adding a trailer hitch

[erkishhorde]

Hmm... kinda an accessory thing but not for bikes specifically. Anyone have experience adding a trailer hitch to a vehicle that doesn't naturally have one? A co-worker added one to his "240". Dunno what "240" is but he calls it a sports car and says it isn't made anymore.

I was wondering if you can add one to the new VW Golf? I kinda like the Golf but I'd also like to be able to have some way of transporting my bike. That's the main reason why I ended up getting my truck. But the truck is a pain in the ass. It's a freakin' tank, has crap turning radius, and drinks gas like mad. It's been great for moving the bike around and I've had to move the bike some 4 or 5 times in last year and a half so it's had it uses but I'm ready to look into alternate transportation methods like a trailer or those hitch carrier things.

[Oldfisti]

 The "240" either a Nissan 240sx  or a Datsun 240z. I would think someone has one for the Golf. Then you could use this:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16673.0

[red baron]

Razzo Bolognese had a hitch mounted to his VW Golf and towed a trailer back and forth from NY to LA.

We also used it to haul a car trailer bigger than the Golf around LA one day.

[Statler]

We towed an 18 foot hobie cat with a civic coupe for many years.   Had the hitch custom installed for not too much money.   

[mitt]

I added a hitch to my xterra, and it was a 1 hour job - just bolt it on.  I looked into adding a hitch to my wife's honda crv, and it would be a 5 hour job, taking some of the interior apart, drilling big holes in the unibody, etc.  So, it can either be really easy, or too difficult for someone without much mechanical experience.

I would look up what VW has on their website for hitches, and also other websites, and you can get an idea of how it will work.

mitt

[Rev. Millertime]

http://www.draw-tite.com/

http://www.hiddenhitch.com/

http://www.reeseprod.com/

http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx?src=hitches


check those sites... someone may have one.

[herm]

i saw a new beetle with a hitch on it the other day............LOL

[Porsche Monkey]

Couldn't you just do this?

[JEFF_H]

you can just put the year/model in here-
http://www.hidden-hitch.com/fitguide.aspx?HHCat=hitch
(looks like they have them for golfs)

i also added one of these to my Pathfinder myself, and it was easy.

unless you tow frequently, i would rent one of the moto trailers from uhaul. costs $30-ish.
if you want to buy one, sportutilitytrailers.com has cheap chinese-made put together ones, or kendon makes really nice ones if you've got the $$.

[ducatiz]

yes, they have them for Golfs (Uhaul)

downside it is minor surgery for your car.  all the rear stuff taken out and big holes drilled into the spare tire well.

if you get Uhaul to do it, they'll undercoat it, but make sure YOU take it to a high pressure wash and clean it all off underside first.  they'll undercoat over the dirt.

also, after you get it, take the spare tire out and cover the new bolts/nuts in teh well with undercoat to seal from rust.

the Uhaul for the Golf is a class 2, which is perfect for Harbor Freight's folding 4x8 trailers.  if you only want it for the bike, get the small one, for under 200 i think.  very useful and cheaper than renting.

[erkishhorde]

http://www.draw-tite.com/

http://www.hiddenhitch.com/

http://www.reeseprod.com/

http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx?src=hitches


check those sites... someone may have one.

Interesting how the first two sites have the exact same information.

yes, they have them for Golfs (Uhaul)
...
the Uhaul for the Golf is a class 2, which is perfect for Harbor Freight's folding 4x8 trailers.  if you only want it for the bike, get the small one, for under 200 i think.  very useful and cheaper than renting.

And the Uhaul site says they don't have one for the GTI?

Also, as I understand it, odds are that you'll only be able to get a hitch strong enough to pull the trailer and won't be able to get a hitch strong enough to to do those bike carriers that attach to the hitch.

[Kopfjäger]

A co-worker added one to his "240". Dunno what "240" is but he calls it a sports car and says it isn't made anymore.

C'mon, quit joking around. 

[the_Journeyman]

My dad makes his own to custom fit whatever he needs.  He made one for an '79 IHC Scout II, 1991 S10, 1999 Silverado, and a whole pile of vehicles.  You just need to have some frame to attach it to very very securely and have very very good welds holding the parts together ~

JM

[ducatiz]

Interesting how the first two sites have the exact same information.

And the Uhaul site says they don't have one for the GTI?

if not, it is probably the exhaust location or the suspension.  i am not familiar enough with the difference in teh car -- take it to a Uhaul shop and have them look at it..  they can put your car up on a rack and put the hitch up to it to see what the deal is.

also, isn't the GTI lower than the Golf?

the Golf TDI can pull a class 2 trailer just fine, but you better keep your speed low and don't try to accelerate too much.

[duccarlos]

I know someone in Ohio that mounted a hitch on his Mini. Dragged 2 bikes and still got great gas mileage.