Tow Hitch Cover

[JavTPY]

I finally found a solution to that PIA bumper cover that I have to remove every time I want to use my tow hitch with a bike rack. I got a replacement piece, cut out a 2X2 hole in the middle to slide my bike rack in without removing the bumper piece, and modified a standard black rubber cover piece to cover the opening when not in use, thoughts, good or bad?

 

[52 16 57 39]

Nice work! So then you remove the 2x2 plug - slide in your bike rack? (I'd assume you can lock it in?)

 

[cedcor]

Looks nice! How would you lock it in? My Kuat has a locking pin. Pick up my Y on Saturday (hopefully!).

Is there enough access to the hitch from below where you could still get access without moving the larger trim piece?

 

[JavTPY]

You can’t access the locking pin inside without removing the cover, but I have a Kuat too and it works fine with the locking knob and no pin. It is super solid and stays in place

 

[scabbotts]

View attachment 633493 View attachment 633492 View attachment 633491 I finally found a solution to that PIA bumper cover that I have to remove every time I want to use my tow hitch with a bike rack. I got a replacement piece, cut out a 2X2 hole in the middle to slide my bike rack in without removing the bumper piece, and modified a standard black rubber cover piece to cover the opening when not in use, thoughts, good or bad?

I have a question but it doesn't have to do with the hitch cover, which looks nice. How exactly do the roof racks attach? I worry about breaking the glass roof.

Thanks,

 

[mark95476]

Awesome! I need to do this.

View attachment 633493 View attachment 633492 View attachment 633491 I finally found a solution to that PIA bumper cover that I have to remove every time I want to use my tow hitch with a bike rack. I got a replacement piece, cut out a 2X2 hole in the middle to slide my bike rack in without removing the bumper piece, and modified a standard black rubber cover piece to cover the opening when not in use, thoughts, good or bad?

 

[JavTPY]

Picture from another member about how the Roof Rack installs.

 

[jebt2921]

@JavTPY Really like this. Care to share what piece you modified for the rubber insert, model of rack used (or do all Kuats have a locking pin) and how much the replacement cover was?

 

[JavTPY]

The whole project cost me $30, $15 for the new bumper cover, $5 for the Rubber cover, and $10 for the Tesla logo on Amazon. I have the Kuat NV 2.0. These are a few more pics, the hole I cut isn’t perfectly square, but the rubber cover has a lip to it that covers it and you can’t tell when towing.

 

[Gizmotoy]

I appreciate any attempt at solutions to this horrible design of a hitch cover, but personally I don't think I could drive around without the safety pin inserted.

I was out there last night measuring trying to figure out a way to affix the cover to the bumper with magnets. I was inspired by another member who mounted their cover to the hitch with magnets, but the bumper and hitch move independently from one another so that seems non-ideal.

 

[kishkaru]

I absolutely hate this design as well. I already bent/broke the clips on two of the covers, and am on the 3rd cover now.

Good news (maybe?) Model Y's rolling off the line as of this week have been updated to use a new easier-to-remove tow hitch cover. The cover has a little "ring" on it where you put a finger into to help you pull it off. Take a look in the Tesla order page.

Would be interested in knowing how this new design works.

 

[Der Kaiser]

Same here, I broke off a few clips but it is still somehow stays in place. This new design would be great. Do you know if it is available already and what is the part #? If it is I'll order it as it can't be worse that the current design.

 

[mhcrowder]

Nothing new on the parts website, still same PN of 1494009-00-A listed.

 

[Uncle Paul]

How do you hook up your safety chains?

 

[Wabsa]

Has anyone actually seen the "new hitch cover" shown on the Tesla order page yet?
I'd love to know if it actually solves the problem of getting the cover off and whether there is anything more to it than just a pull tabs.

 

[Der Kaiser]

I emailed my local SA for more info on the hitch cover but have not heard back.

 

[Tedkidd]

Really nice.
I have a 1UP, and this would work slick for that as well (uses a similar external tightening mechanism).

 

[wackojacko]

How do you hook up your safety chains?

there are two loops like on any hitch, they are up in there a little awkward on the driver side as the plug is on the side. I leave my snap link with a c-link clip attached so I don't have to clip it on the drive side one, I just put the chain around the c-clip and screw the nut down to close it. It tucks up inside no problem with the cover on.

 

[JMaldo17]

I absolutely hate this design as well. I already bent/broke the clips on two of the covers, and am on the 3rd cover now.

Good news (maybe?) Model Y's rolling off the line as of this week have been updated to use a new easier-to-remove tow hitch cover. The cover has a little "ring" on it where you put a finger into to help you pull it off. Take a look in the Tesla order page.

Would be interested in knowing how this new design works.

How did you get a replacement cover?

 

[kishkaru]

Head down to your local Tesla service center and order the part via the part #. If you're lucky they'll have it in stock and give you one (or a few) right away.
I don't know if there's a new part # for the newly designed cover, but the old cover part # is: 1494009-00-A