install issues with towing install

[nltomba]

Ok, I needed a trailer hitch on my 04 touareg but thought the oem price was kind of steep.
A curt hitch was less then $200 shipped and a wiring harness (oem) was also around $200
So I ordered and the problems began.
Started my project saturday afternoon and ran in all kinds of trouble
1 the supplied bolts were different and did not fit
2. the oem harness does not come with a module that is needed.
In the car the wiring harness splits up in two different wires.
One is green and the connector is easy to find under the cd holder.
The 2nd one is behind the wall where the 12 V plugs are. However it does not match up with the plug of the wiring harness.
Then I find out that the curt hitch had one hole that did not line up perfectly with the hole on the car.
I called Etrailer.com and they told me to drill the hole a little wider which I tried but does not work (it ie tough steel).
I was at the dealership this morning to find solutions for my problems and they have been great.
For the bolts they have adapters(sleeves) part # 7L6 801 670.
This probably solves my hole issue too since the new bolts are thinner and do not have that cllearance issue but they are not cheap. About $7 a piece. I will have a talk with E trailer about this.

Then the wiring. The wiring harnes is about $200 but you also need a module which does not come with the Kit
Cost is an additional $164

My dealer told me that if you order the whole OEM kit(hitch and all) it will come with this module.
So there goes the savings.
Very frustrating all of this
especially since I have to take everything apart again. It is like installing 2 hitches in stead of one

[Linder]

This is why when dealing with a 50k dollar truck, I go OEM. You could have gotten the factory hitch with the module and wiring for 598 at "VW Parts" - "Volkswagen Parts" - Parts and Accessories Catalog., everything comes as it should.

Linder

[nickm]

Originally Posted by Linder

This is why when dealing with a 50k dollar truck, I go OEM. You could have gotten the factory hitch with the module and wiring for 598 at "VW Parts" - "Volkswagen Parts" - Parts and Accessories Catalog., everything comes as it should.

Linder

Couldn't agree more...one look at the OEM hitch and (easy integration aside) its clear why its more expensive. There's some thick steel back there.

[nltomba]

Originally Posted by nickm

Couldn't agree more...one look at the OEM hitch and (easy integration aside) its clear why its more expensive. There's some thick steel back there.

I disagree there. The curt is just as thick

As far as the price of oem is not 598 but 633 dollars + shipping and you still need the adaptors so $750 at your door is more realistic.
I paid $170 for hitch $193 for oem wiring, $164 for module + adaptors $57
So less than $600 but I would go 750 for all oem next time.

I thought harness and hitch alone would do the trick and that was less than $400. Guess I was wrong

[Linder]

1stVWParts.com :: Online Catalog

Linder

[Linder]

And I have to add, I took the Curt hitch that came on my touareg off and replaced it with OEM, as far as I can tell there is a definite quality difference, and when towing something expensive like a wakeboard boat or a classic car on an open trailer, I don't feel like a few hundred bucks is worth a decrease in quality.

Linder