Installing Cayman Trailer Hitch

**Augie** · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 10:38 PM

Will has been making hitches for the Boxster & 996 for many years now. I've seen links and references to his hitch in other posts and on Rennlist. I had one of his hitches on my 2000 Boxster S for 7 years. It worked fine without any problem. It was used with a Harbor Freight assemble it yourself trailer that costs $219-269 depending on which one and when you buy it.
When I got my Cayman I contacted him for a hitch. He had one in the works, many orders but no one to help doing measurements, etc on the actual car. I worked with him on it by phone & email. My Cayman is the first with his hitch installed. Here's how the install went:

First remove the rear license plate and layout the holes and cutting.
Then 3 drill holes with sawhole and cut out the area with a hacksaw.

**Augie** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 10:55 PM

Next layout holes in aluminum bumper.
Drill holes in aluminum bumper.
If you aren't going to install the heavier replacement bumper brackets you then have to fish the bolts through the large upper holes. Bolt the hitch in place and replace the license plate. This is the quick and easy procedure.

**Augie** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 11:05 PM

I continued on and replaced the stock lightweight bumper brackets with the heavier ones that you can buy from Will.
Now remove tailights and raise the the spoiler, unbolt the bumper cover and spoiler. Lift off the bumper cover but be sure to disconnect the license plate light connect before you try to move too far.

**Augie** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 11:13 PM

Here's pics of bumper cover lifted off and fully removed. You can now see the aluminum bumper & a whole lot more that was under the bumper cover; like the exhaust, chassis, etc. That a stock exhaust with a tip from Pep Boys.
Unbolt and remove the aluminum bumper.

**Augie** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 11:30 PM

Remove the bumper brackets and replace with Will's heavier ones. Note where the emergency pull wire for the trunk is on the left incase you ever need to use it. Then reinstall the aluminum bumper, bumper cover (connect the license plate light wiring before closing it up), tailights and spolier.
Then replace the license plate and you're done. It takes an afternoon to do but it really not as hard as it might seem. Don't be afraid to try it's not bad. As for hurting your lovely Porsche, a few holes under the license plate will make it lighter, cooler, and happier.
I'll be back with Will's contact info and prices. Got to go now before the wife go off the deep end.

**Augie** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 01:18 AM

Enclosed are instructions from Will and a picture of the bumper brackets. Plus pic of trailer attached to my former RX8. I don't have one of the Cayman and can't find the Boxster one.

Prices - hitch $295; HD bumper brackets 195, packaging & shipping 45. There also is a hidden receiver that is mounted behind a hinged license plate bracket so you don't see the hitch at all once the ball mount is pulled out of the receiver. Receiver is 205; ball mount with ball welded in place 275; license plate hinged mount 45.

This hitch can also be used on 987 Boxster and 997.

You can reach him at (209)772-3399 or will@willwoodsystem.com

website - Home

gomarlins3 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 02:44 AM

Pretty cool little set up. I have a question though. What did you use for your light connections and how did you hook it up?

**Augie** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

Pretty cool little set up. I have a question though. What did you use for your light connections and how did you hook it up?

I used a U-Haul 3 to 2 wire converter; it's 16.95 and tried into the wiring from the taillight. There was a feedback problem which I was told needed to corrected by adding a diode. I bought some at Radio Shack but wasn't sure which kind would apply as there are hundreds of them. I asked my repair shop about and they said to just go back to U-Haul about it. U-Haul replaced the converter and that clear the error codes that were appearing on the dash display. I'm not sure that total eliminated the problem but it was the end of the season and I haven't used the trailer since then. We'll is for sure in the spring.

gomarlins3 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 04:42 AM

I used a U-Haul set up as well for my lighting and it worked fine. I am towing with an S2000, not a CS though, but I was hoping it worked the same. I hope the new solution works for you. I will be checking back for any updates.

**Augie** · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

I used a U-Haul set up as well for my lighting and it worked fine. I am towing with an S2000, not a CS though, but I was hoping it worked the same. I hope the new solution works for you. I will be checking back for any updates.

From what I'm told newer Porsche uses a single line to do multiple things; that's why feedback can be a problem. Never had the problem with my 2000 Boxster S or RX8 which I does did this year prior to the Cayman S.