Accessing the Bumper Beam on a 2004 Volkswagen Passat to Drill Holes to Install a Trailer Hitch

Updated 06/06/2012 | Published 06/03/2012

Question:

When installing this hitch, it appears to be impossible to access the bumper beam to drill the last two holes. This part of the hitch is buried so deeply back under the fascia, it seems impossible to access this area to drill the necessary holes with standard tools. How do you do this?

asked by: Evan G

Expert Reply:

In some cases, you will need to loosen and pull back any covering that is in the way to drill the required holes in the bumper beam to install Curt trailer hitch # 11054 on a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. If you have a wagon model, you will not drill in the bumper beam but rather fishwire in the hardware according to the instructions I have linked for you to view.

If you are able to get the vehicle up higher it will be easier to get a drill in place without having to loosen or remove anything on the vehicle. Since not everyone has access to a lift or a jack with enough rise, moving things out of the way for a clear shot with a drill would be the way to go.

expert reply by: Michael H