Does anyone have a tow hitch installed on their S3?

[forbiddenbeat]

I just picked up an S3 as a replacement for my B7 RS4 (have a new baby, wanted something more refined). I'd love to be able to hook up a hitch-mounted bike rack for my mountain bike. Has anyone found one that works? I know Curt make a hitch, but I believe it only fits the A3.

[forbiddenbeat]

Just to follow up on this, no one has added a hitch receiver to their S3?

I found this thread: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...Hitch-Receiver, but there are contradictory posts about that receiver fitting the S3.

[FabianS]

I would also like one...

[forbiddenbeat]

I would also like one...

I contacted the one guy in that thread who said he got it to work on his S3. I'll report back if I hear from him.

[FabianS]

Thank you kindly Sir.

[FabianS]

Any updates?

[forbiddenbeat]

Any updates?

No response - it doesn't look like we'll hear back. I'm going to order the Curt and look for a local shop that can build custom hitch receivers, and have them chop and weld it if necessary. I'll report back once I figure something out.

[WildHareMS]

I would say the two are not compatible. I was looking into U-haul to get a hitch for my 8V A3 that is a 2.0t quattro. They have a hitch available for mine, but they say it has to be a custom install.


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[forbiddenbeat]

I would say the two are not compatible. I was looking into U-haul to get a hitch for my 8V A3 that is a 2.0t quattro. They have a hitch available for mine, but they say it has to be a custom install.


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Did you check out that Curt hitch receiver in the linked thread? It's built specifically for the 8V A3, so you should be able to use it without adjustment.

The only issue on the S3 is the extra exhaust pipe, so I'm hoping a shop could just cut out some clearance for the exhaust. I only need this for a mountain bike rack, not towing, so the capacity could be lessened.

[WildHareMS]

Did you check out that Curt hitch receiver in the linked thread? It's built specifically for the 8V A3, so you should be able to use it without adjustment.

The only issue on the S3 is the extra exhaust pipe, so I'm hoping a shop could just cut out some clearance for the exhaust. I only need this for a mountain bike rack, not towing, so the capacity could be lessened.

Well, considering the same type of hitch at U-haul can be completely installed, come with the ball mount and an unlimited lifetime warranty for $10 less.... I probably won't go with the Curt hitch. Lol


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[forbiddenbeat]

Well, considering the same type of hitch at U-haul can be completely installed, come with the ball mount and an unlimited lifetime warranty for $10 less.... I probably won't go with the Curt hitch. Lol

Oh so Uhaul is building you a totally custom hitch receiver? If so, I might give them a call.

[WildHareMS]

Oh so Uhaul is building you a totally custom hitch receiver? If so, I might give them a call.

If you visit their site, I'm pretty sure you can find out if they have one already available. If they don't, they will usually say it has to be custom made and offer info on who can do it in your area.

Edit: Nevermind. If they don't have it, they say you can give them your contact info, assuming you cannot actually get to their facility in Tempe, AZ
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[magnessr]

any updates on this? i will also need something to transport bikes, and dont want a roof rack.

[forbiddenbeat]

I visited a local shop that exclusively installs hitches, and the owner took a look at my S3. He think the Curt hitch receiver will work, so we ordered one. Once he gets it and tries to install it, I'll report back. He said if needed he can modify the hitch receiver so it fits around the exhaust, but he didn't think it would be necessary.

[FabianS]

Great news, keep us informed.

[amd is the best]

Sub'd. I want to tow my motorcycle around.

[FabianS]

^Same here. Buying a new KTM 500 EXC.

[JohnnyUtah787]

^Same here. Buying a new KTM 500 EXC.

Just sold both of my bikes unfortunately, but a KTM is next on the list. Thinking one of the street legal dual sports that I can just run two sets of wheels/tires (street vs. dirt).

[FabianS]

I have a Triumph Daytona 675 as well, but I don't really need to trailer it. The EXC is a little uncomfortable on longer trips, so being able to trailer it somewhere for a weekend or week would be tits!

[magnessr]

I visited a local shop that exclusively installs hitches, and the owner took a look at my S3. He think the Curt hitch receiver will work, so we ordered one. Once he gets it and tries to install it, I'll report back. He said if needed he can modify the hitch receiver so it fits around the exhaust, but he didn't think it would be necessary.

Any updates on the hitch being fitted or ordered? Just got my S3 this past week and want to get a hitch and bike rack. Thanks.

[forbiddenbeat]

The shop had to order the Curt receiver, and they just got it in. I need to find the time to visit them and get it installed, which hopefully I can do this week. Will report back once installed with photos.

[WildHareMS]

Well, I can tell you the hitch from U-haul doesn't fit our chassis. At least not without some decent modifications. I'll have to drill two new main bolt holes, and machine a bit of metal off the backside to clear the factory exhaust. On top of that, I need to find a ball mount that works. The ball mount currently places the ball right up against the bumper cover.

My plans, they are a changing.


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[forbiddenbeat]

I've been really slammed, but finally found time to get the hitch installed this Friday. Will report back - hopefully it does indeed fit.

[awss4]

I have a hitch on my S3. I designed and made myself when I got the car Dec 2014. My goal was to have trailer hitch that is not seen when not in use and doesn’t weigh much. I achieved the goals; the hitch is out of sight and permanently installed parts only weigh about 10 pounds. Had to fabricate a wood mock up to fit around the exhaust pipes and valves. Then duplicate it with square steel tubing. I use the bumper steel beam as one of the support locations. My trailer has a capacity of 1000 pounds. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures.

[magnessr]

I have a hitch on my S3. I designed and made myself when I got the car Dec 2014. My goal was to have trailer hitch that is not seen when not in use and doesn’t weigh much. I achieved the goals; the hitch is out of sight and permanently installed parts only weigh about 10 pounds. Had to fabricate a wood mock up to fit around the exhaust pipes and valves. Then duplicate it with square steel tubing. I use the bumper steel beam as one of the support locations. My trailer has a capacity of 1000 pounds. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures.

Can you try and get some pics? I'm interested to see what you did.

[forbiddenbeat]

Good news: got the Curt hitch receiver installed on my S3! It actually have plenty of side clearance - about 1" from the inner tail pipes. However, the passenger-side exhaust valve solenoid almost rubs the receiver frame in the back when cold, so it certainly would rub when the exhaust was hot. The shop had to take the plasma cutter to it. I'll post pics later when I have time, but if you have a shop that can cut or grind metal, this will definitely fit.

I did not wire lights up or anything (this is only for a bike rack), so I can't comment on how that might work.

[FabianS]

That's great news! Can't wait to see pics!

[onequick4door]

That's great news! Can't wait to see pics!

Ditto - especially where they had to cut.

I have a grinder so any insight is great.

[forbiddenbeat]

Pics coming soon, just been slammed at work.

In the meantime, this is the shop that did the work: http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-and-b-trai...tch-san-carlos. Instal took about an hour total, so if you're in the Bay Area, give them a call.

[forbiddenbeat]

I finally got around to taking crappy cellphone pictures of the hitch mount. Apologies for the delay.

This is the hitch receiver: http://www.curtmfg.com/part/11399

The hitch receiver on the car:


The passenger side cut-out - I realize now this picture sucks. I can snap a pic with my DSLR and flash unit if someone wants a more detailed pic. Basically, they just cut out about 2 inches to make sure it cleared the exhaust valve servo:


Driver side of hitch receiver. Not cutout necessary here - the servo is in a different place:


Driver side, shot of how much lateral clearance there is. This seemed to be the main concern with fitting this on the S3, since we have extra exhaust pipes here. No issues, and no modification necessary. Requires dropped the exhaust to install though.

[WildHareMS]

Interesting. On the A3 I'm actually going to have to take material off of both side to clear the exhaust. Mine will be happening this Wednesday.

Glad you got it installed. The photos aren't really all that bad.


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[FabianS]

What exactly needs to be cut off? Any better pics of that area?

[magnessr]

Looks like a clean install. Looks like I'll be ordering one soon. Thanks for the follow up and feedback.


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[WildHareMS]

What exactly needs to be cut off? Any better pics of that area?

If you compare the picture that Curt manufacturing provides in the link to the pictures that have just recently been posted, it's fairly self explanatory. It just in this case happened to be a bit of material from the back side of the flange that drops the receiver down below the bumper...on the passenger side.

[FabianS]

Cool, looks like I'll be ordering one.

[forbiddenbeat]

Interesting. On the A3 I'm actually going to have to take material off of both side to clear the exhaust. Mine will be happening this Wednesday.

Glad you got it installed. The photos aren't really all that bad.


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If you're using the Curt hitch receiver for an A3, it shouldn't require any modification.

- - - Updated - - -

What exactly needs to be cut off? Any better pics of that area?

The rear section of the passenger-side vertical (well, diagonal) brace. It's pretty obvious when you do a test fitting, but I'll snap some better pics if I can.

[WildHareMS]

If you're using the Curt hitch receiver for an A3, it shouldn't require any modification.

- - - Updated - - -



The rear section of the passenger-side vertical (well, diagonal) brace. It's pretty obvious when you do a test fitting, but I'll snap some better pics if I can.

I wish that were true. Maybe it fits a FWD 1.8L, like the APR downpipe. lol

I have a 2015 A3 2.0t Premium, and it most definitely doesn't fit. Well, it will, it doesn't bolt right up.

[forbiddenbeat]

I wish that were true. Maybe it fits a FWD 1.8L, like the APR downpipe. lol

I have a 2015 A3 2.0t Premium, and it most definitely doesn't fit. Well, it will, it doesn't bolt right up.

Hmm, that's really weird to be honest. In the thread I linked to on VW Vortex up higher, all sorts of folks are able to bolt up this hitch receiver to their car. Are you sure you have the same part #?

[WildHareMS]

Hmm, that's really weird to be honest. In the thread I linked to on VW Vortex up higher, all sorts of folks are able to bolt up this hitch receiver to their car. Are you sure you have the same part #?

Yeah, same part #.

And, it definitely DOES fit. Just got it mounted after rethinking things. Got my head out of my ass(only thing I can think, because I hadn't had much to drink and it wasn't THAT dark out when I checked it the first time).

What a cluster. I had to have been rushing the job too much while trying to get a lot done.

[forbiddenbeat]

Yeah, same part #.

And, it definitely DOES fit. Just got it mounted after rethinking things. Got my head out of my ass(only thing I can think, because I hadn't had much to drink and it wasn't THAT dark out when I checked it the first time).

What a cluster. I had to have been rushing the job too much while trying to get a lot done.

Ha ha, well, glad to hear you got it installed. :)