Anyone else attempt the rear tow hitch assembly on an 09+ ?? Another PIA job!

J

jonv8944s

Member
Not that we expect to tow a damn thing, but I bought the complete tow package thing that Sewell sells, comes with hitch, hitch bar, tow hook, and wiring. Jeezzz if this wasnt ANOTHER factory installed option I think is MUCH better choice to select the 'yes' box on in the original ordering process. I thought the DVD Headrests were a bitch, this install has required electrical, body, interior and mechanical modifications/installations to get complete. And I am only 50% done.

All this, so that we have 'bumper protection' incase my wife ever needs to street park in the city :(

I kinda hate people. If people were more respectful of other peoples things, I would not have to install such an 'accessory.' But because I know how city people are, I know that they will use the 'bump into the other car' to find out how much room they have available. :(

Oh well, I thought I'd put in my 2 cents that this is an option better selected from the factory, then to have to install after the fact. Dont get me wrong, there was plenty of simple ones that you'd save some money doing yourself.. but this one I would have GLADLY paid full retail price/MSRP, much like the DVD head rests, and sat back on the couch and drank a beer instead.

I bought a new car that was already on the lot, its the only reason I didnt have these options to start with. Its pretty hard to find a pre-ordered car that will have all the exact options you want, at the price you want to pay.

Oh well!

Curious for anyone who has the tow system, how much good is it anyways? Without air suspension or adjustable suspension, how much can you tow before the stock springs cant hold the weight anymore? (yes I know most of the force is on the trailors axle, but there is a reason 'purpose built' tow vechicles have air suspension and heavier duty springs in the back) So curious if people have done some serious towing with an FX50 with the tow package and how it stood up.

Thanks!

Jon
 
Fire0nic3FX said:
Mine came with the OEM tow hitch installed already. I have it and find no use for it unless I use it to carry my bikes.
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Boy do I wish mine had. Its a real bitch, I would not have wanted to trust this to some dealership, I made sure everything was right, tedeous job! Mine will look no different then a factory install.. but in the end, it wasnt worth all the effort.
 
1) OEM fit or OEM, it's usually never as simple as they say -- there is always something=)

2) After living in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Avondale, etc... a lot of times just picking up a pizza and coming back to my car to see a parallel parker rear end me, swipe me or the worse, a pick-up with a ball receiver on his tow hitch crushed my license plate -- which is why I had a front bull guard from romik and typically left my ball receiver on in the rear. I stopped getting mad about it, it's Chicago and unfortunately it will happen.

3) I've towed a trailer and a dualie truck... on 22's, 24's, H&R's and OEM springs no problem. But I've never towed anything serious like a boat. There are rear air bags you can buy to put inside your stock coils to help with the extra weight, but most don't seem to have a problem.

Heck, if you have all the tools -- throw on a front bull guard... then take it off when you don't want it. The brackets are bolted to the frame, then the bull guard is easy to take on/off as you wish, especially with a lift and air tools.

Sometimes I wish I had a Range Rover HSE fitted with all the safari stuff so it's like a tank in Chicago...

jonv8944s said:
Not that we expect to tow a damn thing, but I bought the complete tow package thing that Sewell sells, comes with hitch, hitch bar, tow hook, and wiring. Jeezzz if this wasnt ANOTHER factory installed option I think is MUCH better choice to select the 'yes' box on in the original ordering process. I thought the DVD Headrests were a bitch, this install has required electrical, body, interior and mechanical modifications/installations to get complete. And I am only 50% done.

All this, so that we have 'bumper protection' incase my wife ever needs to street park in the city :(

I kinda hate people. If people were more respectful of other peoples things, I would not have to install such an 'accessory.' But because I know how city people are, I know that they will use the 'bump into the other car' to find out how much room they have available. :(

Oh well, I thought I'd put in my 2 cents that this is an option better selected from the factory, then to have to install after the fact. Dont get me wrong, there was plenty of simple ones that you'd save some money doing yourself.. but this one I would have GLADLY paid full retail price/MSRP, much like the DVD head rests, and sat back on the couch and drank a beer instead.

I bought a new car that was already on the lot, its the only reason I didnt have these options to start with. Its pretty hard to find a pre-ordered car that will have all the exact options you want, at the price you want to pay.

Oh well!

Curious for anyone who has the tow system, how much good is it anyways? Without air suspension or adjustable suspension, how much can you tow before the stock springs cant hold the weight anymore? (yes I know most of the force is on the trailors axle, but there is a reason 'purpose built' tow vechicles have air suspension and heavier duty springs in the back) So curious if people have done some serious towing with an FX50 with the tow package and how it stood up.

Thanks!

Jon
Click to expand...
 
Jon, thanks for your project description. That's on my project lift and I have the NIB hitch in my garage. I've heard it was a PITA, but after reading this I may change my plans and opt for the couch/beer install plan instead.
 
Chedman13 said:
1) OEM fit or OEM, it's usually never as simple as they say -- there is always something=)
......
Heck, if you have all the tools -- throw on a front bull guard... then take it off when you don't want it. The brackets are bolted to the frame, then the bull guard is easy to take on/off as you wish, especially with a lift and air tools.
..
Click to expand...

Right, the fit and finish of what the final product is, is great, but PHUCK, its a WHOLE lotta work for something the car was 'designed' to have as an option in the first place. From yanking panels off, to finding the wiring on both sides, COMPLETELY dissassembling the trunk, to removing 1/2 a million pieces from under the car. It honest to god isnt worth it. There are probably 'cheaper' and 'easier' options for getting 'rear end protection' then this.

Your second point about the bull bar, I'd be ALLLLLL over it, if it would work on a technology package car, but sadly it will not work with the proximity sensor that is used for that active braking/cruise control system. :(

porkandbeans said:
Jon, thanks for your project description. That's on my project lift and I have the NIB hitch in my garage. I've heard it was a PITA, but after reading this I may change my plans and opt for the couch/beer install plan instead.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I have been modding cars since I was a teen, doing some pretty extensive stuff like replacing 4 cyclinders with V8s in the same engine bay. While this was not THAT hard, it was just so damn tedeous, and a MILLION bolts and parts. Wasnt worth the effort honestly. Thats why I shared this, if someone was on the fence, I'd say dont bother.

Jon
 
Just realized if you have the OEM tow hitch installed the rear differential requires a different type of fluid. Saw it in the factory service manual.

When I had my fluid changed at the dealer they even told me that the differential gear oil in the rear is a synthetic on something since I have the tow hitch. Something to look into.....
 
Ahh, I am sure the differential is actually the same BUT, they most likely require a higher viscosity oil for the times you tow. so thats actually good to know. When/If I decide to actually tow something, I will have to upgrade the differential fluid to the approved viscosity. Again though, plans are to not tow anything, so the regular fluid is fine.

Thanks!

Jon

PS. I'm sure even light loads the regular fluid is fine, its if you tow a boat or such that a heaver vicosity oil will be required to avoid premature wear of the ring and pinion.
 
jonv8944s said:
Ahh, I am sure the differential is actually the same BUT, they most likely require a higher viscosity oil for the times you tow. so thats actually good to know. When/If I decide to actually tow something, I will have to upgrade the differential fluid to the approved viscosity. Again though, plans are to not tow anything, so the regular fluid is fine.

Thanks!

Jon

PS. I'm sure even light loads the regular fluid is fine, its if you tow a boat or such that a heaver vicosity oil will be required to avoid premature wear of the ring and pinion.
Click to expand...

Let me qualify this statement, since I didn't look at your model (when I first wrote this), I just saw your car looked the same as mine. I see now your an FX35 with tow package. So what I should say, is I am sure the differentials are the same in the respective models (AWD FX35 with or without tow package), just like the FX50 with or without tow package are going to be the same) But the viscosities of the differential fluid is what is likely changed wether or not you have the tow system. (I would be surprised if they didn't put a 'beefier' differential in the FX50 due to the increased TQ and HP it makes.)
 
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