Hitch

[I_Wanna_Retire]

Tone has a couple different hitches on his site. One requires installer to remove rear cladding and drill/bolt to cross member. The other looks like it bolts to existing holes but may sit lower (reduce ground clearance). Anybody of experience with either? Would like to know pros/cons before buying. Thanks

[crager34]

I like Tone's hitch (have had two on two VX's. No issues with ground clearance if you go 4 wheeling. It's looks much better than the other one after install and isn't that hard to put on either, just a bit time consuming.

[tomdietrying]

I like the way Tone's hitch look too.

I did have a slight problem after I went to Moab with the hitch. On the hitch I attached a tow ring mount. I sticks out about 6 inches further than the hitch. Anyway, after up and down on some of the trails sometimes the tow mount ring would hit after going down and comong up a steep decline. This made my tow hitch push upwards. It's not much, but I know it's there. I haven't yet took off the back cladding to see what I can do to resolve the problem. I'll get around to it.

Anyhow, Tone's hitch looks better than any other mount I've seen on the VX.

Peace.
Tom

[psychos2]

I have the dalan hitch and am pleased with it.My only regret is not painting it before installing it.It has rusted due to the salt used on the roads in the winter.I have had no problems offroading with it.I have hit the hitch a few times and it is solid.It is a rear cladding protector.Here are some pics of the hitch in action.I have not seen anyone do this with tones hitch. shawn

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3038/thumbs/64boat3.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3038/64boat3.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3038/thumbs/64boat4.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3038/64boat4.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3038/thumbs/64boat2.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3038/64boat2.jpg)

[kpaske]

Tone's hitch looks the best by far - barely noticable, and looks as if it was meant to be there. Installation was fairly easy if you have a few basic tools. I can't speak of it's performance as I still haven't towed anything with it yet.

The basic installation uses 4 bolts, but it could also be welded for extra strength.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I have the d'lan hitch too and other than having to rust-proof it from time to time to hide the rust I like it alot. Spazz has it too and made mention of it's use as sort of a skid-plate when climbing rocks. I admit that Tone's hitch looks good too because of its O.E.M. look. Probably just a matter of personal taste in which you use.

As far as installation goes...the d'lan hitch uses 4 existing holes on the VX and you drill 2 holes for the 6 total. I bolted my hitch onto the 4 existing holes and used the hitch as a template to mark the 2 you need to drill. Then remove hitch and drill them out. Only other tough thing was installing the 2 bolts as they have to be dropped down through frame rails and out bottom. I removed rear plastic bumper...easy...and pulled bolts through frame with fishing line out through 2 holes you drilled....kind of a ball-buster..lol. Took like 4 hours of an afternoon to mount hitch.

[TEN36VX]

+1 to Jolly Roger.

My experience is exactly the same except I fished the nuts in from an opening in the frame forward of the mount location; no cladding removal. Install time about an hour.