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2010 Equinox Trailer Harness

106 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2010 at 9:44 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Equinox Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Equinox, SUV

Messages Page 11 of 11

#97 of 106 Re: 2" Hitch [jp0933] by runox

May 24, 2010 (7:32 pm)

Replying to: jp0933 (May 24, 2010 2:47 am)
I thought the door was hooked in, but it wasn't. I bought a round tubular from someone selling UHaul brand on eBay. Paid $105. It looks like the one here, but not this brand.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-2010-Chevy-Equinox-Trailer-Hitch-New-Receive- rHitch-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b080957aQQitemZ170464941434QQptZMotorsQ5fCa- rQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

#98 of 106 NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. by lauridsd

Jun 23, 2010 (11:29 am)


 
Gang, I need your help to clarify a few things for me.
 
I ordered a 2010 Equinox (2.4l 4-cyl) 2LT, and with it I ordered the "trailering hitch package" (Part 19202502, according to the website) as a "dealer installed accessory." (It is on the invoice!) The car is due to be received at the dealership in the next couple of days, but the salesman at the dealership is now saying that they (the dealer) can't install it. WTF? How can I order an OEM Chevy part from the dealership that cannot be installed...by the dealership? Also, from what I have read here, dealer programming is *required* to make the wiring harness work. Is that correct? When I called Chevy's assistance line, they said it should not have been possible to order a trailer hitch for anything other than the V6. Why, then, is there a "Dealer Installed Accessory" option for the hitch even available? No one seems to be able to answer that for me.
 
Has anyone here had the "dealer installed accessory" version of the "hitch trailering package" installed on a 2010 4-cyl? If so, was it by the dealer? If the part I ordered actually arrives with the vehicle, and can't be dealer installed (for whatever reason,) will installing it void the powertrain warranty? (I only occasionally pull a very lightweight little folding 4x8' trailer...no way will it ever be more than 1500 lbs.)
 
Obviously, if the part isn't going to arrive with the car, and/or can't be installed without voiding the warranty, I am sure as hell not going to pay for it!
 
I want to know exactly what is salesman/dealer BS, and what is actual fact. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
David

#99 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [lauridsd] by runox

Jun 23, 2010 (5:22 pm)

Replying to: lauridsd (Jun 23, 2010 11:29 am)
Before buying my L4 AWD 2LT, I read in some GM literature the trailer package is not available with the L4 engine.
 
HOOOOWEVER, upon delivery I read the car manual as a good little Noxoid will and found this little paragraph: Section 8-62 Driving and Operating
 
"Use the following chart to determine how much a vehicle can weigh
based upon the vehicle model and options.
(Note:it's a Table that I can't replicate here, but will assimilate.)
 
.....................................Maximum Trailer
....................................Weight with Trailer
......Vehicle...........................Brakes**...................GCWR*
L4 Engine, FWD.............680 kg (1500 lbs).......2,625 kg (5,787 lbs)
L4 Engine, AWD.............680 kg (1500 lbs).......2,000 kg (5,952 lbs)
V6 Engine, FWD...........1588 kg (1500 lbs).......3,600 kg (7,937 lbs)
V6 Engine, AWD...........1588 kg (1500 lbs).......3,700 kg (8,157 lbs)
** For trailers without trailer brakes the maximum trailer weight is 454kg (1000 lbs) and the GCWR is 2,300kg (5,071 lbs). See towing equipment on page *-64 for more information.
* GCWR - Gross Combination Weight Rating is the total allowable weight of the completely laoded vehicle, and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR should not be exceeded.
 
My point here is - GM has defined a specification that allows trailering in all of the 2010 Equinox, L4 OR V6,with FWD or AWD, even though the weight is limited to 1000 lbs without trailer brakes.

I installed my hitch, because I wanted a 2", not the GM 1 1/4 hitch. I bought the GM harness from GM on line and installed it myself. Neither were difficult to install. My dealer programmed the hitch for no charge. Also, I do not intend to haul a boat around. I have over a hundred trees and do not like piling downed branches and sticks up on the property. Ever since the town refused to issue burn permits anymore, I have to haul the waste to the town compost center. I'm not coming near 1,000 lbs including the trailer weight.
 
Next time you go to the dealer, ask him for a copy of the Equinox Manual and show him the page. I have heard of a few dealers are not willing to install the hitches and have steered buyers to after market installers in the area.

#100 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [lauridsd] by bjones6

Jun 23, 2010 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: lauridsd (Jun 23, 2010 11:29 am)
I have a 2010 4-cyl 2LT that I added a tow package to. I did have to buy the cabling (two pieces) from the dealer and have the dealer reprogram the car's computer so that it would send the proper voltages to the connector that is pre-intalled in the Nox. The dealer is confused. The connector for the trailer lights is pre-installed on the left side of the back cargo bay (just behind and below the left tail lights, in a dark recessed area accessible when the spare tire cover is lifted out). The manual that comes with the vehicle mentions maximum tow limits. And you can, as you say, order a tow package as an option. So your dealer is confused. I have never heard of a car manufacturer that voided warranties if an owner towed something under the specified weight limit. Can you imagine reading in an SUV manual, "Sorry, this vehicle is too wimpy to tow anything." That's silly!

#101 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [runox] by lauridsd

Jun 23, 2010 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: runox (Jun 23, 2010 5:22 pm)
runox,
 
Thank you for the info!
 
It turns out that the whole "dealership cannot install the Chevy hitch ordered directly from Chevy" thing was a complete and total brain fart by the salesman. (Shocking, I know.) Apparently, they don't have / cannot install an after market hitch on the Traverse. SOOO, they will be installing the hitch ($267) on my NOX this Friday, as well as programming the hitch (no additional charge).
 
I am perfectly fine with the 1.25" hitch as that is what I already have on my Subaru, so I already have all the accessories I need for it. I don't pull much weight either. As mentioned, I very occasionally tow a lightweight 4'x8' trailer I bought for my motorcycle, but have used more for suburban errands than anything else (hauling bags of mulch, etc.) As a result, the 1000lb limit for the 4-cyl should still not be a problem.
 
I had gone to the dealer this evening to get my Subaru appraised for trade in, and SURPRISE, my NOX had been delivered just today! So I got to inspect it and take a quick test drive while they appraised my trade. They totally low-balled me, but I fought until I got within 800 of my target, which was a little optimistic, so I probably did "ok" on that.
 
Tomorrow, we handle all the paperwork, and I will pick up my new baby on Friday. I am excited!
 
Thanks again for your help!
 
David

#102 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [lauridsd] by terex

Jun 24, 2010 (4:13 am)

Replying to: lauridsd (Jun 23, 2010 11:29 am)
The trailer package (option V92) is not available FROM THE FACTORY on 4-cylinder equipped Equinox's (available for order on V6 equipped 2LT or LTZ). The rationale is that customers choosing a 4-cylinder equipped vehicle are less likely to tow anything -- and, less likely to purchase equipment they don't/won't use (so why have the dealer try and figure out which L4's to order with the hitch or without?) The GM Accessory Trailer Hitch Assembly Package (part # 19202502) contains the same equipment as that installed in the factory on V6's and is meant to be installed on any current generation Equinox, regardless of engine. L4 max towing capacity is 1500 lbs. Making it available as an Accessory allows owners of 4-cylinders with a desire/need to tow decide whether to purchase it instead of forcing the option on people who don't need it.

#103 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [terex] by runox

Jun 25, 2010 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: terex (Jun 24, 2010 4:13 am)
** For trailers without trailer brakes the maximum trailer weight is 454kg (1000 lbs) and the GCWR is 2,300kg (5,071 lbs).
 
Anyone following the spec and keeping the load under 1500 lbs, is not likely using a trailer with brakes. Ergo the effective towing capacity is 1000 lbs.

#104 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [runox] by roho1

Jun 26, 2010 (5:37 am)

Replying to: runox (Jun 25, 2010 7:41 pm)
GCWR=Gross Combination Weight Rating
 
This is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer including any passengers, cargo, and equipment.
 
The Equinox weighs 3770lbs. So 5071#-3770# = 1301 lbs. left for everything else.
 
Be careful how much you load up your Nox.

#105 of 106 Re: NEED HELP w/ a WTF?! -"Dealer Installed Accessories" - Part No. 19202502. [roho1] by runox

Jun 26, 2010 (6:44 am)

Replying to: roho1 (Jun 26, 2010 5:37 am)
The Equinox weighs 3770lbs. So 5071#-3770# = 1301 lbs. left for everything else.
 
Including your own fanny.

#106 of 106 Re: '10 Equinox Trailer Harness [runox] by hipkts2010

Jul 18, 2010 (9:44 am)

Replying to: runox (Aug 20, 2009 6:35 pm)
Unknown if you found a solution yet and I did not want to read all of the pages, so.
 
I purchased my hitch for a 2010 NOX on Ebay and it included a kit for attaching into the lights. To install this one, you have to remove the tail lights, very simple to do. These kits are available by themselves on Ebay also.
 
Mike

Messages Page 11 of 11

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