[nadsab]

Hi,

Is it possible to put a trailer hitch on a 2017 volt?

We would like either a temporary or permanent hitch - 1 7/8" ball. Would be towing less than 1/2 ton max, including trailer and payload.

I called the dealer and they do not show one in their accessory catalog.

Thanks

 

[hellsop]

The Fine Manual says no.

The Similar Threads box below will have myriad threads of people discussing this very issue, with recommendations as to manufacturer and discussions of whether it's better to modify the bumper cover or accept the even-lower ground clearance for one that doesn't need modification, and all manner of similar points. I bet you can find answers in there.

 

[kentlucas]

https://torkliftcentral.com/2016-2017-chevy-volt-ecohitch-invisi

 

[nadsab]

Great thanks.

I was just reading about the Curt hitch - apparently no welding or drilling required. I found a hitch place near where I live that will install one for 249, including hitch and ball and labor.

I guess the curt hitch is pretty new - the hitch shop had been looking for a volt hitch and this is the first he heard of it.

 

[llninja]

Yes it's possible. No it's not recommended. Whenever towing is asked on this forum, it begs for this video

https://youtu.be/AyXgMal3C1U

It's probably fine if you want to put a cargo box or some bicycles, but towing any trailer of any size is just not a good idea. My other vehicle is a 3/4 ton Suburban with a 7.4L engine that is used to tow utility trailers, horse trailers, and hay rack wagons. I don't dare consider using the Volt for any towing.

 

[AZ EV Driver]

Out of curiosity I wonder how an insurance company might respond to any claims of damage to the Volt. Particularly since GM clearly states "The vehicle is neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer or another vehicle" in the owner's manual.

Anyone have experience out there?

VIN # B0985

 

[KenC]

Look up the Voltruk thread. Several Volts pulling ~1000lbs with lights.

 

[KenC]

Great thanks.

I was just reading about the Curt hitch - apparently no welding or drilling required. I found a hitch place near where I live that will install one for 249, including hitch and ball and labor.

I guess the curt hitch is pretty new - the hitch shop had been looking for a volt hitch and this is the first he heard of it.

Etrailer.com has the 1000lb Curt and the 2000lb DrawTite. I installed the DT, and install is nice and tight. No issues. Now, the wiring harness, that was hard if you have a subwoofer.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

I have a hitch installed on my gen 1 for a Yakima bike rack. Got it from TorkLift Central. https://torkliftcentral.com/rving-and-towing/ecohitch/

They have one for the gen 2 Volt as well.

I would never tow a trailer with a Volt because: 1) The manual explicitly says not to and 2) It's not a question of if the Volt has enough power and torque to do it (because it does), it's the brakes that scare me. Will you overcome the stopping power of the friction brakes and/or damage the regen braking of the electric motor? Most likely you'll be fine, but I'm not comfortable with the risk, so to each their own.

 

[Heli_Guy]

see: http://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/find?year=2017&make=Chevrolet&model=Volt

and: http://www.curtmfg.com/part/11436

 

[sosmerc]

I have the Curt hitch on my 2017 Volt Premier and the Curt trailer wiring harness. I used my neighbor's utility trailer to haul 6 garbage cans full of my recycle stuff to the dump and it all worked great. The Volt did not feel like it was being stressed in any way.
I bought a small aluminum kayak trailer and plan to travel with 2 kayaks and 2 standup paddleboards and can't see how this is going to be any problem. I am disappointed that Chev does not approve of this very light duty towing.

 

[alfon]

I see no problem towing a boat trailer, say 1,000-1,200 lbs gross weight for trailer and boat w/ all attachments with our 2016 Volt. It has plenty of power, and stopping with regen would never be a problem. I just don't see any issue here.

Back in the early 1980's I had a 1977 VW Rabbit Diesel, manual 4 speed tranny, which towed our boat, about 1,200 lbs. total. Even though the diesel engine only had 48 HP it pulled it fine. Never had any issues.....

 

[KenC]

In the "voltruk" thread, I pulled my Waverunner, which with the trailer weighs roughly 1100lbs. Easy as can be. It's a very good tow vehicle. Heavy for its size, CoG down low, lots of torque, and the hitch connection bolts right to the frame where the bumper attaches. It's all very solid.

 

[llninja]

In the "voltruk" thread, I pulled my Waverunner, which with the trailer weighs roughly 1100lbs. Easy as can be. It's a very good tow vehicle. Heavy for its size, CoG down low, lots of torque, and the hitch connection bolts right to the frame where the bumper attaches. It's all very solid.

Yet the tow rating on the vehicle is still zero. You can to whatever you want with whatever you want. I just choose to use my 3/4 ton Suburban for my towing, not my volt. Right vehicle for the job.

In a similar manner, the suburban is a horrible street racer from stoplight to stoplight whereas the volt does great at eating pony cars no ricer boys.

 

[KenC]

Yet the tow rating on the vehicle is still zero. You can to whatever you want with whatever you want. I just choose to use my 3/4 ton Suburban for my towing, not my volt. Right vehicle for the job.

LOL, so it's my right to do as I please, and it's your right to tell me I did it wrong!?! Whatever floats your boat.

 

[sosmerc]

I just hope that those of us that have chosen to "break the rules" don't get burned in the end. The Volt seems very capable to me as long as one doesn't overdue it. Actually, my biggest worry is that the "aftermarket" wiring harness has some negative effect on the electronics down the road.

 

[bevelsport]

While I am arriving late to the party, I just wanted to share my long term experiences towing with 2012 and 2013 Volts.

I have done numerous cross country trips from North Carolina to California towing a single rail motorcycle trailer. The miles towing is over 30,000 miles. I just traded my 2013 Volt with 85,000 miles in for a new 2017. Over the life of both cars, there was absolutely no noticeable degradation of performance, battery or driveline.

My vote is go ahead and tow. The car is a beast and can handle it. Cruising at 70-80 mph is no sweat.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dYktaDrMxYZfuOYH3

 

[ackattacker]

I think that overheating the motor/transaxle is the unknown. Most vehicles I'm aware of which have a similar type of planetary transmission officially forbid towing. Even the Pacifica PHEV which is a large vehicle officially forbids it. But I haven't heard of any actual failures, and some newer vehicles are starting to allow it. Perhaps as the result of more testing and real world experience. The new Prius allows towing, officially as a result of "new heat management measures introduced to it's main motor generator and differential".

With OBD reader software like Torque Pro you can monitor the temperature of the transaxle coolant loop. I'd go that route if I was towing long distances.

 

[llninja]

I think that overheating the motor/transaxle is the unknown. Most vehicles I'm aware of which have a similar type of planetary transmission officially forbid towing. Even the Pacifica PHEV which is a large vehicle officially forbids it. But I haven't heard of any actual failures, and some newer vehicles are starting to allow it. Perhaps as the result of more testing and real world experience. The new Prius allows towing, officially as a result of "new heat management measures introduced to it's main motor generator and differential".

With OBD reader software like Torque Pro you can monitor the temperature of the transaxle coolant loop. I'd go that route if I was towing long distances.

I'm sorry, but I'm never going to tow anything with my Volt. If I need to tow anything, it will be with my 3/4 ton Suburban with a 454 cu in engine, huge towing rear differential, auxiliary transmission cooler, and a Reese weight distributing hitch (for anything big and heavy). You cannot convince me that the Volt (or Prius or Pacifica) is OK for towing. I am starting to think I can lighten my load and possibly switch to a mid-size SUV like the new Subaru Ascend or Chevy Traverse that I saw at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this week.

 

[ackattacker]

I'm sorry, but I'm never going to tow anything with my Volt.

Certainly your prerogative. You are following the official manufacturers guidance, and certainly nobody is trying to force you to tow with your Volt.

If I need to tow anything, it will be with my 3/4 ton Suburban with a 454 cu in engine, huge towing rear differential, auxiliary transmission cooler, and a Reese weight distributing hitch (for anything big and heavy). You cannot convince me that the Volt (or Prius or Pacifica) is OK for towing. I am starting to think I can lighten my load and possibly switch to a mid-size SUV like the new Subaru Ascend or Chevy Traverse that I saw at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this week.

Personally I feel that in America there is an overall trend towards people feeling that the ONLY vehicle suitable for towing anything is a pickup truck or large SUV. In fact towing is often the justification for why they "need" an SUV. This is not the case in other countries where people routinely tow mid-size campers with mid-size sedans and they have much more strict enforcement of towing regulations than in the US. As I mentioned, the Prius is now certified to tow. Again, not saying you are now forced to. Use a truck if you want. But you could use a Prius and it would be perfectly legal and within the manufacturers guidelines.