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This fully welded, corrosion-resistant vehicle trailer hitch receiver is perfect for your light-duty towing needs. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. Drawbar sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
Draw-Tite's Tested Tough program provides testing standards far superior to those outlined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the go-to source for engineering professionals.
Each Draw-Tite trailer hitch receiver undergoes extensive fatigue testing and static testing with the ball mount that is either supplied or recommended for use with that particular hitch, thus ensuring results that are applicable to real life use. Fatigue testing is also conducted on hitches rated for use with weight-distribution systems.
In addition, Draw-Tite performs static testing on a simulated automobile, as opposed to the rigid fixture used for SAE testing, resulting in a more true-to-life scenario.
At etrailer.com we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
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Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (70 Customer Reviews)
This fully welded, corrosion-resistant vehicle trailer hitch receiver is perfect for your light-duty towing needs. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. Drawbar sold separately.Great hitch! A little tricky to put on my 2012 VW Golf by myself, but got it done. Light duty usage for hauling two 50lb e-bikes on a tray rack.
I use the Draw-Tite Sportframe (1-1/4") on my 2007 VW Rabbit to carry bikes. I also use the welded loops near the hitch receiver for looping kayak bow/stern lines. Works great for my single Kuat Transfer and 4-bike Yakima bike carriers as well as hooking bow/stern lines from kayaks. No major issues, and one minor issue with some minor surface rust after 1 year isolated to one location on the frame of the product. Does a lot for the low price - highly recommend!
The hitch fit perfectly on my 2009 GTI. Nice close fit. Doesn't ruin the appearance car. See photos.
I was able to install it myself without using ramps in just under an hour. You don't have much clearance beneath the car but it can be done if you're mechanically inclined. Tip - The M12 bolt required an 18mm socket. I had no problems removing or installing the M12 bolt. I recommend you also have a 19mm deep socket to tighten the nut that comes with the hitch. I also recommend watching the eTrailer video "Fish Wire Demonstration" that shows you how to fish the bolts through the frame.
I installed the hitch only, no wiring kit since I only intend to use it for a bike rack. This is the 2nd hitch I've purchased from eTrailer. Fast shipping and excellent customer service.
I haven't towed with it, so this will be based on the install.
I have a 2011 Golf TDI. The instructions that came with it were very good and explained everything. It took me a few minutes to get my head around what had to happen, but once I located the spot on the frame, it all clicked.
The only error I found - and it may not be an error - is the two frame bolts you need to remove (M12) are, according to the directions, inferred to be 19mm. That may be the case on the 2009 or 2010 model year, but on mine they were 18mm. They also were very clear to not remove any of the grease on the bolt unless you couldn't replace it properly back in the frame. This must also be a new design, since the bolt had no obvious grease, aside from some basic, non-gunky clear stuff.
The install went pretty fast once I got going. I could have done it myself, but I found it a lot easier to have someone hold the hitch in place while I seated the initial screws. It had plenty of give to have the hitch at an angle to get the first screw on just enough to hold it up, then move to the other side and do the same. I put the M12 screws back in, tightened them up, and then tightened up the carriage bolts.
All in all, very happy with the hitch.
Just a note about the shipping and customer service. I ordered on Memorial Day. They processed it and got it ready for shipping the same day. The package itself was VERY secure, with all the other parts of my order tightly taped to the hitch itself and very secure in the box. Free shipping, and my order arrived 4 days later! I had two follow up emails from customer support making sure everything was correct. I'm very happy, and will be recommending etrailer to anyone else in the market.
Well made light duty hitch for a small car. Installed solely for bike rack use. Install took about 15 minutes start to finish. Much easier than expected.
Works great hauled it to the max load with no issues cross country.
Exactly as stated the hitch went on in no time at all. Forty minutes and that includes un-boxing, car on ramps and finding tools. Fitment was
perfect. The instructions were flawless!
Great packaging. Quick delivery. I installed the hitch in the 30 minute window described. It fit perfectly...no need to adjust anything. The only thing I would suggest to improve the install is to supply two 3/4 inch locking nut in addition to the nuts that were supplied to bolt the bolts at the rear of the car frame. I purchased them at the local hardware store and it offered additional assurance that the nuts won't come loose.
I have not installed the wiring and have some anxiety about how easy it will happen, but that is another post...I guess.
This was a bit tricky to install. Had to wrestle it into place to secure the right side of the hitch. Having to hold it while inserting the bolt, I was afraid I would cross the bolt threads. Eventually got it into place, got the nuts and bolts on and torqued to specs. Looks great. Have not experienced any ground scrape as others have reported. Have another car that will eventually need a hitch and I'll be buying from etrailer again.
Eric C.
2/24/2015
No problems after a year. Functions flawlessly. No rust or paint peeling. Probably looks better now as the paint has gotten less glossy. People who look at my car never notice the hitch until I tell them about it. They then assume it was installed by a professional. Then I surprise them. Harness is hidden under the carpet in the trunk. I have only scraped a speed bump maybe once by going too fast. I do have a suggestion I found helpful. Where the hitch passes just beneath the tail pipe. I would always hear the tail pipe tapping the hitch when I went over larger bumps. It was a little aggravating, but no discernable damage was occurring. So I took some exhaust gasket material and gasket sealant. I cut and installed a small piece on the top surface of the hitch where the tail pipe would make contact. Now, I dont hear the tapping anymore. No damage to the hitch or the tailpipe. The gasket has been in place almost a year. No worries about it melting from heat as it is designed to get hot. Maybe a fix e-trailer can install for future buyers or include the materials in the hitch kit? Im totally satisfied and will order again if I ever need another hitch for another vehicle.
Got it fast. Had everything I needed to install on my ‘13 Golf TDi. Had no need to move exhaust out of the way. Only advice (unrelated to product), deep sockets would have made it easier for me.
I had one issue with the installation. Everything was there. I had nearly all the tools, but the instructions say that I needed to remove the existing M12 bolts. They were not "M12" on my 2008 VW Rabbit S 2dr. I had to get an 18mm socket. I checked an M12 bolt at Sears and it takes a 19mm socket, which I already had. Perhaps, they're M12 on different models or years, but not this one.
I also needed a longer socket wrench to break them loose...which was something I needed anyway. It was difficult doing this on my back on the driveway even with the car on ramps, but it was done and it fit as needed and expected for my car.
Sb
4/30/2015
M12 would be the diameter of the threaded end, not the size of the cap where the tool is applied. Bolts are typically sized and identified this way.
Unit arrived bent and cant be installed.
Sierra K.
9/2/2021
Thank you for your review. Your hitch receiver is flexed but it is an easy fix. Please see the attached help article for tips:
Helpful Links
2013 VW Golf TDI
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Hitch mounted w/ good instructions, tool assist and hardware was adequate, plug and play. 30 Min installed! Great value.
Craig
6/26/2021
as expected - fine
Aside from the tedious task of fishing mounting bolts thru the frame, installation was really pretty easy, and the fit couldn't be better or more concealed. With the draw bar removed and a black plastic plug in the receiver, what little you can see looks like it's supposed to be there. I pulled a 4 x 8 [antother store] trailer pretty well loaded on a 2400 mile road trip, and if the trailer hadn't filled my rear view mirror, I'd have forgotten it was there. And even tho the ground clearance looks pretty tight, it only scraped a little bit one time on a very steep driveway. It's one of the more expensive hitches, but well worth the price.
I could not do this in thirty minutes, up on a rack maybe- good fit, hardware and instructions- I have a torque wrench and followed the specs- used some of my craftiness to install alone- 2009 VW GTI
Scott H.
5/28/2015
Fine product and completely satisfied
I bought this hitch for a bike rack to put on my VW GTI. The hitch was easy to install and has a pretty low profile under the rear bumper. After one year of use, the hitch still looks good with no rust or major blemishes. This was the second hitch that I purchased from etrailer. Easy to find the right hitch for your vehicle, fast shipping and great prices.
Great value, quick installation. But due to the exhaust of the Golf the hitch sits really low and is quite visible. It's functional, just not as tucked-up as much as I would like.
Aric B.
5/4/2015
The hitch continues to perform adequately. The 2-bike rack we got for the hitch continues to be difficult to get into and out of the receiver. We cant tell if its the hitch or the rack. Otherwise, the product is just fine. We do need to be careful exiting highly sloped driveways under load as the hitch has hit the ground occasionally.
2012 vw golf tdi. With and without rack i made.
I ordered a trailer hitch along with a cargo rack and bike rack. The installation was easy. customer service was excellent and I had my order in just 3 days.
The product fit my 2011 Golf TDI 4dr perfectly. The shipping was super fast, even thought it took myself 1.5 weeks to open the box to install it.
The install was easy overall. The pictures a previous reviewer posted for helped a ton- thank you! Instead of getting someone else to hold the other end while I attached the hitch the frame on the driver's side, I just used a bulky object to prop the frame up enough to get the screws seated on the first side. Then, I swung around and seated the screws on the other (passenger side). I then tightened them all to moderate resistance....than (close) to torque specs. My torque wrench only goes to 80 newton meters, so I was unable to get to 92 with that one. But, I was able to get it close.
The bolt wire threads (in the package) are essential and a great idea at the same time. I bought a 1 1/4 inch to 2 inch adapter, since I already have a 2" Yakima bike rack. All in all, this, I believe, is a better option that putting a bike on the roof....especially if you want to put a cargo box on the roof but also want to carry bikes.
The product it itself is ROCK SOLID when attached....feels welded to the car. Thanks again for the previous reviewer's pics!
Have only installed and used the hitch twice. Went on a 30 mile trip to mountain bike with two 29ers on it and it works great. Easy loading and holds well with my speeding and cornering. Installation was easy. Getting the existing bolts off to thread through hitch was not. Very happy with my purchase. My experience matched my expectations from reading the existing reviews.
119190 kit 2011 Golf InstallationThe wiring kit worked well on the 2011 VW Golf. The most difficult part was running the power line from the battery to the rear of the car. I ran the wire on the interior of the car. I had to remove the battery to get the point where the main harness goes through the fire wall. There are nipples on the rubber grommet surrounding the harness where it passes through wall for feeding wires. I ran the wire under the trim strips to the back of the car. I pulled the carpet trim out on each corner in the trunk. I mounted the module on the passenger side behind the the tail light. Connected the turn and brake wires to the light assembly. Connected the tail wire to the license plate wire where passes through the floor and ran the trailer wires through the grommet for this wire to the connetor I mounted on the rear valence.
I received my trailer hitch, everything arrived in good condition and it is a very good quality product.
After watching your installation video and reading the supplied instructions, I was able to install it without problems in about 45 minutes.
My installation was on my 2012 VW Golf TDI clearances around other parts and components was great. (no rattles)
I am happy provide you with a positive review. You have a very good product for a reasonable price. I am happy to have found your store.
Had this trailer for one year now works great for bike racks. Easy to install with perfect fitment, no modification needed bolts right up.
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Kurtis R.
9/18/2014
I had no complaints about the hitch at all. The Golf sat a little low for exiting the driveway, but other wise was really happy with it. have traded the Golf for a Tiguan.