Hitch for a 1998 jetta

[heckler]

quite possibly. the C-channel it got welded into is definitely warped.

[CraigH]

Anyone worried about the liability of a home welded hitch failing and causing an accident on the freeway?

Years ago I was stopped in a full size van when I was rear ended and the hitch took the full hit from a 5.0 liter Mustang. The hitch & ball eventually stopped at the engine block.

Initially ICBC wouldn't replace it as it didn't have visible signs of damage. I asked them for a letter accepting all liabilty it if failed causing an accident. (At the time I was regularily towing a loaded car trailer through Seattle & Portland rush hour.) They didn't want to write that letter so they decided to replaced the hitch. (The cost to have the welds X-rayed was more than the cost of a new hitch.)

[morgman]

Originally Posted by CraigH

Anyone worried about the liability of a home welded hitch failing and causing an accident on the freeway?

Physically speaking, just as worried as I'd be about a "professionally welded" hitch falling off on the highway - which is not much. Liability-wise, I have insurance in case I cause damage or injury - so no.

[strahan]

try to be mindful of how the hitch assembly is attached to the vehicle. even if the receiver itself is robust, bike racks cause a lot of flexural stresses.

[RNH-Richmond]

Originally Posted by sleeper

Bought the bike rack. Now need the hitch. Only place I can find wants 300 for one. Seems steep. Don't care if it's used so long as it works

$300 is kind of steep. We've got a Curt class I one (nice quality and thick powder coat finish) at $236.
The thing to keep in mind about the Jetta is that there's not a lot to bolt a hitch to under there (the Curt one attaches to the trunk well - which has to be drilled for the mounting bolts) so a homemade 2" receiver supporting more than a couple of bikes is pretty sketchy.
There are some great lightweight racks on the market though, if you want to maximize your hauling potential with a brand name hitch. The Yakima Highlite and Thule Helium are great examples.

[KenN]

I had a 2002 Jetta and had a Hidden Hitch installed. The 1998 model is the same body style, so will use the same HH unit. What I liked about the HH was that it tied into the towing eye at the rear of the car for more strength/stability than most hitch units, good for the swinging forces of bikes/racks.

Model 60239 --> http://www.hiddenhitch.com/content/p...005&part=60239

Buy online, ship to Pt Roberts or Blaine, it's $145 at CustomHitch.com --> http://ecustomhitch.com/i-6862753-hi...ler-hitch.html

Installation instructions (pdf) showing how it connects to the towing eye --> http://www.hiddenhitch.com/content/d...ion/N60239.pdf

The only down side is that the towing eye is blocked off, so if you actually ditch the car and need the eye to be dragged out then you have to remove the hitch (or find another way to drag your dumb arse out of the ditch).


Kn.

edit: I double-checked, 2002 uses a slightly different design but works generally the same way. Above links are for the HH that works with 98 Jetter.

[RNH-Richmond]

Originally Posted by KenN

The only down side is that the towing eye is blocked off, so if you actually ditch the car and need the eye to be dragged out then you have to remove the hitch (or find another way to drag your dumb arse out of the ditch).

Not a big deal. Winch hook can just be attached to the hitch.

By the way, I suspect that 60239 is likely only compatible with US Jettas. All sources I have for Canadian vehicles list a different part number.

[::Liam::]

i need one as well (99 suby legacy) if anyone has the tools to diy ill come give you a hand if i can do mine there as well for some coin


(i am an boilermaker / welder by trade)