Can tow bolt holes be used for trailer hitch

[Dunerunner]

this hitch was engineered like the one mentioned by Smartfor2guy. There is the key to liability...engineered!



The Ultimate Class 1 Style SMART CAR TRAILER HICH including SAFETY CHAIN HOLDERS.

NO DRILLING REQUIRED! Factory fit with no drilling or modifications required.

1.25 inch square receiver allows for the addition of many accessories including our Sport Rack Bike Rack.
This hitch kit comes complete with full installation instructions and parts: Tow hitch under bumper replacement, stainless steel fittings, lock tite, and a 11 page INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Optional Tail Light Wiring Adapter Kit with self power, full circuit protection, and a full 20 Amp out to trailer for brighter lights.
Designed and manufactured in NORTH AMERICA from high quality, powder coated steel for strength and durability. Computer designed and tested by ISO 9001 Certified Factory.

Price: Hitch Kit: $480.00 CDN
Wiring Kit: $70.00 CDN
Special: Complete Hitch Kit with Wiring Kit: $499.00 save $51.00

From Smart Car Universe (a supporting vendor)
Smart Car Parts and Accessories » Smart Car Universe .com

[nprsmart]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

this hitch was engineered like the one mentioned by Smartfor2guy. There is the key to liability...engineered!




From Smart Car Universe (a supporting vendor)
Smart Car Parts and Accessories » Smart Car Universe .com

This is the one a buddy and I put on my cabrio. Installation took us about 3 hours to fumble through. The instructions are pretty clear and no drilling is required. It's more expensive than the U-Haul hitch, but comes out through the rear valance rather than under it. I like the extra ground clearance. The only unpleasant surprise was getting dinged by customs for importing it into the US from Canada. So much for NAFTA.

[smartah]

What are the exact specs on the tow bolt? Are they Whitworth threads? Pitch? Dia?

[DowneasTTer]

I can't say enough about the SCU hitch. I purchased one of the first 451 models and had a small problem. Les, the owner had to do a little redesign on the system and send the updated version. Found that installation was a LOT less time consuming if you can put the smartie on a lift. Anyway since installation I have used the hitch to haul a rack and roll trailer with two kayaks and two bikes all over the northeast putting on over 4k of Max's current 7k. Great product, and super customer service. Allows the smart to enter into the big car arena. What fun at Home Depot the other day putting 4 by 8 the trailer with Max doing the pulling. Got more than a few looks that is.

DowneasTTer
Orrington, ME

[forestacademy]

Well if your using a Single wheel trailer then the tow hook bolt holes would be the better answer.


But that would be old school Welcome to Single Wheel.com

This is a modern car and there are modern answers like others have mentioned

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by smartah

What are the exact specs on the tow bolt? Are they Whitworth threads? Pitch? Dia?

The tow eye threads are 30° ISO-Metric M15 x 4.0 "Acme," and not much of it either. Acme threads are not intended to be a binding "fastener," but rather their primary function is to easily translate rotary motion into linear motion. Thus they are used in vises, screwjacks, and lead screws on lathes. Because they don't bind, they have a practical use on the smart tow eye as it allows the eye to be easily threaded in without tools. Acme threads have great linear strength compared to common threads, but I wouldn't trust their use as fasteners (bolts).

[UFOFORTOM]

Originally Posted by mweaver

Can the tow bolt holes in a 451 be used for a trailer hitch? Since their purpose is to be able to tow the car backwards, it only seems reasonable that bolts screwed into them would be strong enough to pull a trailer that would be substantially lighter than the car itself. Has anyone tried this? Does anyone manufacture such a product? It just seems it would be a simpler solution than the expensive hitches that bolt to the frame and require drilling holes in it. I've seen various ss bolts that fit the holes for sale. One had a hex top on it that if the hitch was cut to fit it, the bolt would not be able to unscrew itself.

Yes you can use the toe hook bolt holes.
you can go to the web & type in ACME BOLT & NUTS & get a large number of companys that carry acme.
I found mine at
BARNHILL BOLTS IN ALBUQUERQUE, N M -87107
PHO-505-884-1808 OR 800-472-3900
FAX-505-888-1559
2500 PRINCETON N E
PART # -115-58-36-00-5/8"X 36" ROD-29 DEGREES-8 TPI (8 THREADS PER INCH )--- COST-$21.35
PART # 249-58-00 --ACME NUTS-- SAME THREAD AS ABOVE--COST $3.85 EACH.
I cut them to 6 " lenghts & screwed them into the 4 toe hook holes & installed bront & rear bumpers. There is the second hole in front. I just taped a plain piece of paper over the toe hook hole that shows in front & used a pencil to rub over the hole & also marked the panel lines, then fliped it over to other side to find where the other hole was. It came out perfect.
Good luck on your bumper.
UFOFORTOM

[jwight]

...I like to call it "south of the border engineering"...lol

Wonder if the Canadians have the same thoughts about stuff engineered in the US? Maybe not the best choice of words.

[ciscocali]

The ACME thread is a squared thread which really is not good to use on the tow bumper. The actual thread is proprietary and if you look closely, it is round. The ACME thread may initially work but it will eventually wear off the female part. Eventually, it will loosen up and start to wobble. The only way to have a piece made is to find a good machinist to make one for you. The machinist will have to actually make the tool for his lathe machine. There is no other way around it. it is a fairly costly process.

I would not suggest using an ACME thread.

Smart Madness does have support bars that were specifically machined for the Smart Car. The thread is rounded and precisely machined.

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Well if your using a Single wheel trailer then the tow hook bolt holes would be the better answer.


But that would be old school Welcome to Single Wheel.com

This is a modern car and there are modern answers like others have mentioned

Here is what seems like a more modern version of the single wheel trailer.


Here is one from Smart Trailers (Smart Trailer for a Smart Car? ).


Here are the Google results for single wheel trailer.