Bumper Mount and Frame Mount Trailer Hitches for a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
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.
Products Referenced in This Question
ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Universal Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- No Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Curt RV Bumper 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver
- RV and Camper Hitch
- Bumper Mount Hitch
- 4 x 4 Inch Bumper
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Bolt-On
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- etrailer
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Article: My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Q&A: Trailer Hitch and Ball Mount Selection for a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Q&A: Overall Height Of etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98906
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Photos of Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch DT53GR Installed on Volkswagen Tiguan
- Q&A: Does etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver Fit 2017 VW Tiguan Limited 4Motion
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Install Video for etrailer.com Hitch e98906 On a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Q&A: Comparing Hidden Hitches for 2022 VW Tiguan SEL R Line
- Article: Rust Prevention
- Article: Trailer Tire Sizing