Putting a rear hitch on a vw trike

[werewolf]

First, is there a video out there showing someone installing a mount and hitch?
Things seem a lot easier when you can watch someone else have it done the first time.

Second, I see a lot of Baja style rear engine cages that people have installed hitches on. Will they be sturdy enough to pull a lite weight teardrop trailer with?

Third, anyone have suggestions or experience with doing this?
Any major problems or issues?

Thanks in advance.

The trike is a Wilmac

 

[vwmaniac]

Werewolf,
Go to youtube and do a serch, sure there is a viedo there,
Also I have use the rear bumper[cage] on vw trikes all the time and people pull alot of stuff with the hitch with no problems that I know.
Easy to do, well easy for me, grinn.
Good luck.

 

[matman1972]

The trailer hitch I built for mine is a close copy of a cage type vw hitch, but I made it of extruded 1/4" wall tubing. It connects beside and under the engine. Has a 3/8" plate that the ball bolts through. Got it chromed, but I probably should have polished the 3/8 plate/ angle more. I was going for a textured look thinking it wouldn't scratch as much, and now it rusts if I don't keep it clean. I have hauled a little over 800lbs with no problem. I can feel the weight while braking, but it pulls nicely on the highway. (1915cc with a little under 100 hp, stock 1-3, taller 4th)
I have seen several smaller teardrops run around 400-700 pounds, so I would say it all depends on your rig.

Sorry no vids, but here is mine.

 

[Doug D.]

I'm considering a hitch for mine as well. Looks like you bolted yours to the upper shock mounts and motor horns, correct?

 

[matman1972]

Pretty much. I made a subframe from 1.25 square tubing that crosses both horns then comes up to attach to the upper shock mounts and deck frame.

The lower tubes attach to the subframe right at the horns(shares one bolt with each) then the uppers attach to a bracket that holds the upper deck and bolts to the body mount by the upper shock mount.

 

[Doug D.]

Pretty neat!

Mine was going to be one unit that bolted to the horns at the bottom and the shock mounts above. That would work ok, but I don't want to have to remove the whole thing if I needed to work underneath. Looks like you solved that problem nicely by using a subframe.