What Hitch do I Need for My 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan? Will the One from My 2024 Fit?

Updated 10/20/2025 | Published 06/04/2025

Products Featured in This Question

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

(13)

$239.28

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

(376)

$206.94

Question:

What is the difference between the C99RJ for the 2025 Tiguan and the C13381 for earlier Tiguans? I have a C13381 that i have used for about 5 different Tiguans that I have changed out as yearly leases. My next lease would be a 2025 Tiguan, and I checked your website to check compatibility and saw the new C99RJ for preorder, but the picture is the same as the C13381 and I didnt see what had changed. Thanks

asked by: Craig

Expert Reply:

Hello Craig,

They changed the frame on the Volkswagen Tiguan for the 2025 model, so the one from before that you were able to move from car to car will no longer fit. We use the picture from the 2024 for the pre-order because it will look somewhat the same, but will obviously be different to bolt up to the new frame.

So the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13381 will not fit your new 2025, but when they are done designing the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" - Preorder # C99RJ it will fit.

What do you mainly use the hitch for?

expert reply by: Kate F

Mark S.

6/15/2025

2025 Tiguan 4 cylinder haul 8,000 lbs? Or stop it? I'm not trying it.

Kate F.

6/16/2025

@MarkS I know the Tiguan is definitely not rated to tow 8K. I do not have a database that supplies me with what every vehicle is rated for, the hitches are usually rated higher than the vehicle and you are only as strong as your weakest link. You will need to check your owners manual to see what your 2025 Tiguan is rated for. I cannot suggest towing anything over what the manufacturer says.

Betsy

7/1/2025

@KateF 'it's very deceiving to see that hitch and think it attaches to the 2025 model tiguan. You should remove the picture and say still developing. I have that hitch and it does not work with the 2025 model and no way to make holes to attach it. I have taken it to 2 mechanics and not available. I am very upset with VW making something and not being able to buy a part for it before the summer starts. the hitch attaches in a totally different manner than the one pictured there. thanks Betsy

Kate F.

7/1/2025

@Betsy I definitely see where you are coming from Betsy. I am going to suggest that we put something along the lines stating that it is not the actual hitch on the picture. Yes, it is very frustrating when they change the body on the vehicles, the after market guys do not get an early sample either so they have to wait until the vehicle is released so they can design a new hitch. Hopefully they will release something soon. I definitely do appreciate the feedback.

Paul

6/16/2025

Will the 2025 model follow the same design as the 1 1/4 that I have on my 2022 Tiguan, specifically that there will be no horizontal bar visible, only the receiver sticking from underneath the rear bumper? I understand that only a 2" model will be available, no 1 1/4?

Kate F.

6/17/2025

@Paul I would imagine that it will be the same design. When they change the frame of the vehicles it is usually just minor adjustments that need to be made to the hitches. We don't really know until we get out hands on one.

Paul

6/17/2025

@KateF To continue the discussion. My current Tiguan has a 1.25 receiver and I have a Thule T2 rack. Based on what I’ve seen in some other posts, I could get an adapter and anti-rattle locking pin to continue using the same rack?

Kate F.

6/18/2025

@Paul Yes, you can use an adapter like our Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Hitch - 6-1/2" Long # e43YR. By using an adapter it will cut your tongue weight in half. So please look at the tongue weight of your hitch, divide that in half, make sure you consider the weight of the T2 which is 50 pounds, and then whatever your bikes weigh. For anti rattle you will want the Roadmaster Quiet Hitch for 1-1/4" Trailer Hitches # RM-061-125, and you could pair it with the MaxxTow Hitch Receiver Lock for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - 2-3/4" Span - Black # MT38FR to deter theft.

See All (5) Replies to Paul ∨

Carlos

7/25/2025

Is there an ETA for the release of the new hitch for the 2025 Tiguan?

Kate F.

7/28/2025

@Carlos As of now Carlos, they are shooting for November. When it comes to the preorder hitches, I have learned that the release date is not the most accurate. I really wish I had a better answer for you.

Spence

8/12/2025

Hello Kate, I appreciate all your expert advice and have a followup question on the 2025 Tiguan hitch. We will need to mount a hitch to carry our bikes, our bike carrier fits a 2" receiver, no towing with our Tiguan is planned. Do you still recommend the curt hitch custom fit class III - 2" pre-order #C99R, or is there another solution you have that more easily mounts and supports just a bike carrier. Thank you for your feedback in advance!

Kate F.

8/12/2025

@Spence Hey Spence! Sounds like there’s quite the high demand for this hitch, I’m hoping Curt gets it released sooner rather than later. At this time, we don’t have any other hitches available for the 2025 Tiguan due to the frame change between the 2024 and 2025 models. I also don’t see them making a hitch for the Tiguan that isn’t a Class III. Anything smaller would only offer a 1-1/4" receiver, which limits compatibility. I would recommend waiting for this hitch. If you need a way to transport your bikes in the meantime, a trunk-mounted rack could be a good temporary solution. I recently got my son the Thule Gateway Pro 3 Bike Rack - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms # TH78VR and he loves it. I know the last thing you probably want to do is buy another rack when you already have one, but I wanted to put that option out there just in case. As of now, the release date for the hitch has been pushed back to November. Fingers crossed they can get it done sooner!

Johnny B.

10/11/2025

I’ve got the hitch installed on my 2025 Tigue Juan, however even through the dealership, I cannot get the proper wiring. So now I have a hitch and no way to wire it and apparently splitting it as a guessing game and can screw up the whole system. Let me know if anybody has found a solution for a proper wiring kit

Kate F.

10/16/2025

@JohnnyB At this time there is not a ply-n-play option Johnny, Curt is still working away on theirs. You could go with a splice in option like the Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit # C59496, you are correct that it can get tricky to find the right wires. You should use something like the Hook Probe Circuit Tester # PTW2993 so you can test the function of the wire on your Tiguan to ensure you are splicing into the correct wire. OR.... you can use our dealer locator to find someone in your area that can do the install. They will charge you to install the wiring, but it won't be those dealership prices. I added a link to the dealer locator.

Helpful Links

installer/near-me/trailer-service-and-repair

Jim

10/20/2025

@KateF Do you have any evidence of this solution working for the 25 Tiguan? I only ask because I have tried a few different splice in kits, and none have worked yet. Nothing seems to work with these data wires. Thanks.

Kate F.

10/20/2025

@Jim We have not been able to do an install on the 2025 Tiguan. What other kits did you try?

Kate F.

10/20/2025

@Jim That totally makes sense, and you’re not crazy for wondering about the R-Line. The 2025 Tiguan R-Line has a slightly different wiring setup than the lower trims, which is likely why both the Tekonsha ZCI and the Curt PWM kits didn’t work. The R-Line uses fancy matrix-style LED taillights that are controlled by the car’s computer system (the body control module) instead of normal 12-volt wires. So when you hook up a wiring kit that looks for voltage or current changes (like the ZCI or Curt), it basically can’t “see” the signals it needs to work, they just aren’t there in the same way. On regular Tiguan trims, the lights are simpler, and those kits can sometimes read the signals fine. But on the R-Line, the lighting is too advanced for the universal-style wiring kits to detect properly. For now your best option would be to get super expensive wiring from Volkswagen directly, unless you can wait for the aftermarket guys to get your wiring figured out. I really wish I had a timeline to give you, but I do not.

See All (5) Replies to Johnny B. ∨