How do I make this trailer hitch work?

mikeonthebike

I have a trailer hitch that I bought a while back from someone who said it was on his 72 bug. I have a 72 super. I crawled underneath and tried to see how it mounts. The front bolts line up with where the rear trans mounts go. The only way I can see of bolting it up is to drill hole the mount carrier and I don't think I want to do that. My hitch looks like the ones in the ad link below...the 2nd from left and far right. Is this even the right hitch?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1770953

Q-Dog · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 2:47 pm Post subject:

That hitch needs a hole drilled through the bumper for the rear mount. I have seen that hitch used with a reinforcement plate inside the bumper to strengthen the rear and spread the weight to the bumper mounts.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

mikeonthebike · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 4:13 pm Post subject:

I'm not worried about the bumper end but where it mounts underneath. It's not long enough to reach the trans horns or wide enough if it was. It has the 2 bolts that line up even with the rear trans mounts in between the 2 mounts. There are no holes there and I don't think I want to drill there. It doesn't seem like enough metal to support the hitch and any weight I might pull. Something that bolts to the 2 trans horns with U-bolts seems more feasible to me. Something like the 1st hitch on the left in the ad. I'm just wondering if I can make mine work somehow or shop for another one.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1770953

mukluk · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 4:26 pm Post subject:

From reading another somewhat recent thread on hitches, I believe it was said the style like you have is actually for a Type 3. If you have access to a welder I imagine you could modify the one you have to mimic the one on the far left of the pic you linked.
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

mikeonthebike · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 4:56 pm Post subject:

I was thinking something like that or just find what I need for 50 bucks. Maybe a little more or less. If I could sell the one I got that would help compensate. I only paid 20 for it. It would be nice to have a hitch and a little HF trailer so the search continues.

mikeonthebike · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 4:57 pm Post subject:

I'm in Sacramento, CA so if there are any Samba members in the area that can help me out please chime in. Thanks in advance.

Bob Brugge · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 5:03 pm Post subject:

I have one of these:

http://www.jbugs.com/product/3126.html?Category_Code=vw-tow-bars

Saved me hundreds in tow bills. Not sure if it will work on a super.

wrocek · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 5:30 pm Post subject:

60ragtop · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject:

there is two pieces of steel with holes that attatch to the hitch cross piece that pinch the trans cradle underneath
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

windfish · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 6:05 pm Post subject:

Doesn't help you much with the type of hitch you currently have (not sure how/if that works on a bug), but I picked up a hitch similar to the far left one of the ad you posted.
That style needs a spacer between the bumper and hitch, I had to make one for mine -- I also added a cross brace between the bumper mounts and welded on a receiver for my bike rack.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=590204&start=10

It's been on my car for a year now, works great.

mikeonthebike · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 8:07 pm Post subject:

Mine would need a spacer too and I've already figured on reinforcing my bumper with heavier steel. That is not a problem to fix. I need to find out how to mount it underneath my car. I don't want to have to go through a whole bunch of modifications when I can just buy the right one if mine is not correct.

Rex lucy · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 8:41 pm Post subject:

Drill the required holes. add strength bar to bumper. I 've mounted three that way but only pulled a dune buggy. I would not hook a frertilizer buggy to one .

mikeonthebike · Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 8:46 pm Post subject:

I think this is the one that I need.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1792334

Now if I can just find one local.

60ragtop · Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 5:21 am Post subject:

pics of my hitch on my 70 bug but I lied about the 2 pieces Embarassed

It is just 1 long one with 2 holes drilled to match the hitch.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

mikeonthebike · Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 10:51 am Post subject:

Mine is not that wide. Mine lines up in between the 2 trans mount bolts in the second picture. There doesn't seem to be enough "meat" there to support a hitch. I'm thinking it is not the right hitch for a bug.

pwmcguire · Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 12:00 pm Post subject:

Bob Brugge · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:10 am Post subject:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up		Share:
		Print View

	Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1