That’s a really good question. Another is: is the trailer wiring installed? It’s one big reason why I went for a FE, I need a hitch and wiring.
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Can trailer hitch be dealer installed on pro and pro S models? USA market
I asked at the dealer while taking a test drive and the salesman didn't know.
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The hitch on the 1st edition is a bolt on so you can put it onto your pro model but if the wiring is there I do not know
There is a thread here on this forum that has lots of information on the hitch and wiring. On the 1st Edition, there is a 1 1/4" receiver, and you need to get a 7-pin socket and install it in the prewired location just to the side of the hitch. That 7-pin socket is $57 from VW, or a mere $12.04 from etrailer (or Amazon). Same exact part. You can get a 7 to 4 pin adapter from etrailer for another $7.04.
As far as the Pro and Pro S models - they may or may not have the cutout in the underside of the bumper cover, and they may or may not have the wiring in place for the lights. They probably do have the threaded holes for the hitch. And they might have a 2" receiver available for the AWD models, since they are rated to tow more weight.
As far as the Pro and Pro S models - they may or may not have the cutout in the underside of the bumper cover, and they may or may not have the wiring in place for the lights. They probably do have the threaded holes for the hitch. And they might have a 2" receiver available for the AWD models, since they are rated to tow more weight.
You have to do either FE or AWD model (Pro or Pro S) to get the factory hitch. Rear-wheel drive Pro and Pro S models don't offer it. It's been known that the AWD models have larger front brakes, and in the thread that @NeilBlanchard mentioned above, I believe FE owners discovered that the FE also comes with the larger front brakes. I suspect, then, that the rear-wheel drive Pro and Pro S models have the standard front brakes. That alone could be one reason they can't or shouldn't be fitted with a trailer hitch.
Thanks guys. I saw that thread, but it wasn't really about the pro and pro s models, so I didn't ask there. I don't think that the brakes were mentioned anywhere in that thread. But if it is true about the brakes, then the hitch probably would not be available from the dealer. Since I need it for actual towing, I wouldn't get an aftermarket hitch. It would be good to get confirmation, but for now I assume that I either need to find an abandoned first edition or wait for AWD.
Sorry, here's the three about the front brakes: Front Brake SizeThanks guys. I saw that thread, but it wasn't really about the pro and pro s models, so I didn't ask there. I don't think that the brakes were mentioned anywhere in that thread. But if it is true about the brakes, then the hitch probably would not be available from the dealer. Since I need it for actual towing, I wouldn't get an aftermarket hitch. It would be good to get confirmation, but for now I assume that I either need to find an abandoned first edition or wait for AWD.
I would still tow with the smaller brakes, but I would be more aware of them and take things easy and stay below 2000lbs. I think even for the ones with the tow hitch and bigger brakes they still recommend trailer brakes for a heavier load.
The rated capacities of 2,200 lbs. (FE) and 2,700 lbs. (AWD models) is with a braked trailer. I think the un-braked capacity for both is something like 1,500 lbs.I would still tow with the smaller brakes, but I would be more aware of them and take things easy and stay below 2000lbs. I think even for the ones with the tow hitch and bigger brakes they still recommend trailer brakes for a heavier load.
I don't think that any Class I (2000 lbs) trailers have brakes.The rated capacities of 2,200 lbs. (FE) and 2,700 lbs. (AWD models) is with a braked trailer. I think the un-braked capacity for both is something like 1,500 lbs.
Keep in mind the ID.4 has a Class II hitch.I don't think that any Class I (2000 lbs) trailers have brakes.
people have started to get the pro s models, we can ask one of them to investigate if the Pro S has the provisions to bolt in the hitch
Right, and I got all Class II components - except the 1 7/8" ball, which is by definition a Class I. A 2" ball is Class II.Keep in mind the ID.4 has a Class II hitch.
The point is that trailer brakes are not required for 1500 pounds.
From Inside EV’s:
"Maximum tow rating for braked trailer only when equipped with appropriate third-party trailer brake controller and factory-installed towing hitch. Vehicle load, other accessories, and options may reduce maximum towing capacity. See vehicle Owner’s Manual for details."
So yes, if you want to tow 2,200 lbs. with the RWD, or 2,700 lbs. with the AWD model, you need a brakes trailer. Otherwise, you’re limited to the standard 1,500 lbs. trailer without brakes.
"Maximum tow rating for braked trailer only when equipped with appropriate third-party trailer brake controller and factory-installed towing hitch. Vehicle load, other accessories, and options may reduce maximum towing capacity. See vehicle Owner’s Manual for details."
So yes, if you want to tow 2,200 lbs. with the RWD, or 2,700 lbs. with the AWD model, you need a brakes trailer. Otherwise, you’re limited to the standard 1,500 lbs. trailer without brakes.
I did gat an answer back from my local VW dealer (that has/had the Pro Moonstone Gray) and here is his response:people have started to get the pro s models, we can ask one of them to investigate if the Pro S has the provisions to bolt in the hitch
“The rear bumper cover on the ID-4 is completely different from the one’s with a trailer hitch. There is no cutout at all.”
If it’s like many other cars, VW’s included, on the back side of the bumper there’s probably an outline of the area that gets cut out for installing a hitch.I did gat an answer back from my local VW dealer (that has/had the Pro Moonstone Gray) and here is his response:
“The rear bumper cover on the ID-4 is completely different from the one’s with a trailer hitch. There is no cutout at all.”
The real question is whether there is a wiring harness in the vehicle. That said, I don't expect these to tow much more than a utility trailer. You're going to be capped at roughly 100-150 miles range. If all you want to tow is a utility trailer, then you'll be able to use a hitch from someone like me who will upgrade to 2" receiver and then tie the lights into your rear lights wiring.
Just FYI, VW's use CAN- and LIN-BUS control for virtually everything. Tying into things like the vehicle lights to power trailer lights is often not a simple thing to do. You probably need an adapter of some sort, unless maybe you use a relay to pull power directly from a 12v source.
I used this for a '98 Beetle, '12 JSW, and '15 GSW. The only time I didn't use that was for our '13 Touareg because it already had wiring in place.Just FYI, VW's use CAN- and LIN-BUS control for virtually everything. Tying into things like the vehicle lights to power trailer lights is often not a simple thing to do. You probably need an adapter of some sort, unless maybe you use a relay to pull power directly from a 12v source.
The New Beetle wouldn't have been an issue. I'm surprised you didn't run into any bulb errors with your JSW or GSW, since the trailer lights would've put additional load on the circuits and made the bulb monitoring freak out. But maybe because those cars used incandescent bulbs it wasn't an issue. The ID.4 has LED lights, though, so not sure if you'll run into an issue.I used this for a '98 Beetle, '12 JSW, and '15 GSW. The only time I didn't use that was for our '13 Touareg because it already had wiring in place.
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