1998 Volkswagen Trailer Hitch

Change Make

Select Vehicle Model

Available Models for 1998 Volkswagen Trailer Hitch

Cabrio

Eurovan

Golf

Jetta

New Beetle

Passat

Trailer Hitches

You’ve found the #1 online retailer of aftermarket trailer hitches – the best place to research and shop for hitches.

Just tell us your year, make, and model, and we’ll show you everything we know about the custom-fit hitches available for your vehicle: how they look, how they install, towing capacity, and customer reviews. We'll even show you related products that will help you get the most out of your new hitch.

We carry hitches from the leading brands including Curt, Draw-Tite, B&W, Tork-Lift, and Eco-Hitch. We offer hitches for nearly every vehicle on the road, including the most popular makes and models from Ford, Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Dodge, Jeep, and Toyota.

Trailer Hitches, Front Mount Hitches, Fifth Wheels, Goosenecks, RV Hitches, and Weight Distribution

Custom fit trailer hitches are available for virtually every vehicle. At etrailer.com we carry rear mount trailer hitches, front mount, fifth wheels, goosenecks, RV trailer hitches, and weight distribution systems from the best manufacturers such as Draw-tite, Hidden Hitch, Reese, Torklift and Curt. You will also find a complete selection of hitch accessories and related products such as bike racks, cargo carriers, hitch covers, ballmounts, and locks.

Hitch Accessories

Ball Mounts

Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring

Trailer Wiring and Adapters

More Trailer Hitches

Base Plate for Tow Bar

Weight Distribution System

RV Hitches

Front Mount Receivers

Fifth Wheel Hitches

Gooseneck Hitches

ATV Trailer Hitches

Trailer Hitch Manufacturers

Accessories

1998 Volkswagen Questions and Answers

Available Drawbars for 1-1/4 Inch Hitches with at Least a 5-inch Rise in the Shank
The Curt bar # C45028 (5-3/8 inch rise or 6-inch drop) you referenced is one of 3 Curt drawbars we currently offer that will have a 5 inch or more rise in the shank. The reason other shanks may have a different rise is because it may have a different Class rating. I also pulled this drawbar from our warehouse and made a short video and diagram for you. Please note you can only use Class-I rated crossbars because your 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio only works with Class-I hitches. The two...
view full answer...

Replacement Gear Kit and Handle for a Pro Series Jack part # PS1401600383
The correct replacement handle for the Pro Series Jack part # PS1401600383 that you referenced is part # BD500105, and the correct replacement gear kit is part # BD500106. This should be everything you need.
view full answer...

Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle with Manual Transmission
I can't access an owner's manual for your 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle but from my research since you have a manual transmission it can be flat towed behind an RV. You'll want to check your owner's manual to be sure because VW will give you the definite answer. With that being said most manual transmission vehicles can be flat towed. If you find that you can tow your Beetle I can help you with the parts you'll need. Base plates that will fit your VW are the Blue Ox # BX3815. These...
view full answer...

Hub and Drum Assemblies and Spindles for Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes for 3500 Pound Axles
The brake assembly # 23-112 is rated for 6,000 pound axles, not 3,500 pound axles. For a 3,500 pound axle you will need to look at 10x2-1/4 inch brakes such as # 23-26 for the left side and # 23-27 for the right side. These mount to a 4-bolt flange, such as # 4-34 for 1-3/4 inch round axles, or # 4-35 for 2-3/8 inch round axles. Brake mounting flanges need to be installed by a qualified professional with experience welding on brake flanges because it is a precision job requiring special...
view full answer...

Will 2-1/2 Inch U-Bolts Fit a 6,000-Lb Hammerblow Axle On a Homebuilt Trailer
The U-bolts on a trailer suspension are designed to attach the leaf springs to the axle of the trailer. The U-bolts will need to fit the diameter of your axle. I would recommend to measure the diameter of the axle. A 6,000-lb axle should have a diameter of 3 inches. The spindle that is attached to the axle will measure 2-1/4 inches in diameter. There is not a U-bolt available in a width of 2-1/4 inches. The Redline Replacement U-Bolt, part # 176500, is a U-bolt that is designed for...
view full answer...

Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Recommendations for 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
We do not have a video showing installation of the Thule Passage 3 Bike Carrier # TH911XT on your particular vehicle, the 1998 New Beetle, but we do for another vehicle and that video is linked for your review. The best bike carrying option for you will depend on how many bikes you need to move. If you must transport 3 bikes then a trunk-mount carrier like the Passage 3 is the way to go. But if you need to transport only 2 bikes then the better choice overall will be to install a trailer...
view full answer...

Supplemental Braking System for Flat Towing a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Behind an RV
Besides the SMI Air Force One # SM99243 you can use the Blue Ox Patriot, # BRK2016, with your 1998 Volkswagen Jetta if you think the Air Force One will not fit. I have linked the installation details for the Patriot system for you.
view full answer...

Is a Hitch Available for a 1998 VW Jetta TDI that Does Not Require Drilling or Trimming
I checked with all of the hitch manufacturers that we stock and all of the hitches that are available for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta require some sort of drilling and/or trimming. If you need a hitch for your Jetta, I would recommend the Draw-Tite trailer hitch, # 24594, because it does not require drilling into the interior of the vehicle or trimming the rear fascia, see instructions link. You will need to drill four 1/2 inch holes, two in each side of the frame. I recommend using...
view full answer...

Does the Reinforcement Bracket of the Draw Tite Hitch 24594 Have to Be Used for Installation
Although it would seem like you might be OK not using the reinforcement bracket of the Draw Tite Hitch part # 24594 when installing it on your vehicle, I cannot safely recommend you skip that step when you install the hitch as it would void the warranty. If there is any way you can safely modify your bumper so that you can get the bracket installed I would recommend you do so.
view full answer...

Availability of Base Plate Kit for Flat Towing 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio
For your 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio we have a Blue Ox base plate kit part # BX3818 but not a Roadmaster kit. What you can do is use an adapter like part # RM-031 if you are trying to attach this vehicle to a Roadmaster tow bar.
view full answer...

Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Behind an RV
Motor Home mount tow bars are considered more versatile and safe than tow bars that connect to a ball. Also the motor home mount will store on the motor home and not the vehicle so you won't have to disconnect the tow bar from both to drive the vehicle. Like you said, base plates # BX3814 will fit your 1998 VW Jetta with air conditioning but without a turbo. For a compatible tow bar I recommend the Blue Ox Alpha # BX7365. This tow bar has a 6,500 pound capacity so it can handle the Jetta...
view full answer...

Hitch Adapter for Class I Hitch on 1998 VW Jetta GT for Use with 2-Inch Thule Bike Rack
Draw-Tite Class I hitch # 24594 does have an internal tab to prevent use of a Class II accessory but we do offer a 1-1/4-inch to 2-inch adapter that will fit, Brophy adapter # HTAD. The trouble with using an adapter like this with your 1-1/4-inch hitch and 2-inch bike rack is that the addition of the adapter causes you to lose half of your hitch capacity. This occurs due to the change in geometry at the hitch tube. This extra leverage on the hitch means your 200-lb-rated hitch suddenly...
view full answer...

Base Plate # BX3814 Recommendation for a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta with A/C and no Turbo
For your 1998 Volkswagen Jetta you would want a Blue Ox Tow Bars for the 1998 Jetta by Volkswagen, part # BX3814. This base plate kit is designed for Jettas that have air conditioning but do not have a turbo, so this would be perfect for your application. The RoadMaster XL Base Plate Kit, part # 1217-2, that you referenced is designed for Jettas that do not have air conditioning or a turbo and would not be a good fit for you.
view full answer...

Trailer Hitch, Wiring and Ball Mount for 1998 VW Jetta
You will need to take a look at the owner's manual for your 1998 VW Jetta to see if it is allowed to tow and if so what the capacity is; you would need to know the weight of your trailer and the boat as well. If you find out you can tow the available hitch is the Draw-Tite # 24594 which has a 200 lb tongue weight capacity and 2,000 lb towing capacity. It will require the use of Draw-Tite Drawbar # 3592 and either 2" hitch ball # 19258 or 1-7/8" hitch ball # 19256 depending on your trailer's...
view full answer...

Plain 4-wire connector with 5-foot harness
The Curt # C56175 is a trailer wiring harness that includes a powered converter that is used to handle the additional strain that can occur when powering trailer lights. The # C56175 is the confirmed fit trailer lighting harness for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. When a vehicle is connected to a trailer and the car is not specifically set-up for trailer towing from the factory, the powered convert will make sure that there will be enough power sent to the trailer to fully illuminate the...
view full answer...