Recommended Trailer Hitch And Trailer Wiring Harness For 2005 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Question:

Hi, I have a station-wagon Volkswagon Passat 2005 and I want to install a trailer hitch. I bought a used trailer hitch in a scrap yard with a wires kit who have a converter on the wires but no black wire that i can connect on the battery. I took the wires on a different car that the Passat that i have took the hitch because the car didnt have the wires install on it. Can i use this wires kit on my car even if it has no black wire ? If not, can you tell me why ? If yes, what will be the consequences. Thanks !

asked by: Gilles P

Expert Reply:

I strongly recommend not using either the trailer hitch or the wiring kit you got from the scrap yard. You doo not know if the hitch was involved in an accident or not. There can be stress on the metal that is not visible to the naked eye and would be unsafe.

Since all of the trailer wiring kits have a powered converter for your 2005 Passat, you must have the black power wire present and run to the battery for the kit to work. I recommend purchasing a kit that is designed for your specific vehicle to make sure there are no issues in the future.

The trailer hitch I recommend is the Curt Class-1 1-1/4" receiver # 11164.This is a Class l trailer hitch and it has a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening.

The trailer wiring harness I recommend for your Passat is the Vehicle Wiring Harness Kit, part # C59496. This kit includes everything needed to install the wiring harness and even includes a circuit tester to make sure you find the correct wires to connect to at the rear of your vehicle behind the tail light. This kit includes the power wire that is run to the positive battery post.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L