[Keowee]

My Pro S arrived and I can confirm there is a large cut out in the lower section of the bumper that would likely accommodate a trailer hitch mount. There had been guesses that only the FE and AWD versions would have a bumper cut out, but it seems so do Pro models (for now).

Not clear how you would begin to mount the hitch. I only need this for a bike rack. Anyone looked into this for a Pro trim?

 

[Skirmish]

I looked at a Pro S/G today and it didn't look like the cut out had any available holes to bolt a hitch. I'm curious to see what the 1st Ed looks like with the hitch removed. Haven't found anything aftermarket yet. Are their any rails in front of the bumper to mount under it?

I'm a bit concerned also with how the backup sensors are going to react not only with a bike on but with my Kuat Transfer in the stored position. Would be a pain to have to disable it just to use reverse.

 

[deepskier]

Wait, the car just comes with a gaping hold in the underside? 🙃

The hitch mount point would be integrated in the rear crash bar, which is the black metal piece running horizontally behind the bumper.
You can see it, and where it is bolted to the body on the passenger side in the 1st pic.
The crash bar on the pro does not appear to have any mounting point for a hitch, which is expected.

So to install a hitch, you would replace the crash bar with one that has the hitch mounting points, either the official VW one or an aftermarket like torklift.
Here is the process being done on a Tiguan:

Below is what the stock crash bar looks like on a Tiguan.
Note that on the passenger side there is a threaded hole, this lines up with the circular cutout in the lower bumper cover, it's for the emergency tow hook.
If you get a non-VW aftermarket tow hitch that replaces the crash bar, it may not have this threaded hole so you would lose the tow hook function.
But then you have the hitch to attach to anyway...

 

[PandaZ]

As a technician in the UK for VW. The rear crash bar would be removed and a new bar will be fitted with a trailing hitch built into it. Who ever fits it will also need to run a wiring loom down the length of the car to the fuse box to give power to the hitch plug.

I have fitted a trailer hitch on an ID.3 for a bike rack to lock on to. For this I had to remove the bumper and remove the crash bar. Once I wired in the new crash bar with the hitch built in. I had to cut the bumper where the registration plate goes and install a flap. So the reg plate folds down allowing access to the hitch.

 

[PandaZ]

As a technician in the UK for VW. The rear crash bar would be removed and a new bar will be fitted with a trailing hitch built into it. Who ever fits it will also need to run a wiring loom down the length of the car to the fuse box to give power to the hitch plug.

I have fitted a trailer hitch on an ID.3 for a bike rack to lock on to. For this I had to remove the bumper and remove the crash bar. Once I wired in the new crash bar with the hitch built in. I had to cut the bumper where the registration plate goes and install a flap. So the reg plate folds down allowing access to the hitch.

You can see a trailer it on this picture Volkswagen ID.5 Coupe SUV Will Be Sold Only In Europe

 

[Skirmish]

Wait, the car just comes with a gaping hold in the underside? 🙃

Yeah, kinda stunning that they would leave the large cut out but not the same crossover bar that simply has a few welded in threaded nutserts or a wiring plug. There are two different wire looms running through the gap, one forward and one along the bumper so if you want to tow I assume it would only require splicing in but to mount a hitch seems like a task. I can only hope it is the same bar as the Tiguan so it is currently available. I was guessing it was necessary to remove the bumper but hoping it wasn't. I'm not great with trim details.

 

[Keowee]

Anyone have the US ID.4 rear crash bar (impact bar) part numbers for FE vs Pro? I was trying to see the differences.

PS - Yes the large opening was a bit strange if no tow package

 

[Andy at Ross-Tech.com]

Anyone have the US ID.4 rear crash bar (impact bar) part numbers for FE vs Pro? I was trying to see the differences.

According to PartsLink24 my FE has:

11A 803 881 A cross member trailer hitch complete: 11A803881A - Member. Group - Genuine Volkswagen Part

The Pro S at my local dealer has:

11A 807 305 A bumper bracket:

11A807305A - Bumper Impact Bar (Lower) - Genuine Volkswagen Part

Genuine Volkswagen Part # 11A807305A (11A-807-305-A, 11A807305) - Bumper Impact Bar (Lower). Fits ID.4, Q4 e-tron, Q4 e-tron Sportback

parts.vw.com

 

[California Phil]

I just got my ID.4 Pro this week and was sad to see no hitch, as well. VW website was unclear on this and even the demonstrator I drove had the hitch and it was not the FE model. I need one to add my bike carrier so I will be watching your effort on this!

Good luck!

 

[GTiD4]

This is a little disappointing. I was hoping to see and open mounting location similar to what was found on an FE.

USA ID.4 tow hitch

USA iD4 tow hitch - It's a bolt on so if it's not in your package you can mount an after market. I bet underlying bumper is same for all models as a matter of production efficiency. (EURO peps does your hitch mount to bumper in same manner?) Pic is from a FE on US demo drive tour

www.vwidtalk.com

 

[Keowee]

According to PartsLink24 my FE has:

11A 803 881 A cross member trailer hitch complete: 11A803881A - Member. Group - Genuine Volkswagen Part

The Pro S at my local dealer has:

11A 807 305 A bumper bracket:

11A807305A - Bumper Impact Bar (Lower) - Genuine Volkswagen Part

Genuine Volkswagen Part # 11A807305A (11A-807-305-A, 11A807305) - Bumper Impact Bar (Lower). Fits ID.4, Q4 e-tron, Q4 e-tron Sportback

parts.vw.com

Andy,
Thanks for quick information. I am definitely considering replacing rear bracket / crash bar from Pro S to FE configuration for tow hitch. Parts costs are a bit high right now. Might need to wait for an aftermarket solution

 

[Keowee]

Well the cross member for towing is showing up at around $450 now at several VW dealers. Still hoping someone lists one for $200-300 (since crash part some non-OEM solutions should appear).

 

[Pfrancis24]

I’m waiting on my Pro to arrive in the US and watching the hitch developments closely. I admit I was annoyed to see the cross member didn’t come with the necessary threads for a hitch to be added later.

I added a hitch mount to my Mazda 3 hatchback that mounted behind the cross member. Had to remove bumper cover, and cross member and then its mounting plates were sandwiched between the frame and cross member. Tidy once installed and no more work than replacing a cross member. Fingers crossed some one will design one like that for the id 4!!!

My hitch mounted up like the “hidden” one linked here:

Torklift Central | Select Your EcoHitch Style

Torklift Central Hitch & Tow installs trailer hitches for all types of vehicles, specializes in custom fabrication and manufactures the EcoHitch® to help you Get Out and Go Your Way!

torkliftcentral.com

 

[Keowee]

Appears that Brink Europe has a kit for conversion. No price yet. However, the manual shows parts and describes retrofit (remove bumper, crash bar - replace with ...) - click link to manual. At least people are working on kits ... Brink Trekhaken - Alle trekhaaktypes inclusief montage al vanaf €276!

 

[Dave Mc]

I looked at a Pro S/G today and it didn't look like the cut out had any available holes to bolt a hitch. I'm curious to see what the 1st Ed looks like with the hitch removed. Haven't found anything aftermarket yet. Are their any rails in front of the bumper to mount under it?

I'm a bit concerned also with how the backup sensors are going to react not only with a bike on but with my Kuat Transfer in the stored position. Would be a pain to have to disable it just to use reverse.

My buddy's OneUp rack makes his truck beep when he's backing up & pretty much blocks the rear-view camera. You don't have to disable it, you just have to live with the noise when you have your rack on.

 

[Skirmish]

I did a search across a bunch of dealers and various VW parts websites and prices for the OEM crossmember are all over the place. The cheapest was around $450 but shipping put them at or over $500. Local Vegas two dealers are at $780 and one is at $499. A bit crazy how random their pricing seems. I put in an inquiry with the parts department for the cheaper dealer and should have details tomorrow on wait time and fitment.
The price is still a lot more than I’d like to spend but I need to transport two very expensive mountain bikes at least once a week so it balances with the practicality of either shoving dusty bikes stacked in the trunk or wasting money on a roof mount system that I don’t want. Hatchmount is out of the question as they aren’t really made for a carbon frame MTB or really my roadie for that matter.

I have a first version Kuat Transfer 2 bike hitch mount rack that I love and already cut and welded shorter to not block the license plate on my Veloster. I’m ready to modify it again to clear the rear sensors if necessary. I don’t mind getting warnings if I have bikes on the back but I don’t want them every time I backup without the bikes too.

 

[California Phil]

I did a search across a bunch of dealers and various VW parts websites and prices for the OEM crossmember are all over the place. The cheapest was around $450 but shipping put them at or over $500. Local Vegas two dealers are at $780 and one is at $499. A bit crazy how random their pricing seems. I put in an inquiry with the parts department for the cheaper dealer and should have details tomorrow on wait time and fitment.
The price is still a lot more than I’d like to spend but I need to transport two very expensive mountain bikes at least once a week so it balances with the practicality of either shoving dusty bikes stacked in the trunk or wasting money on a roof mount system that I don’t want. Hatchmount is out of the question as they aren’t really made for a carbon frame MTB or really my roadie for that matter.

I have a first version Kuat Transfer 2 bike hitch mount rack that I love and already cut and welded shorter to not block the license plate on my Veloster. I’m ready to modify it again to clear the rear sensors if necessary. I don’t mind getting warnings if I have bikes on the back but I don’t want them every time I backup without the bikes too.

Do you have a part number for the crossmember? I am in the same boat and need to figure out how to get this done.

 

[Keowee]

Do you have a part number for the crossmember? I am in the same boat and need to figure out how to get this done.

Andy at RossTech.com looked up FE part number (above in chat) as "11A 803 881 A cross member trailer hitch complete: 11A803881A - Member. Group - Genuine Volkswagen Part"

Brink EU has kit 40032, but no price yet. Below was from manual ... looks very different from just adding crossmemeber . The search continues ....

 

[p7wang]

Thanks for the thread. Went for a test drive today and salesman claims that a tow hitch can be added to the Pro S RWD... seems that's not the case... typical clueless sales people.

 

[GTiD4]

The "WHAT THIS FITS" list has been updated. Previously it only listed the 1st Edition. Maybe someday there will be an option for Pro drivers! Add in the wiring harness, control module and wiring harness socket and it could be yours for what? $1536 plus labor!