Me 3 !

P.

 

Wow ! That XB2 towing kit really does seem to use factory-planned mounting points. not only that, but it also delivers an impressive 3500 lbs of towing capacity ! Obviously that car is much more related to a Camry than a Yaris or Matrix !

Still, I'm also awaiting reviews on the hitch install. Please let us know ASAP if you get one installed.

 

I doubt that a unibody frame can tow 3500 pounds, but I am not sure. still sounds like a bad idea towing something that weighs more then the car.

Also I found a company that made a hidden hitch for the gen1 xB, but nothing on the Gen2. This is the one I originally wanted since when I am not towing, which is 99.99% of the time, I don't want this square whole sticking out the back. Hopefully they will make one for the Gen2 xB.

www.hiddenhitch.com
Its called the invisi-hitch., look for it under products. That is nice and clean.
Here is a link to the Frame.
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides...ID=28501&dlr=0

 

I mentioned needing a hitch to my salesman and he said nothing about not trailering anything. He just pointed me to Uhaul.

Then again, it is not a trailer I need to haul, it is a bike carrier. Although that needs to be custom for a recumbent. I like that deal at etrailer and if I can make one of their bike racks work, free shipping is a very good deal.

And yes, it is odd that Scion would squelch the idea of mounting a hitch when they provide 6 very sturdy threaded mounting holes :p I suppose one hint is the fact that the pre-wirings is missing for the trailer.

 

Most vehicles especially cars are not pre-wired.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...spagenameZWD1V

 

FWIW the same hitch is available from HitchesOnline.com at a lower price ($115 vs $147.99 in that eBay listing):
http://search.cartserver.com/search/...l1998&GO=GO%21
I was just looking at it...

 

I'll snap some pix of the new hitch in a week or so.
I ordered it from etrailer along with the lock and bag kit w/ $0.99 shipping. Came to $153-. Not bad for a custom hitch solution.
Now to make a bike carrier.

 

Very cool.. Cant wait to see what it actualy looks like rather than the drawing on the website ...

 

Just the thread I've been looking for...

Kinda deciding to get an xB2 over an '08 Corolla for Storage Space and the hopes that I can tow a small fishing boat. While i know it's not recommended (nothing i do with my cars ever is) at least I'll get the 5-speed over the Auto.

 

Keep one thing in mind...if you have any problems with your drive train, once they see the trailer hitch and wiring harness, it will void your warranty. I had a very lengthy discussion with my Toyota dealer about this with our xB. I wanted to install a hitch receiver only to mount a bike rack..NOT to tow. He told me that if there is no wiring harness and I explain that it was for a bike rack only, I probably wouldn't have a problem. But if the hitch is wired, it's going to be hard to deny towing.

 

True, but I believe most people wanting the hitch is to haul bikes and such.

 

I'm sure you're right, but I posted that for the people who are talking about towing jet skis, motorcycles and other small trailers. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how small or light the load is.... towing with an xB can void your warranty.

 

Info on warrantys:

"You'll often hear this myth regarding hacking or modding your car: it automatically cancels your warranty. Don't believe it as gospel. Sure, changing the windshield wiper blades can't cause the transmission to break, but your warranty won't allow you to do whatever you want to your car."
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dumm...e/id-2669.html

 

When the owner's Manual says not to tow with the car, if you show up at the dealership with transmission or clutch problems and you have a trailer hitch all wired up for towing....good luck.

 

Would make a good court case when you show the judge the hitch mounting points built into the body.

Besides,for a dealer to void the warranty on the transmission or clutch he first has to prove it was caused by the hitch.It's stated clearly in the act.So if the dealer denies warranty without taking it apart for inspection you would have a good case.There are brake lights that can be mounted on bike rack,A bike rack isn't towing.

 

You are absolutely correct. If you actually ever took something like this to court, a good lawyer could have a field day with this. I love to argue stuff like that. But my point is, would you really want to deal with all of that? It takes months for stuff like that to go to court. Not to mention the expense and hassle. If all you want the hitch for is to carry a bike rack, then don't get it wired for trailer lights. At least then you have a valid argument at the dealership. If you do actually tow anything, don't expect them to cover any damage (without going to court over it).

 

Install was sweet... take out 2 bolts (17mm socket with extension) to remove tie-down bracket from the car. Put the tow-bar on your chest (it's only 25 lbs) and heave-hoe; cinch in a pair of bolts with washers to hold the tow bar in place. Then finger-in the other 4 bolts and washers and you're ready to torque it down. The hex bolts with the tow bar kit ar 19mm (3/4" works great!) and the washers are coned washers with little bit'rs for a very nice tight fit. You'll need a 3/4" or 19mm wrench (closed end prefered) to tighten the bolt above the muffler.

The receiver is right up against the bumper so I put some o-rings on the receiver. It is like a net fit... nothing interferes with the toe-bar. The mounting holes not perfectly aligned to the car but the clearance allows finger-install of all the bolts.

This is probably the cleanest hitch I've seen on any vehicle. I should probably find a Scion hitch cap just to complete the job. Anyway... this one came from etrialer.com and was here in 5 days... and free shipping for orders over $150- (got the lock with it).





( Need bigger pictures? email me... shamansdream@comcast.net )

 

Very cool . How low is the open end of the hitch to the ground and are you lowered or stock height?

 

I'm not worried about lowering clearance. The tailpipe is lower than the hitch. The whole setup is no more than 2" below the bumper.

I do feel sorry for any anything that hits that thing though. That hitch makes one serious cross-bar just behind the plastic bumper