| KaCee |
Can you all help me answer some questions:
Hitch:
Is the dealer installed trailer hitch a class III hitch?
Does anyone know the dealer cost for this install (parts cost + xxHr labor at $xx.xx/hr)?
What is the typical dealer charge for this install (including coolers +hitch)? |
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| ghotie |
Can't help with question 2 and 3, but can confirm that it's a class III hitch.
Good luck and welcome to the forum! |
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| KaCee |
quote:
Originally posted by ghotie
Can't help with question 2 and 3, but can confirm that it's a class III hitch.
Good luck and welcome to the forum!
Thanks.
Is it a 2"x2" receiver? |
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| KaCee |
Just got a quote from a local dealer for $800.
I'm guessing cost is somewhere around $275-350. Any thoughts? |
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| tigerfu |
I do it for you for $150, including the coolers. I installed it on my truck by myself, and it took me half a day.
-TL |
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| apple904 |
| Hith itself is only $100 or less from Hidden Hitch or Draw Tite. You can install yourself in 1/2 hour. The cooler is fro transmission. Really only need that if you pull over 2000 lbs. You will get quite a discussion going over that fact on this board however! What are you going to use the hitch for? If only to carry bikes - forget the cooler!! |
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| KaCee |
2 Seadoos and a trailer.
I thought you had to remove the front bumper cover to mount the coolers...I was guessing 2 hours labor @ $70/hr. |
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| ghost |
quote:
Originally posted by apple904
Hith itself is only $100 or less from Hidden Hitch or Draw Tite. You can install yourself in 1/2 hour. The cooler is fro transmission. Really only need that if you pull over 2000 lbs. You will get quite a discussion going over that fact on this board however! What are you going to use the hitch for? If only to carry bikes - forget the cooler!!
There's two coolers, one for power steering, one for the transmission. The PS is pretty easy, the transmission one involves working in pretty tight quarters, but is doable. |
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| apple904 |
| Why don't you have the dealer just put the coolers in if you are afraid to get into it. The hitch is so easy it's ridiculous to pay them. The hitch is custom to the MDX and you just line it up and bolt it on. If you go to the Draw-Tite website, you can print out the installation instructions. Hidden hitch is almost identical. Some one on the board said that if you switched to a full size spare tire, it won't fit with the Draw-Tite. Another member said he had Hidden Hitch and it was no problem. I have Draw-Tite because the design looked sturdier and it is heavier. You will pull some decent weight so unless you have a full sized spare, I'd go draw-tite. Good Luck with it. |
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| KaCee |
| thanks for the replies all....think I'll have the dealer do the hard stuff and I do the rest... |
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| AcuraMDX2002 |
| Does anybody know where you can get the instructions for the cooler installations? Are the coolers available only from Acura or can you get them from the 3rd party hitch vendors? |
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| ghost |
I got mine from Tim, far cheaper than the dealer! I put the OEM hitch on myself, but wouldn't describe the install as "so easy, it's ridiculous".
But it is safe to say that it makes you look ridiculous, here's a clip from the earlier "Power Steering Cooler" thread:
"Brick support on the left, toe and knee support in the center, ghost uttering ancient slovak curses from his subconscious, children laughing hysterically in driveway:
ghost has attached this image:
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| tigerfu |
The coolers are pretty easy to install, could be easier than the hitch receiver. The only scary part is to take the front bumper off. But it turned out not that much a big deal. The hitch receiver is straight forward. But the hitch is kinda big and heavy. I needed to use one floor jack, two jack stands plus a wife to manuveur it into position. After that it was easy. That's why I said I would install everything for you for $150 (parts not included).
-TL |
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| AcuraMDX2002 |
I think I could handle the hitch installation, especially now that I see how it's done by ghost's pic! (BTW nice boots!)
I'd still like to see the installation instructions for the coolers before I'd pay someone to do it for me. |
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| JTM |
quote:
Originally posted by AcuraMDX2002
I think I could handle the hitch installation, especially now that I see how it's done by ghost's pic! (BTW nice boots!)
I'd still like to see the installation instructions for the coolers before I'd pay someone to do it for me.
AcuraMDX 2002,
You could always get the instruction from Tim's website... :) |
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| AcuraMDX2002 |
quote:
Originally posted by JTM
AcuraMDX 2002,
You could always get the instruction from Tim's website... :)
DUH! Sometimes I amaze myself with stupidity! (The funny thing is that I have downloaded a ton of instructions from Tim's site already, even for things I don't own but have thought about getting. I can't even begin to imagine why I didn't think about it this time. Thanks for pointing out my oversight.)
I just checked Tim's site and downloaded the instructions. Looks very possible as a DIY project on a weekend. Now I know that I can do it. |
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| KaCee |
quote:
Originally posted by JTM
AcuraMDX 2002,
You could always get the instruction from Tim's website... :)
Could you post the link please? |
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