I know I've seen trailer hitches on Fiero's before, but I cant find anything about what people are towing! I want to put a hitch on to tow cars in emergency/ short distance situations. I just want to know if this is feasible. This is not like a "nice weeked, lets hitch up the boat and go to Ocean City" sort of thing. My "daily driver" weighs less than 3000lbs wet, and I may look into flipping cars soon, so a tow car is a must. Any idea on towing capacity? Thanks, Greg
I have a hitch on my Fiero. I also made an install video if you want to check out what it takes to install. I use my hitch for a bike rack for mountain biking. The hitch is rated at 2,000lbs towing capacity and a stock Fiero can tow about 1,000lbs.
------------------ 87 Fiero GT 3.4 Pushrod with 7730 ECM and DIS 88 MERA #8313 85 Fiero SE with 3.1 pushrod 86 Fiero SE 2.8 stock http://www.youtube.com/LostNotForgotton
Your pretty much limited to towing a tiny 2 wheel utility trailer in most cases. Ive seen people tow more, like a small car, but wouldnt recommend it myself. With a Fiero, I wouldnt even tow a motorcycle like a Harley....but a dirt bike or several bicycles would be fine. You prob can get away with one of the tiny lightweight aero weekend campers with a V6 car.
From what I found when I had mine, it has a 100 pnd tongue limit and 1000 pnd tow capacity and equalizer bars are recommended even for that. Most even small cars are 3-4 times that.
[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 01-27-2015).]
Fiero and most cars only safely tow small things because Many car's brakes can't stop extra mass, etc.
Fiero Owners Manual...
quote
The maximum loaded trailer weight you can pull with your car is 450 kilograms (1000 pounds). The maximum static tongue weight should not exceed 45 kilograms (100 pounds).
That is Total weight... The trailer + whatever on the trailer must be below 1000lb.
Example: Cheapest trailer frame at harborfreight.com is 130lb. is why called "870 lb. Capacity Utility Trailer" because Maximum GVR is 1000 lb. Trailer weight + load = GVR Add just a deck 20-30lb more so means have less capacity then the page says.
Tongue weight affects car handing etc. Like you stuffed the trunk and now rear end is low.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Towing capacity is very low. People use hitches on Fieros for bike racks and very small trailers to tow additional necessities for shows that are a long distance trip and such. They're all Class 1 I think. I don't think I'd try to tow a car with it.
Originally posted by Arns85GT: I have a stroker v8, with upgraded brakes and it can pull very well. However, the subframe is not made to keep up with it.
It's not just power that's a problem with the Fiero. The frame itself would be fine even. The two big problems after the power issue, are the suspension and wheelbase. The Fiero doesn't have the right suspension for towing larger things, nor the wheelbase.
Even a 2000 S-10 with 2.2L only has a max trailer weight of 2000 lbs. But with the 4.3L Vortec, can go up to 6400 lbs trailer weight, depending on transmission and 2WD vs 4WD.
If you really want to be able to tow cars yourself, and want to do it on the cheap, I would look at finding an older C-10/k1500/Silverado, or a 4.3L S-10 at least.
It's not just power that's a problem with the Fiero. The frame itself would be fine even. The two big problems after the power issue, are the suspension and wheelbase.
Tow capacity is barely mechanically related at all. Since there is no industry standard for determining tow ratings, tow ratings in the US are mostly a byproduct of liability risk aversion and not any sort of mechanical limitation. A good example would be a 2007 Saturn Astra, which is rated for 1388lbs. A 2007 Opel Astra - same car on another continent - is rated for 3,086lbs. We drive faster and worse in the US and manufacturers know this, so they put super-safe tow capacity ratings on cars to make up for it. The short wheelbase and floppy factory suspension on Fiero probably results in questionable load handling so GM put a very low tow rating on it so dumb US drivers wouldn't hurt themselves. The Fiero is probably capable of towing at least a couple thousand pounds. I *suspect* the tow rating discrepancy on the S10 is designed to railroad people into buying the more expensive V6, but may have more to do with transmission limitations. Not sure.
Tow capacity is barely mechanically related at all. Since there is no industry standard for determining tow ratings, tow ratings in the US are mostly a byproduct of liability risk aversion and not any sort of mechanical limitation. A good example would be a 2007 Saturn Astra, which is rated for 1388lbs. A 2007 Opel Astra - same car on another continent - is rated for 3,086lbs. We drive faster and worse in the US and manufacturers know this, so they put super-safe tow capacity ratings on cars to make up for it. The short wheelbase and floppy factory suspension on Fiero probably results in questionable load handling so GM put a very low tow rating on it so dumb US drivers wouldn't hurt themselves. The Fiero is probably capable of towing at least a couple thousand pounds. I *suspect* the tow rating discrepancy on the S10 is designed to railroad people into buying the more expensive V6, but may have more to do with transmission limitations. Not sure.
You won't see this in the US:
You will see that in the US because people are stupid and will do it anyway. We don't drive any faster than in other countries, though the regulations in some other countries (like Germany) are much better and more strictly enforced.
If you've ever driven a 2.2L S-10 you'd understand the rating discrepancy. That thing can barely pull itself.
Getting X lb in towing on level ground is easy. Trying to control and stopping that are another story.
Fiero was made to be a cheap commuter car and brakes are design to meet that use. (Let's ignore Fiero brakes have trouble stopping for even small maintenance problems.) Vehicle brakes are design to stop a car to meet FMVSS w/ loads listed on body sticker or Owner's manual plus a bit more for normal use.
Car w/ 1000lb trailer is allot harder to stop then just a car loaded to max spec. If you think OE brakes are slow to stop now, adding 1000lb more is far worse.
Load Info is on Fiero driver's door (87 notch): 87 Fiero OM, page 5-15, states:
quote
This vehicle capacity weight is the combined weight of the occupants, and all cargo including luggage compartment load. This weight would also include luggage rack load, trailer tongue load, and all non-factory installed options. The vehicle capacity weight tells you the design limits of the car, not just of the tires.
Tire Placard load is 401lb = 2 Adults ("Standard Adult" Crash Dummies at the time is ~150lb each) and ~100lb Cargo. Exact load can vary by options in/on the car.
84-87 Solid rotors and many pad compounds will fade fast trying to race or tow But even the best brakes can have fade problems doing the same. 88 Vented rotors are better but they can fade when racing or towing. Towing weight affect the weight shifting on the tow vehicle. Trailer's Curb Weight tries to move forward when you stop. Both are part of why Kia example above have w/ and w/o trailer brakes. Properly setup Trailer brakes makes a huge difference.
Tongue weigh matters to car's handling. Many times 100 lb at the hitch is not same as 100lb in the trunk because leverage. 1 or 2 feet difference can change leverage enough and that can affect car's handling. Hitch load make the car rear heavy but the leverage can make the front light enough to cause major under steer.
Edit to add... "Standard Adult" is based on average most people at the time... NHTSA and others are thinking to move up that average because so many are obese and making crash dummies heavier too. Current Hybrid III Crash Dummies are 172lb male, 108lb female, average for both 140lb. (source malefemale )
[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 01-27-2015).]
I used to tow with this car. It had a 1594cc 4 banger (carb'd two barrel and high flow exhaust) with a Mulholland kit on the suspension. I had a 4X8 trailer with a Rambler Ambassador axle.
I picked up a full load of soil with the trailer and car. The car pulled the trailer ok with its meager 115 hp. However, the brakes were a whole other story.
They just didn't exist. I had to gear down to slow down and it was a bear.
My point is that a stock Fiero just isn't up to towing much. I've got upgraded brakes and that helps a whole lot, with the S10 booster.
I built my own trailer hitch. I have drawings that I can send you in JPEG format so you can either cut them out yourself or you can have a shop cut them out with a waterjet or a plasma torch. I had mine cut out with a waterjet. It makes a very fine cut that you can work with well. To install the trailer hitch I made you will use two bolt holes that are currently in the Fiero frame and you need to also drill in two more holes.
I did this and bolted the two outer pieces in place and put in the cross bar and tacked it. Then I pulled this down and welded the cross bar in solidly. Then I measured and installed the hitch receiver to it. On mine I used a two inch receiver so that I would have more options.
I use my hitch for a basket that I modified so I can carry my luggage. I could also it to pull a small trailer. But, I wouldn't use it to haul a large or heavy trailer.
If you want the drawings just PM me and I will send them to you electronically.
When I sold my 88 T-top Gt it still had my after market hitch on it. They must still be available. It was a pretty easy install. All I ever pulled was a 14 foot aluminum boat on a light weight trailer and I had no problems. Fiero Factory used to tow Fieros with his Fiero but ended up using a van for his towing.
I built my own trailer hitch. I have drawings that I can send you in JPEG format so you can either cut them out yourself or you can have a shop cut them out with a waterjet or a plasma torch. I had mine cut out with a waterjet. It makes a very fine cut that you can work with well. To install the trailer hitch I made you will use two bolt holes that are currently in the Fiero frame and you need to also drill in two more holes.
I did this and bolted the two outer pieces in place and put in the cross bar and tacked it. Then I pulled this down and welded the cross bar in solidly. Then I measured and installed the hitch receiver to it. On mine I used a two inch receiver so that I would have more options.
I use my hitch for a basket that I modified so I can carry my luggage. I could also it to pull a small trailer. But, I wouldn't use it to haul a large or heavy trailer.
If you want the drawings just PM me and I will send them to you electronically.
PM sent!
[This message has been edited by KentsOkay (edited 01-29-2015).]
In Germany we've got a shop wich offers a trailer hitch with detachable knob for the 84-87 Coupe's (not SE or GT). click me!
For those who doesn't unterstand german:
the tow capacity is 1543 lbs and the weight that lasts on the knob is limited for 110 lbs. But you must know, that in Germany we've got a speed limit for cars with trailers of 49 mph (in some special cases with a at the geman DOT special declared Trailer AND Car with anti-lock-brakes 60 mph). This trailerhitch costs 1448 U$. For using it streetlegal in germany you need the permission of the german DOT-Station (=> TÜV) and have to write the hitch-rates in the car-documents (ca. 60-70 U$ on top).
In Germany we've got a shop wich offers a trailer hitch with detachable knob for the 84-87 Coupe's (not SE or GT). click me!
For those who doesn't unterstand german:
the tow capacity is 1543 lbs and the weight that lasts on the knob is limited for 110 lbs. But you must know, that in Germany we've got a speed limit for cars with trailers of 49 mph (in some special cases with a at the geman DOT special declared Trailer AND Car with anti-lock-brakes 60 mph). This trailerhitch costs 1448 U$. For using it streetlegal in germany you need the permission of the german DOT-Station (=> TÜV) and have to write the hitch-rates in the car-documents (ca. 60-70 U$ on top).
No offence we can get better hitches(more weight capacity, some even hidden) here in the USA for under $200 USD, so you won't be selling one here, but thank you for offering one. Your hitch wouldn't even tow MY trailer.
No offence we can get better hitches(more weight capacity, some even hidden) here in the USA for under $200 USD, so you won't be selling one here, but thank you for offering one. Your hitch wouldn't even tow MY trailer.
This is the ONLY way to geht a hitch streetlegal in Germany on your Fiero. When i see the hidden hitch stuff they offer @US-eBay i hate my country for beein that safety-conscious down to the core... sometimes it's better to live on "the other side" of the ocean
This is the ONLY way to geht a hitch streetlegal in Germany on your Fiero. When i see the hidden hitch stuff they offer @US-eBay i hate my country for beein that safety-conscious down to the core... sometimes it's better to live on "the other side" of the ocean
The grass is always greener on 'the other side'...... so......do you pull your trailer on the Autobahn? Maybe the hitch should be a little better.
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 03-10-2015).]
Originally posted by fierosound: Towing a load that outweighs your tow vehicle is asking for trouble!!
My trailer only outweighs the car when I fill up with water and ice for the last 100 miles of my yearly journey home, I can feel it want to push the car around on two particular turns, (it wants to but doesn't) no problem with the brakes though, (I have very good brakes) The only problem I usally have is blowing out trailer tires, I swaped to 16" car tires this year for a higher load rating, only blew one at 70mph, after that we slowed to 55 and all was fine. But that trailer is so overloaded we had to put a lift kit on it one year. So worth it all
quote
Originally posted by Makrochip:
In Germany we've got a shop wich offers a trailer hitch with detachable knob for the 84-87 Coupe's (not SE or GT). click me!
For those who doesn't understand german:
the tow capacity is 1543 lbs and the weight that lasts on the knob is limited for 110 lbs. But you must know, that in Germany we've got a speed limit for cars with trailers of 49 mph (in some special cases with a at the geman DOT special declared Trailer AND Car with anti-lock-brakes 60 mph). This trailerhitch costs 1448 U$. For using it streetlegal in germany you need the permission of the german DOT-Station (=> TÜV) and have to write the hitch-rates in the car-documents (ca. 60-70 U$ on top).
The hitch you sell is rated at 1/2 the tow rate and 1/3 tongue weight as all the ones for sale here, If you got one here, could you have German DOT approve it? As they are allready set up for heavier loads, it should be no problem. (Not that I have a clue on German DOT) IE: You buy one from here, have it approved, and be able to offer a cheaper price to your customers? Just an idea.
The hitch you sell is rated at 1/2 the tow rate and 1/3 tongue weight as all the ones for sale here, If you got one here, could you have German DOT approve it? As they are allready set up for heavier loads, it should be no problem. (Not that I have a clue on German DOT) IE: You buy one from here, have it approved, and be able to offer a cheaper price to your customers? Just an idea.
There is a misunderstood... i don't sell these hitch. I want to show you that the hitches you get for the Fiero in Germany are very expensive comparing the prices in the USA. The German DOT is very strict on giving you the approval for US-Parts. Its nearly impossible to get approval for a trailer-hitch that was build for US-Market, cause mostly they got no declaration papers wich showing that the hitch was tested for several cases from an considered institute for vehicle safety or vehicle surveyor. Germany is bad for people who love to tune up their rides. It costs a load of energy and money in some cases to get your Mods streetlegal in Germany. So lean back and enjoy that the USA are more friendlier in that point...
So worth it all 
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