Photos of Torklift Invisi Eco Hitch install

[artsci]

After a false start and two wasted hours yesterday with a different shop, finally had the Torklift Invisi Hitch installed today by Leading Edge Auto Body here in Baltimore. As I learned the hard way, an auto body shop is the best place to go for this kind of work, as removing the bumper is something they can do with ease.

Here are a few photos:









More photos in the next post.

[artsci]

More photos of the install:









More photos to follow.

[artsci]

More photos:









Final photos follow

[artsci]

Last photos









Tomorrow I'll try to post some photos of my bike rack and bike mounted on the hitch. But couldn't be more pleased with the results.

[dannyrusso]

Great photos, and the finished job looks great. I guess you didn't see them doing the work, but any idea of the spot in the disassembly that they had success, where the first guy couldn't figure out? I'm no body shop man, so it will be a challenge for me.

[Loboc]

coolness.

Is the flip-up plate bracket included with the hitch?

How hard is the wiring since you need an adapter to convert LED to trailer wiring?

What is the load rating on the hitch? I'm guessing class I (1,000lb trailer with 100lb tongue weight max.)

Suggestion: I would put some sort of protective edging on that hole in the metal. Wouldn't want to bleed all over your Volt. A manufactured trim ring would be nice.

It'd be good if they had a holder/bracket for the trailer wiring as well. (or do they? I don't see it in the pics.)

[artsci]

The problem the first guy had was unhooking the bumper at the tabs under the taillights -- he got everything else loose but couldn't figure that one out. Evidently there are some plastic tabs on the bumper that slip into attachment points under the tail lights. They slide out.

Great photos, and the finished job looks great. I guess you didn't see them doing the work, but any idea of the spot in the disassembly that they had success, where the first guy couldn't figure out? I'm no body shop man, so it will be a challenge for me.

[artsci]

Yes, the bracket is included as are quite detailed installation instruction, with photos. The hole for the receiver is cut out of the bumper, which is plastic, so no metal there, although I will line it anyway just for appearance's sake. The hitch is Class 1, rated for a tongue weight of 500 pounds, I think. With the necessary receiver extension for a bike rack, that's cut in half but still way more than necessary for hauling bike around.

No wiring was done on mine -- I don't plan to install lights on the bike rack, just reflectors.

coolness.

Is the flip-up plate bracket included with the hitch?

How hard is the wiring since you need an adapter to convert LED to trailer wiring?

What is the load rating on the hitch? I'm guessing class I (1,000lb trailer with 100lb tongue weight max.)

Suggestion: I would put some sort of protective edging on that hole in the metal. Wouldn't want to bleed all over your Volt. A manufactured trim ring would be nice.

It'd be good if they had a holder/bracket for the trailer wiring as well. (or do they? I don't see it in the pics.)

[Steverino]

Love the photo series!

[dannyrusso]

I've seen reference to class 1 hitch tongue weight as 100lbs, but I more often see 200lbs as the tongue weight. I've been using my class 1 hitch for my scooter, which along with the carrier, comes in around 200lbs. No problem at all on a Hyundai Elantra. The Volt 6 bolt installation looks to me like an even stronger installation, so 200lbs. should be no problem.