Hitch for a VW Trike

[grigglybob]

I have a 1978 Beetle trike .. need information on how to put a hitch on it ... I have searched You Tube and several other places and can't find any information
Any Info is a big help thanks

[slick rick]

I can't tell ... ... but your engine will need a cage ...

[Rsw]

Heres the hitch on mine.

[grigglybob]

thanks for the info

[stinger608]

Is there any other options installing a hitch without having a cage?

The way my trike is designed, it would be a big PITA to cut it up and install a cage.

I know years ago, there was some company that built hitches for VW's but dang if I can find them now.

[slick rick]

Not that I know of but I'm sure a good fab man can come up with one . GOOD LUCK !!

[stinger608]

Not that I know of but I'm sure a good fab man can come up with one . GOOD LUCK !!

Yea I think your right Rick. From doing some research I don't believe it would be too tough to fab one.

[drumdoctor]

I saw a hitch on a VW trike that was VERY bare bones.

I looked at it and it made sense.

The owner had welded 2 large nuts (I think they were 3/4") to the 2 "Horns" that mount the engine.
He welded them about 12" from where the engine bolts into the horns.

Then he took 1x2 rectangular steel bars (hollow) about 3' long (Just long enough to clear the rear of the motor) and took 2 pieces of the same 1x2 steel and welded these between the 2 long pieces at the rear.

He took a piece of steel that looked like 3/4" thick by 4" and welded this in the center.
This is what the hitch ball attached to.
(Drill the hole for the ball before welding)

Then he propped this up and cut a couple of pieces of steel (it looked like 5/16" x 1 1/2")
for support brackets that went from the top of the shock towers to the rear of the hitch
frame. These brackets were bolted with Grade 8 bolts (both top & bottom)

It was compact and looked very strong.

The cool thing about it was that it could be taken off.

I hope that you can understand my description.
Please feel free to contact me for more help.
I wish that I had had my camera to take a picture of this setup.

[stinger608]

That does sound like it would work pretty good DrumDoctor.

Actually I think I am going to build something like this:

http://www.carid.com/1968-volkswagen...FeZDMgodgzIAYg

The opposite end from the ball mounts to the torsion bar struts. I will probably just use trailer axle "U" bolts on that. The rear part that normally mounts to the bottom of the bumper will have to be modified as I have "nurf" bars rather than a bumper. Seems like it would be a pretty simple yet strong system.

I just can't believe they want $175 for that! I have kind of priced the steel for it, and it looks like it will be about $60 to $70. Probably take a couple of hours to build.

[Bikerbozo]

Mine has a ball hitch mounted in center between wheelie bars.

[stinger608]

Mine has a ball hitch mounted in center between wheelie bars.

Have you got any pictures of that setup?

Also, how are the wheelie bars attached?

[Bikerbozo]

Have you got any pictures of that setup?

Also, how are the wheelie bars attached?

Here's a pic of back of my VW. I meant to only attach the rear view. Somehow a pic of my wife sitting on it snuck in also and I can't seem to delete it.

[stinger608]

Hmm, that is interesting. Have you got a shot of how the wheelie bars are mounted though?

[Bikerbozo]

Have you got any pictures of that setup?
Also, how are the wheelie bars attached?

I'll have to take a close look when home, but it looks like 30 year old grease and grime are all that is holding them on.

[drumdoctor]

Grigglybob,

After looking at several VW trikes, both at Bike Week & Biketoberfest in Daytona, I got with my welder and fabricator and came up with 2 brackets that are welded on the 2 "Horns"--

The hitch itself is made from 1x2x1 rectangular steel. You can make any kind of structure to attach the hitch ball to.
I will add a pucture of that as soon as I take a new one---the old pic went somewhere.

Hopefully, the 2 pictures are attached.

If they don't come thru, contact me and I'll send them to your email.