Installed a hitch on my 318ti

[L84THSKY]

In case anyone is wondering, there is a hitch that is designed to mount to the 318ti. Only one model hitch was ever made for this car, I looked all over the net. below is the image of how it mounts. The hitch cost me $435.00 installed, not cheap. I have a classic 1979 Triumph Bonneville, that I trailer around. The tongue weight can't exceed 100lbs, but it tows my single rail bike trailer easily. The one annoying glitch is that the cross bar that keeps the hitch from swaying front to back is very close to my rear muffler hanger. That means that when I pull out of my driveway, or make a sharp turn, I hear the muffler hanger(metal part) hit the cross bar. Maybe I just need to get a new donut for the muffler hanger, it seems to be stretched.

I can send pics of the hitch mounted on my car, if anyone is interested.



http://www.hitch-web.com/proDescrip....ode=6940&OID=8

[James]

Hi, I've go the same hitch, (I think from Duran or something), and also I've got the same rattling problem. What you can do to solve this is ask your car mechanic to heat-up the muffler hook so that he changes the position of the muffle. Option 2 (cheaper) get one or 2 stainless steel hose clamp and any good peace of rubber (I've used my old air intake boot(heat resistant) and cut it in half) and clamp this around the center member of the hitch (just about where this metal to metal is happening). It's now been 3 month through the hot summer, no problemo, no more rattling. $5.00 repair. Yes next time I will go to my mechanic I will ask him to do the real repair, but until then, I just can’t handle any rattle.

see ya

[L84THSKY]

I recently installed a Stromung exhaust system on the car. In the process I replaced the two rubber hangars in the rear. Both of them were kinda stretched. In the end, the Stromung has a different hook, and the new rubber hangars are stronger. No more noises when I make a turn or pull out of my driveway.

Originally Posted by James

Hi, I've go the same hitch, (I think from Duran or something), and also I've got the same rattling problem. What you can do to solve this is ask your car mechanic to heat-up the muffler hook so that he changes the position of the muffle. Option 2 (cheaper) get one or 2 stainless steel hose clamp and any good peace of rubber (I've used my old air intake boot(heat resistant) and cut it in half) and clamp this around the center member of the hitch (just about where this metal to metal is happening). It's now been 3 month through the hot summer, no problemo, no more rattling. $5.00 repair. Yes next time I will go to my mechanic I will ask him to do the real repair, but until then, I just can’t handle any rattle.

see ya

[operaflute]

Yes, I most certainly WAS wondering. I am investigating this full force right now because I want to tow a motorcycle from San Antonio to Tucson. Sheesh - of COURSE the hitch is expensive....
Thanks!

[L84THSKY]

Well, one good thing about the hitch is, I bought a bicycle carrier that mounts on the ball hitch of the trailer. That way I can tow the motorcycle and carry bicycles at the same time.

Originally Posted by operaflute

Yes, I most certainly WAS wondering. I am investigating this full force right now because I want to tow a motorcycle from San Antonio to Tucson. Sheesh - of COURSE the hitch is expensive....
Thanks!

[operaflute]

Very cool. I'd love to find a used one, since I just spent my money on the bike!

[cali-ti]

$250 .. http://www.bimmerparts.net/bmwpart/t...-hitches.shtml

[operaflute]

Actually, I think I found it one hitchesonline.com for $229 plus $30 for shipping. (I've got an email out to confirm it's the one I'm after). Still, if someone's got one in their garage they want to sell for less, I'd prefer to go that route! Spouse is already grumbling about the money I've spent on the bike...

[operaflute]

Here's a related question I have not found an answer for. The hitch says I can car 1500lbs. or the max. load for my car, whatever is less. My owners manual says something like "trailer load, permissible weight - p. 136" Of course, on page 136 (or anywhere else that I can find) has nothing of the sort. The only thing I can guess is that I can subtract the empty car weight from the max. gross car weight to get a safe maximum trailer weight? (It comes out to about 1000 lbs.) Also - how do the maximum axle weights figure in? I called the dealer, and they didn't have an answer for me.

Oh - and I meant to ask L84THSKY: What did they use/how did they wire the lights on the trailer?

[operaflute]

I've got a new question about this hitch. I bought it and it was great with my U-Haul rental moto trailer. I've now bought a small moto trailer of my own, and I'd like to lower the ball height some. But since the hitch has a vertical receiver, I can't just stroll down to U-Haul and pick up a lower ball mount. Does anyone make one that'll work for our hitch?
Thanks!

[pdxmotorhead]

Hmm.


RIDE THE BIKE!!!!



Dave

[PeteN95]

Well, one good thing about the hitch is, I bought a bicycle carrier that mounts on the ball hitch of the trailer. That way I can tow the motorcycle and carry bicycles at the same time.

Just remember the weight of the bicycles and rack go straight into your max tongue weight!

Operaflute, it is possible that all you need to do is slide the hitch down to where you want it, and then drill a new hole for the pin? Make sure there is enough ground clearance and enough material around the new hole.