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hazetguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10773
Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
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 Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:50 am Post subject: THE Westfalia Tralier Hitch Thread (MANY pics!) |
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Westfalia and/or German/European trailer hitches only please.
While there are a few other threads that lightly touch on Westfalia trailer hitches, for the most part, there is little info and few pics of these elusive hitches.
If you are interested in a Jamie Rivers hitch, please post in that thread. I don't even know if he is still making them. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=334766
If you are interested in making your own, there are several excellent threads about that. here's one: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=411840&highlight=hitch
There are several people making them, look in the classifieds, as an example: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=458811
This thread is specifically about and for Westfalia trailer hitches, and maybe other GERMAN MADE trailer hitches. Please NO USA hitches or home-made jobs here.
Please post pics, links to literature, installation instructions, diagrams, etc. I am by no means any kind of expert on these, i would just like to see info compiled in one location.
I just got a late style bay Westfalia hitch, model 321-125. this has vertical reinforcement plates that somehow bolt to the frame, as well as using the factory original bumper mounting holes.
Originally it came with the original wiring and a KL marked electrical socket, but since the cover was broken, i managed to source an original old style Hella receptacle and plug. There is a grommet on the wiring harness where the wires pass through the VW stamped mounting bracket on the hitch. There are 3 tabs for securing the wiring harness to the hitch, and one is located very close to the "mystery hole" in the rear corner. I have come to the conclusion that the "mystery hole" is for routing the wiring to the hitch. I have not been able to find any other factory holes in the body where the wiring would enter the engine compartment, so if anyone has a bus that was originally outfitted with a Westfalia hitch w/wiring, please take some pics of where the wiring passes through the body into the engine compartment.
At my request, for shipping purposes, I asked that the electrical socket bracket be cut off. There were two small areas of welds that were easily cut off, and I rewelded the bracket on, using much more weld than was there originally.
Here are some links, on rsbadura's member's website (thanks for posting these!). They show installation instructions for the early and later versions of Westfalia hitches. I have done a very rough translation, and will post that at a later time.
http://www.vw-t2-bulli.de/data/documents/ahk-westfalia-321-073-b-vw-t2.pdf
http://www.vw-t2-bulli.de/data/documents/ahk-westfalia-321-125-vw-t2.pdf
So here are a bunch of pics of the 321-125 hitch, both on and off the vehicle. I still have a few more details to finish, but the basic installation is done. I hope to see more hitches posted too.
Last edited by hazetguy on Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:10 am; edited 2 times in total |
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PikaPikaBus
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2010
Posts: 82
Location: Salem, OR
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:55 am Post subject: |
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Damn dude, you isn't lying. Thats the most detailed anything I'v seen of anything.  |
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BusterBrown
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2009
Posts: 1397
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Excellent write up. Thanks.
What is your thinking in regards to not cleaning/priming/painting it to stop progression of the effects of rust? Was it not originally painted?
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1977 Transporter
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Sawsalesman
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 796
Location: Ashland, NH
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:14 am Post subject: |
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| I have this orginal Westfalia style hitch on my Panel from Germany. When I get some time I will post some pictures. Didn't know they were so rare. |
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hazetguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10773
Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| BusterBrown wrote: |
| What is your thinking in regards to not cleaning/priming/painting it to stop progression of the effects of rust? Was it not originally painted? |
it was and still is painted for the most part. the black portions on the cross bar are original finish, and that paint is quite durable. i did not clean off dirt or rust at this point (other than where it makes contact with the frame), mainly because i just wanted to get it fitted to see if any modifications were necessary and to find out where to drill holes for the side mounting plates. also, the metal is very thick, so while it may look rusty in some areas, it is minor and is not effecting the structural rigidity of anything.
at some point i wouldn't mind having the entire thing sandblasted and painted or powdercoated, but for now, its original "patina" is fine with me.
| Sawsalesman wrote: |
| I have this orginal Westfalia style hitch on my Panel from Germany. When I get some time I will post some pictures. Didn't know they were so rare. |
i think that is the key. the one i got came off a transplanted German truck.
again, i am no expert at all, but i would have to speculate that in the USA they are uncommon to say the least. i can't say i have seen too many of them. i don't know how common they are in europe or any other country.
how many people have one? |
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thewalrus
Big Jack
Joined: March 27, 2006
Posts: 3014
Location: Belchertown, MA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:53 am Post subject: Re: THE Westfalia Tralier Hitch Thread (MANY pics!) |
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| hazetguy wrote: |
There are 3 tabs for securing the wiring harness to the hitch, and one is located very close to the "mystery hole" in the rear corner. I have come to the conclusion that the "mystery hole" is for routing the wiring to the hitch. I have not been able to find any other factory holes in the body where the wiring would enter the engine compartment,
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Is that what that is? 
Though it was for drainage all this time but that never seemed right
You need one of these now:
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mattcuddy
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2003
Posts: 2036
Location: Philly, PA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: THE Westfalia Tralier Hitch Thread (MANY pics!) |
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| hazetguy wrote: |
| There is a grommet on the wiring harness where the wires pass through the VW stamped mounting bracket on the hitch. There are 3 tabs for securing the wiring harness to the hitch, and one is located very close to the "mystery hole" in the rear corner. I have come to the conclusion that the "mystery hole" is for routing the wiring to the hitch. |
Is the grommet the right size for the hole? Cool you got the trailer end connector too so you can actually use the "original" connector.
I wonder why the ball is removable unlike a splitty westy hitch. Was there other pieces you could bolt there, like a tow hook or something? Sort of a 70's receiver style hitch. Is the mounting bracket flush with the bumper when the ball is not installed? Shin saver?
The hitch doesn't show up in the 70's Westy parts microfiche, go figure.
Also, I'm disappointed you didn't call this "The OFFICIAL Westfalia Trailer Hitch Thread", like everyone else does for everything.
Last edited by mattcuddy on Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sawsalesman
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 796
Location: Ashland, NH
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Yep, I wish I had the trailer connector for mine. And I think thewalrus needs to give me that cover for my hitch!!!! |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51144
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: THE Westfalia Tralier Hitch Thread (MANY pics!) |
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| thewalrus wrote: |
| hazetguy wrote: |
There are 3 tabs for securing the wiring harness to the hitch, and one is located very close to the "mystery hole" in the rear corner. I have come to the conclusion that the "mystery hole" is for routing the wiring to the hitch. I have not been able to find any other factory holes in the body where the wiring would enter the engine compartment,
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Is that what that is?
Though it was for drainage all this time but that never seemed right |
I'm still not convinced that's not a rustproofing hole, once it's through the hole there's nowhere to enter the engine compartment inside, I suspect you'll have to do some drilling yet, likely in the rear inner corner of the battery tray and bring the wires up from below the bus.
I do like that hitch though 
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Sawsalesman
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Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 796
Location: Ashland, NH
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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| I will check to see where my wiring comes thru for wiring and post tomorrow. I don't think mine has been molested but who knows. |
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Tuna Tim
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2005
Posts: 181
Location: Saddlerock, Aurora, Colorado
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone else have this PEKA hitch installed?
It fit neatly, coexisting with a Thunderbird extractor system. It was necessary to remove a small amount of material from the lip of the collector/muffler junction.
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Last edited by Tuna Tim on Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sawsalesman
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Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 796
Location: Ashland, NH
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Funny thing is that I don't know what size ball mine is as I haven't measured it. Is it metric? |
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rsbadura
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2009
Posts: 656
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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Hello.
the "mystery holes" are for preservation of hollow spaces e.g. with wax - not for the wires of the hitch or rear fog lamp.
There is a german VW wiring diagram for VW mounted hitch since 1975 (a Westfalia hitch):
Here some pics of my original mounted Westfalia hitch Type 321 125 (8.1976-7.1979, up to 1800kg/4000lbs trailing load) before and after restoration (same hitch and same bus after 2 years of garage duty):
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1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L to camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
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hazetguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10773
Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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hi Rolf-Stephan. thanks again for your input on all of this. you seem to know the most out of all of us. thanks for the wiring diagram, that is very helpful.
since you say the wires do not pass through the hole in the body, can you post some pics of how the wiring is routed and where it connects to the main harness? that would be great! also, pics or info of how the side plates are attached to the frame would help me a lot. the instructions show a bolt/nut that pass through one section, but then what looks to be a self tapping bolt for the other.
are these hitches"common" in Germany/Europe?
Matt: the grommet helps secure the wiring harness to the bracket, where the wires pass through the bracket. there was no other grommet on the harness.
the two mounting tabs are behind the bumper if the ball part is removed. yes, a shin saver indeed, and i will probably not keep the ball mounted all the time, because i know i will severely damage my leg some night while stumbling around in the dark.
the trailer connector plugs are not difficult to find. there is one for sale in the samba classifieds ( http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=363807 ). they can be sourced through ebay too, that's where i got mine. i have emailed a couple other places to find out if ordering them is an option, will post something when i find out.
the ball size on mine is just a tad under 50mm, and is stamped "ISO 50" on the top.
cool PEKA hitch Tim!
there is no 'officialness' to this thread. ha! |
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rsbadura
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2009
Posts: 656
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| hazetguy wrote: |
| ...can you post some pics of how the wiring is routed |
This is a picture of of the battery bay - you could notice the hole on the right side of the photo near the right rear light - some of the wires are connected directly to this rear light - as you could notice on the second photo.
One wire goes from the special hitch turn signal relais J20 (the normal turn signal relais will cause a different flashing frequency) to a green control light (K18 - between tacho and clock on the top):
| Quote: |
| are these hitches"common" in Germany/Europe? |
Yes - and some others like from PEKA.
You can't build your own hitch as easy - you need a survey report for a hitch (tensile strength, material, ...).
(keep in mind that there are no speed limits on german Autobahn with a lot of traffic - but a trailer allowed only to drive up to 80km/h = 50miles/h - so it would not be funny if you have a problem with your hitch and a car behind you approach with 200 miles/h  )
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Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L to camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools |
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Sawsalesman
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 796
Location: Ashland, NH
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Just checked mine and the wires go through that hole like rsbadura just posted. My hitch also has the ISO 50 stamp on it as well. There are also tabs along the round tube that holds the hitch to put the wire in from the light over to the electrical connector. It's too damn dark out there for me to get any pictures. |
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oorwullie
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Joined: May 01, 2003
Posts: 2365
Location: fribourg,switzerland
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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i've never had a problem with flasher frequencies even on tow hitches i've fitted myself. interesting wiring diagram tho'. 
i've just run the wires from the hitch socket along the main hitch tube ( attached with cable ties) and then thru' the foam seal and onto the rear light terminals inside the lamp unit.
the side plates on the 1800kg hitch need to be bolted after drilling holes. in germany this is TüV requirement to get the 1800kg trailer load officially entered in the reg. doc. but is only valid for going up hills with something like a 5% gradient, i forget exactly how much......
here where i live the absolute maximum allowed trailer weight is 1200kg with a 2 litre motor and 800kg for a 1600cc. |
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rsbadura
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Joined: November 30, 2009
Posts: 656
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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BTW: some may be irritated by the chrome protecting cap - it is not part of the hitch - it is only a fold-away accessory
There are others caps - also from westfalia - like the black one early in this thread.
There is also a rare cap from Westfalia in white plastic with a colored logo in blue and red.
(D = Deutschland/Germany, 4832 = old short PLZ/zip, Wiedenbrück = city location of Westfalia)
But I like any chrome on my baywindow...
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Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L to camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools |
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Hoody
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Joined: November 28, 2007
Posts: 1948
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:11 am Post subject: |
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| Rolph now your are making the few of us who understand those pics froth at the mouth. If you have an extra white one?... I have one for a late Bay with the paperwork, original Westfalia. No side flanges requiring holes in the frame. Mine has 3 holes allowing you to extend it if needed. To the best of my knowledge these were only used on ambulances. firetrucks, and hard core utilitarian VW's. Best rear end insurance ever. I pity the poor bastard that kisses my cast iron hitch. |
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hazetguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10773
Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:55 am Post subject: |
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| Hoody wrote: |
| I have one for a late Bay with the paperwork, original Westfalia. No side flanges requiring holes in the frame. Mine has 3 holes allowing you to extend it if needed. To the best of my knowledge these were only used on ambulances. firetrucks, and hard core utilitarian VW's. |
what is the model number of yours? got pics? is it one of these? http://www.vw-t2-bulli.de/data/documents/ahk-westfalia-321-073-b-vw-t2.pdf
Rolf-Stephan, thanks again for all your input and pics! |
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