To those who already have their G8 GTs, is there any listing in the owner's manual about towing? I know the Commodore is set to 2100 kg with the right equipment. I want to see if Pontiac stepped up this time, or is forbidding towing like they did with the GTO.

Dave

2100 Kg would be sweet. more than enough for my Waverunner :D

The G8's Maximum Recommended Trailer Weight is 2,000 lbs or 907 kg. About twice the suggestion of most of the other passenger cars Pontiac sells.

Not quite as high as the Torrent (3500 lbs or 1588 kg)

For 2100 kg (4620 lbs) would need to go to the other side of the showroom and look a a few of the Canyons or the Envoys or the regular Full Size Pickups/SUVs. (The Acadia doesn't quite make it)



Maximum trailer ratings are calculated assuming standard equipped vehicle, driver and required trailering equipment. The weight of optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. 10 to 15% of the trailer weight is the recommended trailer tongue load.

Interesting. Why the big difference between the Commodore and G8? Are there different springs, rear end gears? Is it just a case of Aussie regs being different from US regs?

Dave

Interesting. Why the big difference between the Commodore and G8? Are there different springs, rear end gears? Is it just a case of Aussie regs being different from US regs?

Dave

lawyers determining how much liability GM want to assume, they have the American public convinced that you need a full size truck to pull anything.

Interesting. Why the big difference between the Commodore and G8? Are there different springs, rear end gears? Is it just a case of Aussie regs being different from US regs?

Dave

Because GM want you to buy a Silverado to tow anything bigger than a bike rack...

But Pontiac doesn't make tow kits for there cars... do they? Holden is the only way we could get a tow kit, correct?

Interesting. Why the big difference between the Commodore and G8? Are there different springs, rear end gears? Is it just a case of Aussie regs being different from US regs?

Dave

Probably because of the transmission, since you can't cut any type of OD off, you would probably have to run in manual mode, and there is no extra trans cooler, you could risk burning it up.

It might just be me, but i dont really understand why anyone would want to even tow anything with these cars.......Just my $.02

It might just be me, but i dont really understand why anyone would want to even tow anything with these cars.......Just my $.02

Because it can. Why own a truck when you can tow with your car? When I was younger, my father used to tow his 21" cabin cruiser with an '84 Caprice Classis Wagon. I mean, I don't think anyone is talking about towing a 30' speedboat or a 35' camper, or even installing a fifth wheel hitch, but for jet skis or small trailers, this car should be able to tow without a problem at all.

Because it can. Why own a truck when you can tow with your car? When I was younger, my father used to tow his 21" cabin cruiser with an '84 Caprice Classis Wagon. I mean, I don't think anyone is talking about towing a 30' speedboat or a 35' camper, or even installing a fifth wheel hitch, but for jet skis or small trailers, this car should be able to tow without a problem at all.

+1 I had a grand prix with a hitch to pull a $200 foldable utility trailer. I didn't need a truck just to get a sheet of plywood from home depot. My wife's van has a hitch now, so I don't need one on the G8 yet, but its a nice option.

A couple questions on towing capacity for my 2009 G8 V6:

1) I am interested in buying a Seadoo/Jetski. They are about 800 lbs + the trailer weight. Can this be done with my G8? (My other car is a DeLorean, not a truck, so no option of towing it behind that)
2) Where does one get a towing package to install on my car? Through a GM dealership? Or aftermarket only? Is this a home mechanic install job? Or get a professional to do it?

Thanks :)

You can get a class 1 hitch that goes under the bumper (hidden hitch, kurt, uhaul, etc) and it bolts to the frame. Easy to do yourself, if you're mechanical.

Then you need to wire the harness into the taillights. Easy, if you're electrical.

Will cost you $150 or so for the hitch and $25 for a cheap harness to the turn bulbs or I'd do a $50 harness if you want a good harness that takes power from the battery.

Add $100 to $300 if you pay someone to install it for you.

Different strokes for different folks I guess - I mean why would you wanna turn a diesel truck into a drag race??

But lets be serious folks - the G8 shouldn't be used for towing if for anything just due to the oddity of looking like a redneck pulling a jetski behind a sportsedan. Hell, why not use a vette to tow?

All kidding aside though, yeah I bet the G8 could tow an 800lb jetski + trailer, you could then back that baby right down the beach just so the jetski sits in the water enough that you could get it afloat, then you can call the nearest towing company to pull your G8 out of the mucky sand you backed into whilst landing said jetski in the water :wink2:

Different strokes for different folks I guess - I mean why would you wanna turn a diesel truck into a drag race??

But lets be serious folks - the G8 shouldn't be used for towing if for anything just due to the oddity of looking like a redneck pulling a jetski behind a sportsedan. Hell, why not use a vette to tow?

All kidding aside though, yeah I bet the G8 could tow an 800lb jetski + trailer, you could then back that baby right down the beach just so the jetski sits in the water enough that you could get it afloat, then you can call the nearest towing company to pull your G8 out of the mucky sand you backed into whilst landing said jetski in the water :wink2:

Hey man --- give the guy a break! He's not gonna put a hitch on his other ride (a BTTF Delorean!) and the Holden UTE is not available in the US... so the G8 is quite capable, I would think!

Jet skis are cool, I had a u-haul hitch on my 1997 bonneville and my matching ski-do jet ski was awesome to take my car to the pier, launch it, have a day of fun, and then put it back on the trailer and take it home. It's not like it's a 25' boat or camping trailer, jet ski's are small!

And yes, I do concur that it's not good to launch on a sandy beach. Everywhere I've ever launched our boats and jetskis were paved launching ramps, safety and not getting stuck is key!

What's wierd, is that this is not normally the time of the year when one dreams of jetskiing... that's for the springtime!

I think your comedy routine needs a rim shot.

I have a motorcycle trailer that can hold 3 bikes. I'm not comfortable with that much weight on a class 1 or 2 hitch, yet a class 3 for our cars is only sold in Australia. Shame.

Yeah, dont back your G8 into steep sand to put your jetski in, but if you have a concrete ramp like 95% of places do, its a great platform to tow and is often used to pull heavy in Australia (with the right hitch).

If you're worried about what your car looks like when its towing and have the money to buy a truck just to look cool while you tow, awesome. Otherwise the G8 is a heavy sedan with more than enough brake and power and cooling to tow, more than most crossover SUVs sold here.

I'm just going off my experiences w/ jet skis and landing them in the water - never once used a concrete ramp, usually those are held up by a 20 car wait of fishing boats, we would just drive the thing onto the beach and back it into the water....which I thought was part of the convenience of owning a personal watercraft.

Again, I said to each his own, just isn't something I'd do, that's for sure. But yeah I also said I'm sure the G8 could do it no prob

2) Where does one get a towing package to install on my car? Through a GM dealership? Or aftermarket only? Is this a home mechanic install job? Or get a professional to do it?
I got mine through Hidden Hitch in Mississauga. It's a Class I Draw-Tite model. Bolts right up to the frame rails using existing holes. I think it was around $180 cash and carry.

It can be a DIY project (I did mine myself) but you have to drop both mufflers and perform some surgery on the heat shields. Hitch City offered to install it for $75 but I declined.

Here's mine:

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/va3wxm/IMG_5097.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/va3wxm/IMG_5096.jpg

But lets be serious folks - the G8 shouldn't be used for towing if for anything just due to the oddity of looking like a redneck pulling a jetski behind a sportsedan. Hell, why not use a vette to tow?


The VE/Commodore/G8 is used to tow in Aussie land, they have different rated tow packages with it there is even have a harness, mirrors/electric brakes, ect options to go with it. Thats what that little square cutout in the lower valance is for the receaver to poke thru. I guess Holden is ran by rednecks. I've seen Vetts tow trailers before they use it to tow a set of race tires to the track.

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/commodore/sv6/accessories
:wink2:

Please understand, that all of this talk, of a G8 "towing" something, is viewed by some of us as "crude". I must say, Buffy would not be amused by this. The very idea of towing something, implies dirty hands touching the steering wheel, how vulgar. And the thought of someone with filthy clothes sitting on the fine leather and premium almost leather is utterly appalling. I beg of you, please delete or lock this thread before someone in the Hamptons sees this desicration and we all are banned from afternoon martinis. The horror.....
:nono::The_Villagers:

jeez I voice a little opinion about how its a bit off pudding to tow w/ a performance sedan, especially one so low to the ground, and everyone turns it around like I'm being snobby about it. MEANWHILE I'm one of the .5% of members on this board w/ more than 50,000 miles on their car, I drive the thing year round and through blizzards, because it was meant to be a DD - but it sure as hell wasn't meant to tow sh*t.

BTW - I lived in Australia for 8 months and there are a few reasons they tow stuff w/ their commodores - they are similar to the UK - they simply do NOT have trucks there, they just DON'T have them. Yeah they have the ute and similar offerings, yeah they have mule type industrial box trucks or flat beds (and those are about as powerful as a 3/4 ton haha), but they have no passenger trucks and the biggest SUV you may see over there is a landcruiser or old FJ (which they WOULD use to tow). Commodores are so damn expensive over there that people would only buy it as their primary example so they would have to use it to tow - it doesn't snow there, it rarely rains in many parts, and they are typically driving on impeccably maintained roads so 4x4 isn't a concern.

So I stand firm - can you do it? Sure. SHOULD you do it? I would say no.

lawyers determining how much liability GM want to assume, they have the American public convinced that you need a full size truck to pull anything.

Yes, exactly. How else can you explain why Crown Vics were constantly reduced in their towing capacity, even as the chassis got stiffer and the engines more powerful? Another example: the older BMW 5-series wagons were "not recommended for towing" in North America, but the same cars had 2000 lb ratings in Europe. It's definitely a case of manufacturers getting terrified of being sued by a public that doesn't want to take responsibility for its own actions. :judge: Okay, rant off :P

It's incredible to see the huge towing capacities of older cars ('60s and '70s), even though they weren't that powerful and were pretty droopy-drawers by today's standards.

jeez I voice a little opinion about how its a bit off pudding to tow w/ a performance sedan, especially one so low to the ground, and everyone turns it around like I'm being snobby about it. MEANWHILE I'm one of the .5% of members on this board w/ more than 50,000 miles on their car, I drive the thing year round and through blizzards, because it was meant to be a DD - but it sure as hell wasn't meant to tow sh*t.


So I stand firm - can you do it? Sure. SHOULD you do it? I would say no.

The point I made that the car was tested by Holden to tow, thats why they have OEM towing kits made for it(link). SO if someone wants to tow with it they can as long as they stay withen the towing limits. Its alot different than someone towing with a car that wasn't tested to tow or said it was forbidden in the owners manual. The UTE is built on the same chassis so its strong enough. To each their own.

http://www.mypowerblock.com/profiles/blogs/g8-tows-a-boat

file:///C:/Users/James/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.pnghttp://powerblocktv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pontiacg8.jpg

http://www.mypowerblock.com/profiles/blogs/g8-tows-a-boat


Yo that G8 has a maggie, headers, intake, exhaust and only makes 100 HP over stock - WTF?

oh the horror

It might just be me, but i dont really understand why anyone would want to even tow anything with these cars.......Just my $.02

I use my 03 Impala to do a lot of towing.

The reason for it, most of the stuff that I haul is bulk that is within the towing limits of the car. Another is just basic economics. How often do you really need a truck, as best maybe 10% of the time within a year. I had my GMC Sierra un-used most of the year, sometimes even 6 months in a stretch. When was almost paid off I trade it with for my G8. If I need to get some heavy, I just pay someone to haul it for me. Giving the amount of money that I will pay is nothing compared with the Maintenance/Payments/Tag/Insurance/Tear and Wear/Fuel of having a truck.

Where I live, you can rent a Pick Up Truck locally for about $50 a day or pay someone $50 extra to deliver and take the garbage/packaging too. So even to haul some, lets say 3 times out of the year for roughly $150 for a truck is a pretty good cost effective solution.

If you have a boat or some kind of mobile home and move it a lot, sure, why not, that makes sense to have a truck.

The VE/Commodore/G8 is used to tow in Aussie land, they have different rated tow packages with it there is even have a harness, mirrors/electric brakes, ect options to go with it. Thats what that little square cutout in the lower valance is for the receaver to poke thru. I guess Holden is ran by rednecks. I've seen Vetts tow trailers before they use it to tow a set of race tires to the track.

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/commodore/sv6/accessories
:wink2:

The 04/05/06 GTOs came with some hardware that would allow you to fit a trailer hitch in the back, same thing with our cars, i think that's what mr weather used to bolt his trailer hitch (per post #18)

And yes, i've seen camaros and vettes trailering tires and tools on 1/4 mile race days as well. I wouldn't mind doing it, and i'm sure she could pull a jetski with ease without having trans issues. if i had the money for the jetski, i'll be posting pics and everything :)

I have purchased a tow package from Australia, where I am originally from, and installed it on my G8 GT. It tows my dirt bike trailer and my Regal 1800 boat (not at the same time). I live in sw Florida where the roads are flat, pretty well maintained and I launch the boat at a concrete ramp.
I had to remove the bumper, drill a few holes in the aluminium (yes, it is spelled with an 'i') frame under the bumper, connect some wires, cut out the opening in the rear diffuser and thats about it.

It looks like it came from the factory (oh, thats right, it did), I sold my Dodge 1500 so I could get my G8 and couldn't be happier. It came with a tow decal stating that it can tow 2100 kgs that i stuck in the inside front door where the tire decal is. By the way, it is 2100 kgs if the trailer is 'braked'.

As someone said, "to each their own"

I took photos of the install, which was a year ago, but have never posted them, as I, admittedly, am more of a reader of this excellent website than a poster.

According to the Wikipedia the 6L80/6L90 on the G8 GT comes in the 07 GMC Yukon/Denali, 07 Cadillac Escalade and 08 Hummer H2.


So is good to say that is rated to tow with ease.

The 04/05/06 GTOs came with some hardware that would allow you to fit a trailer hitch in the back, same thing with our cars, i think that's what mr weather used to bolt his trailer hitch (per post #18)

And yes, i've seen camaros and vettes trailering tires and tools on 1/4 mile race days as well. I wouldn't mind doing it, and i'm sure she could pull a jetski with ease without having trans issues. if i had the money for the jetski, i'll be posting pics and everything :)
I got rid of the trailer "Y" brace on my GTO to save weight.
According to the Wikipedia the 6L80/6L90 on the G8 GT comes in the 07 GMC Yukon/Denali, 07 Cadillac Escalade and 08 Hummer H2.


So is good to say that is rated to tow with ease.

The V6 don't have that transmission but it can tow about the same. Its a combination of frame strength too.

I have purchased a tow package from Australia, where I am originally from, and installed it on my G8 GT.

Details on how you got it here? Shipping is insane.

Details on how you got it here? Shipping is insane.

Maybe he went to visit grandma and it was his "carry on luggage". Never know! :bs:

On a related topic... THIS is what should be pulling jet-skis ....

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/lupinipower-chevrolet-sportute-is-wild.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TNqzzE_qxLI/AAAAAAADjXw/3UU4XPd1d78/s800/Chevrolet-SuperUte-01.jpg

We can only wish and dream though...

I've already told my gf our next vacation might be Australia if I cant get a hitch soon. And if they wont let me take it as craay on, its cheaper to buy it a friggin plane ticket than ship it.

I've already told my gf our next vacation might be Australia if I cant get a hitch soon. And if they wont let me take it as craay on, its cheaper to buy it a friggin plane ticket than ship it.


Keep in mind a trailer hitch is pretty heavy compared to regular luggage and on top of that, you will have your own luggage and a bit more on other things. Do not know how much will be to pay for the extra weight and about declaring to US Customs, might get pricey... If you ever gong to do that, check with the Airlines and Customs so you will not get a nasty surprise.

Maybe he went to visit grandma and it was his "carry on luggage". Never know! :bs:

On a related topic... THIS is what should be pulling jet-skis ....

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/lupinipower-chevrolet-sportute-is-wild.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TNqzzE_qxLI/AAAAAAADjXw/3UU4XPd1d78/s800/Chevrolet-SuperUte-01.jpg

We can only wish and dream though...

Shouldn't have posted that because everytime I see one of those it gets me fired up because we could of had one.

Shouldn't have posted that because everytime I see one of those it gets me fired up because we could of had one.


Already. Due out in 2011 I believe. :rant:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TNqzzE_qxLI/AAAAAAADjXw/3UU4XPd1d78/s800/Chevrolet-SuperUte-01.jpg



I do not want to be pesimistic but I am under the impression that will not sell well. Is not a Socker/Grocery Getter-Mommobile. The people that might buy will be Hod Rodders.

What I am getting is...

A 2 (maybe 3) seater that is a "car" and not a truck.

Most people that buys SUVs think they are more safer since they are already planing to crash. For what I hear, the biggest reason of buying one is the safety, saying that if I hit someone they will be the loosing end. But if you hit a vehicle the same size and weight even at smaller speeds the force of the impact is far grater.

That I will buy one? Yes, IMHO if I need a personal/household, trash/cargo hauler is the ideal vehicle for my lifestyle.

The market will tell, but I think is not going to sell well. Anyway, I have been proved wrong before.

Similar to the "cult following" that some may describe the G8 enthusiasts... the sport truck / el camino / ute would initially have a low turnout, but depending on the options and appeal, it may be successful. Look at how many el-caminos show up at classical car shows... now imagine one with a performance powertrain... it's got potential. But does GM/Chevrolet need another low-volume "enthusiast only" target automobile? Nope... :(

Never would have known unless it hit the market.

Perhaps the today's market is ready for a Sport Wagon instead vs an open cargo space "car".

Back in the 70s and 60s and maybe early 80s. Trucks were actually real trucks. Low comfort creatures, designed to be rugged and abused. An El Camino/Ranchero was the perfect comfy utility vehicle. A Truck that rode like a Car. Now days, trucks has so many comfort creatures than people will prefer a truck than a El Camino/Ranchero.

Apple to oranges

We "had" a sport wagon the Magnum see where that ended up. Trucks/SUV's was doing really well there in the late ninties early 2000's, lately dealers couldn't give them away and was trying to give them away. Dealers close to me had noting but trucks on the lots because thats were the markes were. Things have changed gas prices, ect. People are looking for a more economical vehicle. Now there are more cars on lots than trucks. I'm not saying the Ute would have been the answer but the truck has its place. Aussies have a different market and usefullness than we do for Utes. There were alot of people jumping up and down for the "G8 ST" including my wife. I think the Ute would have been acepted well. I also agree it may have been a niche market.

I also notice that there are more full sized trucks on the roads than the smaller trucks.

Maybe he went to visit grandma and it was his "carry on luggage". Never know! :bs:

On a related topic... THIS is what should be pulling jet-skis ....

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/lupinipower-chevrolet-sportute-is-wild.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TNqzzE_qxLI/AAAAAAADjXw/3UU4XPd1d78/s800/Chevrolet-SuperUte-01.jpg

We can only wish and dream though...


This may happen. Chevy announced they will be bringing the G8 back but as a Chevy with a different name.

Ugh the price of shipping from Aust keeps getting higher and higher. I want my damn towbar before spring.

Ugh the price of shipping from Aust keeps getting higher and higher. I want my damn towbar before spring.

What are you planning on towing? Is the class 1 frame rails bolt on hitch too "lightweight" for what you're planning?

I will be listing a framerail bolt on hitch in the springtime...

Motorcycle trailer and a pop up camper. Both CAN be towed by a class1, but its above the rating. I want a 4k lb hitch since the car is designed for it and I want it through the factory bumper hole, not under.

It might just be me, but i dont really understand why anyone would want to even tow anything with these cars.......Just my $.02

Because its the only car available to them to tow something and the car is capable of doing it. Jet Ski's, Go-Kart's, 4 wheelers and such would be perfect for this car to tow.

I swear I've read the tow capacity is 4,000lbs. My friend from Australia says the holdens pull 4klbs boats all the time.

There is a 5,500 lb hitch in Australia for VE's (our car), but its a load bearing/distribution hitch that has arms that go to the frame under the car. 3,600 is the "normal" hitch or you can get a 2,000lb hitch that is like the 1k to 2k lb "class 1" here in the US.

I think the G8 Drivetrain and Powerplant is very capable of pulling big loads. What people need to consider is how the Car can handle the extra weight (braking, turning, etc...). I say 2,500 with all stock seems to be a good towing weight. More than that I think the suspension and brakes can not really handle it if you get on some situation.

Pretty sure the brakes on these are as good or better than the drums on my old GMC that was rated to tow 5k+. Especially the Brembos on a GXP. More power, and damn near as heavy too. Not saying the G8 could pull a 37' RV trailer (like http://www.rvconsignment.com/trailerpops/InsidePops/NorthCountry37BP.htm) but standard class 3 stuff should be fine with the correct Holden hitch.

Only thing I'd even worry about is #1 trans cooler or if I was really towing something heavy also #2 oil cooler.

I just need to get that damn class 3 hitch from Australia