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Trailer Hitch Questions....

C

cway77

New CEG'er
Joined
Feb 25, 2003
Messages
12
Hello,

I am contimplating putting a hitch in my 98 Tour SE to pull my 4 wheeler around. Can't see this being more then 1000 pounds for the wheeler and my utility 4X8 trailer. Is that to much? Also worried at my car has 101,000 miles and is a 5 speed so worried about wear and tear on the clutch as I am not sure how much longer its going to last. Wasn't going more then 50 miles one way but wondering oppinions on this. Also are there any hitches out there that people like and how is it to install? Any info on this would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
well a class 1 trailer hitch has a 1,000 lb limit ... and I do believe that is the tow limit of the contour also ...
 
I put a hitch on the back of my contour. Its only used though as a base for my rear mounted bike rack. I contacted pretty much every hitch installer in my area and the only available hitches have a 150 lb weight limit ( at the hitch, towing limit = ?). There is just not much frame to securely attach anything on the back of the Contour. JMO but I wouldnt tow anything much heavier than a couple hundred pounds.
 
BrApple said:
well a class 1 trailer hitch has a 1,000 lb limit ... and I do believe that is the tow limit of the contour also ...
Click to expand...

Ford rated all Contours at 800lbs. IMO, unless its something EXTREMELY LIGHT, donnot tow with a Contour. If its a canoe or something of that nature, just get a Yakima rack and throw it on top. They look good on Contours anyway:shrug:

Edit: The stuff you want to tow is too heavy for the car. Some may say it can be done, and it has been done, but very much to the detriment of the vehicle
 
Some freakin' not so smart person put a hitch on my svt before I bought it.

MVC-009L.jpg


MVC-004L.jpg


You can see where they cut part of the bumper for the hitch to go threw. I fiberglassed it so it looks 1/2 way decent.....and there is a trailer harness in the trunk as well. :laugh:
 
My car was the same way when I bought it, but the hitch was still installed. It was a Hidden Hitch, but obviously designed for non-SVT models.
 
I used to tow two motorcross bikes on a trailer with my Mystique LS. The car had well over 130k on it and the bikes and trailer were right at about 800 lbs.
I think one bike was a 125 Suzuki and the other was a KDX 200. Trailer was an open U-Haul. We never had any problems.
 
I don't think you have to worry about that little weight. I have been pulling a tire trailer (about 400-500lbs) for over 6000 Km using a Miata for the past 3 years. It's amazing the looks you get doing that
 
Thanks guys I was a tad nervouse about this but I appreciate the insight becuae you all have confirmed my suspicions that this is not going to happen. In kind of a car dilema and a brand new 4 wheeler that needs a pounding so thats why I was contimplating it for a short while until I figure something out but its not worth putting that much wear and tear on the Detour. Thanks again
 
There is a hitch on my SVT, was there when I bought it. I haven't removed it yet but I plan to. I don't recall the bumper being cut at all as it comes out under the bumper. I don't recall what brand either it is as I only looked at it briefly to see how I would remove it.
 
I found a "U-Haul" hitch for the contour on ebay recently for $100 including shipping, new, they have more of them. and $17 for the 1.25" insert for it from the same people. I haven't put mine on yet but they are brand new and nice.

Mike
 
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