Newbie here ... yes I already searched the forums, found lots of helpful tips, but still have questions. I'm buying a 2013 TDI Sport w/nav, which does NOT have the factory hitch receiver. I plan to use the vehicle to tow a car trailer, loaded weight 4000 lbs, dual Dexter axles w/electric brakes on both axles (been towing this trailer with my existing SUV's for 10 years, no problems). I do NOT expect to ever tow anything heavier than this. So I will need to purchase & install a hitch on the '13 TDI, plus wiring for the electric brake controller. My questions:
- What hitch receiver should I get? The factory hitch, or an aftermarket hitch? Any specific recommendations on aftermarket hitches -- any differences in appearance?
- What exactly does the factory "control module" do? Do I need it? What features & benefits would it give me?
- Is it possible to install conventional wiring for an electric brake controller, in lieu of the factory control module? I have done my own wiring on four previous SUV's. Is there something about the Touareg that makes this impossible? Or just difficult? Or is it as straightforward as any other SUV?
- I have read some threads that imply that it is difficult/impossible to find a wire from the brake pedal to the brake lights, to use as the trigger signal for an electric brake controller. Is this true? These threads suggest using a wireless brake controller due to the extreme difficulty of hard-wiring a conventional controller without the factory "control module".
- Since this particular vehicle does not have the OEM hitch, does it have ANY trailer tow wiring pre-installed? On Touaregs with a factory hitch, I assume that there is some sort of harness that runs from the rear bumper area, to the "control module", and to the dashboard area. Can I expect to find such a harness on a Touareg that has no hitch? Or will I have to do all this wiring from scratch? Or can I purchase this harness from my local VW dealer?
- From reading other threads, I understand that ALL 2013 North American Touaregs have heavy-duty transmission coolers and heavy-duty (850W) electric cooling fans, and there are no mechanical modifications required for towing purposes -- i.e. there is no such thing as a "tow package", all Touaregs came equipped that way, the only towing equipment added by the factory (or dealer) was the hitch receiver and the control module. if anyone disagrees with this or has conflicting information, please speak up!