Towing with the GXP

[palmettosunshine]

I just couldn't help it, 56 degrees and sunny.

[00Beast]

Looks good! Where'd you get the hitch and wiring installed? How did it handle the weight?

[ZLTFUL]

I got my hitch from a guy on EBay from Illinois that sells hitches. It's a Hidden Hitch. Worked rather well.
The wiring is a Hoppy setup I got from O'Reileys.
Not sure about the OP though.

[WhiteArrow3800]

Looks good indeed.

[00Beast]

I got my hitch from a guy on EBay from Illinois that sells hitches. It's a Hidden Hitch. Worked rather well.
The wiring is a Hoppy setup I got from O'Reileys.
Not sure about the OP though.

I don't plan on ever putting a hitch on my car, that's what my parent's truck and suburban are for.

I was just curious what the OP ended up doing, since I know there are no hitches listed as fitting the GXP, since the GXP isn't rated for towing.

[yourgrandma]

I'm sure its the same as an ssei or sle. As long as it clears the exhaust. Id get a titch to haul the racebike if I could find one that is actually hidden. I've thought about building a fiberglass rear splitter/undertray to hide one but for now ill just keep using the intrigue.

[Jrs3800]

Its not a Bonneville... But

This is a Curtis Class 2 Hidden hitch


The hitch on the van was 35-40 Lbs all by its self... Sucker looked extremely stout for a 3500 Lb Hitch if you ask me... But thats the only part of the hitch you see...

I know you shouldn't tow with a GXP or SSEi... But hell if this 3800 Lb beast with a 3800 V6 can do it???? Granted my vans Frame is more truck like then car... That van may be a unibody, but there is a lot of steel in it..

In all honesty I think you are fine to tow a boat like that with an SE, SLE, SSEi or GXP as long as you are not going long distances...

The only reason I would never do it is simple... I have the van for that...lol

[palmettosunshine]

Had it done at the local Leonard dealer. It's from a company called Curt. 12044/36289 - Buick LeSabre - All models, Buick Lucerne, Pontiac Bonneville - All models, Oldsmobile Aurora. The wiring harness was a generic that I had the installer hide under the bumper cover next to the hitch. It's mostly hidden from view, unless you lean down and look for it.

It handled the boat just fine after a few initial moans and groans. No slipping or shuddering of the tranny, shifted just fine and has absolutely no problems braking, thanks to the large rotors on the GXP. No swaying or other problems.

Now, having said all that, if I had to go very far, I'd borrow a truck. I sold mine last summer, because we didn't need it anymore. And if I bought another truck, I couldn't afford the boat, so I make do with what I have. You have to keep in mind that I only live 3 miles from the boat ramp and the speed limit is 45 mph the whole way with no appreciable hills. The ramp itself isn't very steep (except at dead low tide) so there are no issues there.

It's not ideal, but it works. Now if I end up rebuilding or replacing the transmission later this year I reserve the right to change my mind.

[redmetrix]

I must say, that GXP is bea-u-ti-ful, the white with the beige interior, WOW!