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  1. Trailer Hitch
  2. CURT
  3. 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
  4. Class II
  5. 3500 lbs GTW
  6. Concealed Cross Tube
THIS ITEM IS NOT A FIT FOR
2001 Chrysler 300M
etrailer Installation
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CURT

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

Part Number: C12296
In Stock
$251.19
Retail:$409.95
You Save: $158.76
Trailer Hitch
Not Confirmed to Fit

2001 Chrysler 300M

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etrailer Installation
We'll connect you with nearby partnered installers who know this exact setup.
Perfect for light-duty towing, this custom, vehicle trailer hitch receiver features fully welded, gloss powder coated steel construction. Drawbar sold separately. Great Prices for the best trailer hitch from CURT. Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4" part number C12296 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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  • Reviews (61)
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CURT Trailer Hitch - C12296

Highlights

  • Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
  • Tows up to 3,500 lbs (GTW): Handles small campers, boats, or utility trailers with stability
  • Holds up to 300 lbs (TW): Supports bike racks, cargo carriers, and light-duty towing gear
  • Bolt-On Design: Installs using standard tools and included hardware—no welding needed
  • Concealed Cross Tube: Keeps a clean, factory-like look under the bumper
  • Gloss Black Powder Coat: Protective base coat resists rust for long-term durability
Made in USA

Features to know about

Haul More Without the Hassle: Class II 1-1/4" Receiver for Light Towing

Perfect for light-duty towing, this Class II hitch is rated for up to 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight and 300 lbs tongue weight. It’s a solid option for small trailers, cargo baskets, and bike racks when you want to add extra utility without stepping up to a larger 2" setup. The 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver gives you a secure fit for your accessories while keeping weight and bulk low.

Built Strong to Last: Fully Welded Steel with Protective Finish

The square-tube construction and precision robotic welding give this hitch its sturdy, heavy-duty feel. A gloss black powder coat finish over a protective base coat defends against rust and corrosion from road grime and weather. It’s designed to hold up through years of towing and hauling without losing its clean look underneath the bumper.

Simple Installation You Can Tackle Yourself: Bolt-On Design

No welding or frame drilling needed here—this hitch uses a bolt-on installation with the included hardware kit and instructions. The custom-fit design lines up with existing mounting points for an easier job in the driveway using common tools. It’s built so DIY installers can get it mounted and ready to tow without needing a lift or specialized equipment.

Specs

Dimensions

  • Receiver opening: 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"

Weight and Capacity

  • Rating: Class II
  • Maximum gross trailer weight: 3,500 lbs
  • Maximum tongue weight: 300 lbs

Warranty

  • Limited lifetime warranty

12296 Curt Class 2 Trailer Hitch Receiver

Installation Details C12296 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles




Customer Satisfaction Score:

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

61 reviews
Review sort icon
Perfect for light-duty towing, this custom, vehicle trailer hitch receiver features fully welded, gloss powder coated steel construction. Drawbar sold separately.

by:

The hitch and wiring kit are great. But the boxing was not so good, when delivered the hitch was coming out of the box. Should zip tie the hitch to the box to keep it from moving around. Thank you



by:

I could not believe how quickly the hitch was delivered. And is already installed and working good. The customer service representative was very helpful in assisting me in picking out the correct hitch for my needs.



by:

The product arrived on time and has been installed. All seems great so far just need the bike rack so I can test it out. The Swagman is on b/o.The team at etrailer notified me right away and gave me an option of a refund. I will wait.



by:

We are excited to have our new Curt trailer hitch to haul our bikes around. This item was very easy to order and the video online assisted us with knowing how to install. Item is as it was represented. Would purchase again. Would recommend!



by:

This hitch was a great install! The video on how to install it was really helpful, no problems whatsoever.

Rich G. profile picture

Rich G.

11/7/2017

Couldnt be happier....I tell everyone about etrailer. I would highly recommend your products.



by:

I love my new trailer hitch. It looks great on my ford Taurus. My wife was worried about it sticking out from the bumper but this hitch is a perfect fit ,barely visible .AND was so easy to install.



by:

I really like the fact that “no drilling” was required. Installation took about 2 hrs working by myself. Feeding the bolts down the inside of the frame was a trip, but the supplied wire threaded tools worked great.



by:

Because of the great customer service I received from you when I ordered my first hitch a few years ago, is exactly why I ordered from you again! And, Again, You Did Not Disappoint!

I strongly suggest and encourage using etrailer.com!!!



by:

Great service, A1quality product, the install was quick and easy. I have a five year old vehicle and removal of exhaust hangers was more problematic because of northern winter corrosion. Haven’t finished with wiring harness but the install looks simple and direct.



by:

The trailer hitch receiver looked good and seemed to be well manufactured.

I do have two concerns.

1. The way the product was shipped. The box was twice as large as it needed to be and one of the wings of the hitch was sticking out of the box.
2. When I was installing the receiver hitch, I could not get the fourth bolt to go in. I had started the nuts on the bolts that dropped through the frame, but when I tried to start the fourth bolt where the mufflerhanger had been it would go in.



by:

I ordered the Curt Class 2 hitch for my 2012 Taurus to pull a motorcycle trailer and/or mount a bike rack. All the parts came in right on time and I had no problems with the installation, though If you can get a helper do so (pretty heavy). The installation video was very helpful. All the parts look like good quality and am very pleased that the hitch is barely visible. I also ordered the Curt wiring kit and that went in without a hitch. Har Har



by:

Installation of the hitch and light harness could not have been easier. Just like it is shown in the video. The pln that holds the receiver in the hitch did not work for me. The pin hit the hitch when spinning to align the hole for the cotter pin. The hole was always at an angle that prevented me form inserting the pin. The pin with the groove for the cotter pin worked for me. Still very happy with the product.



by:

Hitch was shipped in a timely manner. Upon arrival, I installed on a 2013 Ford Taurus. Pretty straight forward. The pictures that can be found on eTrailers website accurately depicted the installation procedure. The hardest part was getting the fishing cable to the hole so I could fish the bolts to the correct holes. I like the way the hitch looks on the car. It is hidden and not really noticeable. I won't be able to give towing feedback as this hitch will only be used to carry bicycles. Good product and good company to do business. Would recommend eTrailer!!



by:

First off, shipping was fast. Only problem I had was I had to wait a couple of days for the weather to clear before I could do the install. I watched the videos before installing the tow bar and wiring harness and it was an easy install. Looks great on the car and now the wife and I can start using our small trailer to haul our camping / glamping gear. Great product, great customer service and great instructional videos. I would have to say that Etrailer will be getting more of my business real soon.



by:

Bought this hitch for my 2016 Taurus SEL so I could use the cargo carrier I already had. Now I can again haul yard waste to my city's composting site without having to vacuum the trunk.

Installation was done professionally by a mobile installer to save time and effort.



by:

I ordered a bolt on trailer hitch for my Ford Taurus. Hitch arrived exactly when etrailer said it would. Hitch was installed very easily. Just followed instructions that came with hitch. Very pleased with the hitch and the Courteous service. Thank you etrailer!!



by:

After getting estimates on having a Trailer Hitch installed on our Taurus we choose to do our own installation of a Hitch and a Wiring Harness. Using your Videos as a guide we ordered the Hitch and Harness along with the proper Receiver. Using the Video's while we were installing these items proved to be the correct way to install them. Most Helpful and most gratifying afterward. If we could do it, you can also. Were in our late 70's with a brand new Wave Runner we intend to use .



by:

I purchased this hitch for a 2011 Taurus. The price was very resonable.
I'm 73 years old and I installed this by myself in less than 3 hours. The attached directions were very good and it was easy to install. I didn't have to drill any holes. The hitch included everything I needed to install the hitch. I also purchased the electrical kit. It also installed easy with great directions.
I was very pleased with my purchase and would recommend this hitch to anyone needing one.
I use it to pull a 6 x 8 foot trailer and have used it numerous times. It works great.



by:

Easiest hitch install I've ever done! Now I can haul my race kart to the track. Thanks etrailer!

Tom L. profile picture

Tom L.

3/12/2014

Works great. Thanks

Patrick B. profile picture

Patrick B.

3/13/2014

Thanks for coming back and following up with us!


by:

Installed this on my 2010 Ford Taurus SEL for a cross-country move. Installation was a breeze even for one person (two is strongly recommended, however). Put a rental Covered Trailer on it and filled it to the brim. It’s been a year since then and I’ve had absolutely no issue with loose bolts, corrosion, or anything for that matter. It looks good on the car, too. etrailer has also been very good about service.

It fit my price range, weight requirements, and timeframe, perfectly. I would strongly recommend this along with the wiring harness and ball hitch setup for anyone in a similar situation.



by:

The products arrived earlier than expected and packed securely.
As always the product and the installation videos are great.



by:

Fast service. Thank you. Hope I ordered the right one.



by:

Bought the hitch to use solely to carry a bike rack. When I saw I would have to fish three of the bolts and spacers through the frame I was a little intimidated. However after studying the instructions on using the fishing wire, it was really a snap. I completed the installation without even having to jack up the car! It took more time to clean out the one threaded weld than to fish the other three. This is my second Curt hitch. This one is on a 2010 Ford Taurus. The other on a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring. Both for bike racks. Both perfect fits. Shipping was free and quick. Highly recommend etrailer and this hitch.

Jack H. profile picture

Jack H.

5/20/2015

Great, no problems or complaints after first year.



by:

Installation took less than 2hrs . Very clear instructions. Hardest thing was removing the rubber hangers.



by:

Easy installation. I did it myself in the driveway. Instructions were clear and concise. I do recommend an impact driver for removal of stock exhaust hangers and remember to torque to specs.


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See what our Experts say about this CURT Trailer Hitch

  • Trailer Hitch Receivers to Fit 2013 Ford Taurus and 2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Models
    The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C12296 does not fit the Police Interceptor model of the 2013 Ford Taurus. So that's not the hitch you want. However, the Draw-Tite Max-Frame # 75670 will. If you also need trailer wiring to tow a trailer use # 118599. This will give you a 4-way connector. I've linked videos of both being installed. The Draw-Tite # 76034 will fit the 2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor. I've linked a video of one we did here. The wiring you'll need is # 118540.
    view full answer...
  • Trailer Hitch Receivers and 4-Way Flat Wiring That Fits 2018 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor Edition
    You will need the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75670, as the Curt # C12296 will not fit your Police Interceptor edition of your 2018 Ford Taurus. This comes with the 2" opening that will allow you to use a larger variety of accessories and ball mounts. The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118599 will provide you a 4-way flat connector. This connector can be used for small trailers you may tow or Auxiliary Lights # C53201. The auxiliary lights are needed if your hitch mounted accessory...
    view full answer...
  • What Vehicles Does Curt Trailer Hitch C12296 Fit
    The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C12296 does only fit certain model years of Ford Taurus; if you have a Ford Taurus anywhere from the 2010 through 2019 model years, this hitch will fit. The hitch is a really nice option as it does not require any drilling to the frame of your Taurus in order to install, unlike other hitches for these vehicles. I have added links below to installs on a couple of different model years for you to check out as well of the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C12296.
    view full answer...
  • Does Curt Hitch C12296 Fit 2012 Ford Taurus Limited with Single Exhaust
    As long as your 2012 Ford Taurus isn't a SHO model the Curt hitch part # C12296 would fit and work well with the single exhaust configuration. The SHO models are the only ones excluded from the fits.
    view full answer...
  • How to Order Replacement Hitch Install Hardware for a Curt Hitch on a 2010 Ford Taurus
    The part number for replacement hitch hardware is # RHK. You would need to enter the part number of the hitch you have in the box and then select Curt from the drop down menu and we will ship you out the correct hardware. For your 2010 Ford Taurus you would have either the # C12296 if the hitch opening is 1-1/4 or part # C13379 if the opening is 2 inch.
    view full answer...
  • E-Bike Rack For Rear of Vehicle Being Flat Towed
    I have a solution for you but you'd have to have a 2 inch hitch installed on your 2018 Ford Taurus like the Curt # C12296. Then you could use the Hollywood Rack RV Rider part # HLY64FR for fat bikes which is confirmed as a fit at the rear of a vehicle that is being flat towed. When a vehicle is flat towed it will have a slight side to side sway to it as the steering works to keep itself centered as you are travelling. This side to side sway can sometimes cause stress on bike racks which...
    view full answer...
  • Exhaust on 2011 Ford Taurus Rattles Against Trailer Hitch Going Over Bumps
    The exhaust on any given vehicle could be able to move enough to make contact with a trailer hitch. If this happens there are some things that you can do to correct the issue. We have a help article on the subject that I have linked for you which includes the various ways that the issue can be resolved. If you go with Curt hitch # C12296 and plan on doing some towing then you can use ball mount # C45518. For a 1-7/8 inch ball use # 19256 and for a 2 inch ball use # 19258. And for trailer...
    view full answer...

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