Installing a Trailer Hitch on your Wagon

I bought a used trailer hitch on the site and thought I'd share for those of you who might be considering doing this. It was pretty simple. First acquire a hitch.
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Then remove the rear bumper. It helps to have a helper!
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Next you are going to have to drill holes in your car. Hold the hitch up and mark the holes.
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Now time to drill! 388.jpg
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Now just bolt up the hitch using the required backing plate.
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Now put the bumper back on and enjoy! Don't have anything to pull, just enjoy accessorizing my wagon!
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Comments

  • slo88crxslo88crx Senior Wagonist
    Nice little write-up. I have the same one for my wagon. And I have a little trailer.
  • What is that mounted on? Not attached to the frame at all?
  • FakeJDMEF8FakeJDMEF8 Senior Wagonist
    looks great! glad it went to a good home!
  • AbideAbide Council Member
    WagonClaws wrote:
    What is that mounted on? Not attached to the frame at all?


    the 3 bolts go into the spare tire area and one goes through the towhook. i pulled a 3300lb jetta with a strap from the towhook so id imagine it would be fine if you keep your tongue weight low
  • Nice... now that gets my gears movin. Tanks and nice write up. Ill still need to do a little more research before i install something and try to pull my pop up trailer
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    How heavy is your popup trailer? I've pulled around 1500lbs with my wagon, as well as a DA Teg 4dr (~2700lbs). Your biggest thing you have to worry about is tongue wait - around 100-200lbs is max depending on the hitch you have.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I bet the tongue weight on my camper is 300 plus.. not ideal. If you lift the rear suspension you can stand more weight.

    The Fool's Gold wagon will have a 2" receiver hitch, setup to carry a 300ish pound dirtbike on a hitch carrier. Wish me luck!
  • slo88crxslo88crx Senior Wagonist
    Yea I have the same hitch and mine is rated for 100lbs tongue weight and 1000lbs total towing weight!
  • that looks like it would work perfect for what i need. i am looking at installing a very similar hitch to my 87 rt to pull a very small trailer (256lbs) with my dirt bike (ktm 300 mxc, prolly 230lbs). but all hitches state "EXC 4WD MODEL". but i see many people here having there hitches mounted to there rt's.

    so why do they say not for 4wd models? doesn't look like it would interfere with rear drive train at all. just wondering... i see a kit on ebay that includes light kit that i want to order but just looking for others input before i place order.

    i had local hitch/welding shop quote price for making hitch that will mount to frame and keep spare tire in oem location. wiring/reciever and ball included ready to use for $425. the ebay deal is less than half that though. but first thing is to figure out why hitch on rt is a no no.
  • Awesome little write up, gotta get one for my 85 wagon!
  • VPTVPT Band Wagon
    Coming from a fabricator that has built many hitches and have seen many hitches fail I would not pull anything over 500 pounds with the hitch pictured. Think of the other people on the road and what can happen if the trailer falls off your car at 70mph.
  • BillBoardBillBoard council member
    This is a nice little write up. I feel like this thread should be moved to another more perminant residence.... suspension/wheels/brakes???
  • 90RT4WD90RT4WD Band Wagon
    I have the same hitch. I've pulled a car dolly with a fully loaded wagovan. From Wv to Ky. I've pulled cars on my dollymmultiple times, no issues. I'm looking to use a full size hitch that bolts to the frame rails now.
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