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I've been in the hunt for a hitch but have only found some hitches on Ebay and a few retailers who want high dollars, which I'm not ready to spend. While driving to a destination today with a load in the back and the hatch mostly closed, as I use a strap to keep it closed when hauling bigger objects, I hook the strap to the tow hook and it got me thinking. What if I made a hitch using a square tube, centering the hitch receiver, then using some sort of device at each end of the tube which allows me to secure or remove and install the hitch to the tow hooks. In other words, the tow hooks would be the main support, the tube would fit between them and attach to it, perhaps a threaded rod on each end and bolted in from the other side or something along those lines.

Anyone think this is possible and secure?

Depends what you're hauling.

The tow hooks sole purpose was to tie the car down as it made the trek over the ocean, they weren't designed for anything else, really.

So... a little camping trailer, sure, a tiny little 5'x5' flatbed, sure. Anything bigger, I'd be afraid.

Just make sure whatever you do its solid... You might get your a-- sued in the states if anything goes wrong down the highway, not to mention you might hurt someone.

Ryan wrote:The tow hooks sole purpose was to tie the car down as it made the trek over the ocean, they weren't designed for anything else, really.

Exactly.

Look at how the aftermarket hitches mount on the Mx-3, than adjust your design from there.

Ryan wrote:Depends what you're hauling.

The tow hooks sole purpose was to tie the car down as it made the trek over the ocean, they weren't designed for anything else, really.

So... a little camping trailer, sure, a tiny little 5'x5' flatbed, sure. Anything bigger, I'd be afraid.

Just make sure whatever you do its solid... You might get your a-- sued in the states if anything goes wrong down the highway, not to mention you might hurt someone.

My intent is for very small loads to haul misc. lumber and small engine equip in case of repair needs such as snowblowers and lawnmowers. Even if the hitch wasn't capable of heavy loads, I'm concerned about the car itself.

I assumed the tow hooks would be stable since I thought they are used to "tow" the car. I really had no idea what the hooks main function was for.

Factory hitches require the need to drill two holes into the spare tire area or hatch area. I'm apprehensive on drilling holes in the car. This is why I was thinking of a simple install with the hooks.

Thanks

Don't be concerned about the integrity of the rest of the car, I've towed an MX-6 with a 323 for 15km.

Meanie wrote:Even if the hitch wasn't capable of heavy loads, I'm concerned about the car itself.

I assumed the tow hooks would be stable since I thought they are used to "tow" the car. I really had no idea what the hooks main function was for.

Factory hitches require the need to drill two holes into the spare tire area or hatch area. I'm apprehensive on drilling holes in the car. This is why I was thinking of a simple install with the hooks.

That's what's called the "tongue weight", how much weight can be put on the hitch/receiver itself. This is different from the pulling weight capacity of the hitch

We use the tie-down points on our trucks sometimes as recovery points. Usually only when someone doesn't have proper ones on their trucks. They work, but if you pull sideways, they can bend, but they're pretty robust, but mind you, these ones are on trucks too, and it's not a simple pull, it's pulling someone who's stuck, so sometimes that even takes a little love and tug.

Meanie wrote:Factory hitches require the need to drill two holes into the spare tire area or hatch area. I'm apprehensive on drilling holes in the car.

No worries on that one, I did that for my trunk floor... No harm done. Just seal the holes with a gasket of sorts...