NMS Passat - Curt Hitch Installation

[drcoopster]

Prepped for surgery. I won't be doing any wiring at this time because the hitch is just for a bike rack so far.

OK, so I forgot to get any pictures in progress, but it was really easy. The directions supplied with the hitch were spot-on and it's easier than some of the others (e.g. MKV) where you have to fish the bolts through the frame rails.

 

[drcoopster]

 

[drcoopster]

...and one more angle

 

[smoav8r]

Very nice. The debadging looks good too.

 

[laminated]

I just did mine also, my wiring kit was under$60 at Action caps vs Canadian tire at $105 so shop around,
I also drilled a 3/8 hole ahead of the through pin, and welded a nut on, so you can screw a bolt in to drive the hitch up, that stops any clunking,

 

[drcoopster]

Very nice. The debadging looks good too.

Thanks!

I also drilled a 3/8 hole ahead of the through pin, and welded a nut on, so you can screw a bolt in to drive the hitch up, that stops any clunking,

Great idea!

The bike rack has it's own mechanism for preventing movement within the receiver and it works well, but your weldnut idea would work great for reducing the clunking when towing a trailer.

 

[drcoopster]

My ball mount and wiring kit came in today. I went with a 2" euro-style ball mount: Curt #45562.

I'll install the wiring later.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Does the ball show up in the rear view camera? It would be useful when connecting.

 

[ChrisB009]

Finished the hitch install...working on the wiring harness. This install can be completely performed by one person without the use of additional floor jacks or other lifting devices. When separating the lower cover from the bumper, reach up behind the lower cover and disengage each plastic clip.

 

[drcoopster]

Does the ball show up in the rear view camera? It would be useful when connecting.

I haven't checked, although based on the way the bike rack is visible in the rear view camera, I think the top of the ball may be barely visible. I'll check in the daylight.

Finished the hitch install...working on the wiring harness. This install can be completely performed by one person without the use of additional floor jacks or other lifting devices. When separating the lower cover from the bumper, reach up behind the lower cover and disengage each plastic clip.

Definitely 1-person doable, that's all I've got. I backed up onto a set of ramps to make it easier. I'll do similar with the wiring whenever I get around to it (maybe tomorrow if it doesn't rain so much). I'll just put a ramp behind each driver's side wheel to tilt the car up.

After installing the fog light retrofit, the trailer wiring harness should be cake...or at least that's what I'm hoping.

 

[goodtill]

I just did mine with he help of a friend. We put the car up on ramps and did the install without removing the fascia. We just took out the 3 screws/clips and rotated the hitch in. The driver side outside bolt was a little tough to get too, soo we took off the 2 13mm screws holding the exhaust carrier and that gave us enough room.
I had already run a constant hot from my fuse box to the trunk when I did my RVC install, so installing the the Curt wiring converter was a snap. 2 quick connects and a self tapping screw for the ground and I was done.

 

[drcoopster]

constant hot from my fuse box to the trunk

This is why I keep putting off the wiring, I don't feel like running that wire. The install on the '06 Jetta was easier because it already had power in the trunk.

 

[Whitecloud1]

I have the same hitch on my 2013. The biggest complaint is that I want to use the cage for the back but by the time the 2" adapter comes out of the 1-1/4" receiver, it sits sooooo low the rack bottoms out.... a lot.

Has anyone seen an adapter that comes out of the receiver and raises up a few inches?

did my description may any sense????

Tim

 

[drcoopster]

I have the same hitch on my 2013. The biggest complaint is that I want to use the cage for the back but by the time the 2" adapter comes out of the 1-1/4" receiver, it sits sooooo low the rack bottoms out.... a lot.

Has anyone seen an adapter that comes out of the receiver and raises up a few inches?

Consider selling the rack and replacing it with one that doesn't need an adapter. I haven't seen any adapters that both convert from 1-1/4" to 2" and raise the receiver at the same time.

 

[drcoopster]

This is why I keep putting off the wiring, I don't feel like running that wire. The install on the '06 Jetta was easier because it already had power in the trunk.

I finally installed the wiring today; it took about 2 hours from start to finish. It was not difficult, just time-consuming.

Does the ball show up in the rear view camera? It would be useful when connecting.

To follow up on this: yes, the ball is clearly visible in the rear view camera.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Thanks!

 

[pparks1]

what model hitch is this? I looked at the Curt website, but don't see anything that hooks up like what you have shown here.

 

[drcoopster]

It's Curt model 11234, the only one they make for the NMS Passat TDI.

 

[dakim]

My ball mount and wiring kit came in today. I went with a 2" euro-style ball mount: Curt #45562.

I'll install the wiring later.

i have the hitch installed, just need a ball mount.
i noticed in the instructions curt mentions the part# 45572 for our vehicle/hitch
what made you get the 45562, which is half an inch higher, instead?
instructions in pdf is here: https://www.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary/112340/installsheet/CM_112340_INS.PDF
in the diagram in page 5.

edit: i got the p/n:45572.

 

[Drnknmnky13]

Did my install today. Tried it wil fascia in place. Just couldn't get the hitch in there by myself. So... I took the bumper off. Man it makes it easier. Much easier access to the plates.

and DONE:

 

[Ebenke]

Nice ! Does Curt make a 2" as well?

 

[atc98002]

Nice ! Does Curt make a 2" as well?

The problem is, the Passat is only rated for towing a max gross weight of 1000 lbs. Except for the tiniest ones, a U-haul weighs more than that empty. A 2" would imply a higher towing rating than the car has.

I'm looking at a cross country move early next year, and I have to go ahead of my wife. She watches the grandkids every day while my daughter teaches high school, and can't join me until summer. I was hoping to tow a small trailer with some minimal household goods to tide me over until we sell the house and move everything.

My truck is only a 2WD V6, and I shudder to think of crossing the Rockies with that under-powered rig in wintertime towing several thousand pounds. Now that they've placed a stop order on the Touareg and Q5, I can't just replace my Passat with another diesel, unless I go used. Not keen on that idea.

 

[Ebenke]

Yes, but a 2" is much more stable for my küat bike rack.


EBenke