Clarity - Any ideas on a bike Rack?

Honda Clarity EcoHitch
https://torkliftcentral.com/honda-clarity
2018 HONDA CLARITY ECOHITCH
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The EcoHitch for the 2018 Honda Clarity is designed to be completely concealed so you only see the receiver once it's installed rather than having to see an unsightly crosstube underneath your vehicle. This hitch, just like your Honda Clarity, delivers distinct performance and is sophisticated inside and out.
Part numbers: x7377 (2”), x7378 (1¼”)
Applications include:
2018 Honda Clarity
SKU honda-clarity
As low as $293.99

 

I think the first one was also by TorkLift, but agree the bumper plastic cutout was pretty bad.

Can anyone comment on wiring? Have you done it for a standard flat 4 pin connector? If so, describe where you tied into the existing wiring.

 

Giving this thread a bump. I see that etrailers now offers something; anyone try this: https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2018_Honda_Clarity.htm

Upon further review, I see that what etrailers sells is the same as what Torklift sells.

Still no offerings from the other four manufacturers: Curt, Uhaul, Reese, and Draw-tite.

Any more Torklift installs completed (besides those documented here previously)? Anyone add an electrical connector for trailer lights?

 

I have had my 2" Torklift receiver hitch on for about 2 months. Very solid. I have a heavy ebike (probably a second in the near future) and bought a Hollywood rack designed for the extra weight (SPORT RIDER SE FOR FAT TIRE ELECTRIC BIKES). Very solid combination. No sway and handles well. I haven't had this on any bad roads (bumpy), but don't doubt it will all be solid, even with a second ebike. Anyway, it took me a few hours to install. The Torklift rack came with the wrong bolts (wrong thread). They responded quickly and overnighted the correct ones to complete the install. Here are a few pictures.
View attachment 2896

 

I have done business with Torklift for more than 20 years, multiple receiver hitches, camper tie-downs, air bag suspension and pump, custom bumper install. I live in the area and have always worked directly with their Kent WA store. I have nothing but good to say about them, they are a class act.

 

Looks good. Did you have to cut any plastic?

 

Great install. TorqueLift sent me a free hitch for me to be a beta tester and give feedback. Do you have any installation tips not mentioned in the instructions before I have at it?
Thanks

 

Thanks for the photos!

You didn't show any pics of the underside of the hitch install, but at least from what we can see, it looks like a very "clean" and professional-grade installation.

Great to read, from your report, that it's very solid and that you're happy with the hitch!

 

Will this avoid the warranty? or it's like dealership by dealership basis thing? I'd like to put this when my Clarity arrives(some day...)

 

Now that we have a GOGO mobility scooter for my wife (knee problems), I will be adding receiver hitches to both cars and a cargo carrier to carry the scooter behind the cars. The Maxhaul carrier (below) and the LEAF Ecohitch have arrived, Torklift will be sending me an evaluation Ecohitch for the Clarity. Hopefully I will have this all put together within the next week or so.

 

How much will the GOGO scooter and the Maxhaul carrier weigh all together?

 

The aluminum Maxhaul weighs 72 pounds, and the 4 wheel scooter weighs about 100 pounds. The tongue weight rating for the Ecohitch is 200 pounds. With a cover and tiedown straps we should still be under the limit.

 

The 64,000 dollar questions is not what the hitch is rated for, but what the internal car components that it is bolted to are rated for. Or in our case since there is no tow rating, what the car components can tolerate without damage from over stressing.

 

I'd try to mount the maxhaul as close to the bumper as reasonable without danger of touching and position the scooter close to the front of it when hauling. This will minimize torque on the hitch. I bet you will be fine, but good luck.

 

Hey everyone!
I got an eco-hitch from TorkLift (disclaimer, it was comp'd) and installed it myself (with the help of a couple buddies.) Let me know what questions you have and I'll do my best to answer.

Things I can think of off the top of my head.
1) Cutting of the BUMPER is not necessary, but cutting of the UNDER COVER is 100% necessary. If you are careful as you do it, it is not noticeable at all when you are done.
2) The hitch itself seems very solid. I had my empty bike rack on it but, unfortunately, the white stuff has started falling so I haven't actually put my bike on the rack yet.
3) They do include new high-strength (class 10.9) bolts for holding the metal bumper on.
4) I successfully did the install without breaking any plastic clips.

Let me know what questions you have!

 

1) I suspect the wiring in the center is for crash sensors in the bumper beam. Since there are two harnesses, are both for crash sensors or is one for trailer lights? Describe any disassembly from the beam that those needed.
2) No wiring of trailer lights performed? Any instructions from Torq-lift on wiring for lights for our specific model?

 

There are no rear bumper crash sensors on this car. Admittedly speculation but it looks to me like wire is simply for trunk ajar sensors or similar. I assume he's showing just minor relocating and moving them out of the way. I doubt that anyone is wiring lights as nobody should be towing trailers with these hitches. They are being installed as supports for cargo carriers and bike racks. No lights required.

 

I believe that wire was actually to the beeper that makes a noise when you lock the car, etc. For some reason that I don't understand they located it behind the back bumper. The wire you see moved was just because the clip that holds it in place as it stuck out too far to get the hitch mounted properly.

In terms of wiring, they did not provide any instruction. My guess is the same as craze1 that they don't actually expect you to tow with this hitch since the car is not at all braided for it. If you wanted to wire in a light to put on the back of your bike rack or something, you could probably splice into the tail light wires that were accessible in the trunk as part of the process. Personally, I don't like splicing into wiring, even though my degree is in electrical engineering. I feel like it is one of those things that is too hard to undo later.

 

Aluminum trailer for kayaks: loaded tongue wt 50 lbs, total wt 300 lbs. Agree, car not capable of typical trailer. This is not a typical trailer.