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Trailer hitch for Focus

12K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  360ci 
G
#1 ·
Is there a trailer hitch for the Focus? I have a 2004 ZX5 and the JC Whitney
catalog has one style that is marked for the VW they say works, but does anyone
have them on their car?

It's just going to be used for the bike rack and not towing anything.

Thanks in advance,

Keith
 
G
#2 ·
test wrote:
> Is there a trailer hitch for the Focus? I have a 2004 ZX5 and the JC Whitney
> catalog has one style that is marked for the VW they say works, but does anyone
> have them on their car?
>
> It's just going to be used for the bike rack and not towing anything.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Keith
>

I was going to say that Hidden Hitch has one;
Part # 60904 Class I Trailer Hitches - 1 1/4" Receiver
Can be seen at http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Home/index.asp?
But, I read the fine print and it doesn't fit the ZX3 or ZX5, so be
careful if you find one that claims to fit the Focus that it really
works with the ZX3 or ZX5.

Valley hitch has one that it says fits the 2000-2005 sedan and
hatchback. Model number is 58210. Unfortunately, this one says do not
use with a bike carrier or cargo carrier.
http://www.valleyorders.com/public/applookup.html
http://www.valleyorders.com/ISheets/58210.pdf

Curt manufacturing has them, but doesn't note if there are ant bike rack
restrictions. You'll probably have to contact them to confirm.
http://www.curtmfg.com/app guide/ford1.htm

Hitches 4 less has some, but they say the hatchback version is only for
the 3 door??? I thought the undercarriage of the 3 and 5 door were the
same, but I guess they're different, because the link after this one
(Hitch web) has different model numbers for the ZX3 and ZX5.
http://hitches4less.com/hitches4less/20forfoc3doo.html

Hitch web has a few models available at this super long link.
http://www.hitch-web.com/vhitch.asp...613&OID=8&SMID=&cmdNext=Next&BPID=6&VID=28142
If that doesn't work, try this shorter link; http://www.hitch-web.com/

Hope this helps, let us know if you find one you like, I'll probably
need to get one too for my 04 ZX5.

John
 
G
#3 ·
John,

Wow, the plethora of knowledge. I'll make some calls and see what I can find
out.

Thanks a lot.

Keith

JPH <jphagcanbereached@cox.net> wrote:
>test wrote:
>> Is there a trailer hitch for the Focus? I have a 2004 ZX5 and the JC
>>Whitney
>> catalog has one style that is marked for the VW they say works, but does
>>anyone
>> have them on their car?
>>
>> It's just going to be used for the bike rack and not towing anything.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Keith
>>

>I was going to say that Hidden Hitch has one;
>Part # 60904 Class I Trailer Hitches - 1 1/4" Receiver
>Can be seen at http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Home/index.asp?
>But, I read the fine print and it doesn't fit the ZX3 or ZX5, so be
>careful if you find one that claims to fit the Focus that it really
>works with the ZX3 or ZX5.
>
>Valley hitch has one that it says fits the 2000-2005 sedan and
>hatchback. Model number is 58210. Unfortunately, this one says do not
>use with a bike carrier or cargo carrier.
>http://www.valleyorders.com/public/applookup.html
>http://www.valleyorders.com/ISheets/58210.pdf
>
>Curt manufacturing has them, but doesn't note if there are ant bike rack
>restrictions. You'll probably have to contact them to confirm.
>http://www.curtmfg.com/app guide/ford1.htm
>
>Hitches 4 less has some, but they say the hatchback version is only for
>the 3 door??? I thought the undercarriage of the 3 and 5 door were the
>same, but I guess they're different, because the link after this one
>(Hitch web) has different model numbers for the ZX3 and ZX5.
>http://hitches4less.com/hitches4less/20forfoc3doo.html
>
>Hitch web has a few models available at this super long link.
>http://www.hitch-web.com/vhitch.asp...613&OID=8&SMID=&cmdNext=Next&BPID=6&VID=28142
>If that doesn't work, try this shorter link; http://www.hitch-web.com/
>
>Hope this helps, let us know if you find one you like, I'll probably
>need to get one too for my 04 ZX5.
>
>John
>
 
G
#4 ·
JPH wrote:
> test wrote:
>
>> Is there a trailer hitch for the Focus? I have a 2004 ZX5 and the JC
>> Whitney catalog has one style that is marked for the VW they say
>> works, but does anyone have them on their car?
>>
>> It's just going to be used for the bike rack and not towing anything.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Keith
>>

> I was going to say that Hidden Hitch has one;
> Part # 60904 Class I Trailer Hitches - 1 1/4" Receiver
> Can be seen at http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Home/index.asp?
> But, I read the fine print and it doesn't fit the ZX3 or ZX5, so be
> careful if you find one that claims to fit the Focus that it really
> works with the ZX3 or ZX5.
>
> Valley hitch has one that it says fits the 2000-2005 sedan and
> hatchback. Model number is 58210. Unfortunately, this one says do not
> use with a bike carrier or cargo carrier.
> http://www.valleyorders.com/public/applookup.html
> http://www.valleyorders.com/ISheets/58210.pdf
>
> Curt manufacturing has them, but doesn't note if there are ant bike rack
> restrictions. You'll probably have to contact them to confirm.
> http://www.curtmfg.com/app guide/ford1.htm
>
> Hitches 4 less has some, but they say the hatchback version is only for
> the 3 door??? I thought the undercarriage of the 3 and 5 door were the
> same, but I guess they're different, because the link after this one
> (Hitch web) has different model numbers for the ZX3 and ZX5.
> http://hitches4less.com/hitches4less/20forfoc3doo.html
>
> Hitch web has a few models available at this super long link.
> http://www.hitch-web.com/vhitch.asp...613&OID=8&SMID=&cmdNext=Next&BPID=6&VID=28142
>
> If that doesn't work, try this shorter link; http://www.hitch-web.com/
>
> Hope this helps, let us know if you find one you like, I'll probably
> need to get one too for my 04 ZX5.
>
> John
>

OK, maybe I'm just being slow here, but what's so different about a bike
carrier, it's just a trailer that you can put a bike(s) on right?
shouldn't be that heavy. They're also not for connecting to a cargo
carrier, why else would you put a trailer on, other then to carry things
(ie. cargo).
I thought about putting a hitch on mine so I don't have to keep going
and getting my brothers car and trailer, (then I can just go get the
trailer), it's a 6'x 8' (2M x 2.6M) that is used for carrying mostly
yard waste to the dump, and other things that won't fit in a car,
(cargo), but could put a riding mower with a bagging attachment on it,
so I don't have to rake the maple leaves again, would that be too much
for one of them?
 
#5 ·
JPH wrote:
> test wrote:
>
>> Is there a trailer hitch for the Focus? I have a 2004 ZX5 and the JC
>> Whitney catalog has one style that is marked for the VW they say
>> works, but does anyone have them on their car?
>>
>> It's just going to be used for the bike rack and not towing anything.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Keith
>>
> I was going to say that Hidden Hitch has one;
> Part # 60904 Class I Trailer Hitches - 1 1/4" Receiver
> Can be seen at http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Home/index.asp?
> But, I read the fine print and it doesn't fit the ZX3 or ZX5, so be
> careful if you find one that claims to fit the Focus that it really
> works with the ZX3 or ZX5.
>
> Valley hitch has one that it says fits the 2000-2005 sedan and
> hatchback. Model number is 58210. Unfortunately, this one says do not
> use with a bike carrier or cargo carrier.
> http://www.valleyorders.com/public/applookup.html
> http://www.valleyorders.com/ISheets/58210.pdf
>
> Curt manufacturing has them, but doesn't note if there are ant bike rack
> restrictions. You'll probably have to contact them to confirm.
> http://www.curtmfg.com/app guide/ford1.htm
>
> Hitches 4 less has some, but they say the hatchback version is only for
> the 3 door??? I thought the undercarriage of the 3 and 5 door were the
> same, but I guess they're different, because the link after this one
> (Hitch web) has different model numbers for the ZX3 and ZX5.
> 2000-2005 Ford Focus3 Door Hatchback Class I Trailer Hitch
>
> Hitch web has a few models available at this super long link.
> 2004 Ford Passenger Car or Station Wagon Focus ZX5 Hatchback 5 Door trailer hitch display and sales
>
> If that doesn't work, try this shorter link; Hitch-web online trailer hitch sales Trailer Hitch Site: 800-300-4067
>
> Hope this helps, let us know if you find one you like, I'll probably
> need to get one too for my 04 ZX5.
>
> John
>

OK, maybe I'm just being slow here, but what's so different about a bike
carrier, it's just a trailer that you can put a bike(s) on right?
shouldn't be that heavy. They're also not for connecting to a cargo
carrier, why else would you put a trailer on, other then to carry things
(ie. cargo).
I thought about putting a hitch on mine so I don't have to keep going
and getting my brothers car and trailer, (then I can just go get the
trailer), it's a 6'x 8' (2M x 2.6M) that is used for carrying mostly
yard waste to the dump, and other things that won't fit in a car,
(cargo), but could put a riding mower with a bagging attachment on it,
so I don't have to rake the maple leaves again, would that be too much
for one of them?
They are talking about the kind of carriers that hang off the back of the hitch. Class 1 hitches are only rated at 200lbs tongue weight, the moment of weight at the and of the hitch. this can easily be exceeded by attaching a bike rack and hanging a few bikes off of it, or a cargo carrier which can hold a variety of objects, even scooters or large ice chest's...etc. they aren't talking about trailers, which coule hold anything as long as the 200lb tongue weight or the max towing capacity of 2000lbs is not exceeded.

you are not going to find hitches for the focus that exceed the Class 1 Ratings, because Ford has specified that this is the maximun towing capacity of the car. Sure, YOU could make a hitch that could accept a larger towing capacity, but if it ripped the back of the car off, LOL, Ford would not be liable for the damage, due to the fact that you have exceeded the design specifications of the undercarraige.
 
#6 ·
Don't forget that if you have aluminum bikes the weight will be under the 200lb limit for three bikes. My steel 21" mountain bike weighs close to 80lbs; nothing to write home about. Also, UHaul sells and installs hitches, perhaps if you're unsure which to buy it would be a good idea to see what they have to say, and what price they can offer if they have something that can work. Class 1 hitches are more low-profile due to the smaller tongue size, so once you add bikes and passengers the rear end won't bottom out. Adding weight on a vehicles bumper (a few feet behind the rear axle center) greatly affects the weight distribution, and handling (safety) of the vehicle.

If you have no factory warranty left, then Ford can't say anything on what you install on your vehicle. It's just a question of the DOT questioning you about that nice polished 2" class IV hitch you installed on the back of your Focus! You'll be fine with a class 1 to carry bikes. Again, UHaul install centers are everywhere and they're fairly knowledgeable as this is what they do, so I'd check in there if you're unsure of what to order for your vehicle online.
 
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