Who wants a trailer hitch? There is now a better option available.
06-09-2011, 10:25 AM
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06-12-2011, 03:32 PM
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06-13-2011, 05:02 AM
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What part looks too tough? Unless you have a 2001 or want to use electric brakes, you don't need to do the wiring. For the rest, you only need a set of ramps, standard ratchet wrenches with metric sockets, some torx bits, a healthy pry bar and a rubber hammer plus wire strippers (or a sharp knife) to make up the trailer pigtail.
The alternative would be to have a mechanic do the install.
The alternative would be to have a mechanic do the install.
06-13-2011, 05:12 AM
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, but this is the type of job that I get lost in (i.e. I can't get it all back or I break some parts. My wife no longer lets me do plumbing repairs).
What part looks too tough? Unless you have a 2001 or want to use electric brakes, you don't need to do the wiring. For the rest, you only need a set of ramps, standard ratchet wrenches with metric sockets, some torx bits, a healthy pry bar and a rubber hammer plus wire strippers (or a sharp knife) to make up the trailer pigtail.
The alternative would be to have a mechanic do the install.
The alternative would be to have a mechanic do the install.
06-15-2011, 07:53 PM
#28
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I've posted it on the 3 boards I regularly visit.
06-16-2011, 10:18 PM
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As some of you know, I designed and built my own trailer hitch last year (this thread). I wasn't totally happy with the first version from a manufacturability standpoint, so I made a few changes and built another one, which is currently on my car. I tweaked the design many more times to increase strength, decrease weight, and make manufacturing it simpler by reducing the number of parts and materials needed, with the overall goal of lowering the cost to produce.
I've been working with QW member mbevins who owns a metal fabrication shop. He is willing and able to build my hitch design for the allroad community. We have finally worked out all the details.
Here are the hitch specs:
Similar in design to the NA OEM hitch, mounts in the same locations
Uses a 2" vertical hidden receiver
Rated at 5000 lbs towing weight, 330 lbs tongue weight however I can't recommend towing more than the 3300 lbs Audi states in the owners manual
Hidden, swing down electrical connector bracket
Loops for safety chains
Mounts for bumper crossmember
Powdercoated finish
We have two options available.
The full package includes the hitch, ball mount with 2" ball, pin, 13 pin to 4 pin electrical connector, and 2" horizontal receiver adapter for use with bike racks. This package will cost $650 plus shipping.
The basic package is useful for bike racks only. It includes the hitch, pin, and an adapter to create a 2" horizontal receiver. It does not include a ball mount or electrical adapter. This will cost $600 plus shipping.
I would like to get a list going of who is interested in a hitch, so we can come up with a number for an initial production run. Please reply to this thread if you are interested. Also if you have any questions, comments, or feedback please let me know that as well.
Thank you,
Justin Scheifflee
Mark Bevins
Here are a few pictures.
Final CAD model
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179885_856058744408_15703939_44486388_1775433_n.jp g">
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200274_876911505308_15703939_44793528_7243137_n.jp g">
Ball mount
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208746_876912797718_15703939_44793550_2223546_n.jp g">
Bike rack adapter
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199502_877044808168_15703939_44796187_1775280_n.jp g">
I've been working with QW member mbevins who owns a metal fabrication shop. He is willing and able to build my hitch design for the allroad community. We have finally worked out all the details.
Here are the hitch specs:
Similar in design to the NA OEM hitch, mounts in the same locations
Uses a 2" vertical hidden receiver
Rated at 5000 lbs towing weight, 330 lbs tongue weight however I can't recommend towing more than the 3300 lbs Audi states in the owners manual
Hidden, swing down electrical connector bracket
Loops for safety chains
Mounts for bumper crossmember
Powdercoated finish
We have two options available.
The full package includes the hitch, ball mount with 2" ball, pin, 13 pin to 4 pin electrical connector, and 2" horizontal receiver adapter for use with bike racks. This package will cost $650 plus shipping.
The basic package is useful for bike racks only. It includes the hitch, pin, and an adapter to create a 2" horizontal receiver. It does not include a ball mount or electrical adapter. This will cost $600 plus shipping.
I would like to get a list going of who is interested in a hitch, so we can come up with a number for an initial production run. Please reply to this thread if you are interested. Also if you have any questions, comments, or feedback please let me know that as well.
Thank you,
Justin Scheifflee
Mark Bevins
Here are a few pictures.
Final CAD model
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179885_856058744408_15703939_44486388_1775433_n.jp g">
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200274_876911505308_15703939_44793528_7243137_n.jp g">
Ball mount
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208746_876912797718_15703939_44793550_2223546_n.jp g">
Bike rack adapter
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199502_877044808168_15703939_44796187_1775280_n.jp g">
