I want to get a hitch for my 02 Maxima so I can haul a bike rack when I need to. I was wondering if anyone has a Curt Manufacturing hitch installed on a 5th gen max and if so I would appreciate if you could post a picture.

I've seen pictures of the Hidden Hitch on a 5th gen max but the tongue weight on the hidden hitch is only rated for 100 lbs. So when you put a 35-40 lb bike rack on the hitch and then load a couple bikes it just seems like it would be pushing the limits of the tongue weight of the Hidden Hitch. I know it wouldn't be more then 100 lbs, but from what I understand the weight from the bikes can easily exceed the tongue weight due to the fact that as you move the bikes farther from the trailer hitch it increases the tongue weight.

So I would rather put the Curt Manufacturing hitch on my max since the tongue weight on that hitch is rated at 300 lbs. But I'm a little concerned that when the bike rack is not installed the hitch is going to stick out and be extremely noticeable and not be tucked up nicely under the car. My car is black so it will probably help make it not so noticeable. But I would really like to see a picture of one installed if anyone has one.

I've read a lot about different bike rack options with the maxima and decided to go with a hitch system. I've also seen on the org where people have used the Hidden Hitch with a bike rack and have had no problems. But I would just rather not have to worry about it. I’ve also seen pictures of the Draw-Tite hitch on a 5th gen max, which has a 200 lb tongue weight rating, but the instructions say to drill several holes in the bumper and trunk pan and I would rather not do that.

 

Anyone? Anyone?