[baileyrx]

installed on my 2011 g37x sport (stock height)
cost: ~$100
install time: 1-2 hours
bumper support is about 3X5 box aluminium
used a 6in long by 1/2in bimetal bit to drill straight through
bolted hitch receiver to the backside of the bumper support
hitch (pic 12) slides up into the reciever and locks in with large pin
completely unseen when not installed!

pictures in order:

1. Tools & supplies ( 1/2inch X 3&1/2inch long)
2. assistant
3. behind licence plate
4. bumper receiver & self-made template
5. drill holes & install bolts through bumper
6. rear shot
7. side shot
8. rear shot w/ plate installed
9. underside shot(note small notch made in plastic)
10.installed height shot(7in to lowest point)
11.installed height shot(12in to bottom of hitch/ball)
12.hitch

I'll add pics of backside tomorrow...

this setup can handle a SMALL trailer. to pull tires and a tool box setup...

 

[baileyrx]

2 & 3

 

[baileyrx]

4.

 

[baileyrx]

5 & 6

 

[baileyrx]

7 & 8

 

[baileyrx]

9.

 

[baileyrx]

10.

 

[baileyrx]

11.

 

[baileyrx]

12.

 

[baileyrx]

13.
backside picture

 

[baileyrx]

backside

 

[Klrock]

Where did you find the parts to build this?

 

[baileyrx]

Northern equipment. But harbor freight probably has it maybe even Walmart..

 

[i3eezenotch]

installed on my 2011 g37x sport (stock height)
cost: ~$100
install time: 1-2 hours
bumper support is about 3X5 box aluminium
used a 6in long by 1/2in bimetal bit to drill straight through
bolted hitch receiver to the backside of the bumper support
hitch (pic 12) slides up into the reciever and locks in with large pin
completely unseen when not installed!

pictures in order:

1. Tools & supplies ( 1/2inch X 3&1/2inch long)
2. assistant
3. behind licence plate
4. bumper receiver & self-made template
5. drill holes & install bolts through bumper
6. rear shot
7. side shot
8. rear shot w/ plate installed
9. underside shot(note small notch made in plastic)
10.installed height shot(7in to lowest point)
11.installed height shot(12in to bottom of hitch/ball)
12.hitch

I'll add pics of backside tomorrow...

this setup can handle a SMALL trailer. to pull tires and a tool box setup...

Has anyone (including OP) had long-term results with this setup? I want to do this for a bike hitch rack with maybe up to 2-3 bikes being on the back with potentially a heftier bike rack (the one with the wheel locks), but I'm worried about how sturdy it actually is being attached just to the bumper without any frame support. Very interested in this. Thanks!

 

[baileyrx]

I never pulled anything heavy.

I'm sure the tranny cn handle a lot, but not sure about the bumper.

It's stout though...

 

[i3eezenotch]

I never pulled anything heavy.

I'm sure the tranny cn handle a lot, but not sure about the bumper.

It's stout though...

Thanks for responding. It has held up for 4 years now, though? Do you have to regularly tighten it,or do any kind of maintenance? Do you think a heavy duty hitch rack for bikes (~30-40 lb) + another 30-40lb of bikes would be handled fine? Also, did you use stabilizer straps? Thanks!

 

[baileyrx]

Sounds like it should handle it. never needed to retighten. My trailer was a small 1000lb max load. Probably pulled 500-600lbs in mulch several times. Never any issues.

 

[Bikezilla]

Thanks for the writeup!
I just joined and was getting ready to buy the standard 1.25" permanent hitch. This is a much more elegant solution and requires less bumper cutting.
And I can keep using my 2" rec bike rack without an adaptor.

I ordered the parts, wish me luck!

 

[Bikezilla]

The hitch parts arrived today.
I'm off to Home Depot to get the bit and bolts.

Question: I noticed you notched your bumper to accommodate the gusset on the T-section. Is there any reason you could not just turn it around the other way so the gusset faces inward?
Then no cutting would be needed.

Just wondering. I suppose I'll see when I bolt it all together.