New lightweight FM trailer hitch GB
 

More details on the hitch here. I think this thing is perfect for a lot of the MT.net members who do a lot of track work.

We're running an introductory group buy on the hitch so we can buy a larger volume. If we can get 10 people by the end of the month, we'll be able to drop the price to $199.
FM Group Buy center

The photos of the actual part are the prototype. Mark made some small improvements for lighter weight and more strength, as seen in the rendering.
http://www.flyinmiata.com/Store/images/29-50000.jpg
http://www.flyinmiata.com/Store/images/29-50000a.jpg
http://www.flyinmiata.com/Store/images/29-50000b.jpg

Cool Part Keith. I went to buy it, but saw NA fitment only.

Good luck with the GB. I'll watch for an NB version.

Good timing, we were just talking about it!

It's NA fitment only for a couple of reasons. It's a much easier one to design than the NB, and Mark at Paco has an NA :) We're talking about an NB and NC version, but I don't have any details.

will it clear the rear skirt if you have one?

Found this on the actual product page on FM's site: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...umber=29-50000

i don't read well.

I never had the rear skirt, but I liked that the receiver dipped low enough to clear it if i were ever to add it.

Nice timing! Hope the buy gets put together. If I don't DIY something quick I'll definetly be in.

Even if the buy doesn't go through, we'll have these available for $225.

I think we'll have an optional ball mount that gives clearance for the rear skirt. I don't know if it will be made standard due to the loss in ground clearance. Strength won't be an issue, that part is way overbuilt.

IN



...terested.

Is there any idea what a standard Miata hitch weighs? Please don't make me get the wrenches out. I also need a weight on this item for NASA TT classing ASAP because I'm trying to email the NASA director yesterday.

Curt's specs for their version of the hidden hitch list a weight of 21 lbs. Not sure if that includes the removable part or not.

Screw all that noise, I'll buy it. I ordered through the website as suggested.

The removable part adds a LOT of weight. However, that's not important unless the trailer is coming on the track with you.

Actual weight of our receiver is 8 lbs. You have to remove 3 lbs worth of tie-down hooks to install it, thus the total weight gain of 5 lbs. Just in case NASA cares.

95% sure I'm in for this. Just need to see how my finances are at the end of the month.

Can I finally fit one of those rear "SM style" tow hooks back there with this mounted?

Or is there any chance that the hitch could be made with tow eyes integrated into the mounting plates for example? I think this would be of interest to anyone tracking their car, which is probably a large percentage of people who'd be buying these hitches. See attached crappy photoshop for general idea.

Another possibility would be to take a standard tow eye and cut a square notch so it slips over the horizontal hitch tube on the inside of the end plate. Probably would then want to weld the two together so the tow eye isn't rendered too flimsy by notching it. If you had a welder and more effort than I, it could be done.

Or replace the ball hitch assembly arm thing with a toe hook on a pin. Pull ball/drop hitch, replace with tow hook, not get yelled at by NASA people. Right now I'm pulling the hitch, then bolting in the tow loop.

There's also the option for romantic attachments.

Update - we've now tweaked the design of the ball mount so it can be adjusted for height. The lowest setting will clear the R package, and you can now match your hitch height to your trailer. This will be standard on all the hitches, including any already ordered.

A tow hook attachment for the receiver? Interesting idea.

also interested to know.

i have some SM style hooks and would prefer not to lose it.

Keith,

When I ran a "Hidden Hitch" years ago, and drove my car to-and-from the track, I bought an extra ball carrier (the removable J-hook). Instead of a ball, I attached a tow hook to it. Once at the track, I would swap-out the ball for the hook. I bet you would sell a bunch if you offered this as an add-on, and it would likely increase interest in the hitch.

Just a thought.

- Will

Mark did the drawing last night :) It's got two tow loops splayed out at a 90 degree angle, built out of 3/16" steel as per the SCCA specs. Don't mind the tabs, that's just part of the assembly. It'll be welded up of course. 2.5 lbs.

Will you be able to keep your existing SM hooks with this hitch? I'm not 100% sure, that's going to depend on the design of the hooks themselves. I'll get some pictures of how it mounts to the car when Mike brings the prototype (and the car it is attached to) in to work.

As long as it's powder coated bright orange, I'm sure everyone will like it. Why two?

Because of how it's fabricated, it was just as easy to do two as one. And this way it's more accessible from more angles. We haven't done a test-fit on a car yet though, it's still in the design stage.

I like this design more than the one you posted with the integrated receiver on M.net. I HATE looking at the receiver on the car, this hitch is "hidden" for a reason.

Well, the options are either the ball mount or the receiver with tow loops. Sorry, we're trying to limit the number of options.

The original group buy failed, but we've introduced an NB version of this hitch and reopened it. Looks like the NB owners are going to give us the numbers we need, so it should go through.