Trailer Hitch

[grbadave]

I installed the 1 1/4" draw-tite hitch much more easily than expected in about 30 min. Works great for bike rack and luggage basket. About $100.

[Pigwich]

Anybody come up with a slick solution for the trailer light wiring harness? There's infinite garbage on the internet that claims to work with any car from any planet, which probably means that none of them work...

Thoughts or experiences on this subject?

(´・(oo)・｀)

[NeilBlanchard]

I found this, which is supposed to be a plugin solution for trailer light wiring:

https://torkliftcentral.com/chevy-t-one-connector-56315

I will be getting it soon. I hope I can figure out (maybe with help from TorkLift?) about where it plugs in. The challenge may be where the brake lights plug in, because the bumper lights only activate when the hatch is open.

[NeilBlanchard]

I installed the same model hitch on our Bolt EV, on Saturday. I did it on my own (my brother was moving with his wife from her house, to his), so I didn't take any pictures. Look above for pictures of our installation on his Bolt.

I also bought a Curt T-One trailer light connection harness, and therein is a tale. The unit is designed for the Chevy Volt, and said that it fits a Chevy Bolt, as well. It does have to correct connectors, that T into the left and right light groups that are in the bumper of the Bolt EV.

Two problems became apparent, though. Here's my email that I sent to TorkLift:

I received the T-One connector a few days ago, and I finished installing it today. It is made for the Volt - and it is supposed to "fit" the Bolt EV; which is what I have. While it does "fit" - it has two fairly serious issues:

The location of the 12v battery in the Volt is in the back, under the floor of the hatch area (where a spare tire is often located). So the wire on the T-One that connects to the battery is roughly 3 feet long, or so. The 12v battery in the Bolt EV - is up in the front of the car, under the hood, on the driver's side - where many if not most, are located. I had to add 16 feet of 12 gauge wire to be able to connect to the positive terminal; and I needed to make 2 splices, so I could keep the 10A fuse in place.

The second issue is a bit more subtle. While the Volt is a hatchback, it's taillights are located on the body of the car. The Bolt EV is a hatchback as well - but it's main taillights / brake lights are located on the *hatch door* itself. The turn signals are located in the bumper. The issue is that by law, there have to be "alternative" tail / brake lights on the body - for when the hatch door is open. This is because, if the door is all the way open, the lights would not be visible.

So, basically, I have to open the hatch door, in order for the trailer tail / brake lights to function. The T connections on the unit do "fit" in that they plug into the left and the right side lights *on the bumper*. I don't know where to find the connectors for the lights in the hatch door - and the turn signals are in the bumper, anyway. They are probably too far away for the length of wires on the T-One unit you provided.

I hope this all is clear - if you have questions, I'd be happy to answer, if I can. I think you need to not sell this unit for the Chevy Bolt EV, and hopefully Curt can make one that does have 1) a long enough wire to reach the 12v battery, and 2) connectors AND INSTRUCTIONS to connect it properly to the Bolt EV *without* having to tow a trailer with the hatch door (slightly) open.

[KenR]

Thank you NeilBlanchard for posting the details of your install. this was very helpful in my deciding to do this. I chose the EcoHitch mainly because it would allow me to use the bike rack we already own (requires 2" receiver). And as others have pointed out, it looks more sturdy.
There were no issues, the hitch arrived in 4 days and all the holes lined up. I did the entire job in under 2 hours. I highly recommend using plastic pry bars for body work (although my need for these may be lack of experience - this was the first time I've removed body panels on a modern car - HINT: this was an easy job). When I went to disconnect the wiring harness I broke the clip that attaches it to impact bar. I remounted it using a zip-tie - getting my arm in there to attach the zip tie was the hardest part of the entire job.
there are 3 screws in the inner wheel-well that need to come off. For one of them there was not enough room between the tire and wheel well. I jacked the car slightly not even off the ground, just enough to create some space. I didn't have a shorter torx socket and did not want to take off the wheel. Very easy job. Hitch looks great.

[NeilBlanchard]

I am glad I could help, Ken. The hitch part was easy - even with the closed cutout that my brother and I used; which leaves the plastic intact along the edge of the bumper cover.

The wiring would be easier if the harness was designed for the Bolt EV.

I am going to be getting a 5x8 trailer soon, from Lowes - they are on sale until April 27th, for $100 off.

[JVorbeck]

I installed the Draw-Tite 24956 Class I Sportframe Hitch this weekend with the Curt 4 pin universal trailer lighting kit. CURT 59236. Bought it all on Amazon. The hitch install may have taken 20 mins. Super easy, on my garage floor. Car doesn't need to be jacked up. The much much more difficult process was the lighting kit. That was about a 2.5 hour project and mainly wrestling interior plastic panels. However, everything you need is right there in the trunk behind the left {drivers} side plastic panel with the vent holes in it. 12v power, a nice body ground, tail lights, brake lights and both turn signals. The Curt device separates your cars CAN bus electronics from the trailer plug so there are no errors, fast blinks or power surges. No wire cutting either it just uses vampire taps.

I am towing a Lowe's 5x8 trailer

https://ibb.co/zWg36gb

https://ibb.co/GPyqztn

[GetOffYourGas]

Did the hitch installation require cutting the bumper or fairing?

[JVorbeck]

The black plastic cover that wraps underneath required a 3.5" wide x 5" long cut. I didn't cut it all the way out, just the two 5" vertical cuts and folded the "flap" up. It just rests against the top of the hitch bar. I used a hack saw. No need to remove anything from the vehicle. You can't tell I did it without looking underneath. But, if you're leasing you would have to purchase that lower unpainted black valance and replace it when you remove the hitch. Doubt it's very expensive.

[GetOffYourGas]

I own my car, and hope to keep it for another 8-10 years. I'm just nervous about cutting the plastic. I don't think there is a way around it, and it sounds like a minor operation, so I really just should man up and do it. It's my "bravery test" for those of you who remember Bob Ross.

https://clips.twitch.tv/SucculentEsteemedCakeTooSpicy