Difference Between Curt and Draw-Tite Class III Hitches Available for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

Updated 08/02/2020 | Published 03/25/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"

(104)

$223.56

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(45)

$97.07

1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs

(2612)

$11.94

Draw-Tite Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 2-3/4" Rise, 4" Drop - 9" Long - 7.5K

(3431)

$38.67

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs

(1354)

$13.59

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

(104)

$238.18

Question:

Which Class III 2 inch hitch for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas is best? I'm familiar with Draw-Tite but Curt? Not so much.

asked by: Vincent F

Expert Reply:

Both the Curt # C13366 and the Draw-Tite # 76176 have been designed to be mostly concealed behind the bumper once installed. The only portion of the hitch that will be visible from the rear is the receiver tube and the safety chain loops. Both hitches have the same exact weight capacities and an identical installation procedure. The Curt model will provide an extra half inch of ground clearance at 14 inches, if that parameter is important to you. How to choose between the two? Both are so similar that you can choose the less expensive of the two without having to feel like you sacrificed capacity or quality by doing so.

If you'll be using the hitch to tow a trailer, you'll need a couple of more items to complete your towing system. For a trailer wiring harness, use # 118754. For a ball mount, you'd need # 2753 and # 19260 for a 1-7/8 or # 63845 for a 2 inch ball.

I've linked install videos for both hitches as well as the trailer wiring harness.

expert reply by: Mike L

Nathan

7/26/2020

Why am I able to use a weight distribution hitch with the Draw-Tite but not the Curt?

Chris R.

8/2/2020

It is simply how the trailer hitches are rated by the manufacturer. Curt has decided that their model either isn't rated for the extra stress that a WD system puts on the unit or simply hasn't sufficiently tested the hitch to verify this.