Exhaust Hanger Bending Recommendation to for More Clearance with Draw-Tite Hitch on a 2012 VW Golf

Question:

Question. I got my Draw-Tite towbar installed on my 2012 VW Golf. The towbar hangs just barely below the exhaust tips, about a quarter inch. Not the muffler, plenty of clearance there, just the tips of the exhaust pipes. When I go over bumps the exhaust tips bang against the top of the towbar, because as you know the exhaust system is on rubber hangers so it can flex slightly. Do you think it is okay if I a quarter inch thick piece of steel plate underneath the rearward only mounting bracket where the bracket meets the frame? A spacerinch to the towbar down a bit so there is more clearance with the exhaust tips. By putting the spacer only underneath the rearward mounting bracket it will the mounting bracket a quarter inch, and slightly angle it so I might get an extra half inch or so of clearance when all is said and done. Please let me know or feel free to call me tomorrow with questions.

asked by: Bill F

Expert Reply:

What I would try first would be to bend the exhaust hangers that hold the rear of the exhaust up so that once you put the exhaust back on the hangers the tips will be high enough that they would not come into contact with the Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch # 24825. Thats what we usually do here in our shops and can be very effective.

Try not to get too crazy with bending the hanger, but a little bit should do the trick.

I attached an FAQ video for you to check out that shows how you could do this and a couple other techniques you could try.

I would not recommend installing spacers between the hitch and the vehicle frame. The angle of the mounting flanges on the hitch would not line up with the mounting areas on your vehicle and could cause damage to your vehicle or compromise the structural integrity of the hitch.

expert reply by: Jameson C