[bro1999]

http://www.etrailer.com/p-C11457.html

$111 bucks plus free shipping for a Curt, 1.25" hitch. Says it's rated for 200# tongue weight too! Nice!

Q: I need a trailer hitch for a 2017 Chevy Bolt EV for a bike rack, will this fit?
asked by: Lisa

Expert Reply:

Yes, the Curt hitch part # C11457 is a confirmed fit for your 2017 Chevy Bolt and would do a great job carrying a bike rack.

The most popular bike rack we carry that has been confirmed to fit this vehicle is the Thule Roadway 2 part # TH912XTR. We asked our demo and install guys to name their favorite, most easy-to-use bike racks and this one showed up in nearly everyone's top three. Check out the review video I attached for more info.

If you plan on carrying any womens or alternative framed bikes without horizontal top tubes you may also be interested in purchasing a Kuat Bike Frame Adapter Bar # UB01 to provide a horizontal top tube on your bikes to provide an attachment point. I attached a review video for this product also. This will allow the bikes to be carried more level and will provide more ground clearance.

Curt requires the use of their stabilizer strap part # 18050 when using their hitch to carry a non-supported load like a bike rack. I attached a review video for you to check for the strap as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

edit: Reading the installation details, it's only rated at 100 pounds tongue weight....but another part of the instructions say 200 pounds....along with the website description. So is it 200 or 100 pounds tongue weight?

Found the same hitch for sale on 2 other auto accessories sites (including a Canadian one), so this seems to be legit.

 

[Steverino]

How would they be able to confirm the hitch fits, given there have only been a few journalist test drives? Seems odd.

 

[bro1999]

How would they be able to confirm the hitch fits, given there have only been a few journalist test drives? Seems odd.

Maybe Curt got their hands on one from GM in order to design a hitch that would be ready upon the Bolt's release? I ordered one....let's see where this goes.

Tire chains for the Bolt are also available for sale. http://www.etrailer.com/chains-2017_Chevrolet_Bolt+EV.htm

 

[Raymondjram]

GM may post the towing weight later. That all depends how strong are the bolts holding the rear together anyway.

 

[Sean Nelson]

How would they be able to confirm the hitch fits, given there have only been a few journalist test drives? Seems odd.

My bet is that they've confused "Bolt" with "Volt". I wouldn't buy that from them without a positive confirmation that they really, really are talking about Bolt-with-a-B-that's-the-second-letter-of-the-alphabet-not-V-which-is-near-the-end-of-the-alphabet.

 

[bro1999]

My bet is that they've confused "Bolt" with "Volt". I wouldn't buy that from them without a positive confirmation that they really, really are talking about Bolt-with-a-B-that's-the-second-letter-of-the-alphabet-not-V-which-is-near-the-end-of-the-alphabet.

I loaded up the instructions for a Curt 1.25" '17 VOLT hitch....the holes for the bolts (of the hitch) are completely different.
The "2017 Bolt EV" hitch linked above is definitely for the BOLT.

 

[rstrauss]

Great to hear a hitch may be available already. I didn't see a dimension for ground clearance and have had issues with hitch/rack drag on other cars. Is it standard for the rack mounting hole to be threaded? The install instructions just show a pin.

The install instructions also indicate trimming is needed. Will this impact leases?

 

[Sean Nelson]

I loaded up the instructions for a Curt 1.25" '17 VOLT hitch....the holes for the bolts (of the hitch) are completely different.
The "2017 Bolt EV" hitch linked above is definitely for the BOLT.

I'm skeptical. The only photos I can see associated with the claimed hitch for the Bolt are labelled "custom fit hitch", so I don't have a lot of faith that the photos are of an actual Bolt-fitting hitch - they could just be generic images.

Hey, I could certainly be wrong! But if I were spending money on it I'd be cautious...

 

[camaroz1985]

Its not uncommon for companies to have access to pre-production vehicles for making accessories, especially if it is something GM may want to license and sell through its dealers.

 

[bro1999]

Whelp, my Bolt hitch has shipped. I'll find out in a few days for sure.

Now I just need a Bolt to go along with my hitch.

 

[bro1999]

GM may post the towing weight later. That all depends how strong are the bolts holding the rear together anyway.

Since the Bolt will be sold in Europe (where towing capability is almost a must for a hatchback/CUV), I bet the Ampera-e will be rated for towing there.

If so, we can pretty much use the Euro towing numbers for the Ampera-e and apply them to the Bolt, even if the Bolt ends up not being rated for towing in the US.

 

[Sean Nelson]

Whelp, my Bolt hitch has shipped. I'll find out in a few days for sure.

Best of luck, bro!

 

[bro1999]

Hold the phones: I got done chatting with someone at etrailer, and after they dug around for info, it turns out the listing for the Bolt's hitch was posted on their website by mistake! He said they get a master list from CURT with updates for new products, and somehow the Bolt's hitch ended up on that list mistakenly and was posted automatically by their systems.

So the hitch isn't actually available for sale yet. In fact, they don't even know the final ratings, since I guess CURT is still finalizing those numbers.

It seems that Curt WILL have a Bolt hitch for sale...just not quite yet. What a mess!

edit: after chatting more with the etrailer guys, they said if I got a shipping notice, something definitely shipped. I guess I'll find out what exactly got shipped to me in a few days. Lol

They also said Curt is not making a 2" receiver version due to manufacturer specs, and that 1.25" is all we will get.

 

[bxd20]

Hopefully that 100 lb tongue weight limit rises when final specs are set. That's not enough to even put a cargo carrier back there and one big suitcase. The instructions mention using a strap. I'm also not thrilled with that, it's an annoyance that limits easy access inside the hatch during trips.

200 lbs on the tongue and no strap requirement would be useful. You could then put 2 generous suitcases back there. Or, 4 bikes for my family on a bike carrier. Or bring home a good sized pile of topsoil or mulch bags. A small tree from the garden center. Etc.

 

[Sean Nelson]

Hopefully that 100 lb tongue weight limit rises when final specs are set. That's not enough to even put a cargo carrier back there and one big suitcase. The instructions mention using a strap. I'm also not thrilled with that, it's an annoyance that limits easy access inside the hatch during trips.

200 lbs on the tongue and no strap requirement would be useful. You could then put 2 generous suitcases back there. Or, 4 bikes for my family on a bike carrier. Or bring home a good sized pile of topsoil or mulch bags. A small tree from the garden center. Etc.

I'm a big fan of the Torklift hitch I bought for my Prius C. I got the 2" receiver for flexibility with a 200lb rating. I use it with a 2-bike carrier, no straps needed. If they don't have an equivalent for the Bolt when I plan to get one mid next year then I'm going to drive down to Washington State so they can measure it and manufacture one for me.

 

[bro1999]

So I got my Bolt hitch yesterday.

According to the instructions that came with it, it will be rated for 100 # tongue/1,000# towing. Makes sense, since it's just a 1.25" receiver.
Seems to be a Bolt-on (pun intended) installation, though the bumper cover will need to be popped off. Also may need to trim some cover piece as well.....probably a piece similar to the one on the Volt.

 

[Sean Nelson]

So I got my Bolt hitch yesterday.

Wow. Given how long people had to wait to get a hitch for the Gen 2 Volt I'm a little astounded that you've managed to snag a Bolt hitch before anyone even has a car. Congratulations!

Hopefully the car to "Bolt" it to will arrive soon.

 

[gpsman]

what makes this a "Bolt" hitch and not a "universal" hitch?

 

[bro1999]

Because I confirmed with etrailer Curt made it specifically for the Bolt. And that I got a version not officially available for sale. :

 

[bxd20]

So I got my Bolt hitch yesterday.

According to the instructions that came with it, it will be rated for 100 # tongue/1,000# towing. Makes sense, since it's just a 1.25" receiver.
Seems to be a Bolt-on (pun intended) installation, though the bumper cover will need to be popped off. Also may need to trim some cover piece as well.....probably a piece similar to the one on the Volt.

View attachment 124561

I think I can make out the instructions listing a max tongue weight of 100 lbs? Does it say anywhere that to put 100 lbs on it you must use the strap?