Trailer hitch for a 81 Trans Am?
 

Does anyone know of a bolt in trailer hitch for a 81 Trans Am? I'd like to do the Rocky Mountain Race Week but will need to tow a small trailer. Plus it would be a hoot to tow my small boat to the lake from time to time.

Looks like U haul is the only game in town, it says allow up to 8 weeks for them to build it, and ship it to you. $250........:eek:

Link to U haul 1981 Firebird hitch. class 1, up to 2000#:

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailer-Hitche...eel-Drive/?ddl

I took a hitch from a wrecking yard, and modified it to fit a buddy of mines 73 Firebird. He hauled a loaded small enclosed trailer from PA, to CA back in the 70s without incident.

A few years ago I needed to haul a small U Haul from Phoenix back to Ohio. I found a U Haul outlet in Phoenix that had a hitch in stock for a 99 GP. I installed it in the motel parking lot laying on my back. The back frame rails on a GP, and a second gen Firebird are similar being they're just stamped sheet metal. I've hauled a trailer quite a lot since installing the hitch on the GP, no problems whatsoever. I doubt I ever exceeded 2000# so I haven't pushed it beyond the capabilities it's designed for.

There was one on my 77 trans am when I bought it. One of the first things that came off and went to the scrap yard. Later found out it was a dealer accessorie wish I had kept it.

$23.45 dealer price in 1978
Ball $2.28

I'd love to get a factory/dealer accessory tow/trailer hitch for my 79 T/A too if anyone else has a spare

I had one on my 78 TA i pulled a u haul trailer to Florida from Texas and and then to CA from Florida. i want to think it just bolted to the steel rear bumper support.

Yikes! I’ve scrapped a few of those as well. Was wondering why so many late second gens had them but thought it was an aftermarket thing.

Picked this up a few years ago.

No it’s not for sale

Mine was much different than the one posted. It had a long flat bar that went under the bumper and attached at each leaf spring, then had a couple of bolts in the centre where the hitch/ball part stuck out.

Man, you shoulda kept that

Mine goes out and about 3 feet wide brace too.

I think I still have one for a 1977 Formula.

I used to have a 1979 W72 WS6 Trans Am with a trailer hitch. The previous owner used it to tow a jet-ski. This photo is from somewhere around 1990.

The weight of the towbar set up is close to the max hanging off the rear! Saved a pic somewhere of a V6 Esprit, of all things, but with towbar and extension bracing running far forward to pick up, something more.

My T/A had air shocks on the back, so it didn't sag under the weight. I used to tow a small trailer that weighed about 750 lbs, at times I towed as much as 1500 - 2000 lbs. I kept check on the frame, never saw any damage from towing. I will say it was a bumpy ride.