Close-up of an ORIS trailer hitch receiver with integrated QR code label mounted beneath a vehicle. The image shows the square receiver opening and mounting point under the rear bumper.

Helpful information about hitches for the North American Market

Whether you’re looking into a hitch for your car, or already have one and are keen to invest in a bike rack, you’re bound to have questions.

We aim to answer as many as we can here, but if you have more, your local dealer will be able to offer advice specific to your vehicle.

General information

Yes, bicycle racks with a 2″ cross section can be inserted directly into the receiver. The use of adapters (2” to 1 ¼”) is not recommended. Please adhere to the maximum allowed loading for the individual hitch. For maximum allowed loading please access Safety for motorists.

Yes, you can use baskets and cages up to 50% of the maximum allowed tongue weight of the individual hitch. > Go to DOS / DON’TS For maximum allowed tongue weight of the individual hitch please access Safety for motorists.

You will need the following information in order to select the best hitch for your requirements:
  1. Make of vehicle, model, model year (the best place to find this is in the official type designation in the vehicle documentation)
  2. Engine version and drivetrain layout (all-wheel-drive vehicles sometimes require different mounting equipment)
  3. Suspension type (different mounting equipment may be specified for vehicles with suspension featuring ride-height adjustment)
  4. Body configuration (sedan, coupe, five-door, van, or station wagon)
There are three types of towbars available:
  1. Fixed hitch
  2. Disappearing hitch
  3. Detachable hitch

Yes, for the Detachable hitch, you can use a cover, but we do recommend removing the receiver adapter when not in use.

For the disappearing hitch, the use of covers is not possible. If something is inserted into the receiver, the system will not allow to disappear behind the bumper.

Since there must be a separable connection between the cross member and the ball hitch, the receiver adapter may exhibit a moderate amount of tolerance. This will allow you to jiggle the receiver. Tolerance of this type is a design requirement. As long as the towbar is properly installed, this does not represent a safety risk.

When the vehicle is in motion, the removable receiver adapter must be locked at all times.

The minimum towing capacity of a) vehicle, b) hitch and c) ball mount determines your allowed towing capacity.
  1. Please refer to the vehicle documentation or ask the manufacturer of the vehicle for its maximum towing capacity. The vehicle manufacturer will determine maximum load capacity based on the vehicle’s engine specification, transmission, and drivetrain layout. The manufacturer’s specified maxima represent mandatory limits and should never be exceeded under any conditions.
  2. Please refer to the maximum allowed towing capacity of the hitch, which is displayed on the type plate on the hitch.
  3. Please refer to the maximum allowed towing capacity of the ballmount, which is defined on the ballmount.

The rated tongue weight is the maximum approved weight that the trailer’s drawbar may exert on the ball from above. The maximum specified tongue weight is typically 10% of the maximum towing capacity. The minimum tongue weight of a) vehicle, b) hitch and c) ball mount determines your allowed tongue weight.
  1. Please refer to your vehicle documentation for this maximum force (in lbs weight). Please refer to your towbar’s type plate for its maximum approved tongue weight. Do not exceed the tongue weight specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
  2. Please refer to the maximum allowed tongue weight of the hitch which is displayed on the type plate on the hitch.
  3. Please refer to the maximum allowed tongue weight of the ballmount, which is defined on the ballmount.
To avoid adverse effects on the combination’s dynamic handling and response characteristics you should also avoid tongue weights lower than the specified minimum.

Every trailer hitch is provided with a type plate. It shows the maximum allowed towing capacity and tongue weight. It also indicates the allowed ball positions (drop / rise). The type plate is usually attached so that it can be read when the trailer hitch is installed. If the type plate has become unreadable or has been lost, you should look up the relevant information on the ORIS website, referencing your vehicle.

Our detachable or disappearing hitch does not need any electrical connection. Hence, our products are delivered without a harness. If you need an electrical connection to hook up your trailer or device, please find a suitable harness matching your vehicle here: https://towsmart.com/product-category/trailer-accessories/lighting-and-electrical/

As described in the operating instructions, it is necessary that you, as the end user, keep the mechanics of the disappearing and detachable hitch clean and grease it regularly if necessary. Missing grease, dirt and corrosion or rust can quickly lead to the system no longer functioning safely. Therefore, please be sure to observe the maintenance instructions in the operating instructions. Leaving out above described maintenance actions fully relieves ACPS Automotive from any potential product liability claims. Any liability for damages occurring in connection with the use of a not properly maintained, e.g. corroded towbar is herewith explicitly excluded.

After an accident or when purchasing a used towbar with missing parts, you may need to obtain replacement parts. Towbars are safety-relevant parts that require official type approval and are subject to manufacturer liability. Since we cannot ensure that the towbar continues to comply with safety requirements under these conditions, we are unable to provide you with any safety-relevant replacement parts.

Exceptions to this provision are detachable receiver adapters and accessories such as keys, lock covers, installation instructions. If you need any of these parts, please contact the dealer where the towbar was purchased.

You can find the installation instruction and the operating manual on the ORIS Website.

>>ORIS Disappearing Hitches™ >>ORIS Detachable Hitches >>Safety for motorists Operating manuals must be kept in your vehicle at all times.

When purchasing an automatically removable towbar, it is good practice to note the number of the key. This number is engraved into the key head. With this key number you can request a new key from us at any time or via your specialist workshop / dealer.

Order a replacement key

As hitches are safety relevant, we do not repair any hitches, but we offer replacement hitch adapters.

Trailer couplings and hitch assemblies cannot be repaired after sustaining accident-related damage. When the rear of a vehicle is damaged, the trailer hitch assembly may be damaged in ways that are invisible to the naked eye and detectable only with costly testing. In these cases, we recommend replacing the entire trailer coupling assembly. Replacing individual components is usually neither feasible nor acceptable in view of safety-related considerations.

As we want to make our hitches invisible, we try to avoid any major cutouts on the bumper and keep the visibility to an absolute minimum. There is a potential that the horizontal surface of the bumper fascia will need some small cutting. Check out our fitting instructions for further information about the size of the cutouts.
>>ORIS Disappearing Hitches™ >>ORIS Detachable Hitches

Our hitches are designed in a way that does not need any welding. The hitch will use the existing connection points of the vehicle, given by the vehicle manufacturer. Any welding or likewise intervention applied by an end-customer would exclude ACPS Automotive’s liability.

No, any kind of mechanical change of the hitch may lead to a malfunction of the hitch and further potentially to death or serious injury. Any modification by an end-customer will exclude ACPS Automotive’s liability.

No, it is not possible for either of our hitches.

The disappearing hitch is always firmly attached to the vehicle and – in working position – cannot come loose.

The detachable hitch uses our renown 3-ball-locking system to strongly lock into the hitch housing. When operated according to the instruction and securely locked, the hitch cannot come lose.

The following 3 safety features ensure correct locking:

  • When inserting the receiver adapter, a click is clearly audible and the handle turns by some degrees.
  • The hand wheel shows the correct position with the green color.
  • The key is removed from the lock.

The detachable receiver has an integrated lock that secures against theft. A specific key is necessary to unlock and allow turning the handle.

  • When inserting the receiver adapter, a click is clearly audible and the handle turns by some degrees.
  • The hand wheel shows the correct position with the green color.
  • The key is removed from the lock.
  • Our products allow the use of a typical locking pin for the ballmount.
  • Our products include 2 safety chain eyes to fix your safety chain.

  • The inserted ballmount / rack provides automatic locking of the system in the working position.
  • Our products allow the use a typical locking pin for the ball mount.
  • Our products include 2 safety chain eyes to fix your safety chain.

Each hitch has a specific range of ball mounts that the hitch was tested to. Please check the list of ball mounts applicable for your vehicle here: >> DOS & DON’TS

Both, detachable and disappearing hitch are designed in a way that they are hidden behind the fascia. Hence, when not in use, almost no part of the hitch is visible below the fascia.

When the hitches are in use (working position), the hitches are visible and positioned below the lower edge of the bumper fascia.

No, our hitch designs cannot provide anti-sway or weight distribution.

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