Trailer couplings are practical and versatile, and even a small car can be transformed into a donkey for heavy loads. However, if you misuse it and use it for towing, for example, you risk consequential damage.
Just quickly taking away the tree cuttings, transporting bulky furniture from A to B or fetching wood for the fireplace: with the right trailer and a trailer coupling, that’s no problem.
Retrofitting only partially possible
In principle, almost any car can be equipped with this, says Dietmar Clysters from the German Association of the Motor Vehicle Trade (ZDK). "Technically this is not a problem, and with many new cars this is even possible ex factory. Otherwise, a trailer hitch can always be added later."
If necessary, ordering them at the same time as buying a new car has advantages: "this is usually the cheaper and more elegant option." because manufacturers then usually charge only the pure material costs. In addition, the installation is also easier. And the matching bumper with the corresponding recess is mounted right away.
Often no trailer coupling for hybrid vehicles
E-cars and hybrid vehicles are usually the exception: "this is due to the limited range of these vehicles anyway", explains rudiger niemann from the company westfalia automotive. "In order not to place additional loads on the drives from rear-mounted carrier systems or even trailers, most manufacturers do not approve their electric and hybrid vehicles for the attachment of towbars."
Retrofit trailer hitch
When retrofitting a trailer hitch, the rear bumper must be removed in any case. "A steel bracket, on which the hitch is then centered, is attached to the floor assembly, which distributes the load to be towed well", says clysters. besides this, an additional wiring harness must be pulled into the interior or trunk to connect the 7- or 13-pin power plug and the electrical system to the vehicle electrical system. according to clysters the costs for the retrofit of a detachable trailer hitch are between 800 and 1.000 euro. Somewhat cheaper is the permanently installed trailer hitch.
It is certainly the cheaper option and also the better choice for very frequent or commercial use, says niemann. "There are no differences in terms of installation or technical requirements." on the other hand, if you only occasionally travel with a trailer and want to preserve the look of your vehicle, you should opt for the version with a detachable ball bar.
what to consider for the trailer hitch
"Basically, you should always remove the ball bar when not in use, because then it is not exposed to the weather", niemann recommends. He advises inserting a plug in the intake pipe to prevent dirt from accumulating here.
If a detachable trailer hitch covers the license plate, drivers must always remove it when not in use. "Then paragraph 27 of the vehicle registration ordinance applies, according to which the license plate must not be concealed", says tobias goldkamp, specialist in traffic law. Whether detachable models must otherwise be removed when not in use is controversial.
"According to section 30c of the road traffic licensing regulations, no parts may protrude in such a way that they endanger traffic more than is unavoidable", he explains and advises dismantling. "If a trailer hitch increases accident damage because it was left on the vehicle unnecessarily, this can be taken into account when determining liability."
Duties in case of accident
After a rear-end collision, drivers should have the trailer hitch checked at the garage. "Even if the trailer coupling has not been visually damaged and looks completely intact, hairline cracks can result in the event of a collision from behind, warns clysters.
the trailer hitch can also be damaged if it is not used for its intended purpose. "They are not designed for recovering from other vehicles or pulling out tree roots, for example", says niemann.