Difference Between Curt and Draw-Tite Class III Hitches Available for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

Question

Question:

Which Class III 2 inch hitch for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas is best? I'm familiar with Draw-Tite but Curt? Not so much.

asked by: Vincent F

0

Expert Reply:

Both the Curt # C13366 and the Draw-Tite # 76176 have been designed to be mostly concealed behind the bumper once installed. The only portion of the hitch that will be visible from the rear is the receiver tube and the safety chain loops. Both hitches have the same exact weight capacities and an identical installation procedure. The Curt model will provide an extra half inch of ground clearance at 14 inches, if that parameter is important to you. How to choose between the two? Both are so similar that you can choose the less expensive of the two without having to feel like you sacrificed capacity or quality by doing so.

If you'll be using the hitch to tow a trailer, you'll need a couple of more items to complete your towing system. For a trailer wiring harness, use # 118754. For a ball mount, you'd need # 2753 and # 19260 for a 1-7/8 or # 63845 for a 2 inch ball.

I've linked install videos for both hitches as well as the trailer wiring harness.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

Nathan

7/26/2020

Why am I able to use a weight distribution hitch with the Draw-Tite but not the Curt?

Reply

Chris R.

8/2/2020

It is simply how the trailer hitches are rated by the manufacturer. Curt has decided that their model either isn't rated for the extra stress that a WD system puts on the unit or simply hasn't sufficiently tested the hitch to verify this.

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Answer 1

The trailer hitch I recommend for your 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is the Curt hitch part #C13366 because it has the best towing capacities, is mostly hidden so it looks great installed, and also installs easier than other options. Then for trailer wiring…

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Answer 2

For your 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE the hitch I suggest for your bike transport application is the Draw-Tite 2-inch Class III model #76176. This hitch offers a substantial 900-lb tongue weight rating, making it easily capable of handling even the…

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Answer 3

The best trailer hitch available for your 2019 VW Atlas is the Draw-Tite Class III #76176 because it offers the highest weight capacities and is the only option that's rated for use with a weight distribution system (if you ever choose to add one…

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Answer 4

Weight distribution systems put a bit more torque on the hitch and frame of the vehicle due to the spring bars pulling up pretty hard on the head of the system. Not every vehicle/hitch is going to be heavy duty enough to allow this and not…

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Answer 5

For your 2018 Volkswagen Atlas the Draw Tite hitch part #76176 would be your best option for carrying a bike rack. It's a 2 inch hitch design which means it has plenty of capacity and has the most accessories made for it. In the detailed install…

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Answer 6

Based on what you described wanting the best hitch solution we have for your 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is the EcoHitch part #306-X7362 as it is the least visible option and offers best ground clearance. Instead of having the hitch tube under the rear…

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Answer 7

I recommend Draw-Tite Hitch Receiver part #76176 which is a concealed cross tube hitch for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The only part of the hitch that is visible once installed is the receiver. It also sits up a bit higher compared to the other…

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Answer 8

For your 2019 VW Atlas, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13366 will be about 1-1/2 inches recessed behind your bumper and will drop 8.44 inches from the frame mount to the bottom of the receiver tube according to my tech contact at Curt. The…

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Answer 9

The Draw-Tite Class III reciever hitch you'd looked at #76176 and the Curt Class III, part #C13366 are pretty much identical. The design is very similar, they have the same capacity, they install in the same manner and are similarly priced. The…

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Answer 10

The owner's manual for a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas does say not to use a "weight distributing or load equalizing hitch" and this is strictly a Volkswagen stance. It also says things like "when you are not towing, remove the trailer…

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Answer 11

The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13366 referenced in your question, which is confirmed to fit your 2018 VW Atlas, is not rated for use with a weight distribution system. You cannot safely use a weight distribution system with this hitch on your…

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Answer 12

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Difference Between Curt and Draw-Tite Class III Hitches Available for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

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