Removable Hitch: Do You Need to Remove It?

...is attached? I often read online and elsewhere that it should be disconnected if nothing is attached. However, the salespeople at the car dealerships all say, 'You can leave it on.' What is correct? Perhaps someone could provide a relevant legal text?

Best regards, WarLord.

Hello, I can't imagine that you would need to remove the ball head. You wouldn't detach the trailer hitch if you're not towing anything, would you?
The detachable version is more suitable for those who rarely need to tow and find the hitch itself unsightly.

Hi WarLord,

The tow hitch must be removed if, due to the height of your vehicle, it obstructs the license plate. It fits perfectly on a Golf, but to be honest, I don't know which other car models this might happen to (perhaps something like an Opel Combo or a VW Caddy?).
Regarding the Passat you're planning to buy, the license plate is clearly visible, and it also has a rigid coupling attached.

Okay, so that 'must be removable' requirement is probably out the window. But it's still going to be a fixed one (cheaper, the removable ones look bad with the ball joint, and the hole in the bumper is already there anyway).

Best regards, WarLord.

Hi,

"With the Ibiza 6K GP01, it's like this... the head needs to be removed because otherwise, the headrest would stick out a few centimeters in front of the license plate. Someone in the Ibiza forum even got into trouble because of it (they had a fixed headrest, but that still means there shouldn't be a headrest there)."

Otherwise, for purely practical reasons, I would always remove this part. After a (short) trailer ride, the coupling is still nice and clean, so you can remove it and store it without looking like a mess, but if you leave it on for many kilometers, it's likely to get quite dirty.

Conversely, it also helps against those who are clumsy or inept at maneuvering.

I've also read about insurance policies that don't cover damages caused by a detachable coupling that wasn't disconnected.

Best regards,

Jan.

Hi Jan,


I generally believe that this type of insurance policy is likely to be challenged, simply because there are inflexible people involved. I always opt out of these policies because I rarely need them. However, if I forget to opt out and an accident occurs, I believe the insurance company will eventually be dragged into court.

Whether it's necessary or not, replace them! I've seen some where the locking mechanisms were so corroded that they could never get the clutch off! And in those cases, a complete replacement is usually the only solution. The next owner will definitely appreciate it.
P.S. Always attach the cap when riding without the hook, and a little grease from time to time won't hurt!
Best regards,
Blechghost

Jan6K wrote:

...I've also read about insurance policies that don't cover damages caused by a detachable coupling that wasn't disconnected.

...

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

... I tend to believe that such an insurance decision is challengeable...

This procedure is not disputable. By signing your insurance contract, you commit to a certain duty of care towards the insurance company. If you do not remove a detachable trailer hitch, you violate this duty of care and, consequently, the insurance agreement. The insurance company may (but is not obligated to) deny insurance coverage.


Certainly, the AHK (trailer hitch) must be removed if the license plate is obscured (even partially, e.g., by IBI or G4). However, this should also be stated in the vehicle's manual.
Please note that if the vehicle is operated in this manner, it is not a minor offense, but rather "operating a vehicle without a valid operating permit."

Hi Bertil.

Okay, I need to get this straight. I understand the concept of "Sorgfaltspflicht" (duty of care), and I've just pulled out my insurance policy documents to look for relevant information. Specifically, I couldn't find anything about detachable trailer hitches, but it does mention that negligently installed accessories can jeopardize insurance coverage. I have an original, detachable trailer hitch from VW. I've mentioned before that I only use it every 15 months or so (it was just incredibly cheap...). It's now properly registered in my vehicle documents. However, it doesn't state that the hitch needs to be removed.
What are the insurance-related differences between a detachable and a fixed [e.g., tow hitch/roof rack]?
I could have them installed so I can drive right up to the trailer and rip an opponent apart in the process...?

Okay, it doesn't bother me, since I only attach that thing because of the ugliness when I'm backing up to the trailer. Now I'm going to look for court rulings, which I'm very interested in!

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

Hi Bertil. Okay, I need to know this for sure. I understand the concept of "Sorgfaltspflicht" (duty of care), and I've just dug out and searched my insurance policy terms and conditions. However, I can't find anything specifically about fitted/mounted trailer couplings.

Of course, not every detail is mentioned. If necessary, you can always ask the insurance company for clarification.

Quote:

Now I have an original detachable tow hitch from VW. I mentioned before that I only need to use it every 15 months or so (it was just incredibly cheap...). It's now also properly registered in my vehicle documents. However, it doesn't state that it needs to be detached.

According to the owner's manual (and the approval document), the trailer hitch on the G4 Limo (not the station wagon!) must be removed when no trailer is attached, as it slightly covers the taillight.

With the G4, it's not as bad as it is with, for example, the Subaru Legacy or the Peugeot 205, where the entire NS (nose section) is covered.

Quote:

What are the insurance-related differences between a detachable and a fixed [e.g., tow hitch/roof rack]? I could have them installed so I can drive right up to the trailer and rip an opponent apart in the process...?

The insurance company can reclaim the additional damage (caused by the trailer hitch that was not removed) from the policyholder. The liability insurance must pay first.
The comprehensive insurance policy may refuse to cover this additional damage. However, this is irrelevant with a rigid tow hitch, as the driver has no influence over it (and it's not removable anyway).

I'm not aware of any case where an insurance company has actually used this clause, but I've been contacted by my insurance advisor about it on several occasions.
A vehicle damage appraiser told me about a case where the insurance company had the additional damage removed from the estimate (I wonder why). I don't know if a deduction was then applied in that case.
However, as insurance companies increasingly try to minimize payouts, this generous approach is likely to become less common in the future.



Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Addendum:"

Excerpt from the operating instructions for my detachable Westfalia tow hitch:




According to this, it is even mandatory to remove the ball head when using the combination version.

Thanks, Bertil. I understand everything you've said, but honestly, it doesn't really make sense considering the fixed [situation/prices/etc.]. Thanks anyway!

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

Thank you, Bertil. I understand everything, but really, it doesn't make sense, especially considering the fixed [aspect/situation].

I see it that way too...

Okay, I've already sent an email to the car dealership requesting a fixed-price offer. That way, I'm definitely on the safe side, and it's also cheaper.

Best regards, WarLord.

Hi,

Thankfully, there is also competition in the insurance industry.
So, my detachable part is always attached, I have enough other things to do without having to put it on and take it off every week.
Furthermore, it is a) very practical against reckless drivers and b) I have already had someone rear-end me at a traffic light. It has proven to be very useful.
If an insurance company should have the brilliant idea to reduce a claim using some flimsy and nonsensical justification, I request that the process be documented and shared here in the forum.
With approximately 2600 forum visitors daily, this certainly has a very positive impact on acquiring new customers for a company like "Kniebohrer Versicherung."

Best regards, Rainer.

Rainer K. wrote:

So, my detachable one is always attached...

Sure, here's the translation:

"Short note:"

The instructions I posted apply to the following vehicles: Audi A3, VW Golf sedan and station wagon, Bora station wagon.

So, Rainer is driving around without an ABE...

... and also for the Passat. It's also stated exactly like that in my Westfalia documentation. Does it make sense...?

'For my part, I think the detachable Vespa is brilliant. It's simple, quick, discreet, and reliable. If I had the choice, I would definitely opt for a detachable one again!'