Curious if anyone has any info on what this car can tow?

Big engine, big torque, and the VE Commodore SS tows 2100kg (4600+lbs).

Any word on what the US version GT would tow? Hopefully the same!

Here's why, I'd love to have a nice daily driver as the GT, a fun car at that, but also be able to tow my race car to the race track. Right now, I have a truck (Nissan Titan) as a DD, and would like something... car like, that'll haul more than, umm.... whatever it'll haul, and get better gas mileage too.

--kC

Don't see why not, the car is the same so 2100kg shouldn't be an issue, especially with the 6 litres of grunt....:burnout:

After a little more research, it only can come in an automatic....

Booo.

--kC

What? Towing only with an automatic? Just be patient, grasshopper, 6 speed manual tranny will be late '08 arrival and regardless of what it might say, it will tow the same.

I have a VY Commodore V6. This is now 4 years old and has little in common with the VE, but you should consider the VE an improvement. It has the old Buick V6 and 4 speed auto. I have the middle of the road tow bar (there are 1200kg, 1600kg and 2100kg). This gives me around 3500lbs. I tow a camper trailer which wieghs around 3000lbs, and it tows this as though their is nothing there. I also tow a motorbike trailer with 2 dirt bikes, and a 7 x 5 trailer which I loaded 1.5 meters of wet soil on last weekend (about 4400lbs). It pulled this with no complaints.

It you are going to tow distance with an auto, get a transmission cooler fitted.

What? Towing only with an automatic? Just be patient, grasshopper, 6 speed manual tranny will be late '08 arrival and regardless of what it might say, it will tow the same.According to the Holden site, the 2100kg tow package is only available in an automatic (They have manual VE/SS's there, yes?). The middle/lower rates can be either.

It you are going to tow distance with an auto, get a transmission cooler fitted.Of course. ;) Tranny temp gauge also.

I tow 1500 miles one-way to racing events. If it's going to do the long haul, it's going to be prepped to handle it...
.
--kC

Towing should be the same, I believe.

Bump.

Anyone in any position able to tell me if the GT has a towing package available for US models?

--kC

Didn't I just read somewhere that it is rated at 2000lbs.

Yes, without addition of any yet to be released factory tow (or install of aftermarket frame hitch) the G8 is certified only for 2000 lbs towing, which would be from a simple bolt to the bumper hitch.

I'd consider bolting on a hitch. I have a 4X8 utility trailer I tow with our van, I could see using the G8. I'm normally pulling less than 2,000 lbs with it. Plywood, furniture, etc.

Yes, without addition of any yet to be released factory tow (or install of aftermarket frame hitch) the G8 is certified only for 2000 lbs towing, which would be from a simple bolt to the bumper hitch.

This is the info I'm looking for. Thanks. Well, I guess that means I'm not getting one then if the US GM division doesn't support the higher towing capacity that's available to those down under.

--kC

I'd like to be able to pull around a utility trailer with some stuff or a small boat (probably PWC) so the 2000lb should be good enough for me.. but I'd really appreciate the ability for the car to pull more than its weight. It DOES have 385lb-ft, after all.

How similar is the G8 with the Commodore? Will those 4500lb hitch assemblies just bolt on or does something have to be developed specifically for the Pontiac?

I'd like to be able to pull around a utility trailer with some stuff or a small boat (probably PWC) so the 2000lb should be good enough for me.. but I'd really appreciate the ability for the car to pull more than its weight. It DOES have 385lb-ft, after all.

How similar is the G8 with the Commodore? Will those 4500lb hitch assemblies just bolt on or does something have to be developed specifically for the Pontiac?

Doesn't the G8 have a longer rear bumper and different fascia? You might be able to use the VE's receiver hitch frame, but with a longer receiver hitch.

I hate to grave dig this thread, but has anyone had any luck with adding a towing hitch to there car and maybe towing ~2klbs

I plan on looking into this as well. I want get rid of my old pickup (which never gets driven except to haul stuff) and tow a small utility trailer for doing the occasional Home Depot run.

I'd appreciate any knowledge as well. :)

I plan on looking into this as well. I want get rid of my old pickup (which never gets driven except to haul stuff) and tow a small utility trailer for doing the occasional Home Depot run.

I'd appreciate any knowledge as well. :)

Not wanting to discourage anyone, but if I needed to do a Home Depot run and didn't have a pickup, or access to one, I'd go rent one rather than screw up the rear on the G8. Just too many body pieces to mess up putting a trailer hitch on one of these. IMHO that is!:wink2::pir_flag:

Curt Manufacturing has a hitch available (the one I have) and U-Haul has a different style (better looking in my opinion) hitch available as well.

They both are 1.25" Class I receivers - Curt is less expensive, U-Haul can provide installation.

This has been on my mind for awhile. I had a SUV before and used it to tow a trailer. I like to take my bike to the track a few times a year and it helps to transport the bike to the dealer without the need for someone to follow me.

But, having a hitch on a SUV is differnt appearance wise to the G8. I had an Impala before the SUV and could tow with it. I did not mind the look of the hitch on that car. Somehow, I feel that I wouldn't like the look on this car.

Does anybody do a hidden hitch?

I just put a hidden hitch on my car last night. It isn't too bad looking any doesn't stick out too much.

Pics?

coughG8STcough...(Damn GM:slap:)

I hate to grave dig this thread, but has anyone had any luck with adding a towing hitch to there car and maybe towing ~2klbs

http://www.ricesigns.com/real_pictures/bump_signs.jpg

I just put a hidden hitch on my car last night. It isn't too bad looking any doesn't stick out too much.

Can you please post a pic?

Who was the manufacturer?

Sorry, been away for a while. Remind me if I don't put it up within a week.

Uh, guys, that's 2100 kilograms, not pounds. 2100kg is like isszy said, 4600lbs. I'm not sure how heavy you're supposed to go with the tow rates, but dozens of times I've pulled an extra wide horse float full of gear and two race horses with the V6 4 speed auto - and that as in the previous generation. That's a braked trailer though, by the way, electronically hooked into the car's brakes. Wasn't as easy as with the bent eight but the car certainly didn't struggle, even to get off the line.

As many have requested...here are pics of the hidden hitch I have with a trailer attached. When the trailer isn't attached it is hard to even see the hitch underneath the car (it doesn't stick out as some of the other installs I've seen on here). The trailer weighs in about 2000lbs with the tongue weight somewhere around 150 or so. When accelerating it is hard to even tell it is back there, but you can tell slightly when braking under normal conditions.

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4711&d=1249869028
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4712&d=1249869034
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4713&d=1249869040
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4714&d=1249869046
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4715&d=1249869051

What about towing when you're G8 is lowered? Not recommended or would you have to keep the weight off the front a more?

Think I may go pedders street drop but being able to trailer my motorcycle in my GT seems so...stealthy. :)

Geight... where did you get your hitch, and it looks awesome! :)

I second, thats awesome! ive been thinking mildy about this as well for a little dirtbike hauler...

Geight... where did you get your hitch, and it looks awesome! :)

Found it on hiddenhitch. com but a better question is which wiring kit did you go with and thoughts on that? Did you get the included hardware? Needed or?

http://www.hidden-hitch.com/results.aspx?category=t1&year=2009&make=Pontiac&model=G8

nice, maybe some day the G8 will tow the bird to the track lol

If want to have a low car and be able to tow large loads, I suggest airbags. No, really.

went to etrailer.com and used

Wiring:
119176 AND 118151 This is a self powered unit that isolates the wiring from your cars electronic system incase the trailer isn't wired properly, or it shorts out. Also, depending on the trailer and how many lights it has (side running lights, etc...) you may need one anyways. Figured I'd play it on the safe side.
http://www.etrailer.com/p-119176.htm?search=1

Hitch: Class I, 2000 lbs...you can't find a class 2 hitch for the g8 here in the states
60208 - Came with required hardware and the drawbar.
http://www.etrailer.com/p-60208.htm

The hitch took about an hour to do (i have a hydraulic car lift though), and the wiring took about 30 min. The wiring was really simple and easy to hook up since the battery is in the trunk. All I needed was a 12V light tester and I just started checking the connections on tailights...I ended up fusing it right at the battery (well, I guess an inch away). MAKE SURE the live end of the (+) power cannot touch any other metal in that compartment.

and since I'm a nice guy I'll give you what the wiring was on my car:
yellow+black: left turn
green+white: right turn

purple: running light on drivers side
baby blue: brake light on drivers side



last of all, when it comes to modifying the heat shield don't listen to the locations they tell you to cut (my opinion). the instructions called for cutting off more than half of the heat shield. I only did the slightest bit (such that I could get the bolts through onto the frame rails) and then tucked the loose ends under the hitch as I tightened it up. You will have to cut out one of the holes that is drilled through the heat shield that a bolt goes through to keep it fastened, but you can just then tuck the loose end under the hitch and it works perfectly.

Nice! Thanks for the info!

nm, found it