2012 Focus Hitch is available

[scottjl]

looks nice. did you have to cut anything? that is the no-drill one right?

[Faygo Focus]

Originally Posted by scottjl

looks nice. did you have to cut anything? that is the no-drill one right?

Only cut aside the heat shield on the frame (per instructions). Otherwise, piece of cake.

Here's a Thule 990XT mounted (just finished):



Ordered 2 stickers 1" x 3" for the receiver. Both say "Bike Rack Only" in dark grey. That should satisfy dealer, future buyer, and other nosy people.

[FocusOnBike]

Faygo: Nice photos!

New member here! I kept wandering back to your site, so I stopped lurking and registered. Just got a Cherry Red Focus 2012, and I also just got the Drawtite Hitch for my bike rack. Thanks for the help!

First question: The Thule rack I see on Faygo's Focus, does that allow the hatch to open without having to lower the rack? And, if bicycles are on the rack, can you still open the hatch?

Thanks!

[jenetherton]

Ok... so I've been busy and lazy.. here are a few pics of my install. I didn't remove the heat shield so I'll be checking the bolts here and there just to be sure. I'll let everyone know if it really does impact keeping the bolts tight. Pics coming shortly.

FocusOnBike - the Thule does tilt out. I have a Yakima holdup which is rated for ClassII hitches.. didn't know it when I bought it, but it too tilts out with bikes on. Thule I'm referring to is T2... not sure about 900xt.

Question: I don't see I'll ever have more than 80lbs of bikes on the Yakima, debating sending back for the Thule. Does anyone have experience with the Yakima on a Class I hitch?

[jenetherton]

Pics of what I did.

Remove bolts of muffler hanger, both sides:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo1.jpg

Bolts removed:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo2.jpg

Hanger back on with hitch - didn't remove the heat shield. Also the wire to move the large bolt through frame is in the pic:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo3.jpg

Wire in other side of frame to bring bolt through. Kinda tricky but just be patient:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo4.jpg

Bolt attached to wire to pull through frame:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo5.jpg

Had to move this wiring part from the frame temporarily to get to the bolt:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo6.jpg

View of the back with it on. FYI... it doesn't stick out past the bumper, love that!:

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ent=photo7.jpg

[Faygo Focus]

Originally Posted by FocusOnBike

Faygo: Nice photos!

New member here! I kept wandering back to your site, so I stopped lurking and registered. Just got a Cherry Red Focus 2012, and I also just got the Drawtite Hitch for my bike rack. Thanks for the help!

First question: The Thule rack I see on Faygo's Focus, does that allow the hatch to open without having to lower the rack? And, if bicycles are on the rack, can you still open the hatch?

Thanks!

The Thule 990XT allows the hatch to open while upright, if you move the outer wheel mounts to the outside, but its actually just easier to flip the lever and drop the rack so you have more room. You can definitely open the hatch with 2 bikes on it (as I did today).

I like this rack better than the Thule T2. $100 less, but weighs less and has less complication to go wrong. T2 can tilt downward for hatch access, but you dont need that here, and T2 can be extended to 4 bikes, but I wouldnt suggest that here, either... so the 990 is perfect.

Also the Thule hitch pin screws into the Thule, so the rack isnt flopping all over. In fact, its quiet as can be.

[Faygo Focus]

Vinyl attached to left side of hitch receiver and underside of hitch (no bubbles... thats the contour of the metal)

[Faygo Focus]

Winterized...

[thejsx]

I've had a hitch on my car from the day I bought it, i've done a 1000mile trip with a trailer weighting maybe 500-600pounds, no issues whatsoever, only that this car doesn't have much torque! it did fine though.

[Rogerschro]

Have the Draw Tite on mine, no drilling in frame, easy install. Using the Thule T2 rack. Perfect!