Stinger Hidden Hitch

[christhesip]

Hello,

I have been using a custom fabricated hitch I made for awhile now and wanted to share what I did just in case someone is looking to do something similar. I have had "hidden hitches" on other cars and really did not want a tow bar sticking out of the bumper 24/7, but having a hitch on this car was essential for me.

I used the drawtite hitch as a base, took forever to arrive and was packaged very poorly but it wasn't very expensive. This was a rough plan of what I wanted to create.



I cut off the factory receiver and mocked up the position. I got the 2 inch receiver very cheaply. The final install moved the vertical tube away from the bumper another inch or so to make it as hidden as possible, with just enough room to get the pin through.


From this point I just measured the bumper/body and tack welded the vertical receiver, did a test fit and then welded everything up. You can see there is barely enough clearance for the pin to go in. Also added some extra support material on the upper section

I bought cheap hitch extender and turned it into a right angle adapter. I ended up remaking that to have an angle slightly less than 90 for a slight upward angle, otherwise my cargo carrier would scrape on driveways and such.


Installed:


With bumper back on, it is visible but you only see it if you looking for it. I cut a decent chunk of the bumper to make it accesible but I made a quick template so it looks very clean. I also painted the body behind it black.


In use photo, it's not easy to get the right angle adapter pin and the chains on/off, buts its worth being able to hide the hitch away when not in use. I had a torklift ecohitch on my 2015 STI and that was equally as difficult to get on and off.


If anyone wants to do something similar and has any questions let me know!

 

[Snicklefritz]

all that buildup, and you mask the working parts with the trailer. get in there with the camera and show off your accomplishment.

 

[Hawk853]

Hello,

I have been using a custom fabricated hitch I made for awhile now and wanted to share what I did just in case someone is looking to do something similar. I have had "hidden hitches" on other cars and really did not want a tow bar sticking out of the bumper 24/7, but having a hitch on this car was essential for me.

I used the drawtite hitch as a base, took forever to arrive and was packaged very poorly but it wasn't very expensive. This was a rough plan of what I wanted to create.

View attachment 78865

I cut off the factory receiver and mocked up the position. I got the 2 inch receiver very cheaply. The final install moved the vertical tube away from the bumper another inch or so to make it as hidden as possible, with just enough room to get the pin through.
View attachment 78866

From this point I just measured the bumper/body and tack welded the vertical receiver, did a test fit and then welded everything up. You can see there is barely enough clearance for the pin to go in. Also added some extra support material on the upper section

I bought cheap hitch extender and turned it into a right angle adapter. I ended up remaking that to have an angle slightly less than 90 for a slight upward angle, otherwise my cargo carrier would scrape on driveways and such.
View attachment 78870
View attachment 78871
Installed:
View attachment 78867

With bumper back on, it is visible but you only see it if you looking for it. I cut a decent chunk of the bumper to make it accesible but I made a quick template so it looks very clean. I also painted the body behind it black.
View attachment 78868

In use photo, it's not easy to get the right angle adapter pin and the chains on/off, buts its worth being able to hide the hitch away when not in use. I had a torklift ecohitch on my 2015 STI and that was equally as difficult to get on and off.
View attachment 78869

If anyone wants to do something similar and has any questions let me know!

I like that it gives you a jacking point as well. Nice work.

 

[christhesip]

all that buildup, and you mask the working parts with the trailer. get in there with the camera and show off your accomplishment.

Haha your right, I didn't really plan the pictures in advance. I'll have to snap a good one next time we use the trailer.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Haha your right, I didn't really plan the pictures in advance. I'll have to snap a good one next time we use the trailer.

cool, we'll be waiting awhile I reckon. Ima curious how much ground clearance your hitch and tongue have.

 

[christhesip]

Heres are couple photos of it unloaded. I normally use a 4 inch riser to keep the trailer level but my wife grabbed the wrong ball mount. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45070-T...3911&sprefix=5+inch+hitch+riser,aps,90&sr=8-8

Haven't scraped it on anything yet.

 

[Snicklefritz]

excellent. almost, I would opt to have one that works like this. The mount is 'invisible' enough.

 

[Volfy]

Very nicely done! The upswept angle is a stroke of genius. I've had cars that I wished the hitch was angled like that.

Did you use a wire or stick welder?

 

[turboAWD]

So, when are you selling them?

 

[Clockwork]

I would have never thought of adding a hitch to the Stinger. This is interesting.

Btw, long time no see. How is the car treating you?

 

[christhesip]

Sorry its been awhile somehow missed the notifications for the replies to this thread. Came back for a trailer haul pic, recent lumber haul to do some work on our shed.

Very nicely done! The upswept angle is a stroke of genius. I've had cars that I wished the hitch was angled like that.

Did you use a wire or stick welder?

I used Flux Core wire(because it can weld a little thicker) on a 140 Mig, it was close to the maximum thickness It could weld, but did some testing beforehand and had good penetration.

So, when are you selling them?

Hehe it would be way too expensive for anyone to buy.

I would have never thought of adding a hitch to the Stinger. This is interesting.

Btw, long time no see. How is the car treating you?

I couldn't functional without being able to haul larger things, so I made sure something was available for the stinger before I pulled the trigger. Car has been great, zero issues minus that ignition coil problem. As the comfortable/practical family hauler/grand tourer its been fulfilling its role perfectly. I put the Eibach sway bars on it which made a huge difference in handling.

After making the move from the STI to the Stinger I did miss having more of a "real sports car". As far as a connected driving experience goes the Stinger isn't really meant for that.
I was/am doing a bunch of work on my 77 280z so bought a high mileage C5 Corvette for cheap that had some really nice performance mods and everything needed for reliable track use, which it needed a little but of work has been a much better car than I expected it to be.

To be relevant to this thread yes it has a hitch on it too I have a cargo rack I can haul an extra set of wheels on and its an easy tow hook mount.

 

[Volfy]

This is the first time I've seen a hitch on a 'Vette. Cool!

I've installed a hitch on most of my car/SUV/van I've owned, since I got rid of my last pickup truck. Trailer basically replaced the need for a pickup bed and has proven way more versatile. Have not installed hitch on the Stinger, since I have a Savana 3500 for a tow vehicle.

FWIW, hitch mfrs have apparently discontinued Stinger hitches. Bummer.

 

[Snicklefritz]

This is the first time I've seen a hitch on a 'Vette. Cool!

this is the first time I've seen a hitch on a 'vette', not cool looking. the hitch mount @christhesip made for his stinger is far from the viewing world which is why it's cool. Ima very impressed by the way it gets clearance. that's an amazing rig. and you heard of 'the long, long trailer'? this is the pink, pink trailer, lol.

 

[Volfy]

this is the first time I've seen a hitch on a 'vette', not cool looking. the hitch mount @christhesip made for his stinger is far from the viewing world which is why it's cool. Ima very impressed by the way it gets clearance. that's an amazing rig. and you heard of 'the long, long trailer'? this is the pink, pink trailer, lol.

Who's to say @christhesip didn't do the same hitch mod to his 'Vette?

That pic up there sure looks like there is an extension of some kind.

When a man has a welder, he starts to see a neat project in a lot of things. I have a Hobart 210 and is guilty of that myself.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Who's to say @christhesip didn't do the same hitch mod to his 'Vette?

That pic up there sure looks like there is an extension of some kind.

When a man has a welder, he starts to see a neat project in a lot of things. I have a Hobart 210 and is guilty of that myself.

your probably right, an extension. he seems like a very skilled type.

 

[christhesip]

Haha its just an off the shelf extender on the vette, it's pretty invisible when thats not installed. Also got lucky and found the vette hitch locally for cheap.

 

[Luke Tribute edition]

Hello,

I have been using a custom fabricated hitch I made for awhile now and wanted to share what I did just in case someone is looking to do something similar. I have had "hidden hitches" on other cars and really did not want a tow bar sticking out of the bumper 24/7, but having a hitch on this car was essential for me.

I used the drawtite hitch as a base, took forever to arrive and was packaged very poorly but it wasn't very expensive. This was a rough plan of what I wanted to create.

View attachment 78865

I cut off the factory receiver and mocked up the position. I got the 2 inch receiver very cheaply. The final install moved the vertical tube away from the bumper another inch or so to make it as hidden as possible, with just enough room to get the pin through.
View attachment 78866

From this point I just measured the bumper/body and tack welded the vertical receiver, did a test fit and then welded everything up. You can see there is barely enough clearance for the pin to go in. Also added some extra support material on the upper section

I bought cheap hitch extender and turned it into a right angle adapter. I ended up remaking that to have an angle slightly less than 90 for a slight upward angle, otherwise my cargo carrier would scrape on driveways and such.
View attachment 78870
View attachment 78871
Installed:
View attachment 78867

With bumper back on, it is visible but you only see it if you looking for it. I cut a decent chunk of the bumper to make it accesible but I made a quick template so it looks very clean. I also painted the body behind it black.
View attachment 78868

In use photo, it's not easy to get the right angle adapter pin and the chains on/off, buts its worth being able to hide the hitch away when not in use. I had a torklift ecohitch on my 2015 STI and that was equally as difficult to get on and off.
View attachment 78869

If anyone wants to do something similar and has any questions let me know!

Since it’s out in with a pin does it rattle around anymore when there’s a trailer on there or effect the amount it can tow since it’s basically all pressure being put on the pin?

 

[Drakkon.ri]

Hello,

I have been using a custom fabricated hitch I made for awhile now and wanted to share what I did just in case someone is looking to do something similar. I have had "hidden hitches" on other cars and really did not want a tow bar sticking out of the bumper 24/7, but having a hitch on this car was essential for me.

I used the drawtite hitch as a base, took forever to arrive and was packaged very poorly but it wasn't very expensive. This was a rough plan of what I wanted to create.

View attachment 78865

I cut off the factory receiver and mocked up the position. I got the 2 inch receiver very cheaply. The final install moved the vertical tube away from the bumper another inch or so to make it as hidden as possible, with just enough room to get the pin through.
View attachment 78866

From this point I just measured the bumper/body and tack welded the vertical receiver, did a test fit and then welded everything up. You can see there is barely enough clearance for the pin to go in. Also added some extra support material on the upper section

I bought cheap hitch extender and turned it into a right angle adapter. I ended up remaking that to have an angle slightly less than 90 for a slight upward angle, otherwise my cargo carrier would scrape on driveways and such.
View attachment 78870
View attachment 78871
Installed:
View attachment 78867

With bumper back on, it is visible but you only see it if you looking for it. I cut a decent chunk of the bumper to make it accesible but I made a quick template so it looks very clean. I also painted the body behind it black.
View attachment 78868

In use photo, it's not easy to get the right angle adapter pin and the chains on/off, buts its worth being able to hide the hitch away when not in use. I had a torklift ecohitch on my 2015 STI and that was equally as difficult to get on and off.
View attachment 78869

If anyone wants to do something similar and has any questions let me know!

This setup is brilliant

 

[JJ Smokes]

This setup is brilliant

Great post and write up. I'm wondering if the rear end of the Stinger is similar enough to the Genesis G70 to work as well. I couldn't find any hitches after searching for months for our sedans.

 

[Ah GetFd]

Hitch I presume you mean what is called a tow bar here.

Are tow bars not available for Stinger in the US?

They are a standard item here Kia branded but you could also buy many aftermarket ones including Hayman Reece which is a big after market brand.

What's important is to have the factory wiring harness as it has the electronics to disable the rear parking sensors, cross traffic, etc when towing.

Kia Stinger Tow Bar Kit - Includes Wiring Harness - J5A04APK01 | Chadstone Kia, Oakleigh Victoria

750kg Unbraked, 1,500kg Braked, 75kg Down Ball Weight. Not suitable for towball bicycle carrier.

parts.chadstonekia.com.au

Fits Stinger (2020 - 2023)
Dealer Price $ 1,371.89
750kg Unbraked, 1,500kg Braked, 75kg Down Ball Weight Not suitable for towball bicycle carrier.