I am seriously considering a new red HHR Panel as my everyday driver/wife's janitorial work vehicle....I am getting out of a Toyota Tundra, and I occasionally need to haul my motorcycle....Anybody here do any light towing? I am thinking a basic 5x8 utility trailer..nothing fancy..I know it can, just curious if it is decent enough to tow to say, Michigan to Florida next spring? Thanks!

If it makes any difference I am going to get one with a 5spd...

 

There are a few threads about towing.
Here are the online owners manuals so you can read up on them and check to see if the HHR suits you needs:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/online-owners-manual-3074/

Here is a thread that may be of interest also:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...hlight=trailer

 

I towed my 2007 Springer Softail from Maryland to Chicago (1400 mile round trip) with a trailer I made from a small 48" trailer sold by Harbor Freight. I extended the sides to 8 feet and then decked it with 3/4" marine plywood. My 07 Panel was loaded with at least 250 pounds of tools too but I still ended up with 23 mpg even hauling a 750 pound motorcycle. It hauled it with ease. I have the 2.4 litre engine with no modifications at all. I would not hesitate to got coast to coast with this setup. I got my hitch from etrailers.com .

 

Great! That's what I wanna hear....Wish me luck, going to the local Chevy Stealer tomorrow morning to take a look....I think they have an auto trans model on the floor, but I want a 5 speed...Or an 07 with bigger savings!

 

I have a Reese hitch on Stitch II, and I have no qualms about the possibility of towing a piano next summer. I'm going to prepare for the trip by installing a tranny cooler in series, to help give a little more cooling so I don't fry my transmission.

The owner's manual states you can tow up to 1K pounds with the automatic. (Towing is not recommended for either the 5-speed or the SS)

 

I'm sure that you can "physically" do it, but GM will deny any warranty claims to your clutch / transmission if they see your hitch. The 5 speed is not rated for towing, period. The 1000 pound rating is only for the automatic transmission.

I occasionally tow a light trailer with my 2.2 auto and other than the gas mileage hit, it does well.

Yves

 

Ahh that's no problem, I'll just remove it at work before I bring it in

 

This is in the how to section. minimum is the 2.4 with auto trans

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/deleted-threads-41/how-install-trailer-hitch-5928/

 

to the site from another Michigander!!!