Trailer hitch for carrying bicycles

[NZTiguan]

Hi Sharkie,

What are your thoughts on the capacity or 'solidity' of this bar? I'm curious if it's as strong as the Australian OEM or Hayman Reese versions. Have seen on here previously that US Tigs seem to be rated a lot lower in Towing Capacity, but whether or not this is due to them (Americans) wanting to sue anybody or whether it's just not as strong I have no idea about. Any thoughts?

Roscoe

From everything I've seen I wouldn't trust the American bar beyond the American limits ie: 2000LB rather than KG. Personally I wouldn't have one on my Tig because I want to be able to tow up to the Tig's limits.

Cheers

[roscoe1974]

Consider it sold!

roscoe1974, you are a legend! I decided to cut a small 2cm piece out of the bumper to check my MY11 model after reading your post. Lo and behold, the same bar as the USA cars!

No problem Zhenjie - glad it helped! I think I'm going to wait for a bit and get the Hayman Reese full towbar setup as I want to be sure I can use the capacity of the Tig (as per Derek/NZ Tiguan's post)

Good luck!

[roscoe1974]

From everything I've seen I wouldn't trust the American bar beyond the American limits ie: 2000LB rather than KG. Personally I wouldn't have one on my Tig because I want to be able to tow up to the Tig's limits.

Cheers

Cheers Derek - kinda what I'm thinking too to be honest. Would not be a pleasant feeling seeing a Trailer (with broken Tow Package attached!) overtaking me down the highway...

[roscoe1974]

Sharkie / Zhenjie,

Did you guys end up doing a deal on the US Hitch Attachment that Sharkie was selling? If not, Sharkie are you still interested in selling?

Cheers,
Roscoe

[zhenjie]

Sharkie / Zhenjie,

Did you guys end up doing a deal on the US Hitch Attachment that Sharkie was selling? If not, Sharkie are you still interested in selling?

Cheers,
Roscoe

Yep, I ended up buying and already delivered. About to put it on tomorrow. Now to find a tow ball for it

[Chilli Freak]

Hi all

I have found a supplier and installer in Bris who will supply and install a heavy duty towbar to Tiguan and they say that the ECU is included in the price/install.

Can anyone tell me if this mean that the wiring would be compatible with the vehicle's ESP system when a trailer is hitched and connect via electrical plug?

[NZTiguan]

Hi all

I have found a supplier and installer in Bris who will supply and install a heavy duty towbar to Tiguan and they say that the ECU is included in the price/install.

Can anyone tell me if this mean that the wiring would be compatible with the vehicle's ESP system when a trailer is hitched and connect via electrical plug?

You'd have to ask them. If the price is less than you expected the answer will probably be NO because that's where the cost comes from generally.

Cheers

[Chrismacca]

G'day,

Very interesting thread, thanks. I've been trying to locate one of the US style hitch receivers locally but without success. I can see them on several websites , none of which ship to Australia! I feel they are a fair compromise for very occassional use and if used with their limitations uppermost in mind; and easily fitted by the handyman by the looks of it too.
In short....is there anyone who knows if/where these items are available in Australia or how I could get one from the US at reasonable shipping cost? (On amazon they are listed for around $75 USD!)
Thanks guys...

[shawno]

That hitch seems like the perfect solution (i'm just wanting an easy way to add a bike rack) and don't really want a full tow bar or roof racks. If you happen to find a distributor here, would love to know.

[philsan]

Chrismacca/shawno
I have that hitch here at home.come off my new Tig when I fitted the oem vw towbar to mine.
Either of you are welcome to it for a small fee plus freighting.give me a pm if you are interested.
Phil.

[Chrismacca]

PM sent, thanks Phil.....

Unfortunately we had our wires crossed and I'm still in the market for one of these,

http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1000&catID=1040&part=75658

Any ideas out there? Thanks....

[z1000]

Trailer hitch for carrying bicycles

Hi all

I am sick of carrying bicycles on the roof and have been looking for a tow bar attachment thingie for the Tiguan.

I come across this product the other day (Trailer Hitch for 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan - Hidden Hitch 87600), it is rated for 158kg tow ball weight,more than adequate for carrying four bicycles I think.

I run my fingers underneath the rear bumper and find four mounting holes required for the installation, so this is denifitely doable.

Not sure how much the shipping is, but most likely to be way cheaper than having a genuine or aftermarket tow bar fitted just for carrying bicycles.

Looking for feedback here, do you think it is worth a try?

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

Please disregard thss thread, there is a similar one already http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...tch-59645.html

[Tony Tiggy]

For what it's worth I have exactly the same hitch on my 2012 Tiguan, I had the same on my MY2011 Tigua as well. I installed both myself and had the wiring installed by a towbar specialist (Hayman Reese VW Golf harness). Pretty straight forward job to remove the rear bumper to do the installation, if you have mud flaps there are a few more screws to remove but it adds an extra 5-7mins per side.

I have the 2" hitch mount with a Rhino Rack 3 bike over tow ball rack - its fully legal with bike rack plate and lights. I use it to carry multiple bikes (road racing as well as BMX for my son). I've driven from Sydney to Gold Coast and back, 2000 km round trip with no issues twice. This modification will give you another option and more freedom. Do it!

[Prodigy]

Has anyone had any luck getting hold of one of these hitches from anywhere?

[TDZ]

I'm 5'7 and ive got the thule 591 system and manage just fine. Key word is just! Bit scary at first but once you figure out the best way to load up it works well.

If youre conerned try the rack that allows you to mount via forks bikes sit much lower and easier to load. Ive also gotten a yakima boa Rack which mounts in this manner, but use its a spare for when i need to carry a third.

With me it was a no brainer... Cost of hitch vs cost of roof rack system especially if the only time i used the hitch was to cart a bike around