Trailer hitch for carrying bicycles

[zhenjie]

Any able to buy an aftermarket hitch for their Tiguan. I don't need a full on tow bar, just a hitch and bike rack to carry a few bikes.

$87 plus delivery from USA sounds like quite a cheaper alternative then getting a full towbar. Installation seems to be a breeze although it does require cutting into the bumper.

Trailer Hitch by Hidden Hitch for - 87600

[zhenjie]

newbie question here. whats the difference between that hitch I linked in the first post, and this one on eBay that seems to be larger and have a bigger mount/arm? Guessing it has a higher load capacity?

09-10 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN TRAILER HITCH CURT CL3 13058 | eBay

[Dartiguan]

It looks like good value, although freight would be high. I don't know enough about towbars though, and have noticed a lot of comment on the forum about the issue you might read. I also wonder if the transport department or insurance has something to say on the type of accessory used.

[NZTiguan]

The NA's just cut out a bit of plastic and then bolt into already threaded holes in the steel bumper beneath, you need to be certain those fittings even exist on your Ausi Tig !!!

Cheers

[Sharkie]

newbie question here. whats the difference between that hitch I linked in the first post, and this one on eBay that seems to be larger and have a bigger mount/arm? Guessing it has a higher load capacity?

09-10 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN TRAILER HITCH CURT CL3 13058 | eBay

The NA's just cut out a bit of plastic and then bolt into already threaded holes in the steel bumper beneath, you need to be certain those fittings even exist on your Ausi Tig !!!

Cheers

I tried that, purchased just the hitch (VW OEM North America) from the USA and tried to fit it ...... Turns out the Australian delivered Tiguans do NOT have the threaded holes in the steel bumper underneath ...... I still have the hitch in my garage if you'd like to try ..... be even cheaper than that including postage as to me its just an expensive paperweight at the moment .....

[NZTiguan]

I tried that, purchased just the hitch (VW OEM North America) from the USA and tried to fit it ...... Turns out the Australian delivered Tiguans do NOT have the threaded holes in the steel bumper underneath ...... I still have the hitch in my garage if you'd like to try ..... be even cheaper than that including postage as to me its just an expensive paperweight at the moment .....

I'm pretty sure that's why the Americans have a 2000LB tow limit rather than 2000KG, their hitch is just "tacked on".

Cheers

[zhenjie]

oh bugger! so our cheapest option for just a hitch would be to go for the full tow bar ?
thanks guys thats why i love this forum, save me cutting my bumper.

[NZTiguan]

oh bugger! so our cheapest option for just a hitch would be to go for the full tow bar ?
thanks guys thats why i love this forum, save me cutting my bumper.

Yep, and at least you know it will take a decent load if required. If you're just carrying bikes or something you could always leave the electrics till later.

Cheers

[roscoe1974]

Hi all,

Just FYI, I've been having an explore of the various options for Towbars etc. and after checking out my Towing Eye Attachment Point (there is one Front & supposed to be rear - behind the small access panels in the bumpers) and I discovered that I don't HAVE the Tow Eye Attachment point at the back - the access panel just opens onto black, square section tube. After chatting to my dealer about it, it seems that it is a part of a Towbar Package, but not one we can get the rest of here. That's another story, however, and I digress...

So today, due to a mild case of OCD and wondering what else is behind the rear bumper, I cut out the pre-scored panel on the underside of the bumper. Lo and behold, it's definitely part of a Towbar (even has a bracket for the electric Socket to be attached to) and the 4 holes needed to attach the Hitch as mentioned above are there!

Mine is a 2011 Tig, so Zhenjie, I'd suggest cutting that panel out as I mentioned above, and I dare say you'll find the 4 holes to bolt your hitch straight onto. You can't see the cut-out hole once it's done unless you get on your hands & knees, and there's nothing that's going to suffer from cutting it out - no wiring or anything. Good luck!

[roscoe1974]

Hi all,

Just FYI, I've been having an explore of the various options for Towbars etc. and after checking out my Towing Eye Attachment Point (there is one Front & supposed to be rear - behind the small access panels in the bumpers) and I discovered that I don't HAVE the Tow Eye Attachment point at the back - the access panel just opens onto black, square section tube. After chatting to my dealer about it, it seems that it is a part of a Towbar Package, but not one we can get the rest of here. That's another story, however, and I digress...

So today, due to a mild case of OCD and wondering what else is behind the rear bumper, I cut out the pre-scored panel on the underside of the bumper. Lo and behold, it's definitely part of a Towbar (even has a bracket for the electric Socket to be attached to) and the 4 holes needed to attach the Hitch as mentioned above are there!

Mine is a 2011 Tig, so Zhenjie, I'd suggest cutting that panel out as I mentioned above, and I dare say you'll find the 4 holes to bolt your hitch straight onto. You can't see the cut-out hole once it's done unless you get on your hands & knees, and there's nothing that's going to suffer from cutting it out - no wiring or anything. Good luck!

Oh and obviously, if you intended to actually TOW anything rather than just mount a Bike Carrier (remember to torque the 4 bolts in), I'd get it checked out thoroughly - apart from needing the Electrics sorted, the brackets at the side of the bar (going forward) are impossible to see, so no telling what they're attached to (I assume they're solidly done, but you know what happens when I assume - I make an ASS out of U & ME...well, mostly me, really!). Worth investigating though!

[Sharkie]

Hi all,

Just FYI, I've been having an explore of the various options for Towbars etc. and after checking out my Towing Eye Attachment Point (there is one Front & supposed to be rear - behind the small access panels in the bumpers) and I discovered that I don't HAVE the Tow Eye Attachment point at the back - the access panel just opens onto black, square section tube. After chatting to my dealer about it, it seems that it is a part of a Towbar Package, but not one we can get the rest of here. That's another story, however, and I digress...

So today, due to a mild case of OCD and wondering what else is behind the rear bumper, I cut out the pre-scored panel on the underside of the bumper. Lo and behold, it's definitely part of a Towbar (even has a bracket for the electric Socket to be attached to) and the 4 holes needed to attach the Hitch as mentioned above are there!

Mine is a 2011 Tig, so Zhenjie, I'd suggest cutting that panel out as I mentioned above, and I dare say you'll find the 4 holes to bolt your hitch straight onto. You can't see the cut-out hole once it's done unless you get on your hands & knees, and there's nothing that's going to suffer from cutting it out - no wiring or anything. Good luck!

Oh and obviously, if you intended to actually TOW anything rather than just mount a Bike Carrier (remember to torque the 4 bolts in), I'd get it checked out thoroughly - apart from needing the Electrics sorted, the brackets at the side of the bar (going forward) are impossible to see, so no telling what they're attached to (I assume they're solidly done, but you know what happens when I assume - I make an ASS out of U & ME...well, mostly me, really!). Worth investigating though!

I have 1 of these VW OEM Hitches that will fit your car ..... Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Motion 2.0T > Exterior > Trailer > ES#251914 Tiguan Trailer Hitch - 5N0092135 .... brand new in the box.

Cost $170 AUD delivered from the USA. Yours for $100 if you want it .... and in Brisbane, so I'll even drop it off for free !

[roscoe1974]

I have 1 of these VW OEM Hitches that will fit your car ..... Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Motion 2.0T > Exterior > Trailer > ES#251914 Tiguan Trailer Hitch - 5N0092135 .... brand new in the box.

Cost $170 AUD delivered from the USA. Yours for $100 if you want it .... and in Brisbane, so I'll even drop it off for free !

Hey Sharkie,
Whilst I'm very tempted, I'm also not the most handy bloke around when it comes to electrical installs, so even if I could source the wiring harness (the one where you got your Hitch is for US Tigs in LHD) I'd be useless at running the wiring correctly etc. and I really do want a complete Tow package. It might suit Zhenjie's purposes perfectly though if he hasn't already purchased?
Cheers!

[Sharkie]

Hey Sharkie,
Whilst I'm very tempted, I'm also not the most handy bloke around when it comes to electrical installs, so even if I could source the wiring harness (the one where you got your Hitch is for US Tigs in LHD) I'd be useless at running the wiring correctly etc. and I really do want a complete Tow package. It might suit Zhenjie's purposes perfectly though if he hasn't already purchased?
Cheers!

I've found a wiring kit for VW's, integrates fully with CANBUS to turn on all ESP etc functions. $278 delivered to Brisbane. Electrical kits for towing Made in the UK for RHD VWs.

And ... Jmac (also in Brisbane) will fit it all to your Tig..... be about $200 labour, so all up about $600 fitted .... pretty good price wise ....

[roscoe1974]

I've found a wiring kit for VW's, integrates fully with CANBUS to turn on all ESP etc functions. $278 delivered to Brisbane. Electrical kits for towing Made in the UK for RHD VWs.

And ... Jmac (also in Brisbane) will fit it all to your Tig..... be about $200 labour, so all up about $600 fitted .... pretty good price wise ....

Hi Sharkie,

What are your thoughts on the capacity or 'solidity' of this bar? I'm curious if it's as strong as the Australian OEM or Hayman Reese versions. Have seen on here previously that US Tigs seem to be rated a lot lower in Towing Capacity, but whether or not this is due to them (Americans) wanting to sue anybody or whether it's just not as strong I have no idea about. Any thoughts?

Roscoe

[zhenjie]

I have 1 of these VW OEM Hitches that will fit your car ..... Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Motion 2.0T > Exterior > Trailer > ES#251914 Tiguan Trailer Hitch - 5N0092135 .... brand new in the box.

Cost $170 AUD delivered from the USA. Yours for $100 if you want it .... and in Brisbane, so I'll even drop it off for free !

Consider it sold!

roscoe1974, you are a legend! I decided to cut a small 2cm piece out of the bumper to check my MY11 model after reading your post. Lo and behold, the same bar as the USA cars!