Curt hitch PN 112340

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
Anyone installed one yet ? I have ordered it today, will post about my experience when she shows up.

I got a smallish 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer and a plastic canoe that I'd like to tow in PA. May be 400-500 Lbs total weight, just a few miles to nearby lakes. That and an occasional 4x8 from Lowes.
 

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
It better, seeing how it is specifically qualified for 2012 TDI Passat :)
 

MarkG

Active member
Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Location
Temple,Tx
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SEL, Metallic Gray/Black
I looked at the Curt Hitch and opted instead for a much cheaper U-haul Hitch (manufactured by Curt). It was a funky install but all went well.

I also picked up a Harbor Freight trailer and have yet to assemble it. I will update you guys when I have it hooked up.
 

Niner

duplicate account, banned
Joined
Jun 3, 2011
Mine is installed, Curt... no problems. Pull the black bottom trim off, the tabs pop right out, trim it/notch it off the car, reinstall. Removal of trim makes it much easier to install the top bracket, nut side down, so that the bolts are long enough to engage the threads.

Not really too happy with how far the hitch receive extends beyond the bumper, functional, but ugly. I think I paid $148 for mine, delivered? Place out of San Diego on line had it for 15% off that day.
 

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
I got me a welder and a chop saw, so if she sticks out too much, she gonna get cut :)

Niner - mind posting a pic or two ? Also - what did you do for the wiring ? I ordered a Curt wiring harness, they claim she's plug and play, no splicing required ...
 
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2500hd2

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Location
nj
TDI
'12 passat se
Discount on the hitch from another thread.

That discount still works! I typed in welcome15 with no spaces in the promo code.
Thanks you saved me 50 bucks compared to other places.
Free shipping too.

Auto Anything has the 112340 for sale today for $146, type in Welcome 15 for 15% off.
 

Niner

duplicate account, banned
Joined
Jun 3, 2011
I got me a welder and a chop saw, so if she sticks out too much, she gonna get cut :)

Niner - mind posting a pic or two ? Also - what did you do for the wiring ? I ordered a Curt wiring harness, they claim she's plug and play, no splicing required ...

Bike rack is its only use planned currently... no wiring.
 

TdiBrid

New member
Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Location
MD
TDI
2012 Passat SEL tdi
Can someone post pics of the hitch in place? Very interested!
 

Niner

duplicate account, banned
Joined
Jun 3, 2011
Guys, go online and look at the install instructions, there's a pic at the end of how it looks installed and finished.
 

Coffeemade

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2011
Location
Hoodbridge, Va
TDI
2012 VW Passat TDI SEL Prem
I installed the CURT Tow Hitch on my 2012 VW Passat TDI SEL Prem and I love it. I use it to tow around my 2 road bikes on a Kuat NV bike rack. I will post up pictures in the next couple days.
 

dimonic

Member
Joined
May 13, 2011
Location
Mississauga, Canada
TDI
2011 Golf Wagon
I installed the Curt Hitch on my Golf Sportwagen 2011. Fitted perfectly - although lining up the bolts into the exhaust bracket was tricky - the exhaust shielding stuff would slip a fraction and obscure the holes for the bolts.

That reminds me - I still have to silicon seal up the bolt head that goes into the spare-wheel well.

I will post up pics tomorrow - I plan to take pictures of our camping load anyway for my blog.

The only planned use is for a bike rack - we had one of those trunk fitted jobs, but the Golf is so well constructed (narrow seams) that the hooks scratched the paintwork around the rear hatch, and we often carry a canoe on the roof - so that was out.
 

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
Dem Curt folx f'd me up some - some of the parts flew clear out of the box, leaving a ragged hole in the cardboard, that some1 (Curt ? shipping ppl ?) taped off with some tape. They bothered to do that but did not put the parts back into the box.

Been waiting for the replacement parts to arrive for 10 days now ... lame excuse from Curt: "Well, FedEx only picked it up on Monday" .... right :(

Almost wanted to fab my own :(
 

Niner

duplicate account, banned
Joined
Jun 3, 2011
It's Fedex. My box was the same way, but curt in FResno, CA taped all the parts wrapped tightly in bubble pack in the center of the hitch, where they wouldn't fall off in a throwing while shipping mishap. Fedex subcontracts their delivery guys, they are, in my observations, hacks.
 

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
all right, the hitch has been installed. No-brainer installation. I recommend attaching the spare-wheel-well bolts first, keeping them loose. Driver-side outer bolt is obstructed by the exhaust tip a bit, you might need to push it outta way.

I got a ~350lb total weight trailer in PA, will report on how she tows.

Pics:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9980404/20120411_072620.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9980404/20120411_072634.jpg

It is hard by judge by the pics, but she don't look bad at all, inconspicuous, doesn't stick out and doesn't lower the clearance.
 
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craigpaul2000

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Location
East China
TDI
2001, TDI jetta, silver...2006 TDI Jetta, White (SOLD)......2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium, Blue
2012 Passat Curt Trailer Hitch !!!!!

Installed the trailer hitch today. Not bad install. Curt part number is 11234. Etrailer.com shipped it in 2 days! amazing


Note: no need to remove the drain plugs, just cut out the centers of them.
Note: have someone help you lift the hitch into position. It's kinda awkward
Note: Pull the fascia back as far as you can on the passenger side to make the install easier. I have 35 miles on my car so even unclipping it made me cringe. I got 4 clips in and was able to get my hands in there.
Note: I could not find my rotary cutting tool so I used a utility knife. Worked fine. Make the cut about 3" x 5". You cant see it anyway.

I have pics of the whole process attached. Enjoy!!

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/t...otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
 
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r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
Got me trailer hooked up while in PA over the weekend. Sheesa 1700 lb rated 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer, may be ~360Lb weight. TDI didn't even seem to notice it, pulls very nicely and brakes well too. Drove it around in some hilly areas, on gravel roads.
 

Knarrly Viking

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Location
Washington
TDI
2015 Passat SE 6MT, 2 of them!
I see etrailer has a Hidden Hitch/Drawtite hitch as well. Had one on my Outback that was easy to install and worked like a champ. Any thoughts on Curt versus the competition with respect to compatibility with this new Passat?
 

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
About the only issue I could imagine one having with stock Curt is the height, sheesa kinda low. Anyone with basic skills, 4 1/2 angle grinder and a welder, could mod the stock Curt to raise the height a few inches - as long as you're OK with the receiver sticking outta middle of the rear bumper. Or, may be fashion a setup with "access port" of sorts - where the hitch sits recessed behind the rear bumper (access port cut in the bumper) and requires an extension hitch to be "revealed".
 

craigpaul2000

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Location
East China
TDI
2001, TDI jetta, silver...2006 TDI Jetta, White (SOLD)......2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium, Blue
Looks like the HiddenHitch/DrawTite only has the 2 mounting points at the bumper support arms. The Curt attaches at two additional places in the floorpan under the spare tire. I like the Curt and I ordered it from ETrailer also. There's a different model for TDI only; be sure to get the right one! Good luck.
 

domano 68

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2012
Location
Alabama
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6spd manual
Installed the trailer hitch today. Not bad install. Curt part number is 11234. Etrailer.com shipped it in 2 days! amazing


Note: no need to remove the drain plugs, just cut out the centers of them.
Note: have someone help you lift the hitch into position. It's kinda awkward
Note: Pull the fascia back as far as you can on the passenger side to make the install easier. I have 35 miles on my car so even unclipping it made me cringe. I got 4 clips in and was able to get my hands in there.
Note: I could not find my rotary cutting tool so I used a utility knife. Worked fine. Make the cut about 3" x 5". You cant see it anyway.

I have pics of the whole process attached. Enjoy!!

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/t...otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Can you post the pictures somewhere different? Do not have a snapfish account. Thanks.
 

r11

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2012 Passat TDI SE 6MT (BB'd), 2015 Passat TDI SE 6MT
Folx,

aint nuttin' to it, a very easy install. A helper would, well, help, but aint required, I did it by myself. Wear some eye protection where u r under that bumper, cr@p will be falling out of cracks etc.


Here's my summary of install:

- make sure you have all the parts. Some of mine went flying outta box while enroute and I had to call Curt and order replacements.

- SAFETY !!!! Eye wear. A safe way to get the rear of the car up. Make sure she's solid when on those jacks, shake er before getting under there. I suggest driving onto Rhino or similar ramps. Hand brake, choke them wheels. Hand gloves, meesa luvs those cotton gloves with rubber dots.

- remove the spare tire
- In the tire well, pop or cut out the two rear-most rubber plugs that seal the 2 holes
- get the 2 short bolts from the kit and the 2 giant @ss washers with square holes. Stick the bolts through the washers and then through the holes in the wheel well. Gravity will make sure they stay in place
- remove the 3 smallish Torx-head screws from under the rear fascia (the long dark grey plastic doohickey under the the rear bumper) . These expand small plastic tabs that kind of hold the fascia in place. You can stow away one of the screws/tabs as you won't need it after the install
- tug on the ends of the fascia to pry it away from the bumper.
- get the hits assy positioned under the bumper (lay it on the ground) and you will see how the whole thing fits under there
- figure out a way to safely cut a ~3"x6" rectangular portion of the fascia around the center hole, some of the hitch will recess in there
- get 2 nuts and 2 small washers, lift the hitch (fashion some way to support it , unless you can bench press and hold 40lb) so that the bolts from the wheel well go through the holes in the hitch's center plate and thread the nuts onto the bolts a few good turns. Keep it loose but not where the hitch could fall onto your face, they won't be able to buff those marks off.
- about the only other semi frustrating thing is placing the 2 black brackets on top of the longitudinal frame rails and managing to thread the longer bolts through. I suggest making sure the thread is clear and willing to receive the bolts before attempting it.
- get some black silicone caulking and seal around the washers/holes in the well. Wait a bit for the caulking to start drying so that it would hold the giant washers in place
- torque all the 6 bolts to 70 foot pounds - the outer 4 bolts are easy, the 2 in the center are likely to want to spin around, caulking should hold them in place
 

Knarrly Viking

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Location
Washington
TDI
2015 Passat SE 6MT, 2 of them!
Today's The Day

I'm picking up my new Passat today. Woohoo! It arrived about 2 weeks earlier than their last estimate. Wasn't even emailed with the VIN. No matter.

I'm posting this here, because I just ordered the Curt hitch yesterday, and will be installing it as soon as it arrives. I'll post pictures of the finished product, with trailer, when it's done.

If I'm not in too much of a hurry, I may photo document the trailer lights wiring harness installation on the car side.
 

2004PlatinumTDiSport

Active member
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Location
Ontario, Canada
TDI
Sold 2004 Jetta TDI Sport, hello 2012 VW Passat TDI Comfortline Sport DSG!
Just wondering.. how much does the curt stick out past the valance and did you have to cut the valance? Would it be possible for a closer picture with back and side views with nothing on the hitch?

Thank you!
 

Knarrly Viking

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Location
Washington
TDI
2015 Passat SE 6MT, 2 of them!
Just wondering.. how much does the curt stick out past the valance and did you have to cut the valance? Would it be possible for a closer picture with back and side views with nothing on the hitch?

Thank you!
Just installed the Curt hitch this weekend and the Curt powered-converter wiring. Per request, I've posted a couple pics of the hitch here. I'll post of the wiring install separately.


 
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VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
La Conner, WA
TDI
2018 Tesla Model 3: 217,000 miles
Knarrly Viking - looks good!

I assume the wiring harness can tuck up behind the bumper when not in use to avoid road spray and to make it look better.
 
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