[rlhammon]

MODS - Can we please sticky this? Also if any of the links are violations, please PM me and I'll fix them as you desire. If you delete the links, all the work and effort is gone. I check this site daily and can fix them quickly if needed. Thank you.

Ok.. so this is my attempt at pulling all of the Curt Trailer Hitch information together in one spot and hoping we can get a sticky made out of this post. I'm not making claims for any of the products on this thread, and imply no such support. None of the links generate anything for anyone (they are not referral links of any kind). This thread is simply a collection of information from other threads and my own searches online for information.

I'm going to break up the thread like this:

First post (this one) announcing this thread.

Second post (next one) information on the Curt Hitch itself.

Third post (you get the idea now) information on carriers.

Fourth post information on trailers.

Fifth post information on cargo boxes.

Sixth post information on weather proof / resistant bags.

Seventh post reference links from past threads on this subject

Post 8 - 10 are placeholders for now.

 

[rlhammon]

Information on Curt Hitch

Q: "Is there a trailer hitch that can be used on the base (NA) Solstice?"
A: Yes. Curt Manufacturing currently makes a hitch which bolts up to the Solstice (base model) without modification to the hitch or the car.

Q: "Is there a trailer hitch that can be used on the turbo (GXP) Solstice?"
A: Yes. Curt Manufacturing currently makes a hitch for the base model, which can be modified to fit the GXP (in stock form). No modifications to a stock GXP is required to mount the hitch.

Q: "What kind of modifications are required to fit the Curt Manufacturing hitch on the GXP?"
A: Here is a few pictures of the hitch installed, with the cutouts required to fit around the second exhaust pipe (additional pipe when compared to the NA model).

Q: "Is there any trailer hitch for the GXP that does not require modification?"
A: Currently the answer is NO. However, if you have an aftermarket exhaust on your GXP you might be able to mount the Curt Manufacturing hitch without modification to the hitch.

Q: "How do I find the Curt Manufacturing hitch?"
A: Curt Manufacturing hitches can be found online at various retailers. The model number you need is: 11119. Here is a Google link to a search for the hitch. http://www.google.com/search?q=curt+hitch

Q: "What does the Curt Manufacturing hitch look like?"
A: Here is a picture of it installed.

Q: "What size receiver / class hitch is the Curt 11119?"
A: The hitch is a Class I (1 1/4" square receiver opening)

Q: "How hard is this to install on the Solstice?"
A: Minus any modification required for the GXP, the manufacturer states 30 mins. to install, and it requires four bolts to be attached to the car and hitch. The install instructions can be found here: http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=11119

Q: "Any tips for installation?"
A: Well yes... now that I've got mine installed. I would suggest the following.
1) Make a template of the passenger side vertical support, and cut the driver side to match. This will provide more room for install than the above "C" cutout pictures. Also, it provides less of a stress point. I would also suggest you drill a hole where the two cuts will meet (I did mine with a 1/2" bit, starting with a 1/8", then a 1/4" and finally the 1/2"). This will improve the stresses at the transition.
2) Also, after you thread in the bolts via the fishwire tool they give (great tool BTW, worked perfectly!), put the nuts on just a few threads. Trust me... you don't want to accidentally knock your bolts out when you are pushing up on the hitch to get it into place. Don't ask how I know that can happen.. trust me, it's hard to get the loose bolts back out and start over!
3) I added a piece of vacuum hose around the exhaust hangers because there was very little clearance between them and my hitch support. I then secured these with some cable ties. Now, if the exhaust moves around a bit, the vacuum hose sits between the two pieces of metal and won't give that annoying high pitch "ding, ding, ding" noise!
4) Install with two people, and move the exhaust side to side to give the clearance you need. There was no need to remove anything from the GXP to install the hitch.

 

[rlhammon]

Information on carriers for Curt hitch

This section is concerning carriers (commonly found via online searches as Cargo Carriers).

Since the hitch is a Class I hitch your best bet is to find a Class I cargo carrier. These seem to be less common, and more expensive than other classes of hitches. If you use a Class II hitch you will need to find an adapter in order for it to work with the Curt Hitch (11119).

Some Class I cargo carriers are:

http://www.prolineracks.com/Masterbuilt-hp2-hitch-haul-cargo-carrier.html

http://www.discountramps.com/receiver-hitch-carrier.htm

http://www.hidden-hitches.com/basket_carriers.htm

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...530111&cm_ite=0052883510253a&_requestid=26203

Other cargo carriers which will require an adapter are:

http://www.prolineracks.com/Masterbuilt-hp2-hitch-haul-cargo-carrier.html

http://www.prolineracks.com/Masterbuilt-h2a-hitch-haul-lite-aluminum-carrier.html

http://www.discountramps.com/hitch-mounted-cargo-carrier.htm

http://www.discountramps.com/cargo-hitch-carrier.htm

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...y+mini&parentPage=search&searchId=20485458141

http://www.reese-hitches.com/categories/All_Class_II_Cargo_Carriers,472

http://www.hidden-hitches.com/basket_carriers.htm

http://www.hitchcarriers.com/prodinfo.asp?number=59500&variation=&aitem=15&mitem=40

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...530111&cm_ite=0052883510253a&_requestid=26203

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200316165_200316165

(These last two models are nice as they have a built in rise to it to move the carrier up off the ground more)

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...e&hvarTextId=34975&jumpToPage=1&currentPage=0

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...e&hvarTextId=34975&jumpToPage=1&currentPage=0


Search link for adapters and risers:

Riser search:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=1+1/4+to+2+inch+adapter+riser+hitch&btnG=Search

Adapter only search:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=1+1/4+to+2+inch+adapter+hitch&btnG=Search

A forum member is using this adaptor:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_133752_133752

 

[rlhammon]

Information on trailers for Curt Hitch

Whitefang PM'ed me this information:

Company that makes Them: http://www.adventuresportsproducts.com/automobiles.htm

Both whitefang and idahobob have trailers that match their Sols. You can see pictures of my trailer at the 2006 National Meet and 2007 North American Meet and my signiture photo. GO_DRVN has a nice photo of my car and trailer in front of the KC Train station from the 2007 Meet.

Also, I found this online from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90153

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42708

Harbor Freight usually runs discount coupons in their advertisements or e-mail coupons. If you have a store near you, this would be an inexpensive setup.

 

[rlhammon]

Information on cargo boxes for Curt Hitch

Cargo boxes can be used on top of the cargo carries to hold all of your items. The main purpose is to keep things clean (inside the box), not damage your current set of luggage or upset the misses, and sometimes people like to lock up their items and this is a great way to do this.

Not all boxes are weatherproof, not all can be locked, so take a look and let me know if you have more to add.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=footlocker&noImage=0

http://www.montanajacks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=365

http://www.custom-cover.com/details.php?image_id=72&sessionid=942faee68e1c43cbb0b1b5247c68513f

http://www.coverbonanza.com/7517/234441/Auto-Accessories/Weatherproof-Roof-Cargo-Pack.html

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...m_cat=N/A&cm_pla=N/A&cm_ite=netcon&hasJS=true

 

[rlhammon]

Information on weater proof / resistant bags for Curt Hitch

Some bags are waterproof, some are weather resistant. Pay attention to not only what you are getting, but the size as well, as you'll want to maximize the size of your bag to your cargo carrier to get the most use out of your entire system.

http://www.prolineracks.com/Everthere-X12-cargo-bags.html

http://www.prolineracks.com/SportRack-A21120B-hitch-basket-organizer.html

http://www.prolineracks.com/Masterbuilt-11000106-hitch-haul-cargo-bag.html

http://www.amazon.com/Rola-59102-Ex..._4?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1196093186&sr=1-4

http://www.cargogear.com/shop_by_brand.aspx?page=2&brand=Rola

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=275612

http://www.etrailer.com/p-59102.htm

 

[rlhammon]

Reference threads used in the making of this "all-in-one" thread

Hey! Wanna see my rack??

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30904

Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27606

Trailer Hitch

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18378

Finally, A Real Bike Rack!

http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19917

Trailer Hitch help

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40152

 

[rlhammon]

Placeholder

Placeholder

 

[rlhammon]

More to come

More to come...

 

[rlhammon]

Yet more to come?

Maybe even more to come...

 

[dreamsville]

New Draw-Tite GXP trailer hitch

I'm a designer for Cequent Towing, Draw-Tite, Reese Hidden Hitch etc... I've just completed a new hitch that will fit the GXP dual tailpipe without modifying, (cutting) the hitch brackets, (like on the Curt hitch).

It is a strong hitch with a thicker frame bracket on the driver's side and reinforcement bars that was tested as designed, (unlike the modified Curt hitch).

The Draw-Tite part number is 24833. It should be available sometime in February 2009. Includes ball mount and pin and clip.

Call your local hitch dealer and ask for it.

Sincerely,
Lynn

 

[brentil]

I'm a designer for Cequent Towing, Draw-Tite, Reese Hidden Hitch etc... I've just completed a new hitch that will fit the GXP dual tailpipe without modifying, (cutting) the hitch brackets, (like on the Curt hitch).

It is a strong hitch with a thicker frame bracket on the driver's side and reinforcement bars that was tested as designed, (unlike the modified Curt hitch).

The Draw-Tite part number is 24833. It should be available sometime in February 2009. Includes ball mount and pin and clip.

Call your local hitch dealer and ask for it.

Sincerely,
Lynn

You are our hero! :thumbs:

 

[chuckdoc]

please someone post when this new hitch is available. I went to draw-tite web site and did a search for part number and nothing came up. I realize it will not be released until 2009 but I thought maybe there would be some information.

I will delete this post in a couple of days in order to keep this thread clean.

Chuck

 

[Gypsy1Sol]

Thanks for doing this. I'll be shopping for a hitch after Christmas and this info will be a big help.

 

[Fformula88]

Very cool! I think this will be enticing to a lot of folks!

 

[dreamsville]

keep ya updated

To All:
I will post when the hitch becomes available for order. Early next year.

 

[Compy222]

i'm interested.

 

[Flash's Owner]

I need to be looking for one before CO national meet. Thanks for the info.

 

[dreamsville]

I need to be looking for one before CO national meet. Thanks for the info.

They are ready and available in the warehouse, you can order through your local Draw-Tite or Reese dealer. :yesnod: Please give me some feedback as to what you think about the installation.

As Flash's Owner states my postings are my own interpretation and personal opinions also. :leaving:

 

[rlhammon]

I need to be looking for one before CO national meet. Thanks for the info.

Curt hitch works just fine for the GXP.. afterall that's what this thread is about. If someone wants to start a thread on the other hitch's that would be great for those looking to pick one up so they can compare against all of their options.

If you need / want a hand with install... let me know. I'm in your neck of the woods just about every weekend.