Trailer hitch troubles

[JimBrizz]

Hello all, this is my first post. I figured you guys might know more than the people at U-Haul. I recently bought a 2005 Vibe. My wife and I searched specifically for a Vibe for weeks, and finally found the right one. The problem is that I want to install a receiver hitch on it for my boat (lightweight aluminum) but the car has what I call ground effects below the front and rear bumpers. They look like they came from the factory, but I've never seen another Vibe with them; there's also a spoiler on the hatch. The plastic molding below the rear bumper is so low that it seems that you would have to cut into it for the receiver part of the hitch. The guy at U-Haul showed me that there is a hitch that is listed for a Matrix XRS that looks as if it might work without cutting up the ground effect, but I don't know if it would work on a Vibe. Am I going to have to cut into that part, or is there a hitch that would work without being too low to the ground?

[Derf]

Not clear on the added ground effects, a picture would help. The hitch mounts low on the Vibe and remains somewhat recessed, the receiver insert is banana shaped, which brings the receiver up and out to the height for most towed items.

[KITT222]

You will need to cut the body effects. Another member (waveresponder) has the ground effects kit on his Vibe, and a hitch that the dealer needed to trim to get it to fit correctly.

[trb]

Sounds like you got one of the special Vibes with the GM spoiler package. Lucky you!



Looking at it, the bumper cover does appear to be lower than a stock bumper. One thing I know, the hitch from a 03-08 Vibe will fit a regular 09-10 Vibe, but like yours, my 10 GT has a lower bumper cover. I got an older model hitch for $50, but was able to temporarily remove the lower black plastic panel on my bumper cover to give me enough room for the hitch. I didn't want to spend $180 to buy a new one for what was probably a one time deal towing a u-haul trailer. According to discounthitches.com , a local trailer place, CURT Trailer Hitch #12221, #122211, #122212, or #122213 will fit a 2009-2010 Vibe GT and also the earlier model GTs. The counter guy could not confirm it 100%, but he did tell me if I ordered it, they would test fit it and of course if it did not work, they would take it back.

I just looked up a Matrix and for the XR and XRS, they show two options, one that requires facia cutting and one that does not require it. The part numbers I listed above are the ones that require cutting. The one that does not require cutting is CURT Trailer Hitch #12013, #120131, #120132, or #120133. Different part #s just have different ball mounts included. Sounds like the XRS hitch would be the best to try.

Hope this helps!

[JimBrizz]

TRB- Sorry it took a while to reply. Thank you for your information. From what I've been finding out, a hitch for a Matrix XRS might be what I need. So that's what I got- the GM spoiler package.

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe Jim! That's awesome that your Vibe has the GM factory ground effects! Definitely post some pictures of your "new" Vibe when you get a chance !