I live in the Daly City area and I have a BMW X3 that I'd like to get a hitch installed onto. BMW wants $400 plus for one but I don't want to spend that much just becuase it ways BMW on it.

I prefer a hitch mounted bike rack since I'm vertically challenged (or normal for an Asian guy!) and getting a roof mounted rack on my SUV would seem silly for me. Plus it'll free up room in the interior so I can keep the backseat up for my daughter's baby seat.

Does anyone in the Bay Area (close to DC preferably or by the in-laws in Vallejo and Fairfield) have a recommendation as to where to get one installed cleanly, professionally and at a reasonable price?

I saw U-Haul does it but I knew a guy in TX that used to do it and I wouldn't trust him with a lighter, let alone a welder! But if there is a good one than I'd consider it as long as someone recommends a particular one they've used.

Thanks for the help and info!
Gary

Uhaul is the only place that comes to mind, that's where my friend got his. He has a 4 bike rack on his trailer hitch.

Gary, find a compatible hitch for your car on-line, or at an auto store. Then, have a mechanic you trust do the install. This is what I did, and (although I don't have that car anymore) I very satisfied.

Good luck! :)

... Brad

my friend Lara used U-haul and had a great experience.

Maybe they have a custom BMW site for hitches ... they have one for Prius, so I'm pretty sure they have one for BMW.

Maybe they have a custom BMW site for hitches ... they have one for Prius, so I'm pretty sure they have one for BMW.

They do its just costs a fortune.

They do its just costs a fortune.

You ain't kiddin'! 4 bills!

Thanks for the responses! I'll check online and with U-Haul. :)

Gary I had my hitch purchased and installed in the Sacramento location of Rack and Road.

http://www.racknroad.com/
(Scroll to the bottom to see their locations.)

Rack and Road would also be my choice. You might also try Pep Boys and Sears.

I just paid $400 for a hitch and wiring for my Honda Pilot. Seems that's the going rate and I think your quote might even be pretty cheap for an X3 hitch.

If you can afford a BMW, can't you afford $400 for a hitch? Besides, half of that is probably for the trailer wiring, which you don't need for a bike rack.

Here is one web site that sells trailer hitches for your BMW: http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2007_BMW_X3.htm
They say it is a difficult installation for a do-it-yourselfer because you have to remove the rear bumper and trim some plastic moldings.

Do you want to use the hitch for towing trailers in addition to mounting the bike rack?

If all you'll ever do is mount the bike rack to it, you can just buy the hitch and mount it yourself.
You only need the wiring harness and and transmission coolers if you'll actually be towing trailers.
The mounting holes are usually already there with modern cars, especially if there is an OEM hitch option.

I installed a $150 Hidden Hitch on my Honda Odyssey myself in about 20 minutes.

If it's just for bikes, I'd go to craigslist for used Yakima towers, crossbars and bike racks. Way cheaper than hitches.

If it's just for bikes, I'd go to craigslist for used Yakima towers, crossbars and bike racks. Way cheaper than hitches.

the OP already said he'd have issues w/the bikes being on top of the car though, so that option is out...

Cool, thanks for the info and links! Since I'm only planning to carry bikes I'll see about installing it myself.

And yup... I'm verticlaly challenged so a bike on the roof of the truck would be a pain. haha!

Thanks everyone!

etrailer.com.

About $130 for a bolt-on hitch, no welding reqired. If you're only carrying bikes, there's nothing hard about this, since you won't need to wire-up trailer light harnesses. I have a similar hitch I put on my Santa Fe, it was not hard. I had to remove 6 bolts, put the hitch in place, and replace the 6 bolts with longer ones that came with the hitch.

Links for a 2007 BMW X3.
http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=X3&category=hitch&year=2007&make=BMW&h=

EDIT; after reading, you have to remove the bumper fascia of the X3 to install this, so if you're unfamiliar with working on cars, you might want to have someone help you.

This thread has started me thinking if I should purchase and install a hitch for my bike on the back of my Prius. I'm wondering how much gas mileage would be affected by installing this. Plus, would it be a permanent fixture? But then again, I hardly ever carry more than 1 bike, and I might as well just continue sticking the whole bike in the car.

This thread has started me thinking if I should purchase and install a hitch for my bike on the back of my Prius. I'm wondering how much gas mileage would be affected by installing this. Plus, would it be a permanent fixture? But then again, I hardly ever carry more than 1 bike, and I might as well just continue sticking the whole bike in the car.

The hitch is permanent. The bike rack that attaches to it is removable. The hitch itself weighs 20 or 30 pounds, so there will be a (very) small affect on your gas mileage. But yes, if your bike easily fits in your car, then that is the simplest and cheapest thing to do. An external bike rack is nice for hauling a muddy mountain bike or your girlfriend's road bike along with yours.

the OP already said he'd have issues w/the bikes being on top of the car though, so that option is out...
DOH! I should've read through the whole thread first.

This thread has started me thinking if I should purchase and install a hitch for my bike on the back of my Prius. I'm wondering how much gas mileage would be affected by installing this. Plus, would it be a permanent fixture? But then again, I hardly ever carry more than 1 bike, and I might as well just continue sticking the whole bike in the car.

If you do decide to go with a hitch, read this...
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-hitch.htm
http://www.trilug.org/~chilcote/ToyotaPrius/prius-fun.html
http://www.coastaletech.com/04hitch.htm

But yes, if your bike easily fits in your car, then that is the simplest and cheapest thing to do.
Also a lot less likely you're bike will get stolen or vandalized.

The hitch is permanent. The bike rack that attaches to it is removable. The hitch itself weighs 20 or 30 pounds, so there will be a (very) small affect on your gas mileage. But yes, if your bike easily fits in your car, then that is the simplest and cheapest thing to do. An external bike rack is nice for hauling a muddy mountain bike or your girlfriend's road bike along with yours.
So I guess my girlfriend will pay for it ... :D Guess that's why I'm still single ... :p I guess I'll stick to just throwing my bike in the car.

I had a hitch installed at Trailer Hitch Inc. in Redwood City. The workmanship was decent, and it cost about $300 including the electronics adapter for a GMC van:

A & B Trailer Hitch Inc. (http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&q=trailer+hitch&near=Redwood+City,+CA&fb=1&latlng=37475942,-122204604,548851212670751093)