South Sport 911 Carrera hitch installation

logician · 02-19-2002, 03:16 PM

Hi,

I'm considering getting a South Sport trailer for my '85 911 Carrera, and I would like to understand how the South Sport hitch for the 911 works. Unfortunately, South Sport does not provide instructions for the installation. If you have installed one, can you respond and explain?

Where exactly does the hitch attach to the frame? Does it attach to the bumper (probably not)? Do holes need to be drilled in the frame, and if so where? Can you provide a diagram? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Juan

gchappel · 06:06 PM

I have the southsport hitch on an 85 carrera. I can get you pictures in the next day or two- lots of stuff going on at work right now.
You do of coarse have to drill a hole through the rear bumper for the receiver, but the hitch does not attach to the bumper. You will have to remove the muffler. The hitch extends behind the bumper to both sides. There is a small plate on the frame, just above the shocks for the bumper. The hitch attaches here with 2 bolts on each side. On my car there were 2 short bolts through the holes, although they were not doing anything except filling up the holes. We replaced them with slightly longer bolts. The hitch fit without any problems at all. The only hole you have to drill is in the bumper-every thing else fits into pre existing holes and bolts. The hardest part was drilling the hole through the bumper-this is of coarse hidden when the license plate is on. The next hardest is taking off the muffler, the hitch itself fit perfectly and only took a minute to bolt on. The electric wiring was straight forward as well, but let me know if you need pictures or anything. I have been using the hitch for about 2 years, and can recommend it highly. The fit was great, and when the license plate is on, you can not see anything. Email me if you have any other questions.

logician · 02-19-2002, 06:36 PM

Hi Gchappel,

Thanks for the very descriptive reply! Could you answer a few followup questions: 1) What happens to the heat shield that is right behind the muffler and in front of the bumper? Is it removed or modified in some way? Does the frame for the hitch end up concealed behind that heat shield? 2) Is there an "punch out" or some indication of where the receiver tube goes through the bumper to serve as a guide of where to drill the hole? 3) Is there a pin that secures the ball assembly to the receiver tube so that the ball assembly can be removed when not in use? How is that pin accessed? It seems like it would be completely hidden behind the bumper and valence panel. 4) How heavy is the hitch, and do you notice it at all in the handling of the your car at the track or AX? 5) You mention some bolts near the bumper shocks that are used to secure the hitch frame. How are those bolts accessed? Are they visible or accessible in the engine compartment, or only accessible once the muffler and heat shield are removed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Juan

gchappel · 02-20-2002, 03:24 PM

My car had the exhaust backdated to a 73 muffler and headers- so I don't have a heat shield. The hitch hugs along the rear bumper pretty tight, so I bet it would clear a heat shield, but I don't know for sure.
Nope, no punch out or anything. You measure twice, and drill once. I actually drilled a 1/8th" hole to make sure before I drilled the big one. I don't remember the size, it is about a one inch hole.
The male part of the hitch slides into the receiver and is held in with a pin. On my car, with no heatshield I can just lay on my back-see the pin and push it in- takes about 10 seconds, it takes a lot longer to take the license plate off. On my car the pin is behind the muffler-that is between the muffler and the bumper. When you pull the hitch out- cover the hole with the license plate- and you can't see anything.
The hitch does way a couple of pounds- but I have never even begun to feel it while driving. In fact, my mechanic dropped the engine, and didn't even notice the hitch. I can see the hitch on my car if I lie under the bumper and look for it. The plates it bolts onto can be seen from under the car as well- in fact in my car they are just above the tailpipes. Everyone that sees my hitch setup is amazed by how "slick" it is. I have sold 6 of them, that I am aware of, for southsport. A bunch of my poc and pca friends have them now. LMK, I can send you pictures the next time I have the car up on stands. BTW southsport trailers is a mom and pop type operation. They are very helpful, very fair, but not the most organized group in the world. In my experience you can trust them.

Superman · 02-20-2002, 03:40 PM

You're not s'posta tow stuff with a 911, are you?

gchappel · 02-21-2002, 07:39 AM

Lets see- my "poor" little 911 has towed my jetski several times, the hobie once and my track trailer a lot. That little southsport trailer has been to over 100mph, just tracking along fine.
The best looks I get is with the jetski, backing it down the boat ramps. It also has 2 different bike racks, and carries my bike on its back routinely. My poor car doesn't know it can't do all those things, and does not look any the worse for wear. Now if it had enough clearence to go off roading it could do everything.
Gary

logician · 02-21-2002, 08:40 PM

Hi gchappel,

One other followup. I understand that the recommended way to install the tow hitch requires removing the muffler. Is seems like it would also be possible to install the hitch by removing the valence panel below the bumper, and also the heat shield. It seems like that would allow sufficent access to get the hitch in there under the bumper. Why would that not be prefered over removing the muffler?

-Juan

gchappel · 02-22-2002, 07:25 AM

Juan, at least on my car you had to take the muffler off- there is not enough room between the muffler and rear bumper to manuever the hitch piece. It really only took a couple of minutes to drop the muffler.
Gary

Tony'z911 · Tony'z911's Garage

Does anyone know where you can purchase just this hitch for a 911? I checked the South Sport websight and they specify that they Do NOT sell the hitch searately.

I don't know why, they could make some extra money if they would! I have a trailer and only need a hitch. Any pictures and/or descriptions of hitch installs on 84-89 Carrera's would be much appreciated!
I have a post on Rennlist but haven't gotten much response-
http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=19&t=000230
Thanks!
-T