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Towing Hitch on HPDE car?


vitoal18t

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Hello,

 

I have 06 Mitsubishi EVO, which I use for HPDE events and I want to put a towing hitch on the car to tow a small trailer w/ wheels and tires.

 

Does anyone see a problem w/ doing that?

 

Thank you!

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Miatas do it all the time. Some even have their tow eye fitted to the receiver. Would think it has to be up under the bumper though to lessen any punching effect if you get bumped.

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Still have one on my Mustang, which I've used on track for 20 years. I did remove the ball when I started towing the car but the hitch appears to be permanently attached now. Oh well, Mustangs always benefit from extra weight in the rear.

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As long as tech doesn't see the protrusion as a hassle, you're in the clear! However, the banging around that racers do, especially in the Spec Miata class, has them removing rigid tow hooks and replacing them with flexible rope-type towing dealies just to slow down the puncturing problem.

 

Remember people, HPDE is a NON-CONTACT sport!

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Remember people, HPDE is a NON-CONTACT sport!

 

Exactly, which is why the slightly protruding ball mount isn't a problem. BMW factory tow hooks stick out more and have less surface area. Sure, it'll leave a mark - maybe even a hole - in their bumper cover if they run into the back of me (though it would probably hit just under the bumper), but that's likely to be the least of their worries in that case. Actually, leaving the ball on would increase the surface area quite a bit.

 

I've even seen Ford GTs towing small custom trailers to the track!

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Lots of people do it, no big deal. I've even seen a Mini towing a mini sized camper. I heard that you can buy kits for plywood trailers at Menards or other places like that, just make sure you have big enough wheels on it so as not to cook the bairings.

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travelin_SS-408x150.jpg

 

My first HPDE car from back in '99. Still has the hitch on it.

 

VIR_022104_going_away-303x199.jpg

 

My current car still has one, though it is trailered itself.

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you will see many cars towing "tire trailers" to the track.

 

There is another hitch form factor that uses a flat plate rather than a square tube. That form factor may better suite your application. Sorry I dont have better terminology to help, I just know that within the last few years I have seen this on a few cars.

 

Best of luck.

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  • 4 weeks later...

does your toolbox get filled with sand, grit, and other debris facing forward like that?

 

I agree, nice set up. neat and organized.

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Thats one of the things I love about a hatchback. Don't need a trailer. I can load everything I need for a weekend in the back of the car.

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does your toolbox get filled with sand, grit, and other debris facing forward like that?

 

I agree, nice set up. neat and organized.

 

Hasnt yet I have even had it in the rain. But every time I come home I clean everything anyway. I am kind of sick like that.

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Thats one of the things I love about a hatchback. Don't need a trailer. I can load everything I need for a weekend in the back of the car.

Funny thing is I can fit everything in the back of the car but why?? When I get home I just unhook the trailer and push it in the garage and unload the next day. Well just the tools get unloaded the rest stays on. Oh yeah I have 2 10" in the trunk so everything would fit if I took the box out.

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