I visited a local trailer hitch company in Atlanta looking for a hitch that will support a 1 and 1/4 inch receiver hitch bike rack (like one from Saris). There is now a hitch recommended for the EX35 made by Curt Manufacturing, Model or part # 11500 at a cost of $176.00 and a one hour installation time. Installation instructions are included with the specs. No welding, but two holes will need to be drilled.

Sounds nice, if you get a chance could you shoot a pic I'd like to see it installed.


Here's the link to their web site. Custom Trailer Hitch Products, Custom Receiver Hitch, Heavy Duty Towing, Curt Manufacturing

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Please Click for Sarah's Wish

Thanks for the information! We weren't able to get the roof rack on our EX35, but a hitch for our bikes will be great. Plus it will be cheaper than the rails, assuming $180 for the hitch and $45 for 1 hr install.

Wouldn't you still need to buy the bike rack that connects to the hitch?

Yes, the bike rack is another cost.

I just ordered a Curt Class one hitch from drawtite-hitches.com for $139 and a Swagman XC 1.25" bike carrier for $130. This has free shipping. I plan on having them price match the carrier to $115 from overstock.com. I got a quote from a bodyshop who quoted me about $75-100 for installation after I sent the PDF install intructions. This is ~$350 for everything.

I didn't find an EX35 with the $200 roof rails and features we wanted. A pair of bike carrier crossbars would set me back ~$200. So this setup would total ~$400.

Carfeful - I've been using the Curt hitch for a year now and having serious issues. The hitch is literally bending the bumper. I'm hauling two high-end very light road bikes. My advice - skip the hitch & find one of those strap on racks.

The original Curt hitch for the EX had some problems but they've had a new one out since the end of Jan 2009 that addresses all the issues. If you contact them, I'm led to understand that they'll swap you out and even reimburse your labour costs.

Here's a link to the new Curt hitch at an online site:
2008!Infiniti!EX35 Journey!Draw-Tite, Reese, Hidden Hitch, Valley and Curt search with the!Hitch Hunter ™ by etrailer.com (800) 298-8924

FWIW, a member on another forum reported that he used the Curt 11510 hitch with a Thule 970 Helium bike rack with great success. (I'd post a link but I'm pretty sure that would be against the rules.)

HTH