Hitch, Trailer, and Towing Discussion

My GF and I are renovating a small house, so I've been needing to haul materials from the home improvement center back to the house. I can cram some things in the back seats, but 2x4s and sheets of drywall is another matter. My GF's dad suggested I buy a pick-up truck!

I already have too many cars, so this truck thing isn't going to fly, and I know her dad will eventually suggest I get rid of the Riv to get a more practical vehicle. So I shopped around and found a good price on this:

http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowItem.asp?id=90022

Ordered this morning, built to fit the Riviera/Aurora, planning to install this weekend. Only weighs 32 lbs.

Now, anyone know where to find a good deal on a small trailer?

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!

Hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I got rid of my F150 4x4 about 3 yrs ago, couldn't justify the expense anymore. I'd still love to have an older 1/2 ton truck for infrequent hauling, but I have no place to put it. Even a little S10 or Ranger wouldn't be a bad choice. Hey Aaron, they have trailers at that link also.

Nice AA, i kid you not, i was looking to buy a trailor hitch off craigslist at one point when i was doing landscaping!!!!!!!!!!! but then i found a freind with a truck who needed a job

I will continue to smoke Hondas... with or without a trailer attached!

AA wrote:

I will continue to smoke Hondas... with or without a trailer attached!

OH NO YOU WONT!!!!!!!!! dont take that trailor to ridiculous speeeds thats scary man!!!!!! plus he'll get you on the FLY BY

Haven't you seen this before? Hot dogs for everyone! LOL!

Haha, take THAT rustang!

im sorry to say this but if that was a 03/04 cobra it would be total different

The hitch part is removeable. I don't see what the problem is. 99% of the time it will be invisible. I may put one on myself one day.

oh boy WILL you PLEASE get a video of you beating a mustang or something with a trailer........ it would make my day!!!!!!!!! of course i have to wait a few month's until you get the oppurtunity

welcome to the club!

im gonna race someone with my 2,000 lbs of ski's attached. Thats only 2 seconds lost in the 1/4mi. back at stock performance numbers

We have a work-hauler around. It's a '96 G30 van (with rear heat and A/C). The 1 ton chassis is nice for pulling my car trailer, it's very good at that. When we need to take 8 passengers it's the only thing. Helping people move? Take the benches out and it's a moving truck!

Other than missing 4wd (I miss my old suburban) and really sucking in the snow, this van is extremely versatile.

It's really bad on gas (13 mpg, 12 w/car on trailer) so mostly it just sits next to the garage, but it's really nice to have when needed...

I received my Hidden Hitch model 90022 on Friday, installed today. I've seen these things on other vehicles, and I always see the damn white lettering "Hidden Hitch" under the car. It's so bold, it's not hidden! Well the one I have isn't like that. It's practically invisible! A few notes:

- Really good quality product! Nicely painted, very solid steel, but not too heavy. Made in Canada.
- Priced right from www.redtrailers.com at $152.83 delivered.
- Easy to install, single page instruction very detailed and helpful.
- Made to fit the Riviera/Aurora. 6 bolts, no drilling needed. And it fits!
- Super stealth design with plastic cover. No one's going to know it's under there unless I have the trailer on.

Pics:





Interesting, the hitch is dated 2007. Still making parts for Rivieras almost 10 years later. Now, I'm sure those bolts on the floor go somewhere...

wow, nice. I might have to consider adding one of those! It would be nice to pull a small camper on a weekend jaunt without needing to take my gashog van...

I traded some weight, too. Removed the ELC air bump, which I think is burned out. That had to weigh 8 lbs at least. Need to test it, might see about getting it repaired or a new one. With the trailer, I may want to use the ELC function again!

My GF's father chuckled a little when I told him I was doing the hitch. I didn't tell him my car has more torque than his truck.

AA wrote:

I didn't tell him my car has more torque than his truck.

What model truck does he have and what engine??........ haha that would be funny if you showed up someday with a double axle trailor with A HUGE load of wood and have the back end at stock height maybe he would

It's not really a truck, but he pulls the trailer with it. Infinity FX35, VQ35DE with 280 hp / 270 lb-ft. < 370 lb-ft of modded Riv.

AA wrote:

It's not really a truck, but he pulls the trailer with it. Infinity FX35, VQ35DE with 280 hp / 270 lb-ft. < 370 lb-ft of modded Riv.

lol................. i REALLY like the looks of those in the "burnt orange with the burnt orange interior........ but id have to get a 45... the 35 exhaust note is

AA, I've got a question for you.

Are you able to insert the draw-bar into the hitch? It's wierd, because I installed mine (Draw-tite) and it's so hidden that the 13" long bar that came with it will not go in all the way, I'm only about 1/2" away. I took a closer look at the instruction and says you have to trim part of the bumper. That's rediculous. I'm not going to cut my bumper just because of a stupid hitch.
I looked for an extension, but they only make them for the 2" bars.
I also looked for a longer bar, but I already have the longest I could find anywhere on the net.

What did you do? Maybe yours is different becuase it's "Hidden-Hitch"

John

That's pretty dumb, imo. I'd send it back. My Hidden Hitch does not require any bumper trimming. No clearance problems with the draw bar or the hitch. I've been pulling with no trouble for a couple weeks now.

AA wrote:

That's pretty dumb, imo. I'd send it back. My Hidden Hitch does not require any bumper trimming. No clearance problems with the draw bar or the hitch. I've been pulling with no trouble for a couple weeks now.

how is that working for yah?

I estimate the trailer is 500 lbs, and I loaded it with another 500 lbs of stuff before driving about 20 miles of stop and go + freeway. So the Riv is easily over 5,000 lb.

I'm really glad I set my TCC to disengage under less throttle. This way I don't need to throw it in 3rd to pull the trailer. I use 4th instead. Can't use cruise in OD, though.

Car doesn't feel much slower with the trailer on, but I know it is. Gas mileage is horrendous when pulling this much weight!

Take it to the drag strip with the trailer and see what it runs!

Have you been looking at trans temps while pulling an extra half ton in stop and go?

I have not. I know trans temp can creep up after a while, but it usually takes a good 1/2 hour to reach 180 under normal loads this time of year. Next time I pull, I'll try to remember to get a few readings.