Hitch on an S3, yes it can be done

**ckornutiak** · 12-02-2015 03:23 PM

I haven't seen any posts on this, but-
My wife needed a receiver hitch on her '15 S3. No one has one that fits so I thought I'd have to do some fabricating.

The problem with the S3 vs. the A is that the inner exhaust tube will not clear the hitch bracket. There is no way to get the hitch under the car.

There are two options-
Remove the exhaust, install a standard A3 hitch then reinstall the exhaust. Once on, the brackets WILL clear the inner tubes. They are close, but it works.

Option II- I did this b/c I really did not want to remove the exhaust.
Take an A3 hitch, cut about 1" section out of one side between the mounting bracket and the receiver box. I did this on the drivers side. If the hitch itself uses 1 1/2" square tubing, then make a sleeve out of a 2" piece of sq. tubing. ID will be 1 1/2" assuming 1/4" tube. That will need to slide onto both ends of the hitch where you took out the 1" chunk so you'll most likely need to grind a bit. You should be able to slide the sleeve on w/o too much effort before you put it on the car. It's too awkward to work on once it's up in there.

Mount the bracket to the frame, slide the sleeve over the other part of the hitch and then mount that to the frame on the other side. Once it's all up there use the sleeve to join the two parts together. Drill two holes through the sleeve at each end and the hitch making sure you go through the hitch and not the 1" space between the two parts. Secure the parts together with some 3/8" bolts and you're all set.

You do not have to cut any body work so it can come off. I would NOT tow anything with that car. My wife just wanted a bike rack for the winter for her fat bike.

I'll post some pic's when I get a chance (if anyone needs them).

Cheers,
Chuck

15 S3
13 S6
04 GT3
94 RS America
Gone: A4, A6, S4, A8L (2) :(