Hitch for an SE?

[BlueTundra]

I would like to put a hitch/receiver on my 2009 Camry SE. I would like to use it for a bike rack. So far most of the hitches I have found show that they will not work with the SE as it interferes with the lower bumper/ground effects.

Do any of you SE owners have a hitch? If so, did you have to "modify" the body panel?

Pics would be great!

[catric69]

Have you thought about a roof rack?

Finally took some Pics

Thule Roof Racks on 07 Camry SE

[BlueTundra]

The roof rack has some advantages, but I'm trying to avoid excess vehicle height.

I also would like to share the hitch mounted rack with my other vehicle and it might be handy to be able to haul a very small utility trailer around town.

I hate the idea of having to cut into the rear ground effects for a hitch or having it hang too low, so a roof mount might be the answer.

The strap on bike racks leave evidence of use especially if it rains and debris makes it's way hear the pads on the trunk.

[BykViking]

I must have ignored the drilling required ones when researching before, and thus could not find any of the easy-on styles that would work... after some more research Hidden Hitch and DrawTite should work (and appear to be the same?).

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2009_Toyota_Camry.htm (I think the price difference btwn the HH & DT is the included Ball Mount w/ the HH).
- $121-136 w/ free freight over $150

http://www.hitchmart.com/commerce/pr...Id=966&catId=1
- $146 w/ free freight over $98

I'll order mine tomorrow after I call one of these two stores to confirm that it will work on the SE.

[BlueTundra]

Great find BykViking!
Please keep us (me) updated with your progress and how the hitch looks and the installation.

THANKS!

[BykViking]

Well I just ordered it from etrailer.com after confirming with them that it will fit the '09 Camry SE. I chose the DrawTite since it was less expensive allowing me to add a couple of small items to push my total over $150 and I did not need the extra parts the Hidden Hitch came with. If you don't need or want any extras I would recommend going with Hitchmart.com and saving a few bucks.

I don't mind the idea of drilling into the trunk compartment since I live in SoCal, so rust is not a concern. I am also leasing so if I bother to remove it before trading it in in a few years I doubt they would notice. I am at a loss as to how I plan to get under the car to do the installation, but I'll figure that out later.

I'll keep anyone following this thread informed as to how it goes, the hitch will be here next week and I'll likely work on it over that weekend.

[workerant]

I guess the '09 is the same as the '07.

BykViking, could you take some pics to help us see how you install it? I hope it somehow attachs to the body frame for strength.

I do have the coating spray that use to coat the truck's surface to prevent scratch. I think it will work great to prevent water going in.

$150 and another $100 for the bike rack...

[BykViking]

LINK: http://picasaweb.google.com/kmkviking/HitchInstall#

Pic1: Everything you (should) need. A flathead screwdriver, 11/32 & 19mm sockets ended up being necessary despite the instructions... oh! and a drop light since this took me a little longer than anticipated. I did install it without jacking up the car. I highly recommend giving yourself a little more room.

Removed the everything from the trunk including the spare tire, then lowered the exhaust. Removing those rubber hangers can be a pain, actually unbolted the two bolts holding the hanger in the middle.

Pic2: Everything you remove. The only pieces that get reused are the two fascia screw clips that are accessible once you remove the big plastic cover. I needed the 11/32" since the 10mm slipped on one of the three plastic nuts you can make out on the front.

Pic3: Shows hitch installed, but in order to get it up inside of and behind the rear fascia, I used the flathead screwdriver to temporarily hang one side until I could get a bolt started in the other. This is taken inside of rear bumper which you cannot see.

Pic4: Since the car was not lifted and I was working in the crawl space, I had to start small on the drill bits from underneath and then work bigger from above... it wasn't so awful drilling through the bottom. Looking at Pic3 again, be sure not to overtighten the 4 bolts holding the hitch from the rear bumper. This will ease the ability to slide the metal support brackets between the arms that extend back and the underside of the trunk that have the 19mm bolts and nuts that hold them together.

Pic5: Go Gators! The hitch is totally out of the way and REALLY on there. I tightened all bolts and rehung the exhaust (difficult with a piece of the hitch hindering one of the front hanger arms, but just push the exhaust towards the front of the car and it will have enough give. I then reinstalled all the trunk pieces and am good to go.

I would recommend having assistance, and giving yourself some more room. Hefting the hitch onto my chest, sliding under the car on my back and then working inside of the rear bumper area left me sore in bizarre places the next day. Think about the muscles in the front of your neck just above your breastbone searing whenever you turn your head to look... anywhere. All in all not overly difficult, but it was helpful to be skinny yet strong.

[Drifta89]

Great job, I'm sure that will be very useful to other members who need a hitch for various reasons. You can barely notice it!

[BykViking]

Please see my Picassa link from a couple of posts ago to see the new pics. Now you can see the car with my bike rack of choice installed before I head to a cross race. This is the second generation Sportworks which is now made by Thule and has been knocked off by most other major brands (Saris & Yakima).

Works fine, but the big problem is... I cannot fold up the rack when no bikes are on it as the bumper gets in the way of the front wheel scoop. I either need a hitch extender or need to try a different rack that might not protrude as much or fold up so tight. If I get around to testing some others I'll add more pics.

Also I have scraped the bottom of the rack when coming off a decently ramped driveway. I would guess it is as low as the ground effects on the front of the car. Also when hitting some speed bumps I could hear the hollow trunk floor flex like when you lightly squeeze a soda can and it pops back into shape.

Otherwise nothing adverse to report and even gas mileage wasn't horrendous.

[BlueTundra]

Thanks for the update. Looks great. I'm a little concerned about the lack of being able to see the tail lights with the angle of the photo.

Keep us posted and thanks again!

[workerant]

Originally Posted by BlueTundra

Thanks for the update. Looks great. I'm a little concerned about the lack of being able to see the tail lights with the angle of the photo.

Keep us posted and thanks again!

Brake slow.

BykViking, how much did it cost total? The hitch + bike rack. Thanks.

[BykViking]

The hitch was $146 plus I ordered the Gator head for around $15, and there was no freight. I bought the bike rack long ago, but I think the equivalent model from Thule runs over $300 in your local bike shop.

[TRD_FF]

i got the uhual hitch on mine even though they tell you it wont fit. the only modification i had to do to the actual ground effects is a tiny one inch slit on the flat black portion of the bumper way in the bottom where its not even visible.

[BlueTundra]

Thanks for the input TRD_FF. Do you have any pics of it on the car?