How To: Trailer Hitch on Tahoe PPV

[Mostwanted1]

There seems to be some misinformation and a lot of guess work on this with no solid answers. So I just finished the project and thought I'd share the cost involved and part numbers so there is no more guessing. Yes the stock 2014 Tahoe reinforcement bar-rebar fits perfectly. You also need the trailer light receptacle. It just rotates in place. The job is easy. Most difficult part is the 10 HD bolts holding the support in place are very tight with some sort of plastic liner that keep them tight. So it takes a little man power if using non air tools. I have heard people paying $760 just for the support etc. this is what I paid. I walked in and they had both pieces in stock to my surprise. If anyone is looking for these parts call Jay at Jim a Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta Ga. I have zero affiliation with these guys and was just a random walk in. Nice educated guys. They even offered a return policy as others did not if it didn't work. I will also add the wiring is underneath for trailer receptacle and the brake controller wires are also up under the dash. Everything you need is still on these trucks regardless of popular belief. Common sense says GM didn't rebuild these trucks just for no trailer option any questions shoot them over.


Part #25938524
Part #12191503

Less than $500 for both.

I am going to sell the standard PPV reinforcement bar with block off plate if anyone is interested. Not sure why anyone would switch but I have seen some people asking for them. I'll keep it for a few weeks then it hits the garbage. It is off a 2014 with 18k miles. No damage. If you want it shoot me an offer. Pick up is obviously ideal. They weigh a ton and shipping would be stupid although I do have the box the new one came in.

Hope this helps some people get this hitch stuff sorted out. I was surprised I couldn't find any solid answers.

 

[BirchyBoy]

You can't just go get a hitch at UHaul?

 

[Mostwanted1]

You can't just go get a hitch at UHaul?

Why would you want an aftermarket mess. I've only seen one by Curt and it looks hideous as it drops out below the bumper. I rather have a stock oem look that I'm confident in. I'm towing a $100k race car and my family is always with me. No way I'm gonna risk it on an aftermarket hitch. This is plug and play. Bolts right in factory location and all wires plug in with ease. This post isn't about aftermarket hitches anyways. It's for the guys who are curious if the factory tahoe stuff works on a police tahoe. The answer is yes and it's reasonably priced.

 

[992dr]

Very cool. I've been waiting for someone to post about this.
I found a re-bar a while ago, still haven't gotten around to installing it.
How do you get the bumper cover off?
I noticed the wiring harness zip tied and tucked up under the bumper.
I'll be installing mine within the next week or two.

I agree, this is the only way to go. Those Curt hitches are crap.

Thanks for posting this info, its much appreciated.


Lets see that race car now

 

[Mostwanted1]

Very cool. I've been waiting for someone to post about this.
I found a re-bar a while ago, still haven't gotten around to installing it.
How do you get the bumper cover off?
I noticed the wiring harness zip tied and tucked up under the bumper.
I'll be installing mine within the next week or two.

I agree, this is the only way to go. Those Curt hitches are crap.

Thanks for posting this info, its much appreciated.


Lets see that race car now

The install is very easy and straight forward. Toughest part like I said are the 10 bolts they are threaded in with some sort of sealer. My advice is to use air tools. They aren't super tight. They just don't free up after broken loose. So it's a chore to get them all the way out by hand. Anyways, there are two tiny screws in each fender well and one push in clip which you remove with a flathead screwdriver. Open the rear hatch and there are 4 more tiny bolts and two push in clips. The clips are snug. One came out, one broke. Two more bolts holding bumper to support. Then the 10 biggies underneath. The bumper just pops out of place. I dropped the spare to give me more space. Tool kit is in the rear driver side panel in the back. Any questions let me know. There are no hidden bolts or anything. Every bolt screw or clip is easily visible. Slide the one out, slide the new one in. You need to transfer the spare tire tube over and also the two bolt clips to the new rebar. You need to buy the receptacle if you didn't already. It just rotates into the new rebar and the wires just plug right into the receptacle. The wires have an inserted plug for protection while not being used to keep dirt out. That needs to come out obviously. I'll post a few pics of the finished product.

---------- Post added at 01:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 AM ----------

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Why would you want an aftermarket mess. I've only seen one by Curt and it looks hideous as it drops out below the bumper. I rather have a stock oem look that I'm confident in. I'm towing a $100k race car and my family is always with me. No way I'm gonna risk it on an aftermarket hitch. This is plug and play. Bolts right in factory location and all wires plug in with ease. This post isn't about aftermarket hitches anyways. It's for the guys who are curious if the factory tahoe stuff works on a police tahoe. The answer is yes and it's reasonably priced.

That, and on a PPV, it would drag the ground just about everywhere!

Nice work. Our '10 came with one, so we were covered there. I haven't looked for the controller wiring yet, but probably should, since the Tahoe will be our backup tow vehicle should our 2500HD have issues. Exactly where was the wiring stashed?

I'll probably test hooking the race car up next time we need to pull it off the trailer. We got a short offset hitch when we got our 96 SS, so I'm set there. I'll probably need to get another controller.

Black is a very slimming color! Nice looking truck.

 

[Mostwanted1]

That, and on a PPV, it would drag the ground just about everywhere!

Nice work. Our '10 came with one, so we were covered there. I haven't looked for the controller wiring yet, but probably should, since the Tahoe will be our backup tow vehicle should our 2500HD have issues. Exactly where was the wiring stashed?

I'll probably test hooking the race car up next time we need to pull it off the trailer. We got a short offset hitch when we got our 96 SS, so I'm set there. I'll probably need to get another controller.

Black is a very slimming color! Nice looking truck.

Thanks. The brake controller wiring is up under the dash by the brake pedal. Dark blue, red, black, blue white if I remember correctly. Don't forget to hook up the power wire under the hood. It is right by the fuse box tucked away. Just put it up to the two powered posts. You will need a bolt since the don't provide them

 

[BirchyBoy]

Why would you want an aftermarket mess. I've only seen one by Curt and it looks hideous as it drops out below the bumper. I rather have a stock oem look that I'm confident in. I'm towing a $100k race car and my family is always with me. No way I'm gonna risk it on an aftermarket hitch. This is plug and play. Bolts right in factory location and all wires plug in with ease. This post isn't about aftermarket hitches anyways. It's for the guys who are curious if the factory tahoe stuff works on a police tahoe. The answer is yes and it's reasonably priced.

That's cool. Just asking the question.

My local dealer has 10 PPV's right now and I've got my eye on one.

 

[Mostwanted1]

That's cool. Just asking the question.

My local dealer has 10 PPV's right now and I've got my eye on one.

Yeah no problem. Believe me I thought it over and looked at curt etc. but after seeing how beefy the stock oem is no way I would consider another. It bolts right up and I'm confident it will carry my precious cargo without failure. And if you shop the parts they are just ver $400 for everything. It's worth every penny.

And as for the PPV. I've had a lot of very expensive SUVs and this is a great truck. It drives very smooth. Has plenty of space and pick up. I doubt youll be disappointed. Good luck.

 

[992dr]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.
Thanks also for taking the time to post the pics

I'm a wee bit jealous of your light, mine did not come with one.

 

[Mostwanted1]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.
Thanks also for taking the time to post the pics

I'm a wee bit jealous of your light, mine did not come with one.

Thanks. The light was a must you'll like this too I got them to leave a few things. I had to buy the front push bar though but at least I got the jotto desk and accessories here. I'm happy with the truck.

 

[992dr]

oh yeah, I like that.
Man, that looks great.

 

[Mostwanted1]

oh yeah, I like that.
Man, that looks great.

Thanks man. I'm enjoying it. Only issue I'm having is theft deter any/ key issues. They've been reset so fingers crossed. It's under warranty so not too stressed other than being stranded lol.

 

[blargh22]

There seems to be some misinformation and a lot of guess work on this with no solid answers. So I just finished the project and thought I'd share the cost involved and part numbers so there is no more guessing. Yes the stock 2014 Tahoe reinforcement bar-rebar fits perfectly. You also need the trailer light receptacle. It just rotates in place. The job is easy. Most difficult part is the 10 HD bolts holding the support in place are very tight with some sort of plastic liner that keep them tight. So it takes a little man power if using non air tools. I have heard people paying $760 just for the support etc. this is what I paid. I walked in and they had both pieces in stock to my surprise. If anyone is looking for these parts call Jay at Jim a Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta Ga. I have zero affiliation with these guys and was just a random walk in. Nice educated guys. They even offered a return policy as others did not if it didn't work. I will also add the wiring is underneath for trailer receptacle and the brake controller wires are also up under the dash. Everything you need is still on these trucks regardless of popular belief. Common sense says GM didn't rebuild these trucks just for no trailer option any questions shoot them over.


Part #25938524
Part #12191503

Less than $500 for both.

I am going to sell the standard PPV reinforcement bar with block off plate if anyone is interested. Not sure why anyone would switch but I have seen some people asking for them. I'll keep it for a few weeks then it hits the garbage. It is off a 2014 with 18k miles. No damage. If you want it shoot me an offer. Pick up is obviously ideal. They weigh a ton and shipping would be stupid although I do have the box the new one came in.

Hope this helps some people get this hitch stuff sorted out. I was surprised I couldn't find any solid answers.

Great post. I have a 2012 PPV and was really surprised to see that the bumper cover is held on by two bolts underneath (on the left and right side) even though there are two more holes in the bumper cover with no bolts going through them towards the center. Mine has these little metal brackets welded to the left and right side of the bumper to which the bumper cover is bolted on to. However the bumper cover has two extra holes closer to the middle, but no brackets or bolts going to those holes. Was wondering if you saw this, as I couldn't find anything online. Really just want to make sure that what I'm seeing is correct, there seems to be some play in the bumper cover given the bottom is only secured with two bolts and not four.

 

[992dr]

I finally put mine on today, took no time at all.
Now I can finally haul, hah.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Thanks. The light was a must you'll like this too I got them to leave a few things. I had to buy the front push bar though but at least I got the jotto desk and accessories here. I'm happy with the truck.

Yeah, the light makes people slow down when they're in front of you. It looks like yours was replaced with the glass lens light. Ours was still the plastic one, and was badly hazed and yellowed. Picked up the glass one, and it's much nicer.

Nice console. That's not a cheap one. Our truck came console-free, so we picked up a surplus factory Tahoe console. It added badly-needed storage, and the gun safe fit wonderfully.

 

[fiatdale]

Those of you in the northern states - hit the bolts with a torch first. They are notorious for using a ton of loctite and I've had a million where the heads break off from the bolts. Heat it up quick and they usually come right out. Simplest addition you can make. Most dealerships will stock these because Tahoes are always getting rear ended and these rebars are constantly getting replaced.

 

[992dr]

Yeah, the light makes people slow down when they're in front of you. It looks like yours was replaced with the glass lens light. Ours was still the plastic one, and was badly hazed and yellowed. Picked up the glass one, and it's much nicer.

Nice console. That's not a cheap one. Our truck came console-free, so we picked up a surplus factory Tahoe console. It added badly-needed storage, and the gun safe fit wonderfully.

Do you have any pictures of your console?
Mine came console free as well and have been debating on what to do, for a long time, haha.

 

[aggmeister2010]

Do you have any pictures of your console?
Mine came console free as well and have been debating on what to do, for a long time, haha.

I STRONGLY recommend PlastixPlus in Houston, TX. They build the consoles for all of our Tahoes, as well as our fire apparatus, ambulances, and rescue trucks. Their stuff rocks, and is very solid. They also build cargo storage...anything from thin drawers to command centers.

Here's what they built for my truck, I love it. I chose not to have a MDC (laptop), but they are available as well.

Yeah, the light makes people slow down when they're in front of you. It looks like yours was replaced with the glass lens light. Ours was still the plastic one, and was badly hazed and yellowed. Picked up the glass one, and it's much nicer.

Nice console. That's not a cheap one. Our truck came console-free, so we picked up a surplus factory Tahoe console. It added badly-needed storage, and the gun safe fit wonderfully.

I have a Unity LED spot light on mine, replacing one of the standard Unity halogen lights that comes from the factory. It has been there for 2 years and hasn't yellowed at all. Try one of those!

 

[Mostwanted1]

I like the console on yours. Lots of great posts. Sorry I haven't been on here much. Just busy. I am listing my PPV for sale if anyone knows of anyone who wants one.