OK, this sounds like it could be too good to be true, but mebbe it's completely legit.
Today I was searching around on the internet for info on a hitch for my '07 Wagon. I came across a site that has Putnam hitches for hatchbacks for $43 and for wagons for $41.
I promise I don't benefit from this, other than the satisfaction of helping my fellow Focus fans.

http://owensclassicinternational.com/putnam-hitch-liquidation.html
ctrl + f, type "focus" and you should find them.

hmm...if you order one, let me know. I'm looking for a hitch mount bike rack and need the hitch first.

with shipping it will be less than $60.
They shipped it today and I'm supposed to have it next Wednesday.

I'll let everyone know how it turns out

I ordered a wagon hitch (for my 07 wagon, too) ... I'll let you know also.

I just saw this post. I have been looking for a hitch for my 2004 Sedan for months now but didn't want to pay $140-$160 for one. I saw a guy on craigslist near me with a new Reese hitch for sale and called him and settled on $75.

If I would have seen this earlier, I would have jumped on it. Please let us know how they fit when you get them.

uh--i gotta ask whadda ya all towing??--how much weight??

I believe the Focus is rated for 100 lb tongue weight and 1000 lbs max. I am looking to pull a small canoe type boat and occassionally a small cargo trailer with a dirtbike, push mower, lumber, etc. The focus is more than capable of towing a light trailer and cargo if you don't exceed the 1000 lb mark.

Honestly, I believe it would pull 1500 lbs without hurting it at all. Stopping is usually the limiting factor. Foci brakes are not up to the task of stopping the car and a heavy trailer/cargo. As long as you use your head pulling a 700lb combined jetski/trailer, small jonboat/motor, motorcycle, etc shouldn't be a problem at all.

The US is probably the only country in the world where everybody believes you need a suburban or a dually to pull around a few hundred pounds of trailer and cargo.

The US is probably the only country in the world where everybody believes you need a suburban or a dually to pull around a few hundred pounds of trailer and cargo.

This is only a slight exaggeration. Our friends to the North, the Canadians, buy one size smaller car, Corolla vs. Camry... and then buy a roof rack. Ingenious.

Here in VA Beach, we can always spot the Canadian tourist: small car with a roof rack. The American tourist: Large SUV or Megavan stuffed to the gills with jetsam and flotsam.

In Europe, it's routine to see a small hatchback towing a small trailer... and most of those hatchbacks have nothing near the smallest Focus engine. 2 Liter: HUGE!

Though, speaking as a Canadian we also have those <insert choice word here> people who seem to feel that the size of their manhood is directly proportional to the unused towing capacity of their vehicle.

(also known as mouse &ick on elephant syndrome!)

just askin--didnt mean-or wanna stub a toe or nuthin---[shameful]

well..... it is a good question [;)]

just askin--didnt mean-or wanna stub a toe or nuthin---[shameful]

Too late, you done gone and hurt my feelings. [:)~]

Now I'm going to go hook the horse trailer to the Focus and head to the mountains. Don't worry, I'm not using the regular hitch. I have a 5th wheel hitch installed in the trunk for when I'm pulling the heavy loads.[neener]

call me if ya need help!!

I ordered a wagon hitch (for my 07 wagon, too) ... I'll let you know also.

Update: received mine pronto! Looks great out of the box. Hope tomorrow isn't rainy, so I can install it!

Holy cow, that was fast. I'm supposed to get mine tomorrow.

Now I just need a bit of time.

Hey, anyone here developed a machine that can stop time or suspend animation for the rest of the world for some (generally short) amount of time???

I'm not quite done with that yet, bu i'll PM you and let you know

Thanks for the link! I've been wanting a hitch for some time, but didn't want to pay as much as I had been pricing them at. I just placed my order. When mine comes in I'll be interested in that time machine, too!

Rats they won't ship to Canada. Oh well. Man you guys down there get all the deals LOL

Hey, anyone here developed a machine that can stop time or suspend animation for the rest of the world for some (generally short) amount of time???

Yup, it's called a still. They use it to make moonshine. Moonshine is the machine. Or a cleaner, depends on which way you look at it.

jk

Wish this deal was available a few years ago. I had to go to Uhaul for them to install a hitch. With the way the kid installed it, I could have done better and I don't have a lift.

Here's and update on my purchase and installation of the wagon hitch from Owens Classic (http://owensclassicinternational.com/ph55170.html). The hitch arrived quickly, in it's original packaging -- everything in perfect shape and all the bolts, washer, etc in sealed heavy duty plastic bags.

This is a Putnam model 55170 hitch (http://www.putnamhitch.com/55000_pdf/55170%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf). According to Putnam's website, this hitch fits wagons through 2006. Putnam is no longer in business, and it appears they didn't get around to updating their hitch selector (http://zooserver2.zooropa.com:8181/PutnamSelect.html) to indicate the hitch would also fit the 2007 model. In fact, the hitch fits the 07 Focus wagon perfectly.

Here again are the specs:

* $41.06 + $5.00 shipping
* 200# Tongue Weight
* 2000# Weight Carrying
* 1 1/4" Receiver Tube
* Ruggedly built and finished with tough Powder Coating.
* Receiver type.
* Complete with Ball Mount, Pin, and Clip.

Installation of the hitch was a simple 20 minute job, no drilling required. The instructions call for lowering the exhaust, though this isn't necessary. There's plenty of room to slide the hitch in place and tighten all the bolts.

The Putnam hitch attachment differs from other Focus wagon hitches (see below) in that Drawtite, Hidden Hitch, and Valley, for example, all have an extra turn in their attachment plates -- these are superior designs, the 90 degree turn and extra bearing surface will help the hitch from twisting downward on its attachment. I only plan on adding a bike rack or maybe hauling a trailer for very light loads:

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3250/hitches2.jpg

Hope this helps anyone considering the purchase... I'm very happy with mine.

FYI: Here is a letter from January/09 that I found at dieselplace.com -- from a Putnam employee. I don't know that any of these phone numbers still work:

To view the catalog of items please visit Putnam’s website at www.putnamhitch.com. If you would like to purchase any of these items, please fax over a purchase order to 517-369-9319.
These items are being sold on a first come first serve basis.

I can be reached at Putnam’s offices at 517-369-2165 or my cell phone 248-930-4616.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Regards,
Mark C. Keach

I put a curt on my seden bolted on no drilling i believe its rated at 500 lbs. tongue wt. ive had my Harley on the trailer its about 700 lbs also 1000 lbs of top soil

Has anyone installed this yet? Is it easy to install?

Has anyone installed this yet? Is it easy to install?

Xaeniac, there is a full review of the hitch two posts above yours... with details on installation.

Great deal..I talked them into shipping 2 up to me in NS...paid less than $20 each for shipping - taxes and duties included to Canada..they arrived at my door yesterday.

Thanks for the heads up!

Is it possible for one of you guys who bought this and have it installed to post up a pic? Would like to see how "hidden" it is.

Here you go, essentially just the hitch shows.. zoom in closer on the pics if you can't see well:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6817/hitch.jpg

looks good!

I don't see a hitch for the sedan version - just the hatch & wagon. Any help?

Awesome deal, thanks for the heads up! Just ordered one today.

I don't see a hitch for the sedan version - just the hatch & wagon. Any help?

hatch and the sedan are the exact same underneath

hatch and the sedan are the exact same underneath

Do you mean they are the exact same as far as hitch installation, and that a hitch that fits the hatch will also fit a sedan... and vice versa?

Because it's fairly obvious that a hatch and sedan aren't the exact same underneath.

ive also been thinking of getting a hitch for my 01 zx3 and was going to put a 2 bike rack on it, but wanted to ask if any of you have put bike racks on yours and what brand or model do you recommend? i was looking at the bell 2 bike hitch rack on walmart.com and some reviews liked it and some didnt. thanks for any info! also do they even make a 1 bike rack? i will only be carrying my one mountain bike.

That Walmart Hitch is essentially identical to this hitch at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Hitch-Mounted-Bike-Carrier/dp/B0012ZQ5D8/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I29ZK9TV0VT5WH&colid=YOYKRZZIBDPH), which is significantly less expensive.

These aren't great carriers, but they work. The carrier has three sections, each section bolts loosely to the next, the whole thing can wobble significantly. But then again, if you walk around and hand test any other hitch bike rack that you see, you'll find they're generally all rather loose.

Ordered it Monday, got it yesterday, installed it today.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/hafftrak/DSC00013.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/hafftrak/DSC00012.jpg

The hammer is mandatory.

The only thing I didn't like is that you have to drill two 1/2" holes through your trunk floor for installation. I don't know if Draw-Tite or Hidden Hitch require drilling.

My wagon installation required no drilling.

I have been seriously considering buying a hitch for towing my bikes, but I don't think I'm comfortable drilling holes in my car. :( Although, this would most likely prevent theft, and living in Atlanta, that's something I should probably be worried about.

i hate hitches lol well only when there slammmed through my front bumper :(

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1882845&l=02d721d6c2&id=539026593


this happened month ago so those that saw my showroom pics ( i photoshopped this out of it)

looks like they sold out of hatchback hitches.