I like to maximize the versatility of my Volkswagens. I drive over 25,000 miles per year, usually alone with some things in the trunk. A car that’s fun to drive and reasonably economical is a great asset to me. I don’t need a truck, but sometimes I need to move things that are either too large or too dirty to put in my GTI. A small trailer is a great alternative for someone who doesn’t want the full-time mileage and maintenance penalties of owning a truck that’s actually used as a truck only a fraction of the time. Towing with small cars is very popular in Europe. The Mk7 Golf platform is a favorite, according to this article. Feel free to read this article if you’re astounded by European towing standards. There is a method to their madness. 😉
This receiver cap, purchased from Amazon, fits nice and tight. It won’t fall out.
I discovered the EcoHitch, by Torklift Central, when I was shopping for my GTI. I chose their 1-1/4″ version for the Golf, model #X7310. It’s rated for 2000 lbs with a 300-lb tongue load and is attached to the car with nine bolts, seven of which are structural bumper mounting points. Its most appealing feature is that it sits higher in the bumper than the competition, which means it has absolutely no impact on ground clearance. One drawback is that more of the bumper skin has to be trimmed. I’m not concerned about that since my EcoHitch is a permanent accessory. I finished it off with this receiver cap.
I was turned-off by an $833 quote from a “certified installer.” I chose to install the hitch myself after concluding that even a certified installer likely would be pulling apart a Mk7 for the first time since small cars with hitches are still relatively rare in the grand scheme of things. Doing it myself cost me $275 for the hitch, $140 for the module/harness, and $25 to rent a lift bay for a few hours, for a total of $440. Having done the job myself, I know whether any shortcuts were taken or if parts were damaged.
The directions that come with the EcoHitch are excellent, as is this video! Here are a few INSTALLATION TIPS that I think will make your installation experience a little better : 1) Use a plastic trim tool to release ALL of the bumper tabs. The directions say to use a screwdriver to release tabs near the tail light openings; 2) Unplug the license plate light and release the cable from its retaining clips (not mentioned in the directions); 3) The directions list bumper cutout dimensions for a 2-inch hitch. I made a narrower cut for a tighter fit to my 1-1/4″ hitch. I measured and cut as I went, so I do not have dimensions to share; 4) The kit includes only one fishing wire. Be careful to not “screw” it onto the first bolt too tightly because it will need to be removed without damaging it and reused on the second bolt; 5) An oscillating tool, such as a Dremel MM20, works great for making fine cuts to the bumper skin.
For lighting, I started with an inductive pickup harness by ZCI. It was a cool product, but required frequent resetting and eventual replacement. The first unit lasted three years and the second lasted two. I decided to take a leap of faith and try a Tekonsha 118646 T-One module. Rather than “tapping” into each tail light wire, the T-One has connectors that plug straight into the factory light fixtures. I ran the module’s 12V lead to my electronics panel in the trunk, rather running it all the way to the battery or fuse panel. I passed the trailer connection through a grommet above the muffler’s heat shield. I didn’t find a mounting solution for the connector that I liked. It turns out that simply tucking it into the bumper skin when not in use works great! The reason I call it a “leap of faith” is because its sources of supply say that it’s not for the GTI. However, plenty of reviewers claim that it works fine. I’ve been using mine without problems since 2022.
Feel free to ask questions. I’ve shared more hitch photos below. What do I tow? I like small trailers and opted for a 3.5×5-foot utility trailer. I also have a 4×6-foot cargo trailer. Also, here is a handy guide on how to properly load or balance your trailer.
Ready to Transport,
Scott
Tail lights and bumper removed…
I found this sheet of paper rolled up and stored in the frame rail…
I don’t know what this is or why it was left inside the frame. I forgot to put it back. 😦
The kit includes a fishing wire to snake this bolt and keeper through the frame rail…
Here’s the bolt after fishing. Don’t screw the fishing wire on too tight; you need to remove it for the other side…
Here’s the top side of the fished bolt…
Here is the driver’s side support…
Here is the passenger side support; you can also see the wiring connector (elbow) for the license plate lighting…
EcoHitch and bumper bar installed…
The direction specify measurements for where to cut the bumper skin…
I found the initial cut to be a little too narrow. So, I trimmed 1/16″ increments from each side until I was satisfied with the fit…
The finished product…
This receiver cap, purchased from Amazon, fits nice and tight. It won’t fall out.
Here is where the trailer wiring exists the interior…
If you can read the words “Hidden Hitch” on your hitch, then it’s probably not hidden at all. This photo also show an example of a “trailer kiss.”
I’m using a short-shank drawbar with good clearance…
Hitch clearance…
Ball height…
With a trailer coupled. I also have a special strike plate mounted to prevent any accidental “kisses” from the tongue.
The strike plate has already paid for itself. I had uncoupled an 1100-lb trailer on lumpy ground; the trailer shifted as the tongue cleared the ball…
The trailer’s first payload for a trip to the dump…
The backup camera is useless when a box is mounted…
I can also carry two bicycles on this tray…
I can open the hatch if I have just one bike mounted in the aft position. The hatch is blocked when two bikes are mounted…
I can see SOME items when backing with the camera…
The hatch rubs on the bag in the zipped position, but it will open.
The tail lights are barely visible to other passenger cars in the zipped position (trucks/SUVs have a better view). Expanded to 11.5 cubic feet, I have no doubt that the tail lights would be completely obscured.
I could add lights and a license plate kit to the cargo tray, but these lights were destroyed in a minor impact. Not sure I want to risk another set.
Here are a few shots of how the hitch looks in the wild…
