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Posted by: Joe Owensby Mar 30 2010, 10:14 PM

Here are some photos of my trailer hitch, along with some of my kayak carrier. My hobby is whitewater kayaking in the NC and Tn mountains. With this setup, I can enjoy the drive to the rivers as well as the time spent on the rivers.

I made a 1 1/4" tubular hitch receiverfor a trailer hitch. This can hold a trailer ball, a bike rack, or the rig I show to hold up the back of the kayaks. The reciever is supported on the rear by the two bars that I bent up to hug the rear of the car, and go beneath the bumper. These are shown in the photo. The inside of the tube is welded to a 2" by 1/2" inch bar that I heated and bent to follow the underside of the trunk up to the point below the center trunk reinforcement, where I have it bolted through the trunk floor. I cut a notch in the sheet metal heat shield for the muffler to allow this bar to hug the trunk floor. This bar then easily clears a stock muffler, tranny, etc. I notched out the back valence to clear the receiver tube.

For the front kayak support, I made two aluminum receiver blocks that bolt into the existing tapped holes under the roll bar. These blocks have a notch cut into them that accepts a 3/4 inch square tubular element which is held in place by a simple quick lock 1/4 inch pin. I leave the blocks on all the time. The pins are pulled to allow the crossbar to be simply removed. Works great, carrying up to two kayaks. I was curious to see if the wind from trucks, etc. would cause any problems when I was going down the road at 70 or so. But, no problems. JoeO

Posted by: Joe Owensby Mar 30 2010, 10:17 PM

Other photos. Note in the rear view that the rear upward tubing members are not symmetrical. I bent the curves using a pair of trees to hold the1" square aluminum tube while I bent them by pushing as hard as I could. I couldn't get the curves to exactly fit, so I made the attachments to fit the uprights. Note that this arrangement allows full access to the trunk and engine compartment while boats are loaded. It also allows removal of the top if desired. JoeO


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Posted by: arkitect Mar 30 2010, 11:21 PM

Pretty cool setup. Never thought I'd see a trailer hitch on a 914.

Dave

Posted by: jt914-6 Mar 31 2010, 06:12 AM

Nice setup...I see you are using the "ski rack" mounting threaded holes underneath the targa bar. I'll bet most 914 owners don't even know they are there....
Semi-related....my receiver hitch cover....."show what you tow"

Posted by: Garold Shaffer Mar 31 2010, 07:00 AM

Nice setup. Like the color of the 914 also.

Sorry I have a hidden hitch on my 914 behind my rear plate to pull my AX trailer.


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Posted by: RobW Mar 31 2010, 09:45 AM

Both are friggen awesome! Nice work!

Posted by: zymurgist Mar 31 2010, 09:55 AM

Posted by: KELTY360 Mar 31 2010, 10:46 AM

Nice work. I like that you can still take the top off. Here's my crude but effective method.

Posted by: RobW Mar 31 2010, 11:55 AM

I'd be afraid of the two strap method... myself..

Kayak the Snoqualmie or Skykomish?

Posted by: carr914 Mar 31 2010, 12:31 PM

I used to put my Kayak on my trailer - Now I just use my Civic with a Thule rack

Posted by: KELTY360 Mar 31 2010, 12:45 PM

Neither - it's not a whitewater boat. I just use the 2 straps for the 2 mile drive to a put-in on Lk Washington. For longer trips it gets tied down front and back. I am planning on customizing a spare top for a more solid arrangement.

Posted by: Joe Owensby Mar 31 2010, 04:10 PM

I seriously considered doing what Garold did, ie using a tube inside the trunk. I already had made most of the below trunk hardware before I had seen his. The deciding factor was my being able to leave the tag on for quick installs of a hitch bike carrier, etc.

I also seriously considered adding mounts to an old top. I think this would work fine. Years ago I used the foam and rope methods to carry a hang glider.

Thanks for the comments. JoeO

Posted by: RobW Mar 31 2010, 05:40 PM

Is there still a kayak polo game near Carillon Point?

Posted by: 1968Cayman Mar 31 2010, 07:18 PM

Somebody post a pic of a 914 roof-mounted 17 ft. Perception Essence here and I'm in.

Posted by: KELTY360 Mar 31 2010, 07:27 PM

Never heard of kayak polo. Wouldn't it be kinda hard to replace the divots?

Posted by: JTarver Apr 11 2010, 11:01 PM

Totally doable. Just get a rack for the top, and make yourself a small receiver hitch in the back, with a straight bar and a cradle frame at the top of it to help support the length of the boat. I will be doing one in the future, and I'm gonna make sure I can carry my seayak (16 foot prijon ) with me if need be.

Joe

Posted by: RobW Apr 12 2010, 08:48 AM

The horses do all the work...

Posted by: Rico Suave Apr 12 2010, 09:05 AM

I had a tube monted in the trunk of the old "Rocket"....got the wierdest looks while towing. Pics are on the site someplace....

Posted by: stevegm Sep 29 2016, 06:40 PM

These pictures are very helpful. I have a slightly different idea though. Most of these hitches seem based on the square tubing protruding through the rear bulkhead that is just behind the bumper, and then going under or inside the trunk.

Has anybody seen a hitch that is on or through the bumper, and is supported with a large bracket/plate behind the bumper that bolts to the bulkhead, instead of going through it. I don't want to cut a big hole in the bulkhead. And I just need a hitch for a very small trailer.

Other ideas?

Posted by: 914forme Sep 29 2016, 06:57 PM

Nope, put a hole in the bulk head for my current build.

Before that I did one that bolted into the bulkhead and came out under the bumper, had a bar that went back t the exhaust hanger on the trans. Don't think I have pictures of it.

Pretty easy you can thread a 1/4" steel behind there, I did not run a rear valance with this setup. Towed great, with my tire trailer.

Posted by: stevegm Sep 29 2016, 07:06 PM

Did that previous set up work well? How heavy a trailer did you tow with it?

Posted by: 914forme Sep 29 2016, 07:17 PM

Worked very well, towed all over Ohio with it going to auto-x.

Maybe 400 pounds with trailer, tools, jack, tires and wheels, and beverages. Towed like it was not there, the key is taking the load back to a point that can handle it.

Tongue weight was next to nothing babe 75 pounds. I also ran all LED lights, and you will need a light combiner. I just flipped the 4 pole out of the trunk, and closed the lid on them, never had an issue. Get to the paddock, drop the trailer switch wheels, and

BTW, the tool storage bin, doubled as a cooler for the local cruise in. Fill it with ice and drinks, and your set