Rather than add to the post I already wrote, so that these pix would appear at the bottom where some non-net savvy people might not wade down to, here's a new post.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/0.jpg)

Received the HiddenHitch from eHitch.com today. Not the fastest shipping. I couldn't believe the packaging. They simply wrapped it in plastic and tapped it up. I can't believe UPS accepted it. Very shoddy; Hence it got scratched on the edges. This will not be a big deal since the paint is crap. They actually use a paint can sprayer. You can see it oversprayed right over their own logo in the photo.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/0a.jpg)

Please read everything before making judgement!

Now since the Hyundai OEM hitch is just under $400 bones, I can live with this since this one is after all, only $127 and is UNDER the bumper. So annoyances aside, I proceeded to bolt er' on.
[url=http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/0b.jpg][/IMG]
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/0b.jpg)
This mother is heavy. It's not pleasant to crawl under, hold it up to the truck frame, Bench-Press-Style, and then try to get the bolts in by one's self. I did it though, so it is possible. Screaming the “F” word several times as I tried to get my medium sized hands up above the mufflers (to get to the bolt holes,) whilst holding the rest of the bar up with my knees, I finally smart and got a dolly and some wood to hold it nearly flush. Better. All in all it took about 1/2 hour. Most of that was trying to get the socket wrench lengths right (you'll see why) and screaming the “F” word as the bolt drops out (as you try to thread it,) falls behind your head and rolls out of sight. Now, this is while your holding about 60lbs of steel up to the frame with both hands and both knees... Try to get the lost bolt without dropping the entire mess to start all over…. NOT FUN. Have no small children around. Ears will suffer.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/0c.jpg)
Bolted up, aligned right. Done. Actually it makes the vehicle look slightly beefier and more like it means business than before. I was afraid it would make it look off kilter and interrupt the design of the rear. The frame of the unit has two muffler protectors made out of thick steel so they wrap around and underneath the mufflers to add strength. They look really nice. Same shape as the mufflers. From the rear it looks OEM, as if the entire rear were designed for it.
The lame part is the chain attachment plate that juts out. You could saw or weld it off if you're so inclined and seek another arraignment. That would look a LOT better. Worth the $40 it would take a machine shop to remove it and repaint. Don’t stress about the paint, it’s going to get banged up anyway.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/4.jpg)
I added a lot of pix, some just to show off the tint and overall look of white w/ blacked out windows. (Limo all around the back, 30% in front, non-metallic.) Tint was $160.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/5.jpg)
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/6.jpg)
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This post has been edited by 07 Santa Fe: Apr 9 2007, 05:07 PM

More Pix: If you study the photos, you'll see the wrap around-the-muffler bars. They look really trick. Very tough and sturdy. The welds are nice.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/1.jpg)
More pix of overall SUV.
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/2.jpg)
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/3.jpg)
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/14.jpg)
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/8.jpg)
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/10.jpg)

Here are the Hex mats I got. Real rubber. The best I've seen. Thick and do NOT discolor. I got them at AutoAnything.com
(IMG:http://64.158.167.75/ebay/hiddenhitch/13.jpg)

This post has been edited by 07 Santa Fe: Apr 9 2007, 05:08 PM

Very nice but what looks even better is all the green grass and stuff in bloom!! I am sick of snow and can hardly wait for summer to happen around here.

Hi thanks for the post. The pictures really show how the hitch will look on the vehicle. I went to the Hidden Hitch site to get more information on the wirring as you didn't include any information in your post.

The hitch they are showing is very fifferent than what is in your photos.
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/hitch...06&partno=87414

What's the Hidden Hitch part # you ordered? What about the electricle?

Thanks,

This post has been edited by bbjrhome: Apr 9 2007, 08:24 PM

The part number is the one in your link. They often will have a disclaimer on sites with Auto parts that the "picture may not be the actual part." Part # 87414 is for the 07 Santa Fe.

I have not installed the electrical kit yet. It's in the trunk. Looks very high quality though. I'm having it installed. I will set the car on fire if I do it!

This guy shot a better pic than mine. It was very hard to shoot the white Santa Fe and illuminate the hitch area. Sorry. :whistling:

www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=3267

O7 thanks for the response. I just ordered my Hidden Hitch with the same wirring kit. I did my 03 and have the equipment to do the 07. Ideally I can use the pre-wirring on my 07 Limited. I purchased the tow package.

Can't get the tow bar/hitch yet here in the sates or MA/NH.

Bob

WOW!! the new sante-fe looks great in white!! off topic I know but that looks sooo good!!

Wish I could of got it in that colour here in the UK...Nice house to!

Thanks for a great write-up about that hitch.

It looks so good one would almost think the Santa Fe was designed around it!

Your truck looks great in white with those tinted windows and no rear emblems!

Great pics btw

cheers

Looks good. LIke the white and the de-badged tailgate with the hitch
two questions...one off topic
first, not considering everything you have posted already, but do you feel confident that the design of this hitch will hold up for many years of occasional use(maybe three to four times a year). The only thing that concerns me is that it looks like over time, the brackets that go around the exhaust would want to start sagging...BUT I haven't got to see one in person, thats the only reason for me asking and I am interested in buying one of these..

second...off topic... this will probably be a stupid question to you guys, but I just don't know. WHen it comes to the towing capacity of the vehicle, does this capacity include the weight of the trailer?
I read that only the weight of the tongue in included(if this was even correct), but the truck still has to pull the weight of the trailer...

again 07 santa fe , your santa fe is looking good

1. Yes, I do believe it will hold up well. They're a very reputable company; been around a long time. The brackets you speak of, (that go around the mufflers), are extremely thick and square. Short of parking a cement truck on them, they will not bend. I'd venture to say a big impact from another vehicle wouldn't bend one. But those brackets are not designed for anything other than side-to-side strength, something a trailer wouldn't challenge, and a nice touch of off-roading or backing a boat in protection for your mufflers. A gift from Hidden Hitch to you.
2. The weight is the whole shilamee. Your total towing weight is 3,500. Now, to be real, towing at max weight, in this case 3,500lbs, means you’re wheezing along at 40mph, on flat ground with a tail wind, on a desolate desert freeway. Every time I maxed a trailer weight, no matter the vehicle, that was the drive. You're doing 30mph up hill on the freeway with a run at it. No way you’re jamming through the Catskills towing max weight.
You’re best to stay with a lightweight utility trailer and a few dirt bikes, a jet ski or a small Bayliner.

For the first response, It looks like they will be the company I will be going with. Thanks for the additional info

For the second one, you think I would be safe with a light weight utility trailer and a load of furniture(possible move coming up in the near future) Of course it depends on the build, ie oak etc. but I don't have any "heavy wood" furniture.

Over all I am pleased with the hitch and wiring.
Minor scratches are not even seen
Most of the hitch is hidden so who cares?
I have used it once to pull my Harley Electra Glide on a Kendon 2 rail Stand Up Trailer
Bike weighs 860 pounds with a full tank of gas and Kendon weighs 610 pounds
Santa Fe pulled it nicely
The custom wiring I got off Ebay is working properly.
After installing the trailer hitch wiring...
periodically check your turn signals parking and brake lights for proper operation.
I think once a month should be ok

Best prices on Ebay
A good pin/lock can be found there as well. About 10 to 20 bucks

For the clean look see pics

This post has been edited by speaks2all: Apr 28 2007, 12:39 PM

The part of the hitch that contours the mufflers really saved me last week... I go to my cottage every 2 weeks, and since the snow has all melted, the 10 km of dirt (at your own risk) road as been floded with swamps over filling, and water digging really deep in the road... Anyway you get the picture! I really got the chance to try the AWD... Anyway, my rear end did fall deep in a hole and heard a big bang back there... I thought my bumper was cracked or something, but no! My hitch has saved my bumber and probably my muffler ends of being smached...

As for towing capacity, I had to come back from the cottage with my father in law's 1200 pounds (with nothing in it) double wheel trailer... on the same road!!! I'm glad to say that you almost don't feel a thing! When I was offroad, and step in holes and all, the trailler kinda kicks you forward and holds back at the same time... But it does that in my father in law's big Dodge 1500 V also. But on clean paved roads, you forget it's there... I would say the only thing is give you a little bit extra distance for breaking at stop signs! I can't wait to fill this trailler up with some crushed stone or something and really test it out!

This post has been edited by ouello: Apr 29 2007, 07:11 AM

Sounds like you may want to buy a full size pick up for the crushed rock and whatnot
I'm pretty certain if you trash the tranny on your Sante Fe it won't be covered under warranty
Probably a bad idea to push the vehicle to its limits.
I don't beleive it was designed as a contruction vehicle or heavy load hauler
Pulling a coupla jet skis or a coupla dirt bikes is more like it

Best of luck to you
:460:

This post has been edited by speaks2all: Apr 29 2007, 09:12 AM

No, it's not like I'm looking to kill it in my first year. I have to haul something heavy maybe like 3-4 a year, like 50 2x4s for example... What I was trying to say is at least when you need to haul something, the Santa Fe 3.3 won't let you down like a CRV... Not that I don't like the CRV! If only they had a robust eco friendly Turbo Diesel...

Some buy the Santa Fe for its good looks in the city, fill it with kids and groceries. Some want to do rugged terrain and wild camping... I'll do all of the above! Exept I'll stop at one kid...

have a nice week guys :beer: :beer:

I noticed you do not have the "chain attachment plate" hanging out from your bumper. Did you remove it yourself? Or was that an option Hidden Hitch offers?

There are loops for attaching chain. You just can't see them with hitch cover on.
Nice clean look

This post has been edited by speaks2all: May 3 2007, 08:07 AM

I think what you got is a Curt hitch not Hidden Hitch nor Drawtite. All others except Curt hitch has a metal tab protrudes near the receiver (check the pics from the first posts). That what ScoobyInc talked about. But basically, all the SF 2007 hitches are designed & manufactured by the same guy except some minor differences.

This post has been edited by carshopper: May 3 2007, 09:19 AM

Carshopper
You are right
It is a Curt