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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: diftoyota on May 31, 2012, 12:34:50 PM

Title: trailer hitch
Post by: diftoyota on May 31, 2012, 12:34:50 PM
well i bought two brand new dirt bikes last monday, a 2012 yamaha ttr 125 for the gf and a 2012 yamaha ttr 230 for myself, i had the ttr 230 before and is a fun bike, easy on gas, decend power (its not a racer but doing fine) ow that i have these bikes i need a way to transport them around. so i know i will need a trailer hitch.

will a older model tracker,sidekick,sunrunner trailer hitch bolts up to my 2002 vitara? and im curious to see it the vitara could handle the trailer hitch attachement for motorcycles with the 450lb total weight of both bikes i have together? if not i'll get a trailer instead of the attachement
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: fordem on May 31, 2012, 03:26:54 PM
Never tried, but I doubt it - the 99+ vehicles have a wider chassis.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: nprecon on May 31, 2012, 08:42:12 PM
I don't have my truck with me right now to check mine, but I seriously doubt the tongue weight would support #450 pounds.  I'm thinking the rating is more in the area of 150#s.  A small trailer would be "more better."
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: Crazy4x4 on May 31, 2012, 09:51:37 PM
As far as towing capacities
On my 03 Grand Vitara I'm not to sure if the Vitara versions or even the 2 door versions is the same but I'm sure it is close
Maximum Towing 1500 lbs
Maximum Payload 915 lbs

As far as fitment.
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=0&catID=1040&part=87005 (http://www.hiddenhitch.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=0&catID=1040&part=87005)

1999 - 2004   Chevrolet, Tracker, All Styles
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Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: diftoyota on June 01, 2012, 06:07:35 AM
i 've seen a few tongue weight was like 300lb its all depends of the hitch class i guess,im thinking  of buying like a boat trailer and remove the whole thing to the bare frame then add 2 channels so the bike wheels would sit on and maybe a bar in between them to hold them up. would be light weight. and i can also put on a box on the trailer pole so i can put in the gas,hold on straps and a few items wen going out.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: skahre on June 01, 2012, 07:03:08 AM
I put a fairly heavy duty 2" receiver hitch on my '02 Tracker (can't remember if it's Class III or Class IV).  The hitch itself will handle WAY more than the little truck could ever dream of.  I think if you hung 450 lbs of bikes off the back of that rig, you would either bend the back end of the frame or pop a wheelie (almost) and have no steering.  Remember that the tongue weight of a trailer is all centered right on the ball - relatively close to the back bumper.  A hitch platform style carrier sticks out another 2 or 3 feet, thus multiplying the leverage the weight has on your truck.

I have a little 4' X 6' angle iron and expanded metal trailer I haul my ATV around on.  The Tracker handles it just fine around the valley, but as soon as I start climbing grades into the mountains, the 2.0L is straining pretty hard.  I've found that if I'm taking my ATV up there, I can get better gas mileage with my wife's Trailblazer towing it than the Tracker, simply because it can stay in higher gears and doesn't work so hard.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: samuraidan on June 01, 2012, 02:27:28 PM
i went to Uhaul and bought a class 3 hitch with a 2" receiver. It was surprised by how cheap it was, well it was less expensive then some of the bigger websites.

I originally bought it so i could tow mine and my girlfriends dirt bikes. With a small two railed trailer the little 4 banger never skipped a beat. Now the dirt bikes are gone and we tow around our boat. I estimated the boat and trailer to be around 1000lbs but with enough time and patience the Vitara does just fine.

(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv359/Sammy_Dan/251424_10150271897479627_736287_n.jpg)
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: nprecon on June 01, 2012, 08:19:44 PM
Definitely, the class of hitch makes a big difference.  I have a CL I on mine.  I agree with skahre that the leverage of that much weight (400#s) suspended away from the thin frame (if it didn't pull bolts out of the frame) would probably warp the end of the frame eventually unless the frame could be reinforced.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: diftoyota on June 06, 2012, 09:36:48 AM
Definitely, the class of hitch makes a big difference.  I have a CL I on mine.  I agree with skahre that the leverage of that much weight (400#s) suspended away from the thin frame (if it didn't pull bolts out of the frame) would probably warp the end of the frame eventually unless the frame could be reinforced.

 i was thinking of that as well, i am curently looking around for a hitch and a small trailer. not much around my area. do they make plug in and play type wiring for vitara? i had one of those kit on my old ford ranger and loved it, save from cutting wires and having issues in the future.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: nprecon on June 06, 2012, 11:04:49 AM
I'm not sure about the GVs but on the 2nd gen Trackers, if you pull the left rear plastic fender panel loose from the top, and look down around the area of the top of the left rear wheel well, you will see a factory connector in place to add the pre-manufactured pig tail for a trailer.  I bought a couple of these aftermarket connectors for my past 3 trucks that worked perfectly and avoided having to cut into existing wiring (for the reasons cited).  I'm thinking the major hitch manufacturers can supply one if you call them and ask about one.  I've used Curtis hitches and a couple others.  From memory, I think you have to pop off the trim around the rear door first to remove the wheel panel.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: z28jeff on June 07, 2012, 05:03:56 AM
I have this one in my 03 Tracker....  http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Chevrolet/Tracker/2003/118372.html?vehicleid=2003520 (http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Chevrolet/Tracker/2003/118372.html?vehicleid=2003520)
If you open the panel where the jack/tire iron is, and look back over the wheel well, you'll see the plug taped to the top of the wheel well. It's that simple.

Also, this is the hitch I have....   http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Chevrolet/Tracker/2003/24673.html?vehicleid=2003519 (http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Chevrolet/Tracker/2003/24673.html?vehicleid=2003519)
I didn't see the point in getting a class III when the maximum tow rating of the truck is only 1500lbs. I only have it to tow my 4x8 utility trailer. I've hauled quads many times and a couple loads of firewood with no issues.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: diftoyota on June 13, 2012, 07:13:19 PM

I didn't see the point in getting a class III when the maximum tow rating of the truck is only 1500lbs. I only have it to tow my 4x8 utility trailer. I've hauled quads many times and a couple loads of firewood with no issues.
[/quote]

class III would have a higher togue weight witch allow to load up the rear hitch rack a bit more if using one.
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: zuki709 on June 14, 2012, 12:27:10 PM
you can also use the class 3 for a winch mount ;D (http://thewinchstore.com/zencart/images/Champion%20winch%20images%20059.jpg)
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: diftoyota on June 14, 2012, 07:39:50 PM
that would be sum sweet
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: zuki709 on June 19, 2012, 02:44:48 PM
i'm making a hitch for the front of mine. then when i get some spare cash im get ing a winch on a class 3 mount. ;D
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: diftoyota on June 21, 2012, 08:51:36 PM
my dad 1997 toyota rav4 had a rusty factory trailer hitch, both sides were rusted out but the middle section is still very solid, it is just the perfect width to weld in between the front frame of my vitara. thats what im going to do on mine, it will strength it up good at the same time, only downside it uses the smaller square hole, but i dont plan of pulling heavy load on reverse lol
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: Crazy4x4 on June 22, 2012, 02:27:22 PM
you can also use the class 3 for a winch mount ;D


Like this! Smittybilt XRC12 12,000 winch with hitch mount. I got it set up with grade 0 wires and simple quick disconnect connectors.
(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac327/Dodgef25/Suzuki%20GV/IMG_20120622_110533.jpg)

(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac327/Dodgef25/Suzuki%20GV/IMG_20120622_110558.jpg)

(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac327/Dodgef25/Suzuki%20GV/IMG_20120622_110903.jpg)

It is removable front and rear on my Dakota. When I go on long trips out in the mountains with the Suzuki I take it.
(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac327/Dodgef25/93%20Dakota/PB060012.jpg)
Title: Re: trailer hitch
Post by: Crazy4x4 on June 22, 2012, 02:44:48 PM
i'm making a hitch for the front of mine. then when i get some spare cash im get ing a winch on a class 3 mount. ;D


Already made a front hitch. Not to hard to do. I built it to add in a bike rack or anything else I might need.
The only bad thing it doesn't clear the bumper, I need to drop it 1.5in down. So I got to make new brackets and all. When I decide to rip it all apart I will drop on a class 3 hitch with 2in receiver.
(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac327/Dodgef25/Suzuki%20GV/IMG_20120420_154655.jpg)