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CURT

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

Part Number: C12097

46 Reviews | 11 Questions

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$101.25

Retail:$176.95

You Save: $75.70

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2021 Chevrolet Corvette

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Product Images

curt trailer hitch receiver - custom fit class ii 1-1/4 inch

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In Use/Installed

2012 volkswagen tiguan trailer hitch curt class ii on a vehicle

2012 volkswagen tiguan trailer hitch curt class ii c12097

2012 volkswagen tiguan trailer hitch curt for towing c12097

2012 volkswagen tiguan trailer hitch curt for towing receiver - custom fit class ii 1-1/4 inch

2012 volkswagen tiguan trailer hitch curt for towing on a vehicle

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

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Videos

Setting up the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

DIY 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Installation for the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver

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SCHEDULE AN INSTALLATION

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 C12097 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.

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Reviews (46)
Q & A (0)
Related Parts
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CURT Trailer Hitch - C12097

Highlights

Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
Tows up to 3,500 lbs (GTW): Handles small campers, boats, and utility trailers with ease
Supports 350 lbs (TW): Works with bike racks, cargo carriers, and light towing gear
Bolt-On Installation: Mounts with included hardware—no drilling or welding required
Durable Steel Build: Fully welded construction provides lasting strength and stability
Gloss Black Powder Coat: Protective base coat resists rust for long-term corrosion protection

Features to know about

Add Real Utility Without the Hassle: Class II 1-1/4" Trailer Hitch Receiver

This Curt hitch is built for light-duty towing and everyday versatility. With a 3,500-lb maximum gross trailer weight and a 350-lb maximum tongue weight, it’s strong enough for small campers, boats, or utility trailers. The 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver opening works great for bike racks and cargo carriers too, so you can haul your gear without switching setups.

Easy Weekend Install: Bolt-On Design, No Welding Needed

You don’t need a lift or a welder to get this hitch mounted. The precision, robotic-welded construction lines up to factory holes for a clean bolt-on fit. Everything you need for installation comes in the box, including the full hardware kit and instructions. It’s a solid option for DIYers working in the driveway with basic tools.

Built to Last Through Weather and Road Grime: Gloss Black Powder Coat

The fully welded steel body gets a protective base coat and a gloss black powder finish that resists rust and corrosion. That finish keeps the hitch looking sharp after miles of rain, snow, and road salt. It also adds an extra layer of toughness so the hitch stays dependable season after season.

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: 350 lbs

Warranty

Limited lifetime warranty

12097 Curt Class 2 Trailer Hitch Receiver

Replaces 12254

Installation Details C12097 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles

2009 - 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
2017 - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited

Customer Satisfaction Score:

95% were satisfied with this product

5% of customers were not satisfied

Wrong item was ordered

5% of customers were not satisfied

Wrong item was ordered

4.9

46 reviews

5 Stars		(43)
4 Stars		(3)
3 Stars		(0)
2 Stars		(0)
1 Star		(0)

by: Scott P 03/18/2018

Along with the hitch I ordered a bike strap and torque wrench, all arrived sooner than scheduled and exactly as s described on the web site - great customer service!

The hitch was an extremely simple installation, about 10 minutes. Need to torque the bolts to 45lbs so don’t forget a torque wrench. The hitch is well concealed and blends with the car.

Click to Enlarge

by: James 12/12/2022

I did something outside the box. Mounted the 1 1/4. Tube to front of my car trailer for a winch. Ability to take it on & off. Noah bought in to what I was trying to accomplish. Thanks again etrailer.

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by: Brant P 06/12/2017

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Found out about etrailer from their YouTube video on how to install a hitch on my Tiguan. Wonderful video and great product. Super easy for a novice, about 30 minutes and I was done. If you have an extension for your socket, that will make the job easier.

Brant P. One Year Later

6/12/2018

No issues after a year of use! thanks for a great product and wonderful find

by: Betsy W 04/11/2015

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan

Last year I spent probably $200 to buy and install a hitch through UHaul. The location wasn't convenient but thought it was really my only option. Within 6 months I had to have the hitch removed because it was banging so much...turns out they installed the wrong size and banging against the muffler. Rather than having to deal with UHaul again, I found this hitch online and it looked really easy to install. On this site it was almost half of retail price and arrived quickly. It was super easy to install...10 minutes max. Couldn't be happier!

Betsy W. One Year Later

4/21/2016

Thank you for reaching out. It is still working great...used it all last summer for bike rack and will put that back on once the weather improves .

by: Lee 08/04/2023 One Year Later

I fitted a few of these over the years and this was simple. Very sturdy and the wiring kit is great.
Best one yet!

Click to Enlarge

by: Adam 12/18/2019 One Year Later

Purchased for use with a 1up bike rack, the hitch installed in minutes and has worked great! Seems heavy duty for the the size,and still looks new after a year of weekly abuse. I would suggest a 2" opening over the 1.25" if hauling more than 1bike even though the weight capacity is the same with this particular hitch.

by: John 05/27/2018 One Year Later

All is good. It attached perfectly, my mechanic is an excellent job putting the wiring in. I have pulled my boat many times and it is exactly what I expected. VW wants a $1000 installed for their hitch and wiring. Must used magic wire....lol. Great for my hitch mounted bike rack too. Use it a lot for that. thank you.

by: Kenneth B. 06/19/2017

Volkswagen Tiguan

Purchased a whole kit for my VW Tiguan, and let me say with the directions/video from etrailer, installation was by far the easiest thing. They don't miss a step in the instructions and are very detailed in what you need to do. I HIGHLY recommend etrailer for all your trailer needs. You don't even have to be handy, just have the tools and follow along. A+++

by: James 05/11/2020

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Excellent products. The only problem was that I ordered a pin and clip for a class 3, but ordered a class 2 hitch and draw bar. My fault, but I would thing that my mistake would have been noticed and perhaps brought to my attention. Again, the only problem was MY fault. I would definitely purchase from etrailer again.

by: Marty M. 07/19/2019

Installation was a breeze!
Thanks etrailer!
The online video sold me on your product & process. I’ve already recommended you to my son who’s looking for a hitch.

by: Mike M 05/01/2022

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan

Very easy to install on 2015 VW Tiguan.

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by: Warren D 01/15/2016

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Quality built hitch easy to put on works great

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by: Roman 10/02/2020

2017 Volkswagen Tiguan

Love that I was able to install myself. Took an entire 25 minutes or so. Using hitch on my 2017 Tiguan for a 1UP USA bike rack.

by: Rob C 07/26/2020 One Year Later

as always, the etrailer hitch was easy to install and works great. Very happy with this purchase.

by: Greg C 02/07/2017 One Year Later

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Good fit and better price than the VW version. Install was just bolting to the rear bumper after cutting an access hole to the bottom surface of the vinyl bumper cover.

by: Jeff B 06/17/2014

Receiver was well made and fit the existing mounting holes on the car frame perfectly. Installation took less than ten minutes and required only a sharp knife to trim the fascia and a socket wrench.

by: Snyder 12/09/2016 One Year Later

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

This hitch was super easy to find (the website is grand) ....fits my car perfect ....so easy to install! I installed it myself - 66 yr old woman!!! It allows me to take my bike everywhere!

by: Kristen B 11/27/2020 One Year Later

Easy install and no issues a year later. A good purchase! Don't waste your money paying someone else to install a hitch - just do it yourself :)

by: David 08/23/2022

Perfect fit and easy installation

by: Perry 05/02/2018

2017 Volkswagen Tiguan

Great product, fast shipping and excellent communication. Thanks.

by: Warren 02/20/2018

Delivered quickly. Quality product. Customer service during order was professional and efficient.

by: Ed L 10/20/2016 One Year Later

Easy to install and perfect fit for the vehicle

Ed L. One Year Later

10/20/2017

Still perfect after a year of use.

by: John 08/14/2020

Team members have it all covered with excellent customer services.

by: Tim 07/06/2018

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

Great product. Easy installation. Love it.

by: John B. 04/13/2020 One Year Later

Very easy to install on the VW Tiguan. Solid construction.
Might have to buy the 2" version for greater compatibility and I'll buy this brand.

true

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See what our Experts say about this CURT Trailer Hitch

Do you have a question about this Trailer Hitch?

Dimensions of Trailer Hitch Receiver for Volkswagen Tiguan
I can give you the dimensions of the Curt hitch for the Volkswagen Tiguan, part # C12097, but I can't guarantee whether or not it'll fit your vehicle. All of the products we carry are designed specifically for vehicles manufactured for the North American market. There are two sets of mounting holes and they're not even with one another. Center on center the holes closest to the rear of the vehicle with the hitch installed are about 3-1/8 inches apart and the ones towards the front are...
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Troubleshooting The Installation Of The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C12097 On A 2013 VW Tiguan
Hi Anna, The hardware should've came with the Curt # C12097 Trailer Hitch. Are you not finding factory weldnuts in the frame for the bolts to thread into? Is your Tiguan from the US market or from a foreign market? If you don't have weldnuts to thread into then you'll need to have a qualified welder weld the hitch to the frame, which wouldn't really be a huge deal but would obviously cost you a bit more to get installed properly.
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Which Trailer Hitch for 2002 Subaru Outback Sedan
We offer a Curt # C12270 or a Draw-Tite # 36284 Class II receiver hitch for your 2002 Subaru Outback Sedan. Both hitches would install in the same manner, with a couple of slight differences. Both hitches have the same 3000 lb towing capacity (limited to the 2000 lb towing capacity of the vehicle) but the Curt has a 350 lb tongue weight capacity while the Draw-Tite has a 300 lb tongue weight capacity. The crossbar of the Curt routes under the exhaust pipe while that of the Draw-Tite...
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Can Over-Trimmed Appearance Panel be Repaired After Hitch Installation
Oopses can happen. It's happened to me before so no worries! If you still have the piece that you trimmed away what I recommend is to use a product called JB Weld available at auto parts stores to affix it back on the available sides. JB Weld is a strong product and works with a variety of materials so the panel on the vehicle will not be an issue. If you do not still have the piece you can likely find a similar piece of plastic and use that instead. Or at the very least wrap up that electrical...
view full answer...
Bracket to Mount Factory Trailer Connector to a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan with Aftermarket Hitch
First if you are needing a 2 inch trailer hitch receiver then you will need to look at the Class III options for your 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. Curt hitch # C12097 is a Class II with a 1-1/4 inch receiver. Class III options include Curt hitch # C13133 or etrailer # e98906. I have linked installation videos for both hitches for you. If the factory wiring is a 4-Way flat connector, then 1 non-invasive option is the Curt Easy Mount system # C58001. It attaches to the hitch receiver and clamps...
view full answer...
Recommended Hitch for 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan That Does Not Require Stabilizing Strap 18050
Many Curt brand hitches do carry the warranty requirement to use a strap like # 18050 when any non-wheeled load is installed in the hitch, such as a bike rack or cargo carrier. This applies both to their 1-1/4-inch Class II hitch # C12097 and their 2-inch Class III hitch # C13133. The strap can be positioned at the top of the rear hatch, or on other vehicles to one of the raised roof side rails or roof rack crossbars. Since use of the strap can be a nuisance for some folks, I suggest choosing...
view full answer...
Weight of Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver for 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage
The Curt # C12097 you'd looked at isn't a fit for the 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage, so it wouldn't work for you but we do offer a hitch that fits. The Curt # C11394 weighs just under 20 lbs, and is the correct hitch for your Mirage.
view full answer...
Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendations for a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
There are several differences amongst the various hitch classes but the important factor is that the hitch is rated high enough for what you need it for. The hitch tongue weight and gross trailer weight capacity will need to exceed the trailer tongue weight and gross weight. Class I and II trailer hitches have 1-1/4 inch receiver openings whereas a Class III hitch will have a 2 inch receiver opening. Class I hitches usually top out at 200 pounds tongue weight capacity and 2,000 pounds...
view full answer...
Is the Curt Stabilizing Strap # 18050 Required With Curt Class II Hitch # C12097
The Curt Class II trailer hitch receiver offered for your 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, part # C12097, does require when using non-trailer loads such as a bike or cargo carrier that you use their stabilizing strap # 18050. This strap is intended to help support the downward force on the hitch (tongue weight) with all such non-wheeled loads and also to help reduce some of the inevitable random motion of the accessory in use. This is particularly important with a large platform bike carrier. Curt...
view full answer...
2017 VW Tiguan S - Is There Any Advantage To The 1-1/4" Hitch Over The 2" For Ground Clearance?
That is a good question. Comparing the 1-1/4" # C12097 and 2" # C13133 hitch for the 2017 VW Tiguan S, there is a slight difference in ground clearance, but not much. the 1-1/4" hitch # C12097 will sit about 3/4" higher than the 2" hitch. When we measure ground clearance, we measure from the upper inside edge of the hitch receiver, to the ground. This measurement is exactly the same (16") for both hitches. The only difference is the size of the receiver. The 2" hitch, being slightly larger,...
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Hitch Recommendation for a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SE
The Curt Hitch part # C12097 that you referenced has been confirmed to fit all models of the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan so it should work well with your SE model. All non-trailer loads - bike racks, cargo carriers and so forth - should be supported with stabilizing straps. Failure to properly support these loads will void your hitch warranty from Curt. For that you will want the part # 18050. I attached a video that details how it would work.
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