Looking to put a trailer hitch on my 04 TDI and wondered which was the best one to get and is it easy for install or should I have a pro do it?
Putttn
They're pretty easy for the average joe with a drill, and wrench. Drawtite and Hidden hitch seem to be the options.Putttn said:
U-haul will install one with their logo plastered all over it too, but it looks like a hidden hitch. (not to hidden IMHO)
Should be around 125 for a hitch plus 20-60 for an electrical converter for the lights. Throw in an hour labor of install and 250 should cover it.
I like drawtites unit which attaches to the tow hook, over by the muffler and on the back side of the spare wheel well.
http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=Beetle&category=hitch&year=2004&make=Volkswagen&t1=&h=e
Read up on what you can tow, because there are stories about pull thru's from the spare tire mounting spots. It's not the most solid way to attach a hitch. Thats why I like the additional support the drawtite offers.
Large (tall) speedbumps or steep driveways may cause it to rub a little, otherwise it's not that low. I think other hitches are a bit lower, but drawtite uses an ofset to raise it up a few cm's over the competition.Putttn said:
check the link provided in my last post to see what I mean.
Also, click on the hitch, then click "instructions" That will show you detailed images on how it mounts.
Ok, so it looks like Draw-Tite is the best hitch option out there, because it has that sideways H-like shape that lets you bolt it on more securely.
Do I understand that right? Is it still true today?
Hidden Hitch and Curt Class as shown HERE for my 2007 Sagra are both more expensive options, without that extra piece towards the front of the car. Both other options also have a square tube instead of a flattened bar, does this mean that the Draw-Tite hitch offers more ground clearance?
How much do you scrape the ground with a hitch installed?
Do you have to seal the holes you've drilled into the spare tire well? I don't want to invite rust.
Do I understand that right? Is it still true today?
Hidden Hitch and Curt Class as shown HERE for my 2007 Sagra are both more expensive options, without that extra piece towards the front of the car. Both other options also have a square tube instead of a flattened bar, does this mean that the Draw-Tite hitch offers more ground clearance?
How much do you scrape the ground with a hitch installed?
Do you have to seal the holes you've drilled into the spare tire well? I don't want to invite rust.
I have the Curt, and am very happy with it. No issues pulling my empty boxed frame HD car hauler with brakes. Added a brake controller and reinforced the mounting points in the tire well then sealed with por15 and painted it black with brush on rustolium.
It doesn't hang down very much.
![Image]()
If you want better pics of the clearance let me know.
The draw tite hitch actually offers less ground clearance than the Curt. at the lowest point it has a 1.5" square tube welded to a bar making it close to 2" of hanging down hitch where as the Curt is a single 1.5" square tube frame that sits directly against the tire well.
All of the hitches for the beetle are mostly just attached to flimsy sheet metal so know that if you want to haul anything with any real weight you will need to weld in some larger pieces of real steel plate where the mounting points are to further distribute the load. Any fab shop that installs roll cages would be able to help in this endeavor if your not particularly comfortable or handy with a welder yourself.
It doesn't hang down very much.
If you want better pics of the clearance let me know.
The draw tite hitch actually offers less ground clearance than the Curt. at the lowest point it has a 1.5" square tube welded to a bar making it close to 2" of hanging down hitch where as the Curt is a single 1.5" square tube frame that sits directly against the tire well.
All of the hitches for the beetle are mostly just attached to flimsy sheet metal so know that if you want to haul anything with any real weight you will need to weld in some larger pieces of real steel plate where the mounting points are to further distribute the load. Any fab shop that installs roll cages would be able to help in this endeavor if your not particularly comfortable or handy with a welder yourself.
2.ooohhh, can you provide more details? Hauling a car with a Beetle is especially impressive.
Although I'm sure trailer brakes make for a MUCH better experience than our trip last year hauling a 1980 Camaro on a tow bar with a 1995 Caprice
NV/OR-140 on the Wall Of Death was NOT an experience I'd care to replicate in my lifetime- it's still scary in an unloaded rental car.
Although I'm sure trailer brakes make for a MUCH better experience than our trip last year hauling a 1980 Camaro on a tow bar with a 1995 Caprice
NV/OR-140 on the Wall Of Death was NOT an experience I'd care to replicate in my lifetime- it's still scary in an unloaded rental car.
Draw-Tite Sportframe on our '98. We've towed a pop-up camper, Yuppie-Wagon cargo trailer, '78 Superbeetle convertible and a '72 Superbeetle sedan with no problems or issues.
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