Okay new here and just trying to find my way around, I have done a forum search about the trailer hitch install.

My question is will a VW Touareg or Audi Q7 hitch fit? I have been looking online and see ones for the Touareg list up to 2010 and look exactly like the 2015 ones, will these 2010 ones work/fit? or do I need one specifically for 2015 only?

I appreciate any guidance anyone can give as going to the dealer for this seems outrageous.

Mark

 

I just put together a full OEM kit from ebay...pulled from salvage vehicles:
OEM 955 hitch receiver/bumper extension $300 (free shipping); This piece is interchangeable with the Touareg, but the difference is that the Touareg OEM (and aftermarket brands like Curt) don't have the bumper extensions welded on, these add about 2" more rolled steel and reach out closer to the plastic bumper skirt compared to the Cayenne-specific part. The one I got also had the foam block that sits on top of the receiver/bumper, and ensures the top of the bumper apron doesn't squish down when loading the cargo area. The receiver/bumper also has the wiring harness still attached, and included the slightly longer bolts needed to secure the receiver/bumper to the frame. Similar:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-Cayenne-S...item4669233dd2

OEM trailer lighting control module $75; These are interchangeable, the later the last letter (revision indicator) the better. One connector from the receiver wiring harness connects to one of the two connectors, the other connector connects to a harness that is behind the passenger side interior panel, in front of the CD changer bay (factory pre-wired). Similar:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-09-Porsch...item362ba32f65

Then you need one aftermarket part, because it's not Porsche specific, the North America standard 7-way trailer connector. This connects to the end of the receiver/bumper wiring harness at the receiver. I found one for $14 or so. Similar:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pollak-...4383.l4275.c10

For lightweight towing, that is all you need. You may need one more 7-way to 4-way adapter, but that is not Porsche specific either, that depends on what kind of connector your trailer has.

If you have a trailer with electric brakes, the Cayennes in North America are also all pre-wired for installing an aftermarket Brake Controller. There is no Porsche branded brake controller. I found a nice adapter cable made by a micro-manufacturer, works for Touareg and Cayenne:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Touareg-...72.m2749.l2649

I found a super cheap Prodigy IQ brake controller on ebay for $12...most of the similar Tekonsha controllers were going for $40-100.

I plan on installing in the next few weeks, I found a service manual online, and lots of good info on this forum and Rennlist, anecdotal and step-by-step info. I'll try to take some pics and let you know how it went...

 

drmindbender,
What year is your Cayenne? only asking as I have been led to believe the actual hitch prior to 2011 models will not fit...however upon looking at all the photos of 2011 and earlier ones look identical to the 2012 and up hitch's.

 

Mine is a 2008...when I was looking into the parts, it sounded like the 955/957 (03-10) used the same part, and the 958 was a different part that wasn't compatible. So I guess I would be leading you to continue to believe that they are not the same. I think it had to do with the mounting hardware or mounting hole pattern or something. You can check the aftermarket manufacturers and see if they sell the same part# for the different generations of Cayenne.

 

Thanks

 

Mark,

Call Suncoast Porsche in FL - or go to their online parts store, & order the hitch kit which applies to your specific year Cay, as I don't recall if 955 & 957 use the same part, but 958 is different (they have MY applicability online).

Suncoast & Sunset Porsche in OR have the best parts prices for the hitches, which is more than just the hitch receiver itself. Last I saw it was about $900 for the hitch, & Suncoast can do the install for you, or another P-dealer - or you'll at least need them to reprogram for the trailer option.

Aftermarket won't work the systems either, & may damage the unibody structure if it doesn't attach as the factory hitch.

Make sure that you also get the electric adapter pigtail for the brake controller with the kit or as an add-on, as well as a 7-pin or 4-pin/7-pi-combo trailer electric receptacle (available at many sources & Suncoast).

Good Luck!
Tom
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Did the 955 oem hitch work for your 957? I am in the same boat right now, looking at hitch options for my 08 CTT. I am debating between the Curt hitch and the oem one. My only problem is the OEM are sooo expensive to buy brand new

 

The aftermarket hitches will not work the automatic system to detect & switch to towing mode - as would the factory hitch option, assuming that you also have the Cay reprogrammed by the dealer for a factory hitch install.


It's more expensive because the hitch kit includes the electronics - not just the steel parts like the Curt/etc.


IMHO you're wasting your money on the non-factory hitches, & losing the changes to the engine, transmission shift points, braking, etc. in your Cay.


Yes they're more expensive, but you bought a Porsche CTT - not a Ford F150 with the shift lever push button for towing mode, where any hitch will do.


And the CTT is the most expensive in the range, retains its value better than most other Cayennes, but putting on an aftermarket hitch will change that to the negative for you (not that it'll actually go up in value anytime soon).



Also, the aftermarket hitches don't attach to the factory connection points for strength as I recall.


IMHO, just bite the bullet & put on the factory hitch.



You can get best pricing on them from either Sunset Porsche in OR, or Sunset Porsche in FL - using their respective parts websites (+/- $8-900 IIRC).


IIRC it is the same part for 955/957, but their websites will get you to the right part.


Since the dealers just sell aftermarket 7-pin hook-ups, you can get those locally, but I'd recco that you get the 4 & 7 pin combo type for both types of trailer connectors, or you can use a 4-pin plug-in wireless back-up camera to aid hitching up, if your CTT doesn't have the factory camera (a serious omission by Porsche on all Cays IMHO).



Cheers!
Tom
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The 955 OEM fits on my 08. I have the whole thing installed now and it tows like a dream! I got the hitch receiver/bumper on ebay for $300 with free shipping. It included the wiring harness that attaches one end to the trailer hitch, one end to the OEM lighting controller (purchased separately), and one end connects to the PCM. Also included were the OEM M14x100 galvanized flange bolts to install the bumper/receiver. Just be careful not to purchase the Euro model, with the retractable hitch included; they look troublesome and don't give the same towing capacity.

The 955 bumper is the exact same bumper without the receiver; the 957 bumper is a smaller aluminum one. The biggest obstacle I encountered is that in the factory instructions to upgrade to a receiver bumper, they instruct you to drill out the M12 threads in the frame, and tap new M14 threads. I tried to drill out the threads but they are hardened thread inserts, pressed into hardened steel...so I couldn't drill and tap. Instead I went online and looked at the difference between the grades of steel used for fasteners. I found that using high quality stainless steel bolts (from ARP) in M12 gave me the same strength as the lower grade steel that the OEM M14 10.9 bolts were made of. The strength ratings between the two for shear and tensile were equivalent.

The OEM flange bolts are M14x100 but 10mm at the tip were conical guides; the substitutes I got were M12x90 at 1.5 thread pitch. The flanges looked a little small so I backed them up with some fender washers (same grade steel).

As mentioned by Tom, installing the OEM trailer light controller is key, whether you use the aftermarket hitch or OEM hitch. I found a controller on ebay for $60. Installed it behind the CD changer bay, just like OEM. Up front you want to find the pigtail for the brake controller (factory installed) if you plan on pulling a trailer with electric brakes. I found a pigtail adapter for $50 and a Tenkosha Primus for $12. Don't forget the 7-pin factory plug to 7-blade North America standard wiring adapter, it installs into a bracket on the OEM receiver, and connects to one end of the OEM wiring harness. I read about someone installing a Curt receiver with the OEM harness and lighting controller. The harness was $300! I guess that is what they cost...I replaced a 5 connector harness in my Kia minivan, it cost $350. It was amazing to get the harness as part of the receiver I bought! I didn't realize that there are hundreds of crashed Cayennes out there getting parted out on ebay...you can find any part you want it seems.

If you are a DIY, this project is no problem. 2-3 hours going slow and taking breaks. The benefits (especially with a heavy trailer, 5k lbs or more) are beyond worth the money and effort...even if you paid full price having a dealer install a brand new factory one for you! The worst choice is using the Curt instructions to hack into the brake lighting; the PCM will tell you if it doesn't like what you've done to the wiring by indicating a light is out, and beeping at you a lot!

The "trailer mode" that kicks in when the trailer controller detects a trailer is connected is as impressive and drastic as "sport mode." I have pulled the trailer around the block without the plug connected; the difference in transmission and throttle response is amazing. The towing mode also has sway control, where the rear brakes activate individually to eliminate side-to-side difference in wheel speed (sway). The fact that the Curt does not replace the Porsche engineered bumper is also a no-go for me; seems like rear impact safety is drastically affected by installing an aftermarket. Also, the aftermarket receivers are only rated for 6000 lbs.; with the OEM, even running the 6-banger, the Cayenne is rated at 7700lbs towing capacity, indicating they are not quite as strong, or the installing bolts are weak.

I can post my shopping list if you can't find all the parts on ebay. There are lots of good threads here that I used to get the installation process. Go for the OEM setup, you won't be disappointed!

 

Thank you, that was exactly what I needed to know. I have found some used OEM 04-06 hitches but was unsure if they would fit on a 08.

If you could post your shopping list it would be greatly appreciated!

I will be towing a ski boat and trailer combo that weighs around 4,000 lbs and has surge brakes. I shouldn't need a brake controller with the surge brakes.

 

Are these the bolts you used to attache the hitch to the frame? https://www.tdotperformance.ca/arp-6...hoCVRwQAvD_BwE

 

Well I lucked out and found a hitch/wiring/tow module near by for a steal of a deal. Can anyone tell me if I need anything else other than what is shown in the photos?

 

asp, that looks like that's everything! The bolts you found are the same brand and right size but different material. I think they have the same PSI rating at 180k psi...I PM'ed you the part #s and website I used. The ones I found were stainless. I went with stainless because the bolts are exposed somewhat to the spray from the road from underneath, and to help keep the bolts from bonding to the threads. The ones you linked have the same max torque at 98ft-lbs.

I was able to find OEM instructions in a link on the forums, and a complete set of "instructions" I put together from forum posts/pics and I got good info on removing the bumper and interior panels from http://pelicanparts.com ...you have to pull pretty hard to get the pins out of the clips when pulling the panels. A panel pulling spatula set is recommended, I just suffered the raw fingertips (even with the gloves).

Good luck and enjoy!

 

 

I also have done the OEM route plus the USA adapter for the plug in orientation .
The control module has a female receptacle for 2 wiring plugs. I had my local body shop owner help with the install.
Neither of us can find the second pigtail in the vehicle's harness ...the wiring harness plugs into the rear wheel well harness. My question is does the vehicle's wiring harness have another pigtail that we just can't find, or do I have to unplug one from the other module on board just ahead of where the other module attaches ?
Anyone who installs an aftermarket system on a cayenne is just plain too stupid to own one in the first place!