Tow Hitch - any reason not to leave it on full time?

[DKD-CvilleVA]

I have the tow hitch on our Gravity for my bike rack (1 Up bike racks are the BEST).

I don't plan to remove the tow hitch when I'm not hauling bikes. I'm not expecting any impact on airflow, range, etc.
Has anyone measured this? Any other reason I should consider removing the hitch when it's not being used?

Thanks!

 

[borski]

I have the tow hitch on our Gravity for my bike rack (1 Up bike racks are the BEST).

I don't plan to remove the tow hitch when I'm not hauling bikes. I'm not expecting any impact on airflow, range, etc.
Has anyone measured this? Any other reason I should consider removing the hitch when it's not being used?

Thanks!

A few possible reasons, none of which I know for a fact apply to Gravity, though it is still "just a car"

1) Rust and corrosion; these end up basically acting like 'glue' and making the thing freaking impossible to remove.
2) Ow, my shins
3) A hitch can transfer energy directly to your car's frame rather than allowing the bumper to absorb the shock, increasing risk to passengers; I don't know if Lucid accounted for a hitch in their testing.

 

[raleighone]

I have the Quikrstuff rack on my hitch. I take the bike off and fold up the hitch but I plan on leaving it on all the time. Hope it doesn't cause issues...maybe I'll take it off once in a while just so no "stick" like Borski mentioned above.

 

[borski]

I have the Quikrstuff rack on my hitch. I take the bike off and fold up the hitch but I plan on leaving it on all the time. Hope it doesn't cause issues...maybe I'll take it off once in a while just so no "stick" like Borski mentioned above.

Yeah, I think just taking it off and cleaning it occasionally would help. And, uh, buy good insurance for your shins

 

[raleighone]

Yeah, I think just taking it off and cleaning it occasionally would help. And, uh, buy good insurance for your shins

You mean when not hitting my head on the open hatch? lol It's been happening a lot at camp sites now that I have the bike rack on there and I'm coming in from the sides. Oh well...sacrifices we make. ;-)

 

[Smorgasbord]

Tesla recommends taking the hitch thingie off when not being used. I forget why, but the reasons listed above are probably it. If I were in a place that salted roads in winter, I'd probably take it off, but here in California I plan to just keep it on like I did for my Model Xs, which didn't show any issues after 3 years and 2 years.

Oh, one more - it's a bit uglier.

 

[DKD-CvilleVA]

A few possible reasons, none of which I know for a fact apply to Gravity, though it is still "just a car"

1) Rust and corrosion; these end up basically acting like 'glue' and making the thing freaking impossible to remove.
2) Ow, my shins
3) A hitch can transfer energy directly to your car's frame rather than allowing the bumper to absorb the shock, increasing risk to passengers; I don't know if Lucid accounted for a hitch in their testing.

Thanks for the points, @borksi

 

[DKD-CvilleVA]

Tesla recommends taking the hitch thingie off when not being used. I forget why, but the reasons listed above are probably it. If I were in a place that salted roads in winter, I'd probably take it off, but here in California I plan to just keep it on like I did for my Model Xs, which didn't show any issues after 3 years and 2 years.

Oh, one more - it's a bit uglier.

I have a Model Y with the hitch, but it can't be removed. I could put the plastic cover over it, which improves the appearance but it's a pain to get it off. I use my bike rack a couple times each week. I take the bike rack off but I don't cover the opening.

The hitch on the Gravity is different. It sticks out from the bumper a few inches, so Borski's points are valid (those don't apply to the Tesla hitch). I'll just see how often I'm using the Gravity hitch before deciding whether to take it off or not. Likely would take it off before any long trips, which we do at least 4/year.
Thanks for the points and discussion.

 

[DKD-CvilleVA]

I have the Quikrstuff rack on my hitch. I take the bike off and fold up the hitch but I plan on leaving it on all the time. Hope it doesn't cause issues...maybe I'll take it off once in a while just so no "stick" like Borski mentioned above.

Lucid put a bunch of grease on the hitch, to protect from getting stuck. It's an interesting mounting process, not simple or quick to put on or take off. Still seems like a good idea to remove it, at least periodically and re-apply the grease to the connection points.

 

[eelpout]

I had one of these Oris removable hitches on a Range Rover Sport and I basically just left it on, but I'm in California.

When I'd go up to the mountains in the winter I would take it off to clean it on returning and then put it back in its slot.

 

[nelslens]

What @borksi ^ said. And also -- if you leave that thing in, don't forget the compromised rear clearance on driveways, in parking lots etc...

 

[Crossbar5]

......
3) A hitch can transfer energy directly to your car's frame rather than allowing the bumper to absorb the shock, increasing risk to passengers; I don't know if Lucid accounted for a hitch in their testing.

Way back in the day, I bought a 1st generation Mercedes ML SUV and I ordered it with the factory tow hitch. After installing the actual hitch and ball I left it there all the time. I was rear ended and this case the hitch prevented body damage to the bumper. I drove off with no damage. Not so much for the Toyota that hit me. Granted this thing was built on a heavy ladder frame so more fragile vehicles might not handle that so well.

 

[borski]

Way back in the day, I bought a 1st generation Mercedes ML SUV and I ordered it with the factory tow hitch. After installing the actual hitch and ball I left it there all the time. I was rear ended and this case the hitch prevented body damage to the bumper. I drove off with no damage. Not so much for the Toyota that hit me. Granted this thing was built on a heavy ladder frame so more fragile vehicles might not handle that so well.

Yeah, that’s the thing - maybe it would be more accurate to say it’s “unpredictable.” I actually think the Gravity would handle it fine, but of course I don’t know that for sure.