Does anyone have a tow hitch installed on their S3?

[WildHareMS]

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

Yup, on and ready for my move to Oregon

[pejohnst]

I realize this thread is almost a year old...sorry in advance if this is bad etiquette asking a question after so much time has passed.

I am also a biker, have had my S3 about a year and would like a hitch-mounted rack. I am curious about your experience having the hitch on your car now for almost a year. Specifically, do you notice any issues with the hitch hanging lower than the already low S3 and scraping the pavement when driving over bumps, driveway entrances, etc.? Any other pros/cons that you can share?

Any helpful observations/insights would be appreciated.

[forbiddenbeat]

I realize this thread is almost a year old...sorry in advance if this is bad etiquette asking a question after so much time has passed.

I am also a biker, have had my S3 about a year and would like a hitch-mounted rack. I am curious about your experience having the hitch on your car now for almost a year. Specifically, do you notice any issues with the hitch hanging lower than the already low S3 and scraping the pavement when driving over bumps, driveway entrances, etc.? Any other pros/cons that you can share?

Any helpful observations/insights would be appreciated.

No worries, happy to help. :)

The hitch receiver has been working flawlessly with zero issues. I take my 1UP rack on and off every weekend. The hitch never scrapes (if it didn't, the exhaust would too), and doesn't cause any clearance issues.

I'm very glad I got it. Taking the front tire off my bike and folding down the seats was a massive pain in my previous car, and I'm very, very happy with the hitch receiver + the 1UP rack.

[pejohnst]

Awesome...thanks so much for the response. I am going to start looking for someone locally (in MD) who can install this for me. Can't wait to have it this year for biking season (I'm not a cold weather biker).

[jared703]

Awesome...thanks so much for the response. I am going to start looking for someone locally (in MD) who can install this for me. Can't wait to have it this year for biking season (I'm not a cold weather biker).

Let me know if you find a good place for the install as I'm looking to go the same route.

[volyer]

The Curt hitch is a very easy DIY. Mine scrapes coming out of steep gravel lots that lead to mountain bike trails, but not too bad.

[MoreGone]

I just took one off that came with my A3. Seriously took like 15 mins max. Pretty easy to remove. Could see where it would take a little while to install for the first time though.

[pejohnst]

Just a follow up on my own hitch install experience. With the help of a friend( who owns a metal grinder), I was able to install the hitch myself. The suspension hangars are bolted to the frame above, so can be easily unbolted to lower the suspension out of the way (rather than needing to slide the suspension off the rubber hangars, which I found near impossible - although I know other people say they've done it). Once we were able to hold the hitch in place, we just eyeballed the cutout that would be necessary to make sure it cleared the 'exhaust valve servo' (as mentioned above). My buddy used the grinder to remove enough material, we fished the bolts into place inside the rails to which the hitch is mounted, and then tightened everything down using a torque wrench as per the instructions. With 2 people - and the right tools - it turned out to not be that bad.

I am using a 1-UP rack and everything is working great. Yes, it's possible to scrape the hitch on steep grades (driveways, etc.), but not much worse than just the car itself when stock. I see it as protection against scraping the underside of the bumper.

[FabianS]

I'm going to do this soon, but the pics are gone. Anyone able to clearly show me how much material to cut off and where? It'd be much appreciated.

[forbiddenbeat]

I'm going to do this soon, but the pics are gone. Anyone able to clearly show me how much material to cut off and where? It'd be much appreciated.

Sorry, PhotoBucket has become a complete piece of sh!t. :) I made an album of the photos here: http://s949.photobucket.com/user/for...tch%20receiver

It's pretty obvious once you try to install where to cut to clear the valve activator.