I just ordered one. Thanks for posting this very informative video. I got the 1 1/4" receiver because the Yuat Sherpa 2.0 bike rack is 1 1/4" and it has an integrated anti sway feature that works well.
Great comparison of the two "hidden" hitches. Thank you for being a customer in the unique position to have owned both as the technology in the industry evolved. I have a mk7 VW Golf R and am a big hitch accessory fan. But at the time I purchased the car, only the EcoHitch was out. Great hitch, almost hidden, but not quite. I'm picky. I found there was the StealthHitch, but they only had it for the GTI, which was slightly different from the R- enough of a difference to necessitate different model. I contacted StealthHitch and they said the only thing holding them back from producing the R unit was someone willing to be the guinea pig. The first customer gets a free unit and free install. But they are located in Atlanta. Anyway, someone finally must have been that first customer, because I recently got the email stating that it is now available! Currently sitting in my living room awaiting a few other unrelated items to be delivered before I install it in my driveway.
Dear Jon, Thank you for sharing this video. We are so sorry to lose you as a customer and do hope some day that we may work with you again. There were two things we were hoping to address. You had indicated that someone in our customer support team advised you that the bolt should not thread easily. When we heard you say that, we couldn’t believe it. But then we were saddened to actually find an email record showing that someone on our team did tell you that. The person who told you that is no longer with us and we also met with each customer service representative on our team to talk about this misinformation because you never should have been told that. The bolt should thread easily. You also noted a work around you found for attaching safety chains. Out of the thousands of hitches we have sold to Model 3 owners, we have only heard of a couple folks with safety chain access concerns. They were able to go with a couple of adjustable quick links to solve the concern. I am going to get this video and your concern to our design engineers for review as well. Thank you again for sharing this information, we take it very seriously and we use this as a way for us to be a better company from the individuals who represent it to the products that leave our building. - Candice from Torklift
Torklift Central I really appreciate your guy’s response to this video! I’m looking to buy a hitch and your response to criticism definitely makes me want to support you guys!
@@User82558 thanks so much for your comment - we truly appreciate all feedback so we can continually improve. We hope that if you do choose to get an EcoHitch that you thoroughly enjoy using it! If you have any questions at all about our hitch, you can contact our tech support at 800-246-8132. :)
@@torklift_central I too have the same issue with nut being too tight to turn. I've sent picture to Andrew at Torklift and still have no answer. Will you guys make it right?
@@ai4px Hi Wes, I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’re facing, and we would absolutely like to take the opportunity to make this right. I spoke with Andrew, and we can seem to locate those photos - would you mind resending to support@torklift.com? In the email if you can include a good call back number I can have a customer service representative reach out to you as soon as the photos come through. We look forward to hearing from you.
@@torklift_central Hi, I just received my Eco hitch today. I will look for this issue. As a machinist, this kind of thread jamming in the hole could be a couple of things: 1- there is paint residue in the threaded hole. Easy fix with a tap to clean the threads. 2- The shank of the bolt is a bit excentric or holes are missaligned passing through the square tube and each half turn, the bolts shank rubs against the hole passing through the square tube. This is hader to fix and needs redrilling of the holes all at same time to make em align perfectly through the other side. Hope this helps.
Thanks I too am looking for a 2 inch hitch for a bike rack and priced out both of these models. I can appreciate the ease of the stealth but am worried about the longevity of the receivers mated to the hitch. How it locks and holds it is my worry. Great video, best one i have seen out of many i’ve looked at, well done. You focus more on the most important parts of where one interacts with the hitch, rather than the install process.
This design is similar to how the Land Rover hitch system works on LR3/4/Range Rover Sport. I think LR does it better since there is no play in hitch once it is latched into the frame. Also, LR delivers all their vehicles from the factory with the frame in place, you only need to buy the adapters.
Few things I'm concerned about. First, I worry about the strength of that push in connection. Having to only be rotated a quarter turn to release means there can't be much actually holding it on. I would try jumping on that hitch before trusting it to tow 2000 pounds down the road. It should be able to withstand 250-300 pounds of force easily without budging. Second, and this is the big one, is that piece that you are referring to in the video as a bumper at 9:20 and 11:30, is NOT a bumper. That is the rear crash bar, a very important piece for the crash worthiness in a rear end collision. That tow hitch takes the 6 bolt connection of it down to 4 bolts, and through a rather flimsy looking adapter plate at that. The holes on that adapter plate aren't even circles, they are oblong (for adjustment fit yes, but that weakens the connection). For that reason alone, I would NOT use that tow hitch. The Ecohitch may a little more cumbersome to use, but it looks WAY more sturdy in construction. My 2 cents.
Hey Jon! Great video. I’m wanting to add one of these to our tesla and our alpha Romero BUT….. my BIGGEST concern and no one has addressed it yet is how much “play” or “rattling” if any will be heard and felt with a bike rack on there. Our bike racks are very expensive and come specifically with a way to lock tight inside the receiver so there is literally no rattling. With this having a point that two go together it seams as if that would introduce rattling even if its very tight. This would drive us crazy as we leave our bike rack on almost full time. Give that thing a good shake up and down and side to side and let me know if I can expect any “play” at all PLEASE! LOL THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!! John
There isn't any play at all with the connection. I also use a locking type mount for my bike rack and also for a cargo carrier platform and it's completely silent with both setups.
a silly question maybe.. If Tesla comes with a adaptor already under that panel .. is the metal receiver adaptor alone not enough for a bike rack? Why the entire frame etc for over 400-500$ ?
Hello, I just installed the Stealth hitch on my 2019 mod 3 and found your video extremely helpful. The one item that has stumped me the most is the clip and T25 screw (8:15). Unlike your situation (14:08), my panel doesn't pop in tight and there is an obvious gap. I'm not sure if I'm positioning the clip correctly, it doesn't appear to attach the panel to anything, only to itself. I'm embarrassed to say but after putting everything back together I realized I forgot to install the safety chain eyelets to the steel receiver block. Guess I'll be doing this all over again.
On both the bumper cover and on the panel above, there is a tab with a hole. The clip goes on the upper panel tab, and the T25 screw goes through bumper cover tab, then into the clip. If you send me an email, I can send a photo with more detail. jonco223 at gmail
Hey Jon, great video! I have been going back and forth on the torklift vs. the stealth hitch and decided on the stealth hitch. My only question is where did you get the rear bumper splash shield with the access panel? Can't seem to find one anywhere.
What's the part number for the rear cover you mentioned with cutout for hitch? Nevermind.... found in comments below... Model 3, Rr Fascia, Diffuser(1135410-00-A) Excellent video!!! I picked up this cover from my Tesla service center, the part number is correct and the part was $130 plus tax.
When towing trailers earlier in my life, I understood that the safety chains were supposed to cross each other between the trailer and the hitch, essentially to "catch" the trailer tongue if it came off the ball. Was that missed accidentally in this example (yes, the focus was on how to install the hitches), or have the "rules" changed?
No, you are correct- trailer safety chains should be crossed. For the reason you describe. God forbid the ball or pintle hook separate from the trailer- having crossed safety chains is an attempt to prevent the detached trailer from hitting the ground and potentially pole-vaulting into a pothole. At speed, this would probably snap the chains and now you have a runaway trailer situation- obviously an extremely dangerous situation completely out of anyone's control at this point. Yes, bigger trailers will have air brakes which when separated de-energize and brake the trailer. Electric brake trailers will have a backup battery to the same effect. But why resort to this when you have a safer first line of defense?
Curious what the ground clearance is with hitch adapter installed. The hitch receiver that have on my Golf GTI has 7 1/4" of ground clearance and I'm finding it a tad too close.
Damn dude. You know your stuff. I’m currently trying to figure out which hitch is best and a little worried about the corrosion that I’ve been reading about with these hitches. Do you know for sure if the plastic washers fix the corrosion problem?
You can definitely install without lifting the car. The only thing you need to do under the car is remove the splash shield, which can be done without lifting.
Sorry to ask such a silly question but I really like the rare earth magnet you used to retain your harness. Did you use a magnet and make the set up or did you buy it like that somewhere and if so where? You’ve sold me on getting the Steal Hitches set up for my car. Thank you for the awesome video.
I haven't yet towed one of those trailers with my Model 3, but have done so with past cars I've owned. With the trailers I have towed so far, the Model 3 has performed better than any of my past cars, so I wouldn't hesitate to tow a uhaul type trailer. As with any towing, just make sure to load the trailer so you have an appropriate tongue weight on the hitch. The only issue I can see would be increased consumption with the additional drag, which may or may not be an issue for you depending on how far you have to go.
If you mount the wiring module in the passenger side of the trunk behind the trim, there is an existing wire bundle that goes out through a rubber grommet towards the wheel. I ran the trailer wiring through there, and then along the hitch. I think I may have some footage of that process, I will see if it makes enough sense to put in a video...
Did you happen to have that video footage of running the wiring? How hard is it to take off the plastic end, run the wiring through the grommet and then put the connector back on? thx
For the wiring harness... did you need to tap, cut, or wire a constant 12V feed? Was it 100% installed wo any cutting, tapping or drilling? I read it requires a constant 12V. Thanks! Btw, I may try the curt C45FR. They redesigned it apparently in April 2020. Non stealth, but also under $300 shipped.
@@CoollllCat You can use the power from the grey connector made for towing if you have a 2019 and up. Red wire is 12v. Here are the wiring for Tesla model 3: Left flasher: PURPLE wire Right flasher: RED wire Brakes: GREY wire (both sides, but need to connect on one side or the other) Running light markers: YELLOW wire (both sides, but need to connect on one side or the other)
The extra wire just lays on top of the splash shield, and the end of the wire can be attached to any metal part of the hitch (with the included magnet from Stealthhitches) to keep it from moving around.
Model 3, Rr Fascia, Diffuser(1135410-00-A), which includes a tow cover piece. If you need that tow cover piece separately, it's: Model 3, Rr Fascia, Cover, Tow(1135412-00-A)
I do think it's odd the receiver adapter isn't rated for towing. Comparing the ball adapter and receiver adapter side by side, I'd say the receiver adapter probably needs some additional welding and reinforcement to make it as strong as the ball adapter. You can buy just the ball receiver for $119. The $300 upcharge on the hitch includes the wiring harness.
I normally use a Harbor Freight trailer, 1200ish lbs max weight, I think. The car will show it senses an object on the ultrasonic sensors. Usually, I only get a pop up message warning when I use a cargo carrier - something about parking sensor obstruction.
If you mount the wiring module in the passenger side of the trunk behind the trim, there is an existing wire bundle that goes out through a rubber grommet towards the wheel. I ran the trailer wiring through there, and then along the hitch. I think I may have some footage of that process, I will see if it makes enough sense to put in a video...
Best DIY for the model 3 on UA-cam. Thanks again, Jon ! Well done.
The Stealth Hitch is an incredible improvement! I love it, Jon. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible installation videos.
I just ordered one. Thanks for posting this very informative video. I got the 1 1/4" receiver because the Yuat Sherpa 2.0 bike rack is 1 1/4" and it has an integrated anti sway feature that works well.
Nice work!
1:35 new splash shield was new info to me.
Thank you for a detailed comparison. Best video on the stealth hitch for Model 3.
Holy cow, really well-done video. Thanks. I'll follow this step-by-step to install one on my M3P.
Great comparison of the two "hidden" hitches. Thank you for being a customer in the unique position to have owned both as the technology in the industry evolved. I have a mk7 VW Golf R and am a big hitch accessory fan. But at the time I purchased the car, only the EcoHitch was out. Great hitch, almost hidden, but not quite. I'm picky. I found there was the StealthHitch, but they only had it for the GTI, which was slightly different from the R- enough of a difference to necessitate different model. I contacted StealthHitch and they said the only thing holding them back from producing the R unit was someone willing to be the guinea pig. The first customer gets a free unit and free install. But they are located in Atlanta. Anyway, someone finally must have been that first customer, because I recently got the email stating that it is now available! Currently sitting in my living room awaiting a few other unrelated items to be delivered before I install it in my driveway.
This is the best demo for installation. Great job.
Dear Jon,
Thank you for sharing this video. We are so sorry to lose you as a customer and do hope some day that we may work with you again. There were two things we were hoping to address.
You had indicated that someone in our customer support team advised you that the bolt should not thread easily. When we heard you say that, we couldn’t believe it. But then we were saddened to actually find an email record showing that someone on our team did tell you that. The person who told you that is no longer with us and we also met with each customer service representative on our team to talk about this misinformation because you never should have been told that. The bolt should thread easily.
You also noted a work around you found for attaching safety chains.
Out of the thousands of hitches we have sold to Model 3 owners, we have only heard of a couple folks with safety chain access concerns. They were able to go with a couple of adjustable quick links to solve the concern. I am going to get this video and your concern to our design engineers for review as well.
Thank you again for sharing this information, we take it very seriously and we use this as a way for us to be a better company from the individuals who represent it to the products that leave our building.
- Candice from Torklift
Torklift Central I really appreciate your guy’s response to this video! I’m looking to buy a hitch and your response to criticism definitely makes me want to support you guys!
@@User82558 thanks so much for your comment - we truly appreciate all feedback so we can continually improve. We hope that if you do choose to get an EcoHitch that you thoroughly enjoy using it! If you have any questions at all about our hitch, you can contact our tech support at 800-246-8132. :)
@@torklift_central I too have the same issue with nut being too tight to turn. I've sent picture to Andrew at Torklift and still have no answer. Will you guys make it right?
@@ai4px Hi Wes,
I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’re facing, and we would absolutely like to take the opportunity to make this right. I spoke with Andrew, and we can seem to locate those photos - would you mind resending to support@torklift.com? In the email if you can include a good call back number I can have a customer service representative reach out to you as soon as the photos come through. We look forward to hearing from you.
@@torklift_central Hi, I just received my Eco hitch today. I will look for this issue. As a machinist, this kind of thread jamming in the hole could be a couple of things:
1- there is paint residue in the threaded hole. Easy fix with a tap to clean the threads.
2- The shank of the bolt is a bit excentric or holes are missaligned passing through the square tube and each half turn, the bolts shank rubs against the hole passing through the square tube. This is hader to fix and needs redrilling of the holes all at same time to make em align perfectly through the other side.
Hope this helps.
Excellent how-to-do video! Thanks
Thanks I too am looking for a 2 inch hitch for a bike rack and priced out both of these models. I can appreciate the ease of the stealth but am worried about the longevity of the receivers mated to the hitch. How it locks and holds it is my worry. Great video, best one i have seen out of many i’ve looked at, well done. You focus more on the most important parts of where one interacts with the hitch, rather than the install process.
This design is similar to how the Land Rover hitch system works on LR3/4/Range Rover Sport. I think LR does it better since there is no play in hitch once it is latched into the frame. Also, LR delivers all their vehicles from the factory with the frame in place, you only need to buy the adapters.
Awesome, straight forward, informative, instructional video my friend. Well done. Cheers!
Thank you for the video! I was able to install mine following it 😅
Great video, Jon!
This is awesome,THANK YOU.
Few things I'm concerned about.
First, I worry about the strength of that push in connection. Having to only be rotated a quarter turn to release means there can't be much actually holding it on. I would try jumping on that hitch before trusting it to tow 2000 pounds down the road. It should be able to withstand 250-300 pounds of force easily without budging.
Second, and this is the big one, is that piece that you are referring to in the video as a bumper at 9:20 and 11:30, is NOT a bumper. That is the rear crash bar, a very important piece for the crash worthiness in a rear end collision. That tow hitch takes the 6 bolt connection of it down to 4 bolts, and through a rather flimsy looking adapter plate at that. The holes on that adapter plate aren't even circles, they are oblong (for adjustment fit yes, but that weakens the connection). For that reason alone, I would NOT use that tow hitch.
The Ecohitch may a little more cumbersome to use, but it looks WAY more sturdy in construction.
My 2 cents.
Nicely done video. Thanks!
Hey Jon! Great video. I’m wanting to add one of these to our tesla and our alpha Romero BUT….. my BIGGEST concern and no one has addressed it yet is how much “play” or “rattling” if any will be heard and felt with a bike rack on there. Our bike racks are very expensive and come specifically with a way to lock tight inside the receiver so there is literally no rattling. With this having a point that two go together it seams as if that would introduce rattling even if its very tight. This would drive us crazy as we leave our bike rack on almost full time. Give that thing a good shake up and down and side to side and let me know if I can expect any “play” at all PLEASE! LOL THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!! John
There isn't any play at all with the connection. I also use a locking type mount for my bike rack and also for a cargo carrier platform and it's completely silent with both setups.
Thanks, good video.
a silly question maybe.. If Tesla comes with a adaptor already under that panel .. is the metal receiver adaptor alone not enough for a bike rack? Why the entire frame etc for over 400-500$ ?
excellent video - thank you
Hello, I just installed the Stealth hitch on my 2019 mod 3 and found your video extremely helpful. The one item that has stumped me the most is the clip and T25 screw (8:15). Unlike your situation (14:08), my panel doesn't pop in tight and there is an obvious gap. I'm not sure if I'm positioning the clip correctly, it doesn't appear to attach the panel to anything, only to itself. I'm embarrassed to say but after putting everything back together I realized I forgot to install the safety chain eyelets to the steel receiver block. Guess I'll be doing this all over again.
On both the bumper cover and on the panel above, there is a tab with a hole. The clip goes on the upper panel tab, and the T25 screw goes through bumper cover tab, then into the clip. If you send me an email, I can send a photo with more detail. jonco223 at gmail
Hey Jon, great video! I have been going back and forth on the torklift vs. the stealth hitch and decided on the stealth hitch. My only question is where did you get the rear bumper splash shield with the access panel? Can't seem to find one anywhere.
Nevermind, just saw your response to an earlier comment. I'll contact my Tesla service center.
@@FrugalTeslaGuy Jon’s videos are really awesome!
Great video
What's the part number for the rear cover you mentioned with cutout for hitch? Nevermind.... found in comments below... Model 3, Rr Fascia, Diffuser(1135410-00-A) Excellent video!!! I picked up this cover from my Tesla service center, the part number is correct and the part was $130 plus tax.
Can you get Tesla software to support the 3rd party hitch?
Great video. Any way you can tell me what kind of hitch riser you're using @4:37?
It's a MaxxHaul 70067 www.amazon.com/dp/B008CE06ZA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apap_3XqYi3jZBJBKS
You cut a piece out of the wrench 🔧 and welded it back together to make it shorter! What could be simpler? 😂😂
When towing trailers earlier in my life, I understood that the safety chains were supposed to cross each other between the trailer and the hitch, essentially to "catch" the trailer tongue if it came off the ball. Was that missed accidentally in this example (yes, the focus was on how to install the hitches), or have the "rules" changed?
No, you are correct- trailer safety chains should be crossed. For the reason you describe. God forbid the ball or pintle hook separate from the trailer- having crossed safety chains is an attempt to prevent the detached trailer from hitting the ground and potentially pole-vaulting into a pothole. At speed, this would probably snap the chains and now you have a runaway trailer situation- obviously an extremely dangerous situation completely out of anyone's control at this point. Yes, bigger trailers will have air brakes which when separated de-energize and brake the trailer. Electric brake trailers will have a backup battery to the same effect. But why resort to this when you have a safer first line of defense?
What's the torque used to tight the bolts for the aluminum bumper??
Where to look for these specifications?
Thanks!
Curious what the ground clearance is with hitch adapter installed. The hitch receiver that have on my Golf GTI has 7 1/4" of ground clearance and I'm finding it a tad too close.
Damn dude. You know your stuff. I’m currently trying to figure out which hitch is best and a little worried about the corrosion that I’ve been reading about with these hitches. Do you know for sure if the plastic washers fix the corrosion problem?
Thanks for the video. Is there enough space under the model 3 to be able to install yourself without having to lift the car hydraulically?
You can definitely install without lifting the car. The only thing you need to do under the car is remove the splash shield, which can be done without lifting.
Sorry to ask such a silly question but I really like the rare earth magnet you used to retain your harness. Did you use a magnet and make the set up or did you buy it like that somewhere and if so where? You’ve sold me on getting the Steal Hitches set up for my car. Thank you for the awesome video.
It came with the wiring kit from Stealth Hitches
Do you have any videos or thoughts on using the model 3 to hitch a uhaul container to move furniture and beds? Mainly for moving into college dorms
I haven't yet towed one of those trailers with my Model 3, but have done so with past cars I've owned. With the trailers I have towed so far, the Model 3 has performed better than any of my past cars, so I wouldn't hesitate to tow a uhaul type trailer. As with any towing, just make sure to load the trailer so you have an appropriate tongue weight on the hitch. The only issue I can see would be increased consumption with the additional drag, which may or may not be an issue for you depending on how far you have to go.
How much for your old setup?
Very useful video. One question though, how did you route the wire harness to come out the bottom?
I would like to know this as well
If you mount the wiring module in the passenger side of the trunk behind the trim, there is an existing wire bundle that goes out through a rubber grommet towards the wheel. I ran the trailer wiring through there, and then along the hitch. I think I may have some footage of that process, I will see if it makes enough sense to put in a video...
Did you happen to have that video footage of running the wiring? How hard is it to take off the plastic end, run the wiring through the grommet and then put the connector back on? thx
For the wiring harness... did you need to tap, cut, or wire a constant 12V feed? Was it 100% installed wo any cutting, tapping or drilling? I read it requires a constant 12V. Thanks! Btw, I may try the curt C45FR. They redesigned it apparently in April 2020. Non stealth, but also under $300 shipped.
@@CoollllCat You can use the power from the grey connector made for towing if you have a 2019 and up. Red wire is 12v.
Here are the wiring for Tesla model 3:
Left flasher: PURPLE wire
Right flasher: RED wire
Brakes: GREY wire (both sides, but need to connect on one side or the other)
Running light markers: YELLOW wire (both sides, but need to connect on one side or the other)
Where or how do you store the exposed wiring harnes when using a bike rack? Great video by the way!
The extra wire just lays on top of the splash shield, and the end of the wire can be attached to any metal part of the hitch (with the included magnet from Stealthhitches) to keep it from moving around.
@@rdtc2854 Thanks a lot
What are you towing? I'm looking for a camper and wonder if you are using one?
good job sir!..subscribed
Hey Jon, great video. Do you have the part # for the newer rear underbody panel with the access hatch?
Model 3, Rr Fascia, Diffuser(1135410-00-A), which includes a tow cover piece. If you need that tow cover piece separately, it's: Model 3, Rr Fascia, Cover, Tow(1135412-00-A)
@@rdtc2854 Thank you!
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Where can I purchase the chain hooks for the ecohitch which you were using?
I bent them from some 1/4" steel rod to fit the hitch.
Can't you just tow with the receiver adapter? They want over $300 for the trailer ball adapter.
I do think it's odd the receiver adapter isn't rated for towing. Comparing the ball adapter and receiver adapter side by side, I'd say the receiver adapter probably needs some additional welding and reinforcement to make it as strong as the ball adapter. You can buy just the ball receiver for $119. The $300 upcharge on the hitch includes the wiring harness.
@@rdtc2854 Thanks
Do you have a part number for the new splash shields? Just wondering how you ordered them.
I asked my mobile service tech and he looked it up and ordered it. The description from my receipt is: Model 3, Rr Fascia, Diffuser(1135410-00-A)
What weight of trailer did you use and did you get back up camera alarms?
I normally use a Harbor Freight trailer, 1200ish lbs max weight, I think. The car will show it senses an object on the ultrasonic sensors. Usually, I only get a pop up message warning when I use a cargo carrier - something about parking sensor obstruction.
@@rdtc2854 so can you turn the alarm off?
@@justinstewart3248 I wouldn't call it an alarm, it's just a pop up message on the screen (nothing audible), which you can minimize.
@@rdtc2854 thank you!
Does anyone have the part number for the newer gravel / splash shield?
1135410
How did you install the trailer wiring?
If you mount the wiring module in the passenger side of the trunk behind the trim, there is an existing wire bundle that goes out through a rubber grommet towards the wheel. I ran the trailer wiring through there, and then along the hitch. I think I may have some footage of that process, I will see if it makes enough sense to put in a video...
@@rdtc2854 Did you made this video finally?
I have a bike rack that rattles around side to side. Can you tell me where I can get the anti-rattle bolt in device you used in your previous system?
www.amazon.com/dp/B000T5BI8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_awG2DbWP3ZV95