Trailer Hitch

Technical info on the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix including do-it-yourself info
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truepath
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Trailer Hitch

Post by truepath »

I put a Curt trailer hitch on my 05 basic and I think it turned out as a clean installation. The receiver itself is the only part of it that is visible which can just barely be seen in the car shadow in this pic. I had some trouble cleaning out the rusty welded on frame rail nuts, but finally managed to get everything mounted and torqued up. I also learned that the trailer light wiring requires power directly from the battery. The Curt technical service rep. told me that there is insufficient power to the tail light circuit on Vibes to power the trailer lights. This means that a wire has to be snaked from the battery back to the wiring harness controller. There is some work involved to get it set up. Here is a pic of the Curt controller unit (the pic needs to be turned 90 degrees counterclockwise to make since). It is mounted in the taillight access bay.I pull a small Harbor Freight trailer that hauls a small motorcycle and/or a couple of recumbent bicycles. The MC here is a Yamaha XT250 dual purpose (there's a mountain bike on the other side of the MC too).
vibolista
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Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:34 am
Location: "Glacial", Maine!

Re: Trailer Hitch (truepath)

Post by vibolista »

Quote, originally posted by truepath »I put a Curt trailer hitch on my 05 basic and I think it turned out as a clean installation. The receiver itself is the only part of it that is visible which can just barely be seen in the car shadow in this pic. Wow, nice fit. My son's Curt is about 2 inches lower and he's already scraped the receiver end a couple of times coming out of gas station driveways. Your curt is up much tighter against the bottom of your bumper than even my Hidden Hitch! The Curt controller is a great idea. We only use ours for bike rack duty, so no wiring back there.
'08 Manual, Sun&Sound, 17" Borbet Type CA wheels, 215/50 Summer Tires... 16" OE steel, 215/55 Snow Tires
truepath
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Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Re: Trailer Hitch (vibolista)

Post by truepath »

There were two Curt hitches listed for the Vibe. The one I got appears to have been a recent modification of the earlier one and as you noted, mounted a little higher. I plan to use mine with a bike rack also, besides pulling a small trailer.
vibolista
Posts: 1519
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:34 am
Location: "Glacial", Maine!

Re: Trailer Hitch (truepath)

Post by vibolista »

Good info to know for future reference!
'08 Manual, Sun&Sound, 17" Borbet Type CA wheels, 215/50 Summer Tires... 16" OE steel, 215/55 Snow Tires
BSmith7760
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Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:07 am

Re: Trailer Hitch (truepath)

Post by BSmith7760 »

What is the part number for both? I have a Draw Tite wiring package which says it fits a 2006, yet the connectors are different (3 versus 2, inline pins versus square configuration)...Bob
truepath
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Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Re: Trailer Hitch (BSmith7760)

Post by truepath »

I can't find the documentation on the hitch I bought, but I went to the Rock Auto website and found what I think is the hitch I bought. It carries Curt Mfg. part number 12234. I think the wiring harness number is Curt Mfg. number 55057. There are two Curt hitches for this car. Be careful that you order the one that mounts higher up since it hides almost all of the hitch structure except the receiver. I think the number I gave you is the correct one. I don't see that Rock Auto has two listed now so I'm assuming the one listed is the higher mount.
BSmith7760
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Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:07 am

Re: Trailer Hitch (truepath)

Post by BSmith7760 »

I looked it up and the 12234 is the non GT version (the ground effects don't extend as low, so Curt makes the hitch a bit higher).24880/12221 is for the GT version which is the one that U Haul sells...Thanks!Bob
DoubleBaril
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:16 am

Post by DoubleBaril »

I noticed there is also part number 12227, which says is also for the 03-08 non-GT.Any idea of the difference?
2003 Vibe AWD
BSmith7760
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:07 am

Re: (DoubleBaril)

Post by BSmith7760 »

It says this: 12227 CLASS 1 & 2 HITCH2003 - 2008 Toyota Matrix All, Except w/Rear Spoiler Connector(s): 55057,55522 I think it is being discontinued...http://www.curtmfg.com
truepath
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Re: (BSmith7760)

Post by truepath »

One of the two Curt hitches mounts higher up and, therefore shows less of the hitch structure. I don't know which one it is though. A call to Curt could probably answer this.
DoubleBaril
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:16 am

Re: (truepath)

Post by DoubleBaril »

I had contacted a company, and they said the 12227 is being discontinued as the 12234 is a better fitting hitch
2003 Vibe AWD
Mark
Posts: 640
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 7:26 am
Location: Cheyenne, WY

Post by Mark »

I bought a receiver and 2" adapter for my 04 Vibe, both made by the same company. The adapter stem was 8" long, and the receiver was 6" deep. A cut off saw with a metal blade fixed it, but what the hell were they thinking?
'08 Base Stealth, '05 Base Satellite
anthonygobot
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Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 7:37 am

Post by anthonygobot »

My hitch came in today and bike rack, tomorrows project will involve putting all this stuff on. I got the hitch from http://discounthitchcentral.com.
DoubleBaril
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Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:16 am

Post by DoubleBaril »

How did you manage to clean out the pre-drilled holes on the frame? Did you use anything special? Or pointers on how to do it... Mines seems pretty rusty
2003 Vibe AWD
truepath
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Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Re: (anthonygobot)

Post by truepath »

I have been using my bike rack with the receiver hitch a lot lately. In fact, I just got back from a three day trip where I did a two days of biking in northern Minnesota. I hope it goes well for you installing the hitch. I had trouble with the threads in the frame being pretty rusted. I ended up cleaning them us with some penetrating oil and a bolt that I used as a tap by cutting a slot in the threads (of the bolt). Hopefully you won't have this trouble. Minnesota cars always have rust issues on any parts that are not painted or otherwise coated.
anthonygobot
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Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 7:37 am

Re: (truepath)

Post by anthonygobot »

Ill show those bolts who is boss! lol Yeah my luck I will have a lot of trouble, it never fails! I bought the bike rack from Harbor Freight for $25 (yeah im sure its cheap). I am going to Mammoth Cave next week and plan to have the bike along for the trip.
truepath
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Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Re: (DoubleBaril)

Post by truepath »

Our posts must have just crossed each other. Let me describe the way I did it. I used a bolt with the same threads as the ones that came with the receiver. I brought one of the the receiver bolts to an auto parts store and had them match the thread. The bolt I bought was hardened. I put the sacrificial bolt in a vice and with a hacksaw, cut a slot across the threads the long way on the bolt. The idea is the slot will allow the rusted material a path to escape from as you turn the bolt in. I think that I actually cut a slot on two sides of the bolt. I soaked the frame thread areas with penetrating oil before starting and I let it sit for awhile. I started the bolt as best I could by finger turning it with a socket. After it felt like I had started the bolt into the threads I put a handle on the socket and carefully started working the bolt into the threads. After getting the bolt started I would turn it in a quarter of a turn or so at a time and then back it out. I kept turning it in a little further and backing it out some or even all the way out a couple of times to clean out the threads. I sprayed in more penetrating oil as I went. I was pretty careful to not cross thread the frame threads, or turn the bolt so hard as to break it or strip the threads in the frame. I think any of those things spell pretty deep trouble as far as ever getting the receiver hitch in without major car surgery involving welding and stuff like that. Once the threads were all cleaned out and the bolts turned in as they should, I went ahead and installed the receiver according to the instructions. I paid particular attention to getting the locking washers on properly and following the torque specifications. I did manage to get these threads cleaned out, but I don't claim to have any special expertise. This was just the way I did it. Good luck with the project.
DoubleBaril
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Re: (truepath)

Post by DoubleBaril »

might even be worse up here in Manitoba, where its winter 1/2 the year, lolI got a wire brush/pipe cleaner thing, hopefully that'll help out a bit
2003 Vibe AWD
truepath
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Re: (DoubleBaril)

Post by truepath »

Yah, the wire brush thread cleaner tool would help I think. Maybe that's all you will need to do.
anthonygobot
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Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 7:37 am

Post by anthonygobot »

I just noticed my packing list says this hitch is class 2 but the site says class 1. The model #'s match as well...
anthonygobot
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Post by anthonygobot »

Would you guys recommend using Thread Lock on the bolts? Someone brought that up to but I had no plans on using Thread Lock (non permanent).
truepath
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Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:51 am

Re: (anthonygobot)

Post by truepath »

I follow the manufacturer's instructions on these kinds of things. If they recommend thread lock, then I would do it.
anthonygobot
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Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 7:37 am

Re: (truepath)

Post by anthonygobot »

I got it on without locktite, and I took the Vibe to the trail today and got a 2fer! How cute!
areles
Posts: 190
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:46 pm

Re: (anthonygobot) hitch

Post by areles »

Here's what I got for $130 + tax from my local U-Haul dealer. The wiring is a Tow-Ready 118460. The hitch says U-Haul 24880; the box is Curt 12221.

Attached files
truepath
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Re: hitch and mileage

Post by truepath »

I just got back from a canoe trip where I pulled a trailer with one canoe and two kayaks on it, 4 people and paddling gear and got 25 mpg at speeds ranging from 50 mph to 70 mph. I'm pleased with that. The Vibe handled the load very well.
chrisr
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 9:32 am

Re: hitch and mileage (truepath)

Post by chrisr »

I was wondering about the GT fitment. The rear bumper on my 03 GT looks no different than the one on Truepath's 05, I hate those hitches where most of the cross-member is exposed and would really prefer the 12234 as on his vibe.Anybody know of any reason why this would be a problem, are the bumpers really different. I can't see any ground affects a la the Matrix. Any GT owners installed a hitch contrary to the manufacturers recommendations?Thanks Guys.
truepath
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Re: hitch and mileage (chrisr)

Post by truepath »

Chris,I'd call Rock Auto (see my earlier post) and ask them which Curt hitch fits on your car. I suspect it will be the same one as on my car, but I would check before buying.
SpotTheDogg
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Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:05 am

Re: Trailer Hitch

Post by SpotTheDogg »

Hey guys, I’m trying to mount a U-Haul hitch on my gf’s 2005 AWD. I bought it used from a guy with an ‘05. All the listings I’ve seen don’t separate the FWD and AWD, but it is right on the muffler and I don’t think it’ll go on.

Any ideas?
SpotTheDogg
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Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:05 am

Re: Trailer Hitch

Post by SpotTheDogg »

SpotTheDogg wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2020 11:10 am Hey guys, I’m trying to mount a U-Haul hitch on my gf’s 2005 AWD. I bought it used from a guy with an ‘05. All the listings I’ve seen don’t separate the FWD and AWD, but it is right on the muffler and I don’t think it’ll go on.
Well, that was silly! The U-Haul hitch is a two hole unit, and I was trying to use the front pair of the three. There was so many layers of undercoating and dirt I missed the rearmost hole entirely. I cleaned the holes out with WD-40 and a M12x1.25 tap.
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joatmon
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Location: SMC MD

Re: Trailer Hitch

Post by joatmon »

SpotTheDogg wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:08 pm Well, that was silly! The U-Haul hitch is a two hole unit, and I was trying to use the front pair of the three. There was so many layers of undercoating and dirt I missed the rearmost hole entirely. I cleaned the holes out with WD-40 and a M12x1.25 tap.
Glad you got it figured out. Those holes do get filled up with all kinds of stuff
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