For all you people that have a GT bumper on your cars. Would you be interested in a hidden trailer hitch? The receiver would be hidden behind the licence plate. All opions welcome.
ACE in Colorado used to have one of these- but I contacted them last year, and they no longer have any of their original documentation on it. The liscense plate was hinged on the top and when opened revealed a standard hitch reciever.
I'm currently working on creating a Fiero trailer- so if you're making a kit or something... let me know so I can start allocating some funds for it! Can you expand on your idea?
How do you deal with the liscense plate not being visible? I know the trailer would block it normally, but with the plate folded down, does that violate any laws?
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01:10 PM
FieroJoe Member
Posts: 2314 From: Southfield, MI Registered: Nov 2000
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: The liscense plate was hinged on the top and when opened revealed a standard hitch reciever....
...Can you expand on your idea?
His "idea" is actually a reality. I have seen it, and it is very very cool. His plate hinges, and the fascia is cutout behind it to reveal a receiever. You would never know that it was there.
You need a digital camera cire36 so you can show everybody your awesome project!
------------------ Blue '87 Coupe V6 5spd AIM:FieroJoe87
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01:40 PM
cire36 Member
Posts: 674 From: Rio Rancho, NM Registered: Feb 2002
I currently have one on my car. I had a hindged plate that my licence plate mounted to but I have just finished a mounting systen that allows the plate to be seen. I bought a Fiero hitch a few years ago and then added a GT rear fascia to my car and did not want to cir it. So I figured out a wat to make it hidden. I have never posted pics to this forum and not sure hoe to do so. Once I figure it out, I will post pics of what I have done to date. I would not mind making a kit for people that want it, but not sure how to go about marketing such a thing (have never done anything like that before).
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01:48 PM
cire36 Member
Posts: 674 From: Rio Rancho, NM Registered: Feb 2002
Originally posted by FieroJoe: His "idea" is actually a reality. I have seen it, and it is very very cool. His plate hinges, and the fascia is cutout behind it to reveal a receiever. You would never know that it was there.
As I mentioned in my initial post... I have already seen this type of setup. ACE in Colorado had a couple of cars with this type of hidden hitch design at the FOCOA nationals in '93, '94, & '95. But I'm really primarily interested in photosl... and info about whether this will be a kit- and what to expect (like install info).
more info!
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02:52 PM
litespd Member
Posts: 8128 From: No where you want to be Registered: Aug 99
I have a friend here that did the same basic thing with a 454 SS pickup that he had. He had removed the rear bumper, and had a "roll pan" installed. The receiver on the hitch fit perfectly behind the license plate indentation in the pan, and he just cut a hole in it, and then used a hinged plate mount for his plate. He mounted it so that his plate swung up from the bottom. Got a hitch that was just slightly longer, so that it would clear everything. Was really slick!
------------------ Mike 86 GT 4 Speed "Sucks to be me..."
Wow! That's exactly what I was hoping for... now are you going to sell this as a kit? or at least explain how you did it and/or where to get the parts to do it!
BTW: I resized the pics to be a little more "dial-up" friendly.
The plate holder is even a bit better than what ACE in Colorado did years ago... they pretty much had the plate just hinged at the top. This looks great!
Now when can I get one?!
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09:31 AM
cire36 Member
Posts: 674 From: Rio Rancho, NM Registered: Feb 2002
I responded to the last message you sent... but Yahoo kicked it back saying that you probably had a full mailbox.
Anyway- you had concerns about selling such a kit due to insurance risks. Instead of trying to insure yourself for that type of laibility, you could just have all purchasers sign an insurance liability waiver, therefore removing all responsibility from yourself. This also would work better based on the fact that you wouldn't be installing them for everyone, therefore you can't guarantee the quality of their work!
Your other option would be to just market/sell the license plate system and include a list of required parts & instructions for modification/installation of the those parts. Again, an insurance waiver could be beneficial to you!
What would you want for just the License plate system?
BTW: you wouldn't happen to have any pics of the reciever before the rear fascia was attached- would you?
[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 04-24-2002).]
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05:16 PM
Jul 1st, 2002
helmet1978 Member
Posts: 743 From: Boise, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2001
Originally posted by ls3mach: That hitch looks sweet do you know how much it can tow. I need one that can tow a Fiero atleast.
Be careful!
Seems as if the owner's manual limits towing to 1000 lbs. For balanced towing, 12 -15% hitch weight is required. 150 lbs is the GM recommended upper limit.
With a Fiero in tow, the limit would be exceeded by over 2 1/2 times and hitch weight would need to be 350 to 375 lbs.
To what weights are these hitches being certified?
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06:48 PM
thomas_l Member
Posts: 1197 From: Alpharetta, GA, US Registered: Apr 2001
Try http://www.sirmichaels.com - they sell all sorts of stuff like that, usually for pickups with rollpans (replaces the rear bumper). Seems like it wouldn't be too big a deal to install the license plate adapter, cut a hole in the fascia behind it, and mod the reciever so it fits. Or just make one. Don't the ready-made ones just bolt to the cradle? You can buy the tube part from Northern Tool or a camping supply and build the hitch or have it made by a welding shop.
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07:55 PM
thomas_l Member
Posts: 1197 From: Alpharetta, GA, US Registered: Apr 2001
To what weights are these hitches being certified?
I agree. Fiero hitches are normally Class I which means they're good for a lawn trailer or maybe one jet ski. Any more and you're an accident waiting to happen. 2 Fieros and one set of Fiero brakes is asking for it
I have seen the 8' pop-ups (Dutchmen Duck, I believe) at 980 lbs, wet GWR (Gross Weight Rating). This GWR includes 10 gals. water (for about 65 lbs.) and 10 lbs. propane. Add the recommended 50 lbs. (actually a little less) for the a/c on top and it is very close to the GM GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). Without on-board water, GVWR would probably be about 960 lbs.
Of course, to stay within GVWR, useful load (supplies) would have to be severely limited to about 40 lbs., but it is possible.
Electric brakes on the pop-up probably make it safely towable by a stock V-6 Fiero. More power from a later 3.1 or larger engine, might make it even fun!
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11:01 AM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by JohnF: crazyd----- I have seen the 8' pop-ups (Dutchmen Duck, I believe) at 980 lbs, wet GWR... Electric brakes on the pop-up probably make it safely towable by a stock V-6 Fiero. More power from a later 3.1 or larger engine, might make it even fun!
I can't tell you a whole lot about this setup publicly, but I can say that the car and hitch is a long way from stock, and the trailer weight is more than twice what you mention. It is a fully self-contained trailer with every comfort of home.
Dave
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01:02 PM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by crazyd: [QUOTE]but I can say that the car and hitch is a long way from stock, and the trailer weight is more than twice what you mention. Dave
I do not intend to imply that what is in your pic is or is not a safe or recommended rig. I just gave published recommended facts and figures for towing anything by anything.
If all necessary upgrades have been done on the Fiero in your picture (class II hitch and electric trailer brakes, oversized car brakes, transmission strengthening, x-tra trans cooling system, strengthened car suspension and front end, car re-balanced, proper tires, etc, etc, etc), that set up could very well be a great one.
Note though, the kind of hitch or its certified pulling rating does not increase the pulling capacity of the towing vehicle. A hitch can be rated to 3000 lbs. That doesn't mean the vehicle it is installed on can tow 3000 lbs.
My little response is meant only to show what can be regularly and safely towed by a stock, unmodified Fiero.
My apologies if I have offended you and your hard work modifying this car to pull more than twice the GM recommended weight.
I am sure a lot of the readers on this forum would love to have you list just exacly what you did to a Fiero to get it up to regularly and safely towing over 2000 lbs.
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05:08 PM
Jul 3rd, 2002
thomas_l Member
Posts: 1197 From: Alpharetta, GA, US Registered: Apr 2001
------------------ Martin D. White 86.5 GT 3.4 pushrod on 88 cradle (2.5" coilovers), gt-40 style hood vent, recessed lights, GA brakes on held drop spindles
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11:43 AM
cire36 Member
Posts: 674 From: Rio Rancho, NM Registered: Feb 2002
Hey Everyone, Sorry I havent gotten back to anyone about this. I have been busy with the 1000 other projects I have for the car. I havent even taken the hitch off the cat yet to clean it up yet. Someone mentioned that the hitch mounts to the cradle, no it doesn't. It mounts to the area's on either side of the trunk bucket. It started out as a hitch that was made specifically for fieros. I have modified it so when I added the GT bumper to my car, I did not have to cut it up. I am thinking about making a kit out of it and offering it to fellow fiero owners. I am planning on the licence plate mount being spring loaded so it is either up or down (over center springs). The plate will always be facing outward (visiable). I only got a couple of responces when I first posted this thread. It seems that quite a few people are interested in this. I may have to give this project priority. What do you all think?
I'm still interested... I'm pretty sure I can rig a reciever myself (I just need to get one and start cutting & welding )- but I'd really like to go with your license plate frame! So, YES- it would be a great project to move up your list!
Mine is a 17' with electric brakes. I have towed it over 4000 miles like that, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The hitch is rated at 200/2000, and I was inspired by a certain member of the Fiero community who regularly tows Fieros with Fieros.
