Towing trailer

[dbratboy92]

The sonic is a unibody design. Also gm doesn't care about the lowest common denominator at all. They don't care about your modifications. They care about coming up with any excuse to not pay out for warranty work possible.


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[LorbeerTLC]

The sonic is a unibody design. Also gm doesn't care about the lowest common denominator at all. They don't care about your modifications. They care about coming up with any excuse to not pay out for warranty work possible.


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Actually, while the Sonic might be listed as a "unibody," it uses full-length, high-strength frame rails. A true lightweight unibody design that I'm talking about doesn't have full "frame rails" as such (look underneath a Honda Fit and you'll see what I mean). They're molded so the body eliminates full frame rails to save weight. When I had a 1995 Honda del Sol, I wanted to get a hitch for my bicycle and was told that (at the time), there wasn't any way to mount one because my car didn't have frame rails. He showed me underneath on what he was talking about. Today they can mount a hitch on the Fit (and del Sol), but one I saw they had to have bolts go through the spare tire compartment in the body and that's not an ideal place to put stress from a trailer tongue.
As for warranty, my car has been out of warranty due to age and miles so I'm not worried about that.

 

[dbratboy92]

Actually, while the Sonic might be listed as a "unibody," it uses full-length, high-strength frame rails. A true lightweight unibody design that I'm talking about doesn't have full "frame rails" as such (look underneath a Honda Fit and you'll see what I mean). They're molded so the body eliminates full frame rails to save weight. When I had a 1995 Honda del Sol, I wanted to get a hitch for my bicycle and was told that (at the time), there wasn't any way to mount one because my car didn't have frame rails. He showed me underneath on what he was talking about. Today they can mount a hitch on the Fit (and del Sol), but one I saw they had to have bolts go through the spare tire compartment in the body and that's not an ideal place to put stress from a trailer tongue.
As for warranty, my car has been out of warranty due to age and miles so I'm not worried about that.

Ok I see what you mean. I didn't realize there were any cars without those frame rails. I just consider cars unibody, my sonic my mustang my falcon. And body on frame my crown Vic my town car and my truck.


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[carsNskis]

I won't argue the point on towing. Do what you want, my point is about safety and having trailer brakes addresses it.

As for the unibody part, don't mistake stamped rails glued to the floor pan for frame rails. They're there to support the weight of a car on a lift, not transfer a towing load.

The Europeans have proven for decades small cars can tow. Google caravanning to see the crazy ish they're willing to drag behind supposedly inadequate cars.

Using common sense is good advice, but towing is not common to most people so it's still wise to uprate the parts that will bear the load.

As for the towing capacity, even Curt dodges liability by stating: "Trailer hitch weight ratings are limited to vehicle manufacturer's stated capacities"....

Be safe, be smart, do your homework... but don't expect to tow more than the car was built for safely without proper preparation....

[emoji593][emoji809][emoji472]

 

[Marty53]

And like most people on this forum that have modified their Sonics (to whatever degree), they also fall within the possibility that any claim that they file may not be covered.

However, I do feel that if Curt, Draw-Tite, and other trailer hitch companies who design these hitches for cars who's owner's manuals don't recommend towing, they must know something about the cars design or they themselves could be held liable. I'm willing to take that chance that they know what they're doing.

Called Curt today and they said that if the owners manual says do not tow, then they suggest do not tow. They suggested that the hitches were meant to hold accessory carriers such as bikes, etc. They also cautioned that if you do tow then it could void such things as warranties or insurance. Just because you can do it does not mean that you should. I would suggest calling the manufacturers tech support line and verify before you proceed.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Called Curt today and they said that if the owners manual says do not tow, then they suggest do not tow. They suggested that the hitches were meant to hold accessory carriers such as bikes, etc. They also cautioned that if you do tow then it could void such things as warranties or insurance. Just because you can do it does not mean that you should. I would suggest calling the manufacturers tech support line and verify before you proceed.

I appreciate everyone's concern. However, when a company designs a trailer hitch for a vehicle, I find it hard to believe that they didn't already do some research to see if that vehicle could tow a light trailer. Of course their answer is going to default to the owner's manual. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if almost half of all their Class 1 Hitches are for vehicles who's owner's manuals don't recommend towing.
Privately I've talked to some people in the business and I explained to them what I plan to tow, how heavy it is, the tongue weight, and added it will also have trailer brakes. None of them didn't think the car wasn't capable of safely towing it provided I didn't go over the limits of the Class 1 Hitch specifications. As for the manufactures tech support line, they were the ones that recommended the hitch that I currently have on my car.
Also, keep in mind there are plenty of people on this forum who have done things to their Sonics that could jeopardize warranties/insurance and I don't question whether it's smart or not because like myself, I've figured they've done the research in what they are getting themselves into.
Again, I appreciate everyones concerns and I'll take it under advisement.
Thanks!

 

[Sailurman]

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/off-topic-lounge/15385-phoenix-az-anchorage-ak.html
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/aftermarket-crowd/15354-uhaul-hitch-installation-2013-rs.html

 

[suitcasejefferson]

While I would not recommend towing with a Sonic I intend to do it. Several companies make class 1 hitches for the Sonic. I intend to tow what is known as a Trailer in a Bag, carrying a Honda Trail 110. Around 500 pounds. But I only intend to tow it about 100 miles at the time. I will be the only one in the car, but will have a small tent, air mattress, and some food and drinks