I'm in the same boat, just took possession of a 2011 TDI and I'm trying to figure this out as well. I'm also trying to figure out what the deal is with the manual saying not to use a weight distribution hitch. I'm worried about trailer sag..

 

I'm in the same boat, just took possession of a 2011 TDI and I'm trying to figure this out as well. I'm also trying to figure out what the deal is with the manual saying not to use a weight distribution hitch. I'm worried about trailer sag..

That was geared more toward vehicals with air suspension. You don't have it since no 2011 in NA has it. So you can use a WD hitch.

 

It is there, I know because I made the dealer take the dash apart and show it to me before I would buy the truck. Once you take off both of the underside panels on the drivers side it will be all the way on the left by the kick panel. It is tucked into a gray foam cushion on mine.

 

Hey, m1kefries, thanks! I'll try again. LKC

 

I hope your right, it would be great to get some confirmation from VW..here is what the manual says...its enough to make me paranoid.

 

Brake Controller Harness

VW deleted the brake controller harness with the '07 model year vehicles. My '07 didn't have one and I would be very surprised if any subsequent model year vehicles have one, given the massive "decontenting" of the Touareg that has taken place.

Actually, building your own harness isn't that big a deal. It's running the wires that's a pain.

Good luck.

 

Bentley manual shows the brake control harness and towing module is supposed to be there for 2007 and 2008, but only for US and with towing package.

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f66/trailer-circuit-diagram-48081.html

I did not check Bentley for later years. I am on the road in AZ at Lake Havasu for a little off roading, I can check when I am back on Thurs.

 

OK SteveK-O, and thanks for letting me know what you find out. Too cold here to deal with the issue today (OK, it's 28 degrees, but that's cold in NC!)

 

my 2007 V10 did not have harness but also did not have trailer hitch which dealer installed. I wired to hitch controller at right rear fender and Tekonsha controller works perfectly but LED lights on flat trailer resistance issues require special VW adapter cable. VW headquarters in Herndon, gave me special assistance for wiring if harness was in place. I will try to locate it for members.

my wife picks up her matching silver 2011 Lux TDI tomorrow, I am prepared to have the same wiring challenge. interesting comments about WD hitch vs air/steel springs.

 

How's the new 2011? Loving mine.

Any update on wiring it? Thx.

 

2011 is a pleasant surprise, so much refinement: steering wheel, 8 sp trans, seats, sunroof, headlights, handling but miss the paddleshifters. Smaller brakes than V10 aren't noticeable, but the V10 torque is missing.

As for hitch, I got it installed with help, dealer installed OEM hitch, I just did not have time to do it; then I installed from right rear hitch module to Prodigy brake controller as it was not pre-wired. Dig around here to find information on how. At this moment, I do not have the instructions I located here. The VW conversion cable with resistor was necessary to make LED trailer lights to work, not necessary with my 24' trailer with normal lights.

 

"How's the new 2011? Loving mine.

Any update on wiring it? Thx."

Update on the wiring. After much delay I finally got back to this project. The factory installed wiring hitch for the electric brake controller harness DOES EXIST despite my first and 2nd unsuccessful attempts to find it. On the 2004 Touareg, this wiring harness was very easy and even obvious to find. This time (2011), the factory went out of their way to hide it, but if you look way, way, WAY up high behind the dashboard and feel with the tip of you finger (after dislocating your shoulder to get in position to do all this), you'll find the gray foam colored harness.

The wiring instructions provided by others on this forum describe the VW wiring adaptor parts and the 2 wires that you'll need to purchase and how to assemble the adaptor. These do work for the 2011 also. The existing wiring harness is very short (maybe 4" long!) and cannot be stretched or pulled down so the connection to the harness is a one handed, one time shot. I suggest that you tape some electrical tape to the loose end of the "hot" wire (the black wire on the wiring diagram), otherwise the fuse you will blow is fuse # 5 on the passenger side of the dashboard, 25 amp fuse-keep 2 spares-don't ask how I know this).

I then purchased a Discovery brake controller made by Curt Manufacturing (part # 51120, purchased for $99.00 USD) and the Curt Brake Control Harness (this comes in various configurations for different vehicles; I couldn't find a VW version, so purchased the Ford version-part # I-2132P/51323, $11.99 USD) and cut off the Ford adaptor end and butt-spliced those ends to the VW adaptor wire ends (follow the wiring diagrams available on this site).

Then just mount the brake controller to the bottom of the dashboard with the provided metal bracket plus provided mounting screws, connect the brake controller harness to the adaptor (the 2 Curt products listed above connect perfectly).

Hope this helps.

My 2011 is now just over 2 months old and there have been no unpleasant surprises or any sense of disappointment. I had the 2004 V8 Touareg for 100,000 miles for comparison, and this definitely gets MUCH better mileage (28 highway, about 22 city, compared to 18.5 and 15.5 for the V8 2004, same driver, same driving style, same location etc.). I had not had a diesel before so wanted to experience this and am surprised at the power/torque, the smoothness of the 8-speed transmission, the lack of diesel odor, the lack of diesel valve click, etc. I have the Lux version and really like the interior, the moon roof, etc. The Nav system is great, etc. So consider me very pleased with this Touareg.

 

How to remove dash panels

I am grateful to the posters in this thread for noting that the brake controller on the TDI Lux (towpackage) is up there, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the kick panels under the driver's dash. I removed all the torx screws (4) and there is some play in the plastic panels, but not much, and I don't want to break them. Are there more, hidden torx screws or other tricks? There are some white "clips" at the front (forward) side of the panel that look like they release if you can get the back (aft) part of the panel to come free, but I can't.

Any tips?

Thank you - really.

Michael O

 

Michael O, if you're trying to access the wiring harness, all you need to remove is the horizontal panel directly above the driver's feet positions. Four Torx scres (#20 bit, if I recall correctly) and the panel drops down (there are 2 small plastic tabs that you move slightly to release the panel). You may need to release the tab on the light connector and also release the tab that hold the OBD cable to this horizontal panel so you can truly get it out of your way to then reach up from the floor into the space behind the dashboard to find the harness. From my earlier post on this topic, I was amazed at just how far up and inaccessible and short the harness was.

 

Addendum: Correction. There are only 2 Torx screws and both are on the rear side of the panel (closest to the seat). Remove those and then push forward on the 2 tabs which are immediately adjacent to the 2 screws you removed, Then the panel drops down and then you slide it rearward to get out of the 2 white slotted tabs on the front (engine) side. It had been awhile since I did this and so I just ran out to my car and double-checked. Sorry for some confusion

 

Panel

Thank you Lorenzo, I will check it out this a.m.

 

Ok, panel off - I am under the well with a flash light, probing around. I can't find a thing. Left side, right? Nothing. Any clues?

 

No luck. I was under that dash for half an hour on my back with a flash light and hands probing. There were no fobs with foam covers. I was probing up behind the dash itself, but those all felt connected -- lights etc -- and the only possible candidate was a st of four bundled brown wires that ran along the left side well toward the hood release, but I didn't want to pull those out for fear of disconnecting something I couldn't reach.

I am doubting that it exists, even though I have the Lux TDI with the tow hitch. Seems that should all be prewired, but this is crazy.

 

I'm with you. It took me 3 tries. While lying on your back, use your right hand to reach as upward (toward the ceiling) under the dash as you can reach. Without being able to actually see in there (my hands/arms were in the way) there is a box-like structure and just above this, invisible to see, so you can only feel it with your fingers, is the foam covered harness. It sits sort of on a shelf (this box-like thing). Pull it off the shelf and it drops down maybe 4-6", enough to identify the gray foam covering and the harness. Now you're in business.

 

closer?

I know this is ridiculous, but I'm under there again a half hour no luck. I took some photos, but they don't really help.

I assume that we are working on the left side (near the brake, not accelerator) and toward the firewall, not the vents, etc. When I reach up under the vents and there I find a lot of wires, but none loose.

 

yes, the harness is toward the outer side of the cockpit (the brake side, not the gas pedal side). It's toward the front side of the dashboard (the front end of the car), as far upwards as you can go.

 

Lorenzo, you're infinitely patient. Here's a shot of that part of the car. The wiring at the top of the image (front of the car) is tightly packed. I see foam behind it, but it appears to be sound damping. Is that what I'm trying to prize loose?

 

Great photo. I'll have to pull the panel off to look to get myself oriented.

 

/Users/lcantley/Desktop/DSCN1039.JPG/Users/lcantley/Desktop/DSCN1043.JPG/Users/lcantley/Desktop/DSCN1044.JPG/Users/lcantley/Desktop/DSCN1047.JPG

OK. I've (hopefully) uploaded some photos. Note in your photo the black grommet at the 3:00 position for reference. (my photos are shot from a somewhat different orientation). The trailer wiring harness is located very close to the grommet but is tucked into the space nearby (it's within an inch or so of the grommet). It is very near the main wiring harness (easily seen in your photo).

In my photos, the foam covering has been pulled back some. The yellow wires are attached to the actual harness connector.

 

Photos I hope

 

Trying again to upload the photos.

 

lorenzo & meolsen,

Good stuff! I haven't tried looking yet but it looks like the last few posts and photos are no doubt going to save me a lot of time and frustration on this little treasure hunt

 

I'm leaning towards the Prodigy RF. Don't need to wire it under the dash and don't need to have a unit mounted in the cab all the time when I'll only be towing maybe once or twice a month.

http://www.tekonsha.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1400&catID=1435∂=90250

 

On the phone with the dealer now. Sent them this link. Any tips we can give James at Habberstad about helping to find this on the VW -- amazing, right? Pretty well hidden.

 

Hope it turns out well