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This custom-fit trailer hitch with a hidden cross tube installs behind your vehicle's rear bumper, leaving only the receiver visible beneath it. Aluminum and steel alloy construction is durable and eco-friendly. Powder coat finish resists rust.
Features:
Specs:
The EcoHitch Hidden trailer hitch is designed to be as inconspicuous as possible. The hitch's cross tube bolts onto your vehicle's frame, behind your rear bumper. No drilling or welding is required. Once the hitch is installed, only the receiver will be visible beneath your bumper. This means that your vehicle can maintain its stylish, from-the-factory look, and you won't have to do any major modifications to its body or frame.
With a combination of aerospace-grade aluminum, steel, and stainless steel, each EcoHitch is made of a strong metal alloy that will withstand the test of time. The lightweight alloy is composed of recycled materials. Traditional steel hitch manufacturing can use coal or oil, which can contribute to harmful gas emissions. The EcoHitch's recycled materials limit the carbon footprint during manufacturing, so you get a sturdy trailer hitch while also helping the environment.
This EcoHitch trailer hitch is tested for durability and sturdiness. Using Finite Elemental Analysis (FEA), individual points of stress on the hitch can be detected and remedied. Designers can accurately test the hitch to ensure that it will meet or exceed SAE J684 standards. The EcoHitch Hidden trailer hitch is carefully researched and strength tested for a durable, high-quality hitch that can resist damage while on the road.
At etrailer.com we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
Tech Tip
No drilling required for installation , Requires temporary removal of bumper/fascia during installation , Exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation , Fascia trimming required
Complete Towing Package for 2012
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Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (119 Customer Reviews)
This custom-fit trailer hitch with a hidden cross tube installs behind your vehicle's rear bumper, leaving only the receiver visible beneath it. Aluminum and steel alloy construction is durable and eco-friendly. Powder coat finish resists rust.Installation video was spot on! Definitely a *lot* easier with two sets of hands, although I would still recommend not having that other set be your significant other Quinn at etrailer.com was great to work with, I had a bit of self-induced delivery issue with regards to timeline, he hooked me up and made it happen!
Best hitch for the tdi wagons. Not too bad to do just remove pumper and bracket. Haul a dirt bike on mine and it works great. Holding up well exactly what I wanted.
I've had the EcoHitch on my vehicle now for about a year (and about 30,000 miles - I commute 200 miles to work each day). My goal was to continue to use my Thule Vertex Bike Rack. It does work with that rack, perfectly. It seems pretty robust (I've been able to step on it when I had to clear some heavy snow off the roof of my car) and after a year, I haven't had to make any adjustments. I think it blends into the car nicely. And, it did not impact my gas mileage (~40 mpg highway).
I will say - I found out almost instantly that this will change the way you drive the vehicle (at least in Colorado) because it takes very little to bottom out. I've left some grooves in friends' pavement after backing out of driveways and I have hit coming in to parking lots, going over speed bumps, and if there are any drainage ditches that have a steeper angle. Add the bike rack - I've hit that pretty good too (thankfully, not with the bike).
To fix this issue, I decided earlier this year to lift the back end of the car by having the towing springs installed to lift the clearance by about 2". They get installed in May, so I'll update this to see if that resolves the bottoming out on the hitch.
I didn't originally rate this product because honestly I was so angry at how poor the installation went. The instructions were difficult to follow (complicated by how I then found corrected instructions online) and I was sent the wrong bolts (<-- if that had been my only problem, no biggie. My friend Ace Hardware is just down the street). Something I felt should take maybe a day if I was super careful ended up taking 2 because the instruction mixup (I put the hitch on twice. Second time was able to install my bumper again too. Ha).
Despite my installation woes - I think this is a great product for the car. I really hope the towing springs solve my bottoming out (I'm not looking to be an SUV - just be able to pull into my parking lot at work with the bike rack on the vehicle ha).
I got this for my '14 VW Jetta. This has worked well for use with a 1Up bike rack. The install video was great - it could only be improved in the aspect of a specific VW body panel part that is impossible to see and visualize (a plastic self-locking pin that holds the fender cover to the quarter panel) and ultimately is unlikely to be able to reuse. Only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that the description/video did not indicate that for my vehicle, the hitch will contact the ground frequently (even w/out the rack on it). Because it hangs down below the bumper, you will 'bottom out' frequently.
Easy to to install on my VW SW. I use it to carry a 3 bike carrier. It works great. I do have to be a little careful with driveways and sudden drop offs.
Vern
8/6/2023
Still working great for hauling bikes.
Excellent product. Easy to install with basic tools. Attached instructional video was perfect
I have been very satisfied with this hitch. It was the only 2" hitch that I could find for my 2012 Jetta Sportwagen TDI. I was willing to spend more to get this 2" hitch so that it would accept the bike rack and cargo carrier that I already owned without using an adapter.
The hitch is very durable looking and performing. I installed it myself while referencing the etrailer installation video on the product page.
I like the clean look of the hitch with its hidden cross tube. When trimming the fascia, I trimmed more than needed when following the supplied directions. If I were to install this hitch again, I would switch the length and width of the trimming dimensions. I ended up with more of a square cutout that was the larger of the two dimensions. Reference my photos. The finished job still looks attractive. Later, I installed a trailer wiring kit from etrailer, and the added width did leave me a nice path for routing.
Trim seal for the edges was provided, but I opted not to use it.
Easy to install and works great.
Man! I was super pleased at how easy it was to install. (Follow directions!) I’ve had mine for over a year now, and used it a bunch!
Trailer so good make u wanna slap yo mo mma
This is a really great hitch. The package got here earlier than they said. I installed mine onto a 2012 VW TDI sport wagon. I am going to preface my negative comments by saying these are small discrepancies and did not alter the outcome of the hitch.
The video instructions were great. They cleared up many questions the paper left. The issues I had were; my hardware sizes and quantities did not match the video nor the paper instructions (I had what I needed in the garage). Secondly there were no spacers included in my kit. When it was fully assembled, there was just slight contact with hitch and car frame (no where near the issue they had on the video) so I was able to assemble it with out the spacers. Lastly, I put it all back together and the plastic bumper was pushing hard on the hitch. I had to cut another 1/2-3/4in out of the bumper, after that it fit perfect and you could not tell any difference.
Positives:
- 2” receiver
- Really well made
- Hides away
- Heavy duty
- assembly is really straight forward. Good etrailer assembly video!
Negative:
- Pretty heavy
- Very pricy $$$ (way more than I wanted to spend but I was stuck needing one)
- I had to cut an extra 1/2”-3/4” out of my bumper (length wise) due to some binding.
it went on fairly easy but it was time consuming. basic hand tools can get it done. it’s functioned as designed and i’m overall very pleased with it.
Garbage . Tq spec calls for 60 ft lb…. Made it to 50 and I saw the wrench start going down in ft lb…. Sucked the washers and bent the spacers now their stuck in the frame hole. Complete garbage
Jenny N.
8/9/2022
I reached out to Eco hitch and they had not heard of this happening before. They are happy to work with you in regard to the hardware.
This is by far the best hotch for my Jetta Sportwagen TDI! No drilling, bolts into the frame, and nice clean, low-profile look. The 2" receiver makes it easy to use a bike rack or other accessories. I didn't use the specified measurements to cut out the bumper cover, I cut mine a bit closer with a good reference point to measure from. I'm happy with it!
I am really happy with my new EcoHitch. I installed it myself and it took about 3 1/2 hours from setup to finish. Found minimal wiggle room when installing bolts through bumper, spacer and hitch. I got them all started a few threads in and then did about 4 turns at a time each rotating between them until tight. Watching trailer install video was extremely helpful, thanks !
Couldn't be happier! The install was actually very simple and straight forward, despite being classified as a more difficult install. The instructional video provided by etrailer.com was possibly the best tutorial video I've EVER followed. I'm really glad that I decided to get the EcoHitch over the less expensive, easier-to-install alternatives. 100% worth the extra expense and effort.
The hitch works great! I must admit I had never removed a bumper and was scared of doing damage but the video install was perfect and easy to follow. It pulls our Space Trailer great. I am thinking of adding the air bags to level the car with a load.
Had this for about a year now, as it is working great. I am very happy with it. I am planning to install stiffer springs in the back, to help keep it from dragging the ground when leaving parking lots. This is a low car to begin with and the hitch will change your ground clearance. I found it relatively easy to install, however I have a background in automotive and electronics, so someone with no experience in these areas might consider paying a professional. The directions were good, and it performs as expected.
love the hitch good install instructions sturdy hitch been using for three months now for a bike rack setup and zero complaints
The hitch was time consuming to install but definitely the right choice. Very clean installation and substantial appearance and sold performance!
The information and videos provided by etrailer were all very thorough, Information and helpful. Customer service was quick to respond and follow up and was also helpful.
I will definitely return to etrailer and would highly recommend them for any towing related goods or information!
Took about 4 hrs me for to complete install. No problems encountered. etrailer movie was very helpful and informative. Ecohicth intruction did NOT discuss bamper re-install which was confusing till I watch etrailer movie. Facia cut out dimension: 5.5 could be narrower. 4.5 should be measured from facia long edge, not the tab (hard to align facia if cut-out touches the hitch. Overall I am satisfied and recommend this receiver for VW Sportwagon. Thank you
Strong hitch and complete installation kit. Good telephone help for installation.
Got it installed the other day with the help of a [online] video with the fella in the jacket with the JSW. Really thorough video that helped greatly.
This hitch fit my project Jetta perfect ly!
Install was quick. Simple.
Great product
Only small issue; I had to go to the hardware store because the bag of bolts that came with the hitch called for 5 bolts but mine only had 2 bolts. No big deal, just $2 at the hardware store and 15 mins of my time
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Catherine
5/1/2021
So Ive had the hitch on with the towing springs installed for about a year now and what a difference! I havent hit the hitch or bike rack since installing the towing springs, and I took it up into the mountains several times last summer. The hitch has been solid and sturdy, works perfectly with my bike rack and I think it blends in with the vehicle pretty well. I recommend, but also recommend thinking about the towing springs if you decide to install the hitch on this vehicle.