Does anyone have a picture of their Max from the rear with a hitch installed? Has anyone installed a hitch themselves on a Max? Is it pretty easy?

I'm looking at purchasing this hitch:
http://search.cartserver.com/search/...axima&GO=GO%21

Appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=333429

http://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_...250129&large=1

 

Mine is a Hidden Hitch brand cost about $80. When rack not in place a plastic cover covers the receiver. Hardly notice that you have a hitch at that point. Plus, everything goes up under the car, so all that hangs down is the receiver. I've looked at a lot of hitches, this one fits and looks the best in my book. Here's the pics:

 

Here's a link to the rack I have as well. Well worth the $140

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4411

 

Draw-tite hitches are pretty good quality....for the attachment to hold the bikes, Thule is the best quality IMO (the ski shop I work at sells Thule, Yakima, and Barrecrafters bike racks as well)..and I've heard good things about the Performance brand racks (though none of the guys who work at my local performance shop use that brand for some reason).

of course, I'm a bit partial to the roof rack

 

I don't like the roof rack at all
Hidden hitch is my only option. I want to keep the slick lines of the Maxima.

 

I agree on the hidden hitch. Got one on my car along with a thule bike carrier. I wouldn't put 4 bikes on it because the hitch is only rated at 200 lbs. tounge weight. 2 or 3 bikes are fine.

 

Thule and yakima racks are great... dont have pics of the hitch installed on Max, but I've had one on a camry before. Its mostly hidden all the time, and the bike racks are real secure on the racks, better than the trunk mounted ones.

PS - to the guy with the cannondale: sweet bike! how do ya like the lefty? I just picked up a Fisher carbon fiber frame, need a new fork tho... aight, lata

 

I love the lefty!! people look at it weird, but it handles and rides great, plus the savings in weight. The whole front fork is titanium.

 

skalberti, where did you get the Hidden Hitch at? Online or B&M? And did you install it or did you have someone else do it? I am interested in the both the Hidden Hitch and Performance rack as well. Thanks

 

The Hidden Hitch I got off of the internet. Can't remember where exactly. Just do an internet search for the the hitch. I paid like $88 for it. I installed it in about 45 min myself. It comes with all the hardware and uses existing holes so no drilling is required. You will have to remove the rear tow hook. The flatbed bike rack is great. It folds up when not in use and bikes are easily loaded onto when used. Plus your able to lock down the bikes and everything that touches your bike is padded. The link for it is in an earlier post. Also the bike rack has a threaded area which is supposed to bolt to your receiver for permanent installation, I drilled that out and used a standard locking pin so I could remove the rack when needed. Hope this helps.

 

damn...you must have some heavy bikes...if I were to put 4 of mine on it would only weigh in at 115 lbs or so....the hitch rack itself should only weigh about 30-40 lbs tops......

yeah, I know....that's why I was giving my 2 cents on the hitch mounted racks.....the roof rack part was just a shameless plug for my car

 

Hardcore downhill bikes can be up to 50 to 60lbs.

 

...but he didn't say they were DH bikes.....both my Xc bikes are under 30 lbs, the way you want them for that kind of riding.....my trials setup is about 38lbs....too heavy IMO.

 

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...ategory_Code=H

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...ategory_Code=H

GTW on the hidden hitch is 200lbs while the Valley Class II will support 350lbs. $30 difference.

 

how much weight can the hidden hitch tow?

 

I have a hidden hitch as well. Towed my motorcycle to the track with it. Its a class 2 and can tow up to 3500 with 350 tongue weight (the max can't do that). My cycle and trailer weighed in at about 600 pounds, maybe 700 with all my gear and fuel, etc on the trailer. Towed with ease and still got 26-27 mpg on the hwy.

Intalled the hitch in less than an hour and bought it from a member on the board here. You cannot see the hitch when the cover is on- blends right in.