hitch install (BWW)

[gragravar]

Finally got the chance to do the write-up on the hitch install I did a couple of weeks ago. Don't take this as an instruction set, merely a documentation of my install. Anyway, here goes:

I had purchased the Audi OEM trailer hitch for the allroad. I got this one as it is a class II hitch with a 3300 lbs capacity. (Some in Europe claim that the same hitch there has a 5,000 lbs capacity). This was a look at the contents of the package.




Anyway, the hitch install took a total of 5 hours for a friend and I to complete. We worked slowly, took a bunch of pictures, and the install time included 2 trips to the hardware store for tools I didn't already have.

We started with the car on ramps to make reaching everything more convenient.



Mine was an '03 so it didn't require any electrical work. Despite that the first step was to disconnect the battery.



then with the rear seats folded the disassembly began. first removing the cargo area covers (note the mess of hair and dirt my dog has left there):





Quite a bit of the trim had to be removed, including the aluminum trim strip under the liftgate, the tie down latches and the cargo cover latch. Additionally, after removing the toolbox in the left rear, the bracket that holds it had to be removed:



Next, the internal bolts that hold on the bumper cover, and the lights had to be removed. This was the first trip to the store. these bolts are long, so a standard socket wouldn't fit. We needed a long socket.



to facilitate reaching all the bolts, the air tank for the suspension had to be removed - not disconnected - just removed from its normal place in the fenderwell.



On the other side, the Bose amp had to be disconnected too.



here is a look at the car with the tail lights out:



Before removing the bumper cover, the aluminum trim under the bumper needed to be removed too:



then some screws in the rear wheel well had to be removed too:



at this point the bumper cover could be removed, and my wife began to panic - not knowing if the car would ever look the same again. :-)



a couple of bolts later and the bumper was gone too.



this next picture is looking into a hole where the bumper used to be held. the hitch slides into this hole, and the bumper mounts directly to the hitch.



Being an '03, audi finally had the holes aligned, and no drilling was required. the hitch merely bolted right in.



here is what it looks like once the hitch is mounted:



the final step before putting everything back together was to add a little sound deadening tape.



the remainder was mostly a reversal of the process so far in order to re-assemble the car.
I say mostly because of 2 issues I came across. Both related to the mounting of the electrical connection. the hitch comes with a cool swing down tab on which the electrical connection mounts. this keeps everything hidden if it is not in use. To make it function, though, a rivet tool is required - so one more trip to the store. Then the electrical assembly had to be removed from a metal tab where it was from the factory and mounted on the new tab. the old metal tab also had to be removed which involved drilling out some old rivets.

Anyway after tackling those, here is the end result, first configured for everyday driving - with no trailer. Note the hitch is nearly fully hidden behind the bumper.



And here it is ready for duty (see how the electrical swings down - ready for use):

[paulroad]

[gragravar]

Having done this once, future installs should take much less time - maybe 2.5 - 3 hours.

[glidar]

Did you have any problems due to the electrical disconnect (ECU, info display, stereo, door locks...)?

[paulroad]

[gragravar]

[gragravar]

[All Italian]

[mister dr]

Really, really nice. I didn't realize it tucked up under the bumper when not in use. I think we'll definitely be getting one of those in the not-too-distant future.

[ShowMeData]

that the square tubing fits in?

I wonder how much more involved is an '01.

And, can it be made to accept standard class II receiver implements (bike racks, etc.)?

Thanks for sharing!