Volkswagen ID.3 Forum

Good evening

Hoping that someone here may be able to help:

I have seen that there is no oem option for a transporter hitch on a Pro S/ 77kwh. But I am keen to understand if there is an aftermarket option… Google isn’t helping so thought I’d try the good folk here…

No model is capable of towing. The 45kWh and 58kWh cars have the option of a “transport hitch”, but you can’t tow with it. It’s mainly for bike carriers.

Thanks for the response Andrew. I should have been clearer - I would like to use it for transporting bikes. The 77kwh battery isn’t compatible with the vw transporter hitch but I was hoping there might be an aftermarket option capable of taking a bike rack. Perhaps that I can’t find anything answers my question but I thought this forum might be a good place to check.

Thanks agaib

I thought the “bike carrier prep” was available on all the options?

Not on the 2021 Tour. No idea if they changed that with MY22.

All the best

Andreas

Why the bike carrier is not applicable to the Tour is more than likely down to weight. Because the Tour has the larger battery it reduces the payload greatly. For example the Max has a payload of 458kgs but the Tour only has 345kgs.

Thanks for the responses.

Newfie - I didn’t appreciate the payload restriction. Is that driven because of the range VW wants to achieve or something else?

In any case, it would likely be myself plus carrier and bike almost all the time and that would be well within the max payload. Gone is the thought of using it for transporting luggage on a family holiday, however!

I will try to get it confirmed as if it is capable of taking it then maybe I could find a garage outside the dealership to fit the aftermarket kit?

Grateful for any other thoughts/ comments

I wondered whether it might be something to do with the 4/5 seat layout, but the option still isn’t a available on the German configurator on the 5 seat 77kWh car.

The problem with any aftermarket option is that placement will be tricky. The OEM kit is mounted quite high up, and accessible via the number plate (which flips down).

Might be worth researching the process dealers go through when they do the retrofit kit. I’m assuming either replacement or some adaptation of the crash bar.

Also, bit of Googling reveals a company called Brink that do an aftermarket kit. Big question is whether it fits the Pro S.

Thanks Andrew, I already have an email into Brink! I will try to get hold of the install process for the oem kit

Bristolid wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:45 am Thanks Andrew, I already have an email into Brink! I will try to get hold of the install process for the oem kit

Cool, let us know how you get on!

It is interesting that the brink website also says that it is for bike carriers, not towing.

https://brink.eu/en-gb/search-results/

gailjon wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:05 am It is interesting that the brink website also says that it is for bike carriers, not towing.

https://brink.eu/en-gb/search-results/

You need type approval for towing, but not for bike carriers.

andrewparker wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:30 am

gailjon wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:05 am It is interesting that the brink website also says that it is for bike carriers, not towing.

https://brink.eu/en-gb/search-results/

You need type approval for towing, but not for bike carriers.

That explains that then. I wonder how the ID3 would tow? (on a private road officer...)

But does anyone know why the tow hitch can't be used for towing, and why it doesn't have type approval? I tried asking VW Technical Assistance but they couldn't (or wouldn't) answer the question.
The ball hitch is an absolutely standard tow hitch and I've tried towing a small, unladen trailer around my grounds (at walking pace!) with no problems, and no warning alarms going off. The shaft of the tow hitch does slot into the socket horizontally, so is there a concern about it pulling out under load? I would have thought it unlikely as the locating pins anchor it in pretty solidly. Might it be ok for a light (say, less than 200kg) trailer though?
I'd be interested to hear if anyone's been brave enough to try it.

Isn’t it to do with axle weight?

…and so an update on the original post:

I called up the local dealer a while back (didn’t buy from them originally), and booked it in for a retrofit. They took my reg and confirmed the booking. All good so far.

I dropped it off yesterday and picked it up today. Job’s a good’un! No mention of it being a 77kw battery, no issues fitting. Great service all round. Sure the range may take a hit fully laden (75kg limit on the retrofit) but a great (pricey) result given limited alternatives.

Bon velo!

Great, thanks for the update. So you’ve ended up with the OEM hitch behind the number plate, rather than the after market option?

That’s right. The VW retro fit, which is pricey but maintains the warranty, keeps muck out the car and can even take a few suitcases for a family trip to the airport

Bristolid wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:14 pm That’s right. The VW retro fit, which is pricey but maintains the warranty, keeps muck out the car and can even take a few suitcases for a family trip to the airport

Hello Bristolid,
Do you know how the garage fitted the hitch on your car? Were they able to use all the original components or did they have to invent something new to mount on a car without factory prep?

Regarding the hitch on the 77kWh version it is clear that VW omitted the option only due to total weight limits rather than real technical constraints. I guess that if you drove with 4 adults, full trunk and heavy bikes you wou would be over the GVWR for your car.