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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: 4.7 out of 5 stars (118 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.The receiver came bent enough that I could tell as soon as I opened the box. The black paint (powder coat?) was flaking from both ends and the receiver, as well as bubbling along most of the right side. I needed a hitch for that weekend so I re-painted it with some black Rustolium and installed it. Just overall disappointing, not sure how someone could have been doing quality control and missed this…could have been a fluke, but a bad one at that.
Have not towed with it yet. That's why 4 stars instead of 5 but I'm sure there won't be a problem. I put it on to pull a trailer when we move. Haven't moved yet. Will tell you this. Great quality and best price I have found. Quite a job installing but that was because of the car. ( VW Alltrack) Big job because of bumper shroud removal. Nothing to do with the hitch. Good instructions with hitch and also [installation] video helped. Bought from etrailer before and will again. Best price and great shipping and if you need assistance they are only a phone call away. Don't waste your time shopping around. No one will have a better product at this price.
Product worked as advertised. My second trailer hitch install. My first was for 2011 VW Sportwagon. This was for a 2017 VW Alltrek. All of the instructions steps written for Golfsport Wagon are also accurate for 2017 Alltrek. EXCEPT for one, Figure 5 in the instruction is not accurate and confusing. So re-check your dimensions before cutting. Intall took me about 2 hrs (as compare to 1 hour quoted) to complete. Largest portion of the time was used up in cutting in the hole bumper cover for the hitch. I uploaded what mine looks like. I also wished I had knocked off more of the Ohio salt before I started the work but all worked out . Good Luck.
J. L.
5/24/2018
hitch have been great and no real issue. Instruction for Alltrack application should be updated.
The hitch works great on my 2017 VW Alltrack. I use it all the time to pull smaller [rental] trailers. I really like where the hitch fits on the Alltrack, it looks like it was designed to fit in the gap under the bumper. The instructions were pretty easy to follow and the job only took a few hours to complete once I'd gathered up the necessary tools. A few quick notes, the screw in the wheel well has very little space between it and the tire, so you will need a torx bit that can work in the small space (or grip a small bit with a wrench, or jack up the car to let the wheel hang a bit lower.) Some of the pictures may be from a European model, so some of the screws appear to be in a different spot, but it's not to tricky to figure out where they are. The most difficult part of the installation wasn't the hitch, but figuring out how to run power to the trailer light adapter, I ended up running the power through the spare wheel compartment and outside the car (underneath). So far that is working fine.
2017 sportwagon S, Perfect fit, easy to install and no cutting. The instructions could use more illustration, but overall took an hour and its my first installing a trailer hitch.
John V.
5/2/2018
It works great, I have bumped around on your site looking for an extension with some kind of expandable mechanism. I mostly use the hitch for a bike rack and unfortunately, the tiny bit of clearance between the bike rack and the hitch turns into a real shaky bike rack. This has nothing to do with the hitch, the hitch is great and it was super easy to install. I saw someone with a bike rack that had this mechanism and it worked great. Not sure if you know what I am talking about.
Rachael H.
5/2/2018
John V.
5/3/2018
Thanks, this is great. I will be ordering the RM-061-125. Thats perfect.
The hitch was well made and relatively easy to install. I installed it on a 2016 Golf Sportwagen LE. I can confirm that as others have stated that I did NOT need to trim the bumper fascia (as the instructions said I would need to). I separated the black, lower part of the fascia from the top part before reinstalling the main fascia. I was then able to snap the lower part on after fitting it around the hitch chain loops.
A couple of other notes: the LE has the rear cross traffic alert. The sensors are bolted on each side of the bumper. I thought with the additional thickness of the sensors that the bolts might not be long enough but they fit fine.
As has been mentioned in other reviews, the torx screws in the wheel wells have very little clearance. I highly recommend getting a torx racquet set. I bought one at a hardware store for about $20 (Kobalt 24-Piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Mechanic's Tool Set with Hard Case). This makes the removal of those screws straight-forward.
I picked this hitch up for my wife's '18 Alltrack so she can haul bikes on a rack.
Fitment is fine and install procedures just the same as those for a '17. I was able to complete the install by myself in 1 1/4 hours, I suspect I could do another in 45 minutes or less now I know what I am doing. There are a couple of Youtube videos that are well worth watching before attempting the install. I did not need to trim the rear bumper cover at all and was able to re-install by just working it over the Hitch and up into position. I did break a couple of the tabs on the body work when removing the bumper cover, but from what I have read this is going to happen no matter what you do.
As others have mentioned, you need to take the bumper fascia completely off to install the Hitch. I have a Golf AllTrack which is slightly different than the SportWagen shown in the video. There the amount of hardware attaching the fascia was not the same. Also my car has sensors built into the fascia and one on the bumper itself. They are attached by 2 cable fittings which were not difficult to separate for removal, just don't forget to re-attach them before re-installing the fascia as access would be difficult or impossible with the fascia in place. I did this by myself and it took about 3 hours! That said it would be quicker with 2 people (or at least a helping hand to get the hitch and bumper in place) and I can be extremely...umm..thorough. I watched the video from the etrailer site, and therefore found the printed instructions lacking information, additionally the measurements listed for cutting the hole for the receiver did not apply to my car. The fascia on my car has an additional trim piece which I removed to cut the hole, then I had to cut the trim to get it to fit around the receiver. This was pretty straight forward and I liked knowing if I messed up, the trim would cover my mistakes! I am very impressed with how it turned out, I am happy there is no drilling involved and the end result looks like it was installed by the manufacturer. Removing and re-installing the fascia was the most difficult part, the job would be much easier if you have access to a lift (Like they do in the video) instead of crawling around on the ground. However if you have access to a lift, you are either a professional mechanic, or rich enough to have someone else install this hitch for you, in either case you are not reading my review!
Good product. The online video was much more helpful than the paper instructions.
The receiver piece was not welded on 90 deg to the bumper..didn't notice until I had installed it.
But it installed fairly easily.
I have a 2017 Alltrack. The setup is slightly different than a Sportwagen.
The video says to push the red tab on the taillight harness release. You PULL the red tab, then push down on the release tab on the plug.
Also, on the Alltrack, you don't need to remove the bottom, innermost screws on the wheelwheel insert. (See my picture)
Also, no cutting of the fascia is necessary. I ended up taking the silver section off the bumper, but that was a lot of work. I was able to push it over the receiver and it popped into place.
Great hitch for my mountain bike rack. My 2014 Sportwagen TDI had a Curt hitch from etrailer that sat below the car so much, it dragged a lot on extreme dips, etc, and with a bike rack, the end of the rack dragged really bad on some grade changes like at gas stations, etc.
That car was replaced last month courtesy of the TDI Emissions scandal, got enough from the buyback (more than I paid!) to get a new 2017 Alltrack. With discounts, I got the Alltrack and had $1,000 left over. Sweet. Drove the TDI for almost four years and basically got a free replacement and a thousand bucks. Time for a new hitch.
This hitch fits so nice and clean up inside the body, it's awesome...looks better, and no more dragging. Arrived well packaged and with no dings or scratches. Usual excellent etrailer service with a great price, no tax (waiting for that to eventually end--that other online retailer finally started collecting sales tax in Utah), and fast delivery.
The install...it's a little nerve wracking pulling that bumper cover off, but it's durable and did fine. I did break a couple of plastic tabs, but that did not compromise the re-install, there are plenty of them. Everything looks great. The instructions are OK, a few things didn't apply. Like Section 2 talked about removing the screws from a "spare tire appearance panel" or something...didn't apply to my Alltrack. There are basically just FOUR screws in each wheel well, FOUR of the plastic expansion screws with the square plastic 'plates' that pop out under the rear area, and then two more regular screws underneath, like in the wheel wells. Just look for all those and you'll be OK. The instructions say to push the red tabs on the tail light harnesses...NO, those PULL out to release. Then after unscrewing the large spring-loaded retaining screw, PUSH out on the assembly and they pop right out.
And as reported, if you remove the lower bumper trim from the main assembly before reinstalling the main assembly, you can then reinstall the lower part over the hitch carefully with NO cutting...awesome. Don't forget to plug in the harness for the back up sensors before you reinstall the bumper cover, or you'll have to partially pull it back off to plug that in. As me how I know. Also I'd recommend a torque wrench to tighten the bumper bolts. It's only 20 or 25 ft lbs, which is way less then you'd think if doing by hand. That's the kind of bolt I would normally hand-tighten as hard as I could...when in fact they call for much less torque.
Took me a couple hours. I could do another in less than an hour now. Not technical at all, just a little freaky pulling everything apart. And to get the bumper cover back on near the wheel wells, it took a good whack with my hand to get it to pop back in. The end result is awesome.
As with other users, I was able to install my 1 1/4" trailer hitch without cutting the bumper fascia on my 2019 Alltrack. Looks great! My bike rack awaits!
There are plenty of great pictures already posted that take you through the installation so I focused on the fascia removal process and posted a few photos that I hope will help others.
Use a 3/4" panel trim tool to pop the fascia loose. It took me a little doing to figure out how to use it but doing so will prevent damage to the fascia. Also, use a little hand soap to lubricate the surfaces to allow everything to glide easily. You'll need to push the hard plastic tab downward with the tool to clear the cutout in the fascia.
Removing the lower fascia also requires a little doing. No tools are needed but I had to rotate the lower part away from the main part in order to get the right position to allow for (not so) easy removal.
At this point, follow the instructions provided to install the hitch skipping the part where you cut the fascia.
Reinstall the main fascia first. Then install the lower part. It's a tight fit so be careful; I crushed my finger because I wasn't. Everything popped back in easily without tools.
Note that for my 2019, I did not find the 10mm bolts listed in the instructions so don't look needlessly.
Well made hitch, no issues to speak of and pretty easy to install. It looks like this Drawtite has bigger hole clearance for the mounting bolts than the Curt - some Curt reviews have indicated that modification of the holes are sometimes necessary to get the bolts in. I also like that the protruding tube is more minimal.
Important tips:
Separate the lower grey trim piece from the rest of the bumper by prying them apart by hand - the snaps are made of soft plastic and won't crack if you do it gradually from the ends. Putting the grey trim piece in last will allow you to maneuver it into place around the hitch W/O any cutting!
When re-installing the main bumper piece, make sure all the snaps are fully in the proper place before bumping them back in - I got one of them caught in a wrong position and bent it trying to push it in, but it didn't break and I was able to re-do the section so all the panel gaps sat flush again.
The hitch was a breeze to install. It took me right at two hours but I took some extra time to clean the dirt and crud off of the inside of my bumper and fender wells. I didn’t need a second person to help.
I have a 2017 Alltrack and it went on just great. Some other users have mentioned disassembling the second piece of fascia at the bottom of the bumper and reinstalling it afterward rather than cutting the trim. That’s what I did and it worked perfectly.
A couple of notes. 1. The video says there are three t25 screws under each side. On the alltrack there are two. 2. I bought $6 auto trim tools online and they helped with all the clips. Nothing got broken or scratched. 3. I did not lift the car or remove the wheels. The torx screws in the fender were probably the most challenging. I used a 1/4” socket and ratchet for the three upper ones but the lowest one had no clearance for even the normal socket, so I used a 1/4” wrench and a t25 bit. It worked perfectly but took a little extra dexterity.
The rubber etrailer cover makes it look 100x better. Invest in one.
All components seem of good quality, however I have 2 complaints. One is the instructions don’t really specify if you should run the power wire to the battery inside or outside of the car. I ran mine inside. You have to peel back a few pieces of trim and it got a bit difficult going thru the firewall. Depending what features your car has (I have an Alltrack SE), you can run the power wire thru an extra gasket right below where the main wire loom goes thru. My other issue is the connector they give you to hook up to the battery requires you to completely take the nut off the bolt that clamps onto the battery post. This nut is designed to never come off completely (I forget the type of nut it is) so you’ll need a new nut and bolt to get the battery all connected again. I have the areas where I ran the power wire and power inverter in red on my pics. Hope these help!
This hitch install was going well until it came to cutting the hole in the bumper. I didn’t notice that all instructions showed the exhaust coming out the driver side compared to mine which comes out driver and passenger sides. My diffuser piece was also sloped which was the main hurdle to get over. After lots of measuring and drawing, I finally got a hole cut for it to fit through. Entire process took about two hours. Other than that, sturdy hitch with a sleek final result. I’m excited to get a bike on there!
Great quality hitch. fits perfectly.
Once you have the bumper of the sportwagen removed, unclip the lower fascia portion of it. With it off, you can re-install the bumper without having to trim any plastic. Simply install the bumper over the hitch, then re-clip in the lower bumper fascia piece. Looks factory! Wiring was more difficult than the bumper since the trunk panels are more difficult to remove.
All most perfect. Took about 2 hours to install, with out wiring. Fit perfectly. No cutting of my brand new car. : )) I was very concerned about that. Works perfectly. Looks great. Looks like factory installed. Easy to install. The small problem; I purchased a draw bar from a local installer on my way to pick up my Waverunner. When it came time to slide the draw bar into the receiver it hit some weld slag at the end of the receiver tube and would not allow the bar to completely slide into the receiver. This required a little grinding and a little force. Otherwise, and awesome product at a great price. My car is a 2017 VW All Track btw
I installed one of these hitches on my 2018 VW Alltrack last year and the quality was good.
However, the product quality seems to have gone downhill as I just received a new hitch for my 2019 VW Alltrack and the chain link welding is way out of alignment. See the pictures. I'm considering returning this and looking at other options.
Other then having to take apart the whole rear of my car to install the hitch, the fit and finish on this hitch for my 2017 VW Alltrack was perfect. I was working alone and the install took right around an hour.
Installed without any issue. Good inconspicuous design.
Brooke M.
12/31/2024
Thats awesome, Albert. Do you work on cars a lot or are you just handy in general? I feel like it usually takes some experience to install a hitch easily like that.
Seems solid. Doesn’t stick out and blends in nice. Install went as expected. As others have said, if you take the rear bumper apart you can avoid any cutting. I marked the area of the bumper to separate in red. Took about 2 hrs.
Installation was straightforward using supplied instructions. Fits perfect.
The trailer hitch receiver fits very well on my 2017 VW Golf Sportwagen. With my son's help, I had no problem removing the bumper cover so that I could bolt the receiver to the bumper. We had to cut a small hole in the bumper cover so that it would clear the hitch when the cover was reinstalled. It looked very good when we were finished. I have used the hitch to mount my bicycle carrier and it works very well.
Richard
6/6/2022
The receiver is working very well with my bicycle carrier
This hitch works great, one year later still looks and functions well. etrailer is the bomb!
The hitch looks good. It took 2 hours to install, the installation is not very hard if you are not in a hurry. It looks great.
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Rich G.
1/31/2022
Still looking as good as new!