1000 lbs! It claimed as a class I and has a maximum tongue weight of 200 lbs. It can, however, "tow" up to 2000 lbs. If you use it as a rack, all the weight will end up being "tongue" weight; which won't be very much if you leave some room for "margins" and include the weight of the rack itself!

^ Towing 101

The HACK · 07-23-2014, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

If there is no drilling, or welding, how would it fit on the ///M?

It looks like it's bolted to the existing reinforcement support bracket?

Too bad the company that makes this trailer went out of business:

This would be the end-all solution for MZ4 Track junkies.

Shipkiller · 07-23-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

It looks like it's bolted to the existing reinforcement support bracket?

Too bad the company that makes this trailer went out of business:

This would be the end-all solution for MZ4 Track junkies.

I wish I knew what or where to get that 'wheel mounting' contraption you show in the picture for my trailer. I actually thought about something like the 'diamond deck' storage bay but IMHO it is more weight than I wanted to put on my track trailer. When I pull the trailer to the track with the ///M, my mileage goes from 27MPG down to 23MPG. on the highway

The HACK · 07-23-2014, 11:26 AM

Search for South Sport Track Trailer. There are some detail pictures of how it's put together on some of the for-sale threads. Maybe it'll give you some ideas.

If one of these puppies ever pops back on sale again I'm going to snatch it.

funkle · 08-30-2014, 08:32 PM

Edit: looking at my M and comparing it with the photos of the Z4 install, it looks like the aero plate under the bumper would interfere. And looks like the M lower lip may be lower than the Z as well. So my hunch it that it will not clear this body work. For the M, a hitch will probably have to be custom fabricated to fit above the aero plate and come out through the rear grill like I've seen at least one M owner do.

bdc · 09-01-2014, 10:36 PM

Wait till you hear my story. I ordered the same hitch back in March. Waited for the 5-6 weeks to get it installed at U Haul. It arrived and after about 30 minutes into the installation, they realized the u bolts were the wrong size. It took another 4 months to get the vendor to get the correct u bolts sent to U Haul. I have to highly compliment U Haul because when they finally completed the installation, they gave me the hitch plus installation for free.

Schlesien · 09-01-2014, 10:41 PM

There is a lot of confused people on the forum, you can now grass with it also

Schlesien · 09-01-2014, 10:47 PM

With a proper attachment that is, trusting another Eienstein will come up with the idea for one before spring

jdoublehcubed · 09-02-2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

It looks like it's bolted to the existing reinforcement support bracket?

Too bad the company that makes this trailer went out of business:

This would be the end-all solution for MZ4 Track junkies.

You could totally make something even better than that with one of the Harbor Freight trailers. Those are around $299. I could whip up something very comparable to the one in the photo for around $700, lights, box, etc. You could have a lot of fun with a project like that. Built in offset deck umbrella perhaps?

Agreed with not using diamond plate for stuff like that, its super heavy and pretty expensive. I would probably use plywood and wrap it in vinyl sheeting.

JS154 · 08-04-2021, 08:49 AM

Reviving this thread back from the dead to let people know that in June 2021 I was able to still order this Uhaul hitch on their website, cost is about the same I think is was $225 now? And it took about 6 weeks to be delivered. It showed up about a week ago. VERY SOLIDLY BUILT.

Same part number from the original post is still good.

Cheerio

JAS1169 · 08-05-2021, 02:09 PM

The only sports car I've ever saw with a hitch was a Austin Healy Mk1, 3000. I saw it traveling south on Interstate 81 just outside Harrisburg, PA. This was at least 20 years ago or more, and I guess the reason I can recall it so clearly was because of the trailer it was hauling behind it. In that, the trailer was the rear half of another Austin Healy Mk 1, 3000.

I'm guessing the trailer was custom made from the body of another Healy which had been totaled in a front end accident. The towing Healy and trailer/rear of another Healy were color matched perfectly and looked incredible.

Although it's light years beyond my mechanical abilities, perhaps a highly talent person might be able to do the same with a frontal wreaked Z4

07-23-2014, 11:26 AM	#27
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	Search for South Sport Track Trailer. There are some detail pictures of how it's put together on some of the for-sale threads. Maybe it'll give you some ideas. If one of these puppies ever pops back on sale again I'm going to snatch it. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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08-30-2014, 08:32 PM	#28
funkle Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 223 Posts Drives: '06 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF CA iTrader: (0)	Edit: looking at my M and comparing it with the photos of the Z4 install, it looks like the aero plate under the bumper would interfere. And looks like the M lower lip may be lower than the Z as well. So my hunch it that it will not clear this body work. For the M, a hitch will probably have to be custom fabricated to fit above the aero plate and come out through the rear grill like I've seen at least one M owner do. Last edited by funkle; 08-31-2014 at 11:23 AM..
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09-01-2014, 10:36 PM	#29
bdc New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Knoxville, TN iTrader: (0)	Wait till you hear my story. I ordered the same hitch back in March. Waited for the 5-6 weeks to get it installed at U Haul. It arrived and after about 30 minutes into the installation, they realized the u bolts were the wrong size. It took another 4 months to get the vendor to get the correct u bolts sent to U Haul. I have to highly compliment U Haul because when they finally completed the installation, they gave me the hitch plus installation for free.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2014, 10:41 PM	#30
Schlesien Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2007 Bmw Z 4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2014 Location: Sonoma, California iTrader: (0)	There is a lot of confused people on the forum, you can now grass with it also
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09-01-2014, 10:47 PM	#31
Schlesien Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2007 Bmw Z 4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2014 Location: Sonoma, California iTrader: (0)	With a proper attachment that is, trusting another Eienstein will come up with the idea for one before spring
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08-04-2021, 08:49 AM	#33
JS154 Registered 8 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Gulf E30M3 Touring Car 310 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On the front row. iTrader: (0)	Reviving this thread back from the dead to let people know that in June 2021 I was able to still order this Uhaul hitch on their website, cost is about the same I think is was $225 now? And it took about 6 weeks to be delivered. It showed up about a week ago. VERY SOLIDLY BUILT. Same part number from the original post is still good. Cheerio
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08-05-2021, 02:09 PM	#34
JAS1169 Private First Class 50 Rep 156 Posts Drives: BMW 2003 Z4 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA iTrader: (0)	The only sports car I've ever saw with a hitch was a Austin Healy Mk1, 3000. I saw it traveling south on Interstate 81 just outside Harrisburg, PA. This was at least 20 years ago or more, and I guess the reason I can recall it so clearly was because of the trailer it was hauling behind it. In that, the trailer was the rear half of another Austin Healy Mk 1, 3000. I'm guessing the trailer was custom made from the body of another Healy which had been totaled in a front end accident. The towing Healy and trailer/rear of another Healy were color matched perfectly and looked incredible. Although it's light years beyond my mechanical abilities, perhaps a highly talent person might be able to do the same with a frontal wreaked Z4
	Appreciate 0 Quote