would this be too much weight for my car? [Merged 5-7] hitch towing trailer

[FlyinRyan151]

right now I plan on selling my 95 RS with a few mods to get a 1st gen GSX or GST. My question is, is it possible to tow a small trailer for my dirtbike with one? The max weight of the trailer and bike combined would be around 500 pounds at most. My only other option is to buy a truck which would be really lame.

 

[Turbo Guru]

There is a guy I know who has a hitch on his 98 GSX, I'll try to find out the manufacturer for you guys, next time I see him.

 

[98eclipseRS]

there is a guy tha lives like 5 min from me when i went to buy his seats of him he had a hitch on his gsx, he used it to tow a trailer carrying an extra set up tire/rims, tools, and other random supplies up to the track.

 

[Goblin]

I've seen a GSX pulling a uhaul trailor before I got a kick out of it.

Someones else said it so I'll just concur, yes it says in the owners manual to never tow anything with your car... Of course it also says that eventhough it is awd you should never "attempt" to take if off-road or cross country.... pfff that's all I did with my Talon before I sold it!

 

[crazyjoe]

The AWD system in our cars is not designed for rippin' it up on fire roads and baja-bashing your car over whoop-de-doos. It's not there for towing, either. It's there for performance reasons.

If you want to tow stuff with your car, feel free, but just don't complain when you bend the frame or do something else nasty to your car.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by Goblin
I've seen a GSX pulling a uhaul trailor before I got a kick out of it.

Someones else said it so I'll just concur, yes it says in the owners manual to never tow anything with your car... Of course it also says that eventhough it is awd you should never "attempt" to take if off-road or cross country.... pfff that's all I did with my Talon before I sold it!

It also says to NOT use fuels that contain MTBE. So I just drive to Nevada for all my gas

...or, not.

 

[Goblin]

:laugh:

 

[grendels_arm]

Well I've decided I want to install a hitch on my 1997 Talon N/T. I know the owner's manual says no but I need to somehow get my motorcycle to the track so my Talon is how it's getting there. Anyway Draw-Tite makes a hitch and I've looked at the installation instructions online. A few things.

1. A hole needs to be drilled in the left rear frame rail. The hitch needs 3 holes on that side for some reason.

2. On the left side the muffler is in the way of where you mount the hitch. This is my main concern. Last night I decided to see if the muffler could be just moved out of the way. I got the 2 main hanger bolts off pretty easy and then saw another one a bit further towards the front of the car. I'm thinking if I removed that as well the muffler maybe could be pushed off to the right side to get access to mounting area for the hitch. Will the muffler be able to be pushed towards the passenger side aways after removing the hangar bolt more towards the front of the car. I'm just wondering does the muffler need to be disconnected at the clamps to get access?

3. The instructions say to remove the muffler heat shield and leave it off until the hitch is removed from the car. I'm guessing this gets in the way. Just a little concerned in getting complete access to it.

Since I don't have a lift or stands it's not easy to access all this but not too bad since I'm small and the car isn't lowered or anything. Wondering if anyone has installed a hitch on their car themselves.

 

[1fast97gsx]

That car barely has enough torque to get itself moving, how do you expect to pull a trailor with it? I'm sure it would be possible but you'll be buying transmissions quite often. Might as well buy an old truck or something to tow the bike or put it in the bed. A talon towing a bike would look pretty ### too.

 

[halligoo]

Talons are made to be the towee not the tower.

Good luck anyway.

 

[grendels_arm]

I asked for advice on moving the muffler out of the way, installing the hitch by yourself, etc.

I've seen a Dodge Neon (same motor) towing a small motorcycle trailer and bike to the track no problem. We're not exactly talking alot of weight here. A motorcycle is like 400 pounds and a trailer a few hundred more. In addition hitch makers make a class 1 hitch (up to 2000 pounds) for Talons and Eclipses.

As for the looks I don't care what it will look like towing a trailer. That's the least of my concerns when driving to the motorcycle track.

A truck cost money to buy, maintain, pay taxes on, insure, store somewhere(live in townhouse) etc. A trailer is cheap to buy, maintain, store and hardly any taxes.

 

[youkickedmydog]

Get a sawzaw and chop the muffler off. There is no other way to move that thing. I have tryed to move the exaust to keep it from hitting the frame and it is impossible.

 

[grendels_arm]

You don't have to saw the muffler off to move it from what I can tell. There are 3 hangar screws that hold the muffler to the bottom of the car from what I saw tonight. They are easy to remove as I got underneath the car and removed 2 last night. In addition where the muffler connects with the rest of the exhaust there is a triangle clamp where you have to remove the 3 bolts and then the muffler and pipe will slide right out the back, NO SAWING. Only concern with that is most likely those 3 bolts at the triangle will be tough to remove because of rust and the gasket will probably need replacing. Another option to avoid the triangle connector from what I saw is to remove 2 more hangar bolts further up on the exhaust and almost the whole stock exhaust will probably drop right down some. Maybe another hangar or two closer up near the motor but it'll probably drop enough and then the whole exhaust can be moved towards the passenger side. We're talking about 6 inches.

 

[Defiant]

Since you already know it's a Bad Thing To Do, you might want to check with a good U-Haul shop. Most of them install hitches, and know how. For a bike trailer, I'd think you only want the smaller hitch, not the size you see on pickups (I'm too tired to go looking up the Class numbers just now).

 

[grendels_arm]

I already asked UHaul. $300 for parts and labor. And they would install the same hitch as I can order online. Total parts if I order online, $150. That's $150 difference so that's why I'm not rushing down to UHaul and considering doing it myself and therefore asking if anyone here has done it before themself and remove the muffler. Another concern is that UHaul may not do as good a job as I may be able to do. Meaning who knows how they'll run the wiring, damage the car, etc. I've had some advive already that UHaul isn't very good.

The hitch they and I would install is a class 1 hitch. Here is the link.

http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=Talon&category=hitch&year=1997&make=Eagle&t1=&h=e

 

[Defiant]

Check eBay if you're the handy sort. Universal Class 1s go for $15.

 

[BLUE89TURBO]

Hey guys,

Well i think the talon is the best candidate for a trailer hitch.


Has anyone put one on a Talon?

What brand do you have, how much am i looking at, any other tips...

Thanks,

Jason

88 GSXR 750
89 Supra Turbo
90 Miata
91 Protege GT
91 Talon TSI Turbo

 

[sonicnofadz]

Sell the talon and buy a truck. These cars weren't made for towing, you will break something. But if you decide to try this anyway, let us know about the results!

 

[Defiant]

Hitches on DSMs are forbidden in the Owner's Manual.

Many people do it. Remove the hatch and mount a 5th wheel.

 

[BLUE89TURBO]

Well that sucks,

Are you serious about the owners manual?

All I need the hitch for is for super light duty stuff - the trailer is tiny and its just to bring home a sheet or two of drywall maybe a new dishwasher, very small stuff.

 

[goalieman24]

Heh.. my 90 awd actually does have a receiver on it. It was like that when I got it, I just havent taken it off yet. It's pretty small... if you are interested, send me a PM and we can work something out.

 

[talonracn49]

I have had hitches on my 1995 GSX and GS-T -- both were 95+ cars, but they tow a jetski (big one) just fine. I towed around little stuff, nothing large. Mine was purchased and installed at U haul.

I think the hitch was rated at 1500 pounds or so. It mounted up nicely underneath. I have seen a lot of autocross guys tow around their tires and tools on little trailers too.

 

[Defiant]

Are you serious about the owners manual?

Page 71

 

[Littlebeeper]

Well Blue, seems your ok on putting the hitch on as its just "not recommended"

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

I have one on mine for towing my motorcycle. It works great. Barely visible at all. Doesn't weigh much. I had to drill a few holes and trim some non-visible bits of the bumper, but that's it. The total was about $120 for the hitch and all necessary components including one ball.

I'll see if I have a photo around.


*edit* It was made by "Rigid Hitch."

 

[Morphius]

Been there done that. I've built class 3 hitches for most of my cars. Towed other DSMs (cross country 1400 miles 4x).

Using my custom Hitch tote I made I've used it to move big screen TVs, suspension assemblies, wheels sets, motors, transmissions. Even other DSM shells.

I've got one that I removed off my 91 2.0 NT car after I parted it. It's built heavier than any hitch you can buy. Bolts to the subframe. And works with the factory exhaust. I'd sell it for $250. It's built right and will outlast your car. Has a 2 inch receiver.