Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch

From WikiTDI

Contents 1 Trailer Hitch 2 Tools you will need 3 Items you need 4 Procedure - Hardware 5 Procedure - Electrical 6 Finished Project Photos

Trailer Hitch

There are a few different makers of trailer hitches for Volkswagon including an expensive euro model that is drill-less but pricey. This install is using the [Draw-Tite] model. It is rated at 200lb tongue weight and 2000lb towing capacity which is Class I. The receiver is 1 1/4". The kit came with all hardware needed. Which included Hitch, Ballmount, ball, wiring harness.

Tools you will need

• Large flat screwdriver or preferably a trim removal tool.
• 3/4" wrench and socket
• 7/8" wrench and socket
• Torque wrench for sockets
• Drill that will accept a 1/2" drill bit
• 1/2" Drill bit
• 1/4" Drill bit (for pilot hole drilling if you desire)
• Wire Cutters / Wire strippers / Wire crimpers.
• Floor Jack is helpful to hold the hitch in place for drilling holes.

Items you need

• Trailer Hitch Kit - Purchased locally but they are available online at various places.
• Sealer to seal around holes that are drilled in trunk (optional but strongly recommended)
• Ty-raps to keep wiring neat. (optional)
• insulated butt splices OR insulated push-on connectors OR insulated bullet connectors.
• (4)OEM repair wire 000 979 133A - can be purchased [here] (optional)
• (2)OEM Connector 1J0 972 924 can be purchased [here] (optional)
• (1)OEM Connector 191 972 701 - can be purchased [here] (optional)

Procedure - Hardware

1. Remove trunk carpet.
2. Remove spare tire and all the styro-foam liners in the trunk.
3. Remove rear trunk trim using gentle persuasion and your trim removal tool. Be careful not to lose the trim connectors that hold the piece to the body.
4. Remove left and right inner quarter panel lining in trunk. (You don't have to totally remove these pieces, just the rear parts so you can get them out of the way to assist in getting access to taillights for wiring and space to drill holes.Make sure you disconnect the trunk light and auxillary plug before reefing too much on the quarterpanel liners.
5. Hold hitch in place and bolt up the right most mounting bolt through the hole in the rear tow hoop.
   

   
   
   
6. Using the floor jack, jack up the hitch into the proper position.
   

   
   
   
7. Mark and drill holes as per instruction sheet provided with the hitch making sure that the hitch is "square" to the rear of the car.
   

   
   
   
8. Test fit the mounting bolts to be sure of fitment.
9. Remove bolts and let jack relax slightly to allow liberal use of sealer around mounting holes to prevent corrosion, water intrusion and exhaust intrusion.
10. After sealer is applied, lift hitch back into place and insert bolts and tighten. and
11. be sure to follow all torque specifications!!! For this kit, the torque on all mounting bolts is 75 lb-ft or 102 NM. Also make sure you check the bolts and ball regularly for tightness.
12. As a final corrosion prevention measure you can spray the finished and tightened bolts and area around them with some rubberized undercoating.

Procedure - Electrical

Wiring can be accomplished a couple of different ways. If you are a perfectionist and like the OE look then you should purchased the optional wiring hardware. It gives you a clean worry free connection. You may also opt to just use wire taps such as scotchlok connnectors although these connectors have been known to fail over time.

1. Cut repair wires in half so you can use each half.
2. Strip wire ends and install butt splice or shielded spade connector and crimp.
3. If you want the clean look, use the OE connectors as described above.
4. Use the following wiring diagram to connect up your trailer wiring harness.
   

   

   Original diagram by tongsli who is a member of TDIClub
5. Use all three wire positions on the driver side 31-BL-S connector and connect the wires to appropriate wires on trailer harness.
   

   
6. Use the single wire position on the driver side BR connector and connect the wire to the appropriate wire on trailer harness.
   

   
7. Use only the BL wire position on the passenger side 31-BL-S connector and connect the wire to the appropriate wire on the trailer harness.
   

   
8. Clean up all your wiring and then reinstall your liners and sparetire.
   

   

Finished Project Photos

Your finished job will look nice and clean. You will have of course chosen to keep the wiring clean as well! Here are some photos of a finished job. Enjoy your Hitch.

DON'T OVERLOAD and KEEP YOUR LOAD BALANCED!