Thoughts on Westfalia Hitch mod for weight distribution

O

ostojo

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2012
Location
WA State
TDI
Jetta Sportwagen
I'm picking up my new-to-me 2010 JSW TDI on friday. I'm planning on installing a Westfalia hitch (or towbar as the Europeans refer to it). It is the factory recommended hitch and is rated high enough for my needs and would have a nice clean install.

I'm not really interested in discussing the towing capabilities. I've decided that I'm towing a trailer that I haven't selected yet but will be within the European specs VW advertises for tow weight and tongue weight.

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/#/new/golf-estate-a6/which-model/engines/towing/

I'd like to have weight distribution on the hitch. Something like this setup:



No, I'm not planning on towing a 4000lb airstream, but I'd love to have a hitch like this.

Basically I'm thinking about cutting the swan neck of the Westfalia hitch and welding on the shank from the weight distribution hitch.

http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/13567/7472810811p?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jmosskingsley.com%2Fimages%2F31NcKUBvVsL.jpg&d=65c26169d1e6175a3a4b082b8ceff8691ad5abc2

That way the whole thing would pop on and off easily. I'd have it welded by a professional welder.

Does this seem like it'll work well?
 
J

jasong70

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Location
DC
TDI
2010 Golf TDI
The neck of the westfalia hitch is pretty small, I think around 1.5" It also seems to be a sand cast part with a few machined surfaces. I'm not an expert at weding but I think welding cast is not a good idea.

I could be wrong however. My advice/thoughts are worth the price you paid for them :D

I'm sure the rest of the towbar could hold up to the job just fine.

ostojo said:
I'm picking up my new-to-me 2010 JSW TDI on friday. I'm planning on installing a Westfalia hitch (or towbar as the Europeans refer to it). It is the factory recommended hitch and is rated high enough for my needs and would have a nice clean install.

I'm not really interested in discussing the towing capabilities. I've decided that I'm towing a trailer that I haven't selected yet but will be within the European specs VW advertises for tow weight and tongue weight.

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/#/new/golf-estate-a6/which-model/engines/towing/

I'd like to have weight distribution on the hitch. Something like this setup:



No, I'm not planning on towing a 4000lb airstream, but I'd love to have a hitch like this.

Basically I'm thinking about cutting the swan neck of the Westfalia hitch and welding on the shank from the weight distribution hitch.

http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/135...pg&d=65c26169d1e6175a3a4b082b8ceff8691ad5abc2

That way the whole thing would pop on and off easily. I'd have it welded by a professional welder.

Does this seem like it'll work well?
Click to expand...
 
allevil

allevil

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2009
Location
Iowa
TDI
2012 Golf, TDI, 6MT, 2dr, Silver, Tech package.
J

jasong70

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Location
DC
TDI
2010 Golf TDI
Do you have the part #s for the valence and pop out part? How did you get them here? Any details would be awesome!

allevil said:
I just put a Westfalia hitch on my Golf 2 door. You can't see it when the "Swan Neck" is removed.

I just got the rear valance for it too. It has a pop-out section for accessing the hitch.

VERY NICE! Very Easy Install. ;)

Check out vw_leadfoot on here... He's got a ton of Good Info!

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=290710

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=299779
Click to expand...
 
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