Bumper Mount and Frame Mount Trailer Hitches for a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

Updated 01/17/2012 | Published 01/16/2012

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

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$92.90

ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit

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$192.61

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1375)

$93.56

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(163)

$100.49

Curt RV Bumper 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

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$116.94

Question:

I have a concern about the etrailer Class III Part Number: e98906 that you have for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. It seems to attach to the bumper, as for that matter does the hitch that VW will install at the factory if you order one when you buy the car. According to my very knowledgable mechanic, hitches that attach to the bumper are unsafe because if youre trailer s into a crack in the road or a deep pothole, it can pull the bumper off the car. Contrast those hitches to the Curt Class III Receiver Hitch for the Tiguan Part Number: C13058 that attaches to the frame of the vehicle. Isnt the Curt a much more secure hitch? One other question: The Curt class 3 hitch is rated by Curt to a gross towing capacity of 3500 lbs, while VW recommends max towing of 2200 lbs. What limits the towing capacity of a vehicle? Is it how secure the hitch is to the vehicle eg. the Curt hitch attaches to the frame, while the others attach to the bumper, or is it the vehicle characteristics engine, transmission, and suspension which can only tolerate so much towing?

asked by: Leo S

Expert Reply:

On most vehicles, the bumper beam is attached to the vehicle frame. A hitch that attaches to the bumper beam (a lot of Jeep and Dodge truck applications are like this) is just as safe and secure as a frame mount hitch. It would take an impressive amount of force and one heck of a crack in the road to pull the bumper off of a vehicle, provided the hitch is installed correctly.

Your mechanic may be thinking of a hitch that attaches to a square bumper like # E-100. You would not use this type of hitch on a vehicle and I could see it causing some issues if overloaded or stressed too far. But the bumper beam is structurally different than this type of bumper.

The towing capacity of the hitch # C13133 is 3,500 pounds as you have stated. Depending on how you vehicle is equipped, it could be rated for that much or less. Some vehicles have a tow package that may include heavier duty components, a transmission cooler or other parts that maximize the towing capacity. But, if the vehicle is only rated for 2,200 pounds, you must go by that. The attachment point of the hitch does not necessarily affect the capacity when looking at Class III and some Class II hitches.

If you like the Curt hitch, # C13058, I have included a link to the installation details for you. If you plan on doing some towing I recommend the etrailer Ball Mount Kit, # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts, 2 balls, a hitch pin with clip, and a carrying bag.

For trailer wiring you can use # 119250KIT. I have included a link to the installation details for the wiring as well.