Hitch bolt broke - now what?

[handn]

I am surprised no one has discussed the recommendation of not using a weight distributing hitch by VW.
A 7700 gvw trailer probably has a 1000 lb tongue weight. How is this going to work with no wd hitch?
Looks to me like the cheesy hitch bolts are the tip of the iceberg.

[adwriter73]

Originally Posted by VIKING

If they strip a bolt it will cost them as much as $50 to $100 max to repair the bolt.
If the hitch comes off when you are going up a steep grade some day, it won't cost them a dime.
#80 is not all that much for a hitch bolt. I think it would be totally sufficient if you just leave it parked, but I would not drive that rig to the end of my driveway to pickup the mail in that condition.

Rich the Viking

Hmmm...well I first took it to it to a hitch store and they told me 70 lbs. was sufficient. They were surprised it was supposed to be 80. So, I don't know. Obviously a lot of different opinions on this.

[adwriter73]

Originally Posted by handn

I am surprised no one has discussed the recommendation of not using a weight distributing hitch by VW.
A 7700 gvw trailer probably has a 1000 lb tongue weight. How is this going to work with no wd hitch?
Looks to me like the cheesy hitch bolts are the tip of the iceberg.

It has been discussed on other posts and other forums. Even though it is not recommended, Touareg owners are are still using W/D setups. Airstream even uses one in their performance video. The TW is a Porsche Cayenne, which uses the same platform (and hitch setup) as the VW Touareg.

[2airishuman]

yep the issue of w/d yes/no and the vag recommendation has been discussed in many threads...

of course since the links to those threads, don't show up well,

MORE good stuff on the "knowledge sharing forum" gets buried or lost.
________

the op is in tough spot now.

it's possible a 70s unit will come in at LESS than 750 lbs at the tongue,

and vw sez the receiver is rated to 750 withOUT w/d.

but that rating is partly based on OEM bolts, welds and torque.

the problem is, as the op knows INSPECTING those bolts is not simple.

another option is to have the receiver WELDED to the unibody points

and lay brazing over the bolts, nuts or retainers...

once the damn thing is welded on (done properly) the undertorqued nut/bolt becomes a non issue.

a PP hitch can be used with minimal w/d jack tension and provide awesome sway control...

but that doesn't solve the receiver attachment issue.

i agree totally, the dealer and body shop are simply blowing smoke on this NOT being an issue.


cheers
2air'

[adwriter73]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

yep the issue of w/d yes/no and the vag recommendation has been discussed in many threads...

of course since the links to those threads, don't show up well,

MORE good stuff on the "knowledge sharing forum" gets buried or lost.
________

the op is in tough spot now.

it's possible a 70s unit will come in at LESS than 750 lbs at the tongue,

and vw sez the receiver is rated to 750 withOUT w/d.

but that rating is partly based on OEM bolts, welds and torque.

the problem is, as the op knows INSPECTING those bolts is not simple.

another option is to have the receiver WELDED to the unibody points

and lay brazing over the bolts, nuts or retainers...

once the damn thing is welded on (done properly) the undertorqued nut/bolt becomes a non issue.

a PP hitch can be used with minimal w/d jack tension and provide awesome sway control...

but that doesn't solve the receiver attachment issue.

i agree totally, the dealer and body shop are simply blowing smoke on this NOT being an issue.


cheers
2air'

I'm starting to think that the only way I'm going to correct this and feel completely comfortable is to have it welded to the frame. I'm taking the vehicle to a hitch specialist to see what they think. ARGH!

[adwriter73]

FINAL UPDATE:

Took the Touareg to a new hitch shop. They bored through the boxed frame to create an area where they could fit a new nut on the bolts that would not fully tighten down. Everything is tight and secure now. I spend $230 on all this, which is what it would've originally cost me to just have someone install the hitch for me. Learned my lesson.

[2airishuman]

finally a more complete approach, as suggested earlier.

and a good outcome, we hope.

thanks for posting the final chapter, many folks skip this and leave us hanging.

now we await the epilog...

(after you've towed with it)

cheers
2air'

[slowmover]

Glad to see the follow through.

Learned my lesson.

The more I've learned about doing my own repairs or maintenance the more satisfying are the results. I hope this is what is meant: I cannot do it all, granted, but I become better over time through application. Just finding the best service personnel is the hardest of all. (The one thing I miss about no longer living in Dallas was this familiarity).

[r carl]

Originally Posted by adwriter73

FINAL UPDATE:

Took the Touareg to a new hitch shop. They bored through the boxed frame to create an area where they could fit a new nut on the bolts that would not fully tighten down. Everything is tight and secure now. I spend $230 on all this, which is what it would've originally cost me to just have someone install the hitch for me. Learned my lesson.

Look at it this way, if you had someone else install the hitch, you could be pulling your camper with 7 tight bolts.

[Air2Go]

Very informative thread—coming from an interested observer's point of view.

I'm convinced that the Touareg can be an exceptional towing machine—but remains (even years after its introduction) one that many people, including some who sell/service them in the US, simply don't know much about.

The idea of towing a long and heavy TT directly on the hitch may seem ludicrous, and yet, the best evidence suggests that that is exactly what the manufacturer intended for this vehicle (assuming all weight and length limitations are adhered to).

Anyway, best of luck, adwriter73—I've been following your restoration blog.

[adwriter73]

Want to say thanks to all those who contributed advice and/or shared wisdom/personal experience on the subject.

[slowmover]

Look forward to seeing the scale readings for this combo. Anyone have some links for the non-T owners on this subject (to avoid the tedium of searching another forum)? Am hoping a PP hitch will be fitted.

I, for one, think this will all work fine. Am looking forward to travel pics as well.