Tow Hitch Installation
 

Has anyone done a tow hitch installation on your HHR? Was it difficult? I would like to pull a small trailer but I am finding it difficult to find someone that will install the hitch. Chuck

I don't remember it being hard to install the hitch other than I had to bend or notch the rear bumper. I just pushed the hitch up a tiny bit and the bumper bent out of the way.

You have to drop the exhaust to get to the fasteners on the drivers side , fish the fasteners thru the factory holes and line it up the torque the bolts, easy peasy!

Thanks Oldblue. The video pretty much showed me everything I need to know. It's just about impossible for me to get under the car with my back problems, but at least I will know what to ask and look for IF I can find someone to install it for me. Much appreciated. Chuck

You are welcome! No trailer or EV sales places near you? They should have a service department to install for you.

Only one place near us that does hitches and after I ask for a quote, they won't call me back or respond. I will have to travel at least an hour away to find someone to do this for me. Living in the country is nice until... Chuck

The reason they won't do it is that GM says the HHR is not capable to tow. Liability raises its ugly head.

I thought it was just the SS that could not tow.

The SS is explicitly not designed for towing. The others are conditional; standard transmission is no tow, auto is based on weights etc. I can see where a shop would be confused.
The HHR is 1/2 ton truck, that means it can haul a maximum of 1,000 lb. including driver and passengers and fuel and cargo.
See your Owner Manual for specifics, there is a whole section devoted to being towed and towing a trailer.

Per the owners manuals that no one reads, GM sez no tow for all HHR SS, and all HHR manual transmissions.

From what I gather, owners ignore that with impunity all the time.

The SS bumper cover interferes with the hitches I've seen. It will bend out of the way. Cutting a small notch looks better but of course is less reversible.

Installation should be child's play for any muffler or chassis shop. 1/2 hour maybe. And, no, they won't check with GM for approval before they do it.

The wiring you can do yourself.

The fine print and the owners manual the points of understanding no one reads. :thumb:

The maker of the hitch attachment is required to have a weight and limit sticker on it and it is referenced at some u-hauls I've rented from with larger vehicles.

Peculiar the HHR is limited towing anything and the automatic can be towed all wheels down.
Ideal for use as a 1/2 ton flat tow storage trailer behind my G30 Vandura set-up base camp and go exploring in the HHR
To tow or be a tow that is the question...
in either case respect the weight and stopping distance of your ride. Be safe out there.

Ps funny; changed out my bowtie front grill emblem on the Astro for a Ford one that I had changed to "Fore" with a small golf flag. Officer checking on me sleeping one night says the license plate # and vechicle model doesn't match there system? I responded it says fore not ford. A warning to stay out of my way! Good day...

:twothumbs: :lol: