[mike]

Wondering if anybody out there has added a hitch to their 968? I would like to add one to tow a small tire trailer. Is there a source for the hitch or will I have to get something custom fabricated? On 968.net, in the "Modifications" section of the website (not the Forum), there is a mod that Mike O'Leary / Rod Hill did that has some nice pictures but does not mention where the hitch came from.



Thanks,

mike

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[Jason Judd]

I had one on my 944 Turbo S...I'm pretty sure the application is the same for the 968.



Mine was by a company called Southsport; I had their tire trailer, too. I used to drive my car down to the track on street wheels and swap over to track wheels for the weekend and then switch back for the drive home.



It was OK until the car popped a head gasket at Summit Point one time...Just happened to have my wife with me that time.



It all worked out in the end; because she suggested we get a trailer and tow the car from then on.



Jason

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[Anchorman]

There is also a factory setup. Check the PET. When I priced it, nearly 3 years ago (how time flies when you're having 968-fun), it was a bit over $1k. I think there were still a few available. I decided not to take that route for carrying my bike rack. Instead, I've gained weight.

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[mike]

[quote name='Jason Judd' date='Jan 6 2006, 09:42 AM']Mine was by a company called Southsport; I had their tire trailer, too.

[right][post="14247"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Thanks Jason...I wanted to go with the Southsport hitch and trailer but they are no longer in business.



mike

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[mike]

[quote name='Anchorman' date='Jan 6 2006, 09:52 AM']There is also a factory setup.  Check the PET.  When I priced it, nearly 3 years ago (how time flies when you're having 968-fun), it was a bit over $1k.  I think there were still a few available.  I decided not to take that route for carrying my bike rack.  Instead, I've gained weight.

[right][post="14249"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Over $1k...too pricey for me. Hopefully, I can find something cheaper. I was upset about paying $650 for my Touareg factory hitch. Thanks for the info.



mike

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[Mark]

Several of the S2000 guys I know have had custom hitches done for a few hundred bucks that look real nice. I'll see if I can find one of them are in Florida.

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[Ninemeister]

In case anyone is interested we have recently removed a genuine factory tow bar (trailer hitch) from the ex-Porsche Cars Great Britain speed yellow 968CS demonstrator and it is available for sale if anyone wants it.



The hitch is all hidden behind the rear pu, the removeable ball section mounts through an access hole cut in the pu which when not in use is covered by a painted moulded panel. The bar mounts on the standard bumper mountings and bolts through the sides of the boot floor wells. We have all the parts including the bolts & wiring loom apart from the removeable panel which is still on the customer's car.



The ideal scenario is that we can exchange the rear pu's so the customer can do without one with the access panel, but if this is not practical maybe the panel could be purchased seperately? Be advised that the hitch frame is very heavy so it will not be cheap to ship across the pond.



Make me a sensible offer and it's your's.

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[Dirk]

It's so easy:

http://www.968.net/modifications/trailer_hitch.htm <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

when doing this, remember maximum load - consult your owner's manual - rear suspension loading is very limited in these cars, and especially in cabs

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[Dave]

Is towing even covered in the owners manual? I don't recall seeing it. I am heading down a similar path, so... inquiring minds want to know <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ether_joe]

hey guys thanks for this thread, I may be doing this sometime in the future as I increase my bass rig. Also thinking about a roof rack. I appreciate the links and advice.

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[flash]

this is not terribly feasible



keep in mind that the max load of a hardtop is 639# and the cab is 397# - this INCLUDES passengers!



after deducting the weight of the people, then, deduct from the remainder, anything you are carrying inside the car, and any added components to the car (aftermarket amps, heavier wheels, etc) - also deduct from those numbers the wieght of the hitch itself



now you have what's left available to you for loading - you can figure in the tongue weight from there - my guess is that you won't end up with much available



u-haul definitely won't rent to you

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[ether_joe]

[quote name='flash' date='Jan 23 2006, 10:46 AM']this is not terribly feasible



keep in mind that the max load of a hardtop is 639# and the cab is 397# - this INCLUDES passengers!



after deducting the weight of the people, then, deduct from the remainder, anything you are carrying inside the car, and any added components to the car (aftermarket amps, heavier wheels, etc) - also deduct from those numbers the wieght of the hitch itself



now you have what's left available to you for loading - you can figure in the tongue weight from there - my guess is that you won't end up with much available



u-haul definitely won't rent to you

[right][post="14951"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Thanks for the heads-up. I'll have to keep it all in perspective. . . I don't want to twist up my beautiful p-car. Good news is there are good lightweight options for bass with the new neodymium magnets. . . could probably do everything I need with 80 lbs, maybe even 60.

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[mikeo]

Try this link also. Trailer Hitch



I've towed a Southsport track trailer to Roebling and Sebring about 10 times with no ill effects. As far as the loading is concerned, the under hatch area is full of cooler, clothes, helmet, cameras, and other track trip adventure necessities. Probably a 100# or so. Tongue weight is about 50#. Total trailer weight with tools, fluids, Easy-Up, chairs, and tires is about 500#. Usually there's just little ole me but I have carried a passenger without any issues.

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[flash]

yeah - you're right in there



i wasn't saying it couldn't be done - clearly it can - i was only cautioning about the realities



looking at that installation, i can see the limits - the bolts are in sheet metal and not the frame - that probably won't do well over time, and isn't particularly safe, but as long as you use your head on loading, and don't have to do any emergency manuevers, it should work ok for a while - certainly fine as a bike rack - towing a load though, you're eventually going to buckle that sheet metal - i would at least go back and add some reinforcing there - also, i would put some stops on the bumper shock to prevent the u-bolts from sliding when you have to lock up the brakes



doing this will require owning a trailer - rental places require frame mounted hitches



the good news is that you can mount a rear tow eye

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[mikeo]

Good ole Flash, he just can't help himself.

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[flash]

huh? what do you mean?



i'm sorry if i offended you, and i wasn't taking shots, but just calling it like i see it, and lending what was intended to be some constructive criticism



i'm not slagging the idea or the ingenuity, but i think the execution is a bit weaker than it could be - some plates on each side of the holes where it goes through the sheet metal will help a lot - think of it like a roll bar pad - you need a big foot print - in a brake lockup situation, you put about 3gs of force on everything - that is 1500lbs on that sheet metal in a direction that is asking it to either rip or twist - the bolts are plenty big, but what they attach to is weak



there is a reason that tow hitches are either bumper or frame mounted



another improvement would be to delete the u-bolts, and add brackets that go right to the frame where the bumper shocks mount



i'm not sure what the laws are in your state - but they are pretty stiff here - they'd never buy off on that the way it is now



i've seen too many trailer and hitch failures, experienced one myself, and am now painfully and acutely aware of what makes one safe and what does not

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[Greimann]

[quote name='flash' date='Jan 24 2006, 02:46 PM']huh? what do you mean?[/quote]



He really meant to say it this way: Click: Sound Clip

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[ether_joe]

I for one appreciate the help all around. It's all good fellas.

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[bill3]

I see this and a couple of other old posts about trailer hitches; none with links to a good solution (that I can find anyway). I've towed a tire trailer behind my 944S2 for years with no problems and now need to do the same with my 968. I was hoping there would be a way to pull off the bumperettes and buy (best case) or fabricate (worst case) something that would mount in place of the rubber.



Flash are you saying those aren't mounted directly to the bumper? (I agree that the hitch needs to be fastened to the bumper)



Any and all suggestions welcome at this point. My mechanic thought he had one lined up but apparently not.



TIA



Bill

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