Trailer hitch

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Tom Slick
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Re: Trailer hitch

Post by Tom Slick »

I'm not worried... I can do the flip down plate, and fabricate a hitch... I've got a Millermatic 210 for the welding!

Later,
Tom Slick
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
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storm9c1
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Trailer hitch

Post by storm9c1 »

That G8 towbar is a much different design than the others I've seen while working with CP. This G8 one bolts from underneath rather than replacing the impact bar supports. This eliminates my concerns about deleting the impact bar. So I'm very curious about fitment. And I have some questions that I posted in the email that Bill sent out. Let's see how this goes. Keep me posted guys!
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
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storm9c1
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Trailer hitch

Post by storm9c1 »

storm9c1 wrote:Update: I have asked this seller if this towbar deletes the impact bar or not. It has studs, so it appears to retain it. I will verify and see if he will ship to the USA.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-State ... 27bc949222" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Seller responded. Yep, this towbar also deletes the impact bar. That is a stock photo, not a pic of the exact bar. I hate that. Why bother posting a photo at all then?

They do have a Reese towbar that they claim retains the stock impact bar. I wonder if it's the other style that bolts from underneath. I'll reply and ask for pictures or at least an installation PDF.
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
Navy Lifer
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Re: Trailer hitch

Post by Navy Lifer »

storm9c1 wrote:That G8 towbar is a much different design than the others I've seen while working with CP. This G8 one bolts from underneath rather than replacing the impact bar supports. This eliminates my concerns about deleting the impact bar. So I'm very curious about fitment. And I have some questions that I posted in the email that Bill sent out. Let's see how this goes. Keep me posted guys!
OK, here's a preliminary field report from Steve Eckart:

The G8 trailer hitch works fine. We completely removed the mufflers.
Then we removed the heat shield. One hole on each side was 3/4 inch off
so we drilled one hole on each side.

Then, the hitch went right on.

Pictures to come in a day or two.

Now I can carry my bike rack.


I'll contact Scott Williams for his report, as well--this was a joint effort, with Scott's involvement. What needs to be clarified is whether the hole drilling was on the car underbody or on the hitch mounting plate(s).

The Draw-Tite 24821 G8 hitch is not for heavy towing, as previously mentioned - max 2000#, 200# tongue, with 1.25" receiver. It's also available online for a very reasonable cost--well under $200.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/D ... 24821.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (read buyer comments)
http://www.etrailer.com/p-3594.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.etrailer.com/p-2211.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And "free" shipping!
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storm9c1
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Re: Trailer hitch

Post by storm9c1 »

This is getting tricky now. I have 3 possible solutions and I don't know which direction to go.

1) After more discussions with CP, he thinks the heavy duty towbar (2" receiver) for the G8 that he has access to will fit the Caprice and retain the impact beam (with a minor modification to the holes on it). Me or someone else would have to order it and confirm fitment. If it doesn't fit, I supposed it could be resold it to a G8 owner stateside. CP can also send me the escutcheon and plug-n-play wiring harness (which I am going to get either way).

2) Using one of the eBay links previously posted, I can source a Caprice towbar that also retains the stock impact beam. I've already exchanged some emails with the seller. There are some concerns here though -- I asked for installations instructions. The seller told me it was a Hayman Reese towbar but then sent me instructions for a Trailboss brand. I don't like a bait-and-switch. This bar will cost $545 + $300 shipping from down under. Very pricey. It's a heavy duty version (2" receiver) I believe. And includes some accessories, but haven't confirmed the complete list yet.

3) And now this towbar that Steve is using, which we have an official confirmation that it fits, but I'd need to see pictures. It's cheaper, available here, but uses the smaller receiver, requires the exhaust to be dropped, heat shields modified, and some other minor modifications.

Decisions...decisions...
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
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Tom Slick
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Location: Midlothian, TX
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Re: Trailer hitch

Post by Tom Slick »

Tom,

Try getting the manufacturer to email you a pdf of the installation instructions...

Later,
Tom
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
Navy Lifer
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Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:30 pm
Location: Canton GA

Re: Trailer hitch

Post by Navy Lifer »

http://www.carid.com/2008-pontiac-g8-tr ... 21452.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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storm9c1
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Trailer hitch

Post by storm9c1 »

Tom Slick wrote:Tom,

Try getting the manufacturer to email you a pdf of the installation instructions...

Later,
Tom
Well if you are talking about the Hayman Reese one, yeah, I should email the manufacturer since the eBay seller tried to pull a bait-and-switch. But honestly, we all want to know if the G8 bar will fit the PPV (this is the HD bar that CP has access to), so it looks like I'm going to bite the bullet, order it from down under, and try it out as soon as CP gets me a final quote for everything.

Though I'm also liking that Hidden Hitch version, but that's the one that requires dropping the exhaust and cutting or deleting the heat shields.
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
Navy Lifer
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Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:30 pm
Location: Canton GA

Re: Trailer hitch

Post by Navy Lifer »

Spoke with Steve Eckart, hope to have pictures soon.

In the meantime, ran across another hitch supplier: Curt PN 11138 (for G8)

Similar to, but a bit different from the Draw-Tite design, if pictures are accurate.

http://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/find ... &style=All" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Installation instructions:
https://www.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary/1 ... 80_INS.PDF" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Again, nothing listed for 2011+ Caprice/PPV

Link below is how I found this one--online search will reveal plenty of others
(this one typically runs an added discount/free shipping deal for first-time purchase and/or orders over a specified dollar amount)

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/To ... G-Insiders" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Crazy Paul
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Re: Trailer hitch

Post by Crazy Paul »

storm9c1 wrote:
Tom Slick wrote: But honestly, we all want to know if the G8 bar will fit the PPV (this is the HD bar that CP has access to), so it looks like I'm going to bite the bullet, order it from down under, and try it out as soon as CP gets me a final quote for everything.
I'm itching to know if it will fit also.(I've got 5 more here in stock).
I shipped yours after lunch on Friday, it's somewhere between Hong Kong and USA currently & on time and on track for delivery late Monday afternoon. Amazing stuff.

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