Installing a Hitch on the ZHP

[Fried_Chicken]

I am finally getting rid of my beloved 1998 Volvo S90, a car built like no other car today. Luxury through integrity. The last of the original swedish volvos. Bulletproof straight-6 engine, hand-stitched leather seats, a heater capable of nuclear fusion, just an awesome awesome awesome car without needless complexities. Omg I’m going to miss this car so much.

In its last days she served as my beater tow-mobile. The only car with a hitch for all hitching needs. Now she’s going, it’s up to the ZHP to pick up the slack.

What are the best options for a ZHP hitch? I have a Sedan, 6spd MT. What about the wiring for the lights?

I did a little bit of research, I did find this: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...er-for-the-ZHP!

and this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PIIGZU...ype=automotive

But in that old thread there are no specifics about the hitch, only the trailer.

I’m going to miss the Volvo, and all cars that were built properly. Fuck.

Here is the volvo: https://i.postimg.cc/CYYFRH09/DSC-5725.jpg

[Tnhl1989]

I went with this hitch total came out to $515. It's a great kit.



https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E...product=303230

[Fried_Chicken]

I went with this hitch total came out to $515. It's a great kit.



https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E...product=303230

What did you do for electrical/lighting with this?

[Fried_Chicken]

Does it require sawing into the rear bumper/defuser?

[Tnhl1989]

I just ended up removing the diffuser they do offer a piece to cover up the diffuser as well. Really your call.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Fried_Chicken]

I did some digging. According to this guy, BMW did make a tow hitch for the e46 generation that attaches to the main bumper.

He refers to the following part:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...80#71606767756

This would be the best solution, and would conceivably give the ZHP massive towing capability >:D

Here is a link to the part (I think) on realoem.

I need to keep researching this. The ZHP engine, manual transmission, brakes, and tires, would make it a pretty excellent tow car.


More research, this time in the Vaterland. The Germany word for trailer hitch is Anhängerkupplung.

In Germany they seem to use this guy: https://www.amazon.de/Westfalia-Abne...0407994&sr=8-3

And it appears there is this OEM BMW one being sold on this website:
https://www.hubauer-shop.de/de/anhae...606767756.html

There is an asterisk here: "Auch passend für Aerodynamikpakete, Rahmen und Klappe für Aerodynamikpakete nicht im Satz enthalten!"
translated: "Also works for cars equipped with the aerodynamic package, however the frame and flap for the aerodynamic is not included with this kit!". Not sure what that means. I might give them a call and ask. This would be a pretty cool solution, although I'm not sure if the European balls work here in the U.S.

More research required.

Found a couple more options: https://www.kupplung.de/anhaengerkup...gerkupplungen/

These seem to offer towing capacities of up to 4,300 pounds with a tongue weight of 165 pounds.

[pedro2u]

I'm not sure if the European balls work here in the U.S.

Interesting.... thanks for the research. I've thought about looking in to this too

I like to bike when my wife and I go to the beach, but always leave the ZHP convertible home because it doesn't have a tow hitch for my bike rack. But $500 to $600 seems too steep for me to have that convenience instead of just taking one of my SUV's

Did some research too though, and it appears the standard ball size in Europe is 50mm, or 1.9685". Seems like that's close enough to our 2" used here in the states, but I'd like to hear a trailer expert confirm that would be safe!

[ZHPizza]

Interesting.... thanks for the research. I've thought about looking in to this too

I like to bike when my wife and I go to the beach, but always leave the ZHP convertible home because it doesn't have a tow hitch for my bike rack. But $500 to $600 seems too steep for me to have that convenience instead of just taking one of my SUV's

Did some research too though, and it appears the standard ball size in Europe is 50mm, or 1.9685". Seems like that's close enough to our 2" used here in the states, but I'd like to hear a trailer expert confirm that would be safe!

Like...bicycle bike? If so, couldn't you pick up a cheap trunk mounted rack?

Gotta take the drop top to the beach, bro...

[pedro2u]

Like...bicycle bike? If so, couldn't you pick up a cheap trunk mounted rack?

Gotta take the drop top to the beach, bro...

Yes a bike, my Trek 2.1. Rides along the coastline from Hampton to Portsmouth NH are fantastic in the vert, amazing views of the New England shoreline, but it's also an awesome 35 mile bike ride....

But I've always hated those trunk mount contraptions.... yet alone fear of scratching something, so, yes the vert wins and goes to the beach, and the bike stays home

Here's some pictures of me with my cloaking body suit turned on

[Fried_Chicken]

Yes a bike, my Trek 2.1. Rides along the coastline from Hampton to Portsmouth NH are fantastic in the vert, amazing views of the New England shoreline, but it's also an awesome 35 mile bike ride....

But I've always hated those trunk mount contraptions.... yet alone fear of scratching something, so, yes the vert wins and goes to the beach, and the bike stays home

Here's some pictures of me with my cloaking body suit turned on

Are you in Australia?