I think I’ve mentioned before how Autopian contributor Emily Velasco is always reliable for spotting and sending me interesting cars she happens to see, and she’s done it again, though this time it’s a little more mundane than what she usually sends. Mundane, but still interesting. The car itself isn’t particularly exciting, but what’s been done to it is, because while it’s a sort of crudely executed modification, it’s also pretty smart.
At least I think it is?
The DIY mod is, as you can see, a tow hitch mount for what looks like a 2015 to 2019 or so Toyota Corolla. Normally, adding a tow hitch to a Corolla involves one of those tow hitch mounts that goes under the bodywork and mounts to the frame. Well, it’s unibody, so not the frame as such, but some stronger mounting points:
These are fairly unobtrusive and not that expensive, though they can be a pain to install. But what if you don’t like this solution? What if you don’t want to give up about an inch of ground clearance, or you don’t want the extra weight? What are your options then?
Well, I’m happy to say there do seem to be options, like this one, where you can cut a hole in the bumper skin and mount a tow hitch right onto the heavy-duty bumper bar inside the bumper cap:
That bumper bar is very securely mounted to the frame and should be a strong point to handle a tow hitch. What’s this guy towing, anyway? A boat? I’d like to think it’s a boat. I bet the boat is a fiberglass recreation of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor and has working cannon and is used for Civil War naval reenactments. Just a guess.
But back to that tow hitch; it’s a little sloppy but the concept is good. I think the key is that metal insert that the DIYer used to encapsulate the open cut-out bumper skin area. It looks like it was an existing part from, um, something, because that central rounded-rectangle feels too well-executed compared to the other cut-out parts.
This got me thinking that perhaps one could manufacture and sell these plastic inserts designed for just this purpose, like this:
You’d cut a properly-sized hole in your bumper skin, install this plastic box to fill the hole, install your tow hitch, and maybe there would even be a snap-in cover to hide the hitch when not in use.
The “box” could also be used to hold things like tow safety chains and other small towing accessories! Like tow lights, maybe?
There’s something about this solution that I like. Even coarsely executed, it feels tidier than the under-the bumper bar method, and it keeps the tow hitch closer to the rear of the car, which let’s say without checking is a good thing.
What do you think? Am I a fool to be impressed with this clunky modification, or do you also see the beauty in it?
Now I have to get to sleep; I have a plane to catch in the morning!
One of my cars has a real “frame” mounted tow bar. It’s unobtrusive. Why in the world would I want to drive around with a hole sawzalled into the bumper?
Not to mention that the bumper isn’t structural.
Also, small cars do have factory tow ratings, when mounted properly. Interestingly, tow ratings aren’t listed for most cars in the US by the manufacturer (pushing people to think they need to buy larger trucks/SUVs at higher margin), even though the exact same car in Europe will have an allowed/approved manufacturer tow rating in the manual.
No worries, they were just trying to out class the back bumper dent on mommas Camry
Probably towing one of the Harbor Freight collapsible trailers with the 8 inch tires. Anything more than that, no! I could see the entire bumper and support attached to the trailer in the ditch.
I love people towing with basic cars. My buddy used to tow his jet ski with his manual 4-door Echo. A guy showed up to a motorcycle trackday towing his track bike with a Lexus IS convertible, with a big metal fan in the back seat. Honestly pretty boss of him.
edit: Ha, found the picture in my Dropbox of the Lexus: https://postimg.cc/VrjK6gkS
I was sure this was going to be a Florida-man car till I got a good look at the license plate…….
Long ago I came across an E30-gen BMW in the Alta resort parking lot with a 1.25″ receiver hitch attached using the 4 license plate bolts. I took an old grainy cell phone photo of it because it was so strange.
Haven’t seen anyone mention the mini road trains of auction cars headed south, usually 2-3(+) cars like this, questionably attached, mismatched panels and all, often with spare parts in the towed vehicles, headed to be resold to our southern neighbors. I see these on US-6 all the time. Already lost his brothers?
It’s serving big Altima energy, but it’s not an Altima. I’m confused.
Not a good idea, maybe for the lightest trailers but not even that.
The Curt hitch is attached to the unibody “frame” rails which should be much stronger than a bumper bar, that’s essentially designed to crumple easily in an accident.
I’m not convinced this is safe. So, no, I don’t think anyone should be impressed.
Of course it’s a Corolla.
Corolla drivers are extra special. And extra terrifying.
Every time I see one on the road, I ask myself “is this person having a health emergency?” When they are invariably travelling at half the speed limit window shopping, I stay waaay back. Thankfully we have sections of freeway with a lot of lanes, so when they are doing they in the passing lane the rest of us can cut a wide berth and get around them in the far right lane.
I don’t think it’s mounted to the bumper bar but instead to a piece of 2″ square tubing that is bolted on over and through the bumper bar, and then 2 bolts on the back of the hitch ball attaching it to the tubing. It’s probably at least 75% as strong as the Curt one, but at least you now have the ball at a height that works with most trailers. IMO this is an ingenious way to DIY this if you don’t have a welder, but I kind of wish they had one so we could see some really creative stuff rolling down the road, preferably still attached.
I am mostly shocked that this isn’t an Altima.
As for what he is towing? Jet-ski. 100% Jet-ski
Chances of scissor doors rise considerably with jetski in tow.
Owen Wilson approves.
Since we don’t know what is not visible behind the install, we can’t judge the quality or safety.
Custom receivers and hitches have been the superior choice for years and still are, when you can find anyone still doing them.
Out of the box receivers now are the cheapest design and made to install as rapidly as possible.
The Camry receiver is a great example, changing from an over the muffler stronger design to a heavy clunky under the muffler type that drags on pavement and scoops up gravel routinely.
Receiver designs changed dramatically as production shifted overseas.
Conservative load ratings were about a third what they list now.
The grade 5 I got with my pickup came off a heavier truck and has a lot of wear, but is a stronger design except for the receiver tube itself, which could use more bracing.
It’s rated at 7500 lbs and was made in Arizona.
I got a new curt grade 5 rated at 17,000 pounds, their best without moving to a 2.5 inch or larger receiver.
Went with a traditional tapered torsion bar leveling hitch and friction dampers, rated for 15,000 lbs, curt also.
I bought a lot of nos USA made receiver parts for custom hitch parts.
Photos available if anyone wants to see how things changed.
The first trailer I got was based on a Subaru torsion suspension, and pulled by a chrome bumper Fiat spider.
The spare tire well was between the frame rails.
A heavy wide bar was heated and curved to wrap around the well.
I was dubious about this, but it was more than strong enough.
The rectangular bar for the ball went straight through the sheet metal and was the only exposed part of the hitch.
There was a square tube brace also, but I can’t recall all the details.
I still use the trailer.
I got a custom hitch built for a Sterling, that a factory receiver theoretically existed for, but you couldn’t get one.
It was made from a 60s all chromed Corvette hitch.
Beautiful job.
I’m trying to find someone that can do a proper front receiver for my truck.
Some production designs tie into the front bumper mounts, somehow.
With my Ranger, I always used the bumper hitch mounts.
I had a factory receiver, but never mounted it, as it was wildly overbuilt for a 4 cylinder, and heavy!
Towing limits were extremely low, but the truck could handle far more.
Regarding the Toyota insert, it’s better if the ball at least extends past the bumper.
Depending on the trailer, that height is about where my Camry hitch is, as most Toyotas sit very low in the back.