STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch Instruction Manual

June 12, 2024
STEALTH

STEALTH logo www.stealthhitches.com
833•694•4824
RACK RECEIVER KIT#: SHR34004

STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch

HITCH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

MAKE: VOLKSWAGEN YEARS: 2018 – 2022 MODEL/TRIM: TIGUAN

COMPATIBLE WITH TOW KIT: SHT25056
2” RACK RECEIVER MAXIMUM PAYLOAD: 350 LBS
MAXIMUM TOW RATING: 3500 LBS
MAXIMUM TONGUE WEIGHT: 350 LBS

UNDER VEHICLE TRIMMING
HEAT SHIELD: NO
FASCIA: NO
GRAVEL GUARD TRIMMING: NO

READ ALL INSTRUCTION WARNINGS AND LABELS
NO WELDING, METAL DRILLING OR VISIBLE TRIMMING REQUIRED

PARTS SUPPLIED WITH RACK RECEIVER KIT:

STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - KIT

ADDITIONAL PARTS FOR TOW KIT:

STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - Tools 1

RACK RECEIVER INSTALLATION: USE STEPS 1-14 & 26-28
TOW KIT INSTALLATION: USE STEPS 1-28

OOLS REQUIRED:

ADDITIONAL TOOLS FOR TOW KIT:

< THESE INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE END USER>
NOTICE: Installation of Stealth products may or may not require the addition of a wiring harness to the vehicle.

  • The Rack Receiver only product does not require adding a wiring harness.
  • The Rack Receiver plus Tow Kit requires the addition of a “Passive” wiring harness to the vehicle. The passive harness “reads” the output of the vehicle’s lights and translates the signals to the trailer without being connected to the vehicle computer.

INSTALLATION NOTE: In most instances, these instructions will only outline disassembly of vehicle components.
Re-installation of components will require the installer to retain vehicle hardware and work through disassembly instructions in reverse order. When installation is complete, double check that all vehicle components have been replaced and are secured.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE FOR STEALTH HITCH INSTALLERS AND CUSTOMERS.
Read all installation and operating instructions along with all labels before installing or using this product. Do not perform any installation or towing procedures without fully understanding the correct tools and actions for all steps. Call for support if needed.

WARNING
Failure to comply with the safety information in these instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Do not modify this product in any manner. Doing so could alter its integrity and lead to a loss of attachment between the trailer and the tow vehicle.
Adding Stealth hitch components to the chassis of any vehicle can be hazardous. There is potential for unexpected combustion of fuel, electric shock, burns, shifting or falling of unstable vehicle, damage to vehicle, njury from tool usage and many other hazards. This installation must be completed by someone who is aware of the hazards involved. This person must be knowledgeable of proper safety procedures for a vehicle modification of this nature, and for usage of the equipment required to perform the installation.
** Without proper knowledge, towing can be a dangerous activity. Understand all the risks involved with towing before proceeding. For information on towing safety, see “The Trailer Handbook: A Guide to Understanding Trailer and Towing Safety” from the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, www.NATM.com and your trailer and tow vehicle manufacturer’s owner’s manual.
**
Do not exceed tow or tongue rating of coupler, tow or tongue rating of hitch, or tow or weight ratings of tow vehicle or trailer. See vehicle and trailer manufacturer information for ratings. Exceeding these ratings may cause damage to towing components or loss of attachment between the trailer and vehicle.
While installation is being performed, check for signs of damage or excessive corrosion. Do not install hitch components over vehicle parts that are broken or have compromised structural integrity.
This product was designed to fit vehicles in their original, “as manufactured” condition. Compatibility with vehicles having replacement parts, or other modifications is not guaranteed. Inspect vehicle for modifications before installation of this product.
Some accessories, like the rack receiver, are not rated for towing. Do not use any accessories without proper knowledge of their use.
A visual inspection of the hitch should be performed before each use. Regularly check that all connections are secure, including those that secure the hitch to the vehicle. Check for cracks or damage to the hitch. Do not use the hitch if cracks or damage outside of normal wear is found. Using a hitch that has unsecure connections and/or cracks or damage could result in damage to the tow vehicle, trailer, towing components and loss of attachment between the tow vehicle and trailer.
****Stealth hitches are not compatible with any weight distribution or sway control products. Adding additional products to the trailer or chassis which modifies the function of the Stealth hitch may cause hitch failure.

NOTICE: Installation of hitch requires removal of vehicle parts and interaction with vehicular electronics. Before installation, check the condition of body panels and note any locations where panels are not flush. Check the electronic functions of the vehicle, such as: headlights, taillights, turn signals, cameras, backup sensors, Parking Distance Controller (PDC), foot activated cargo access, etc. It is the responsibility of the installer to restore the fit and function of the vehicle

GAIN ACCESS TO MOUNTING AREA

  1. Open the cargo area door. In the rear cargo area, locate the side panels. Use a 90 degree pick to remove vent covers to gain access to taillight.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA

  2. Remove the taillights by first turning the plastic spring- loaded wing nut, counterclockwise.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 1

  3. Slide the lights to the rear of the vehicle. A plastic pry tool can be used to help if the light does not slide freely. With the lights dislodged, unplug the light plug by pushing down on the clip and pulling the plug outward.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 2

  4. Inside the rear wheel well, behind the tire, locate (3) screws which are holding the wheel well liner. Remove these screws.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 3

  5. Locate and remove (1) screw underneath vehicle behind the rear tire.

  6. Partially remove the rear wheel well trim by applying outward pressure to release clips. Start at the bottom and work up. Locate and remove (1) screw behind the rear wheel well trim. Repeat Steps 4-6 on other side of vehicle.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 4 NOTE: To protect the trim from being scratched during the removal or replacement, cover it with painter’s tape or something similar.

  7. Under the rear of the vehicle, use a torx to remove (5) screws from the bottom of the fascia (green arrows). Use a torx to remove (4) plastic screw rivets (yellow arrows)STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 5

  8.  The rear fascia is clipped to the vehicle body above and behind the wheel wells. Pull outward on the top front of the rear fascia to expose a clip in the seam. With a plastic pry tool, push down on the exposed clip to disconnect. Continue to pull outward on
    the fascia and disconnect clips as they are exposed until all clips are disconnected. Repeat on other side of vehicle.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen
Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 6

  9. This step requires a partner.
    Pull the fascia rearward.
    Remove the fascia completely.
    NOTICE: Carefully remove the fascia and place on a blanket or pad.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA
7

  10. Remove (4) bolts, two on each side above the factory reinforcement beam. Underneath the vehicle, on the outside of the vehicle chassis beams, find (2) bolts on each side, securing the reinforcement beam. Use a socket to remove the bolts. Discard factory bolts and reinforcement beam.
    NOTE: Some models have a cellular antenna attached to the factory reinforcement beam. If present, remove from the factory reinforcement beam. The antenna  will be reattached to the Stealth hitch frame.STEALTH SHR34004
Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - MOUNTING AREA 8 INSTALL STEALTH HITCH FRAME

  11. Install the Stealth frame where the factory reinforcement beam had been. Center the hitch frame. Place the washer plates on top of the hitch holes and use the supplied M8 bolts, washers, & lock washers to fasten the hitch. STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - FRAME

  12. Torque the (8) M8 bolts to 20 ft.-lbs.

  13. If your vehicle has cellular antenna, use the supplied 1/4” hardware to reattach the antenna to the hitch frame, as shown.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - FRAME 1 MOUNT LATCH BLOCK

  14. Installation of the latch block varies depending on which kit you are installing.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - BLOCK • Rack Receiver Kit: Install the latch block with (2) 5/8”-11 x 5” bolts and (2) 5/8” nylock nuts. Tighten each bolt to150 ft.-lbs.
    • Tow Kit: Install the latch block and (2) chain hooks with (2) 5/8”-11 x 5” bolts and (2) 5/8” nylock nuts. Tighten each bolt to 150 ft.-lbs.
    NOTICE: Keys are packaged within the latch block, remove keys and store in safe location.
    IF INSTALLING A RACK RECEIVER KIT, SKIP TO STEP 26.
    IF INSTALLING A TOW KIT, CONTINUE TO STEP 15
    INSTALL PASSIVE WIRING KIT****

| DESCRIPTION| QTY

---|---|---
1| 4-WAY CONNECTOR HARNESS| 1
2| CONTROL MODULE| 1
3| 4-WAY CONNECTOR COVER| 1
4| CABLE TIE – 8″| 8
5| CABLE TIE – 14″| 4
6| MAGNETIC CABLE HOLDER| 1
7| M8 SERRATED FLANGE NUT| 1
8| FORK TERMINAL| 1
9| ADHESIVE FOAM STRIP| 2
10| BUTT CONNECTOR (BLUE)| 1
11| BUTT CONNECTOR (RED)| 4
12| CLAMP-ON CONNECTORS| 4
13| POWERWIRE| 1
14| SELF-TAPPING SCREW| 1

  1. Locate the wiring kit box.
    Review the contents of the box against the list above to check for missing components. The passive wiring kit uses a control module to manage the functions of the trailer lighting. The module has an “input” side that receives power from the vehicle’s battery and signals from the vehicle’s taillights. The “output” side of the module delivers this information to the 4-way plug. The control module is connected to the vehicle’s battery and taillight wiring as outlined in the next steps.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen
Tiguan Hitch - WIRING 1 NOTICE: Do not allow electrical system to become disconnected from power or ground. Doing so may interrupt electrical systems.

  2. Mount the control module to the driver side of the hitch frame as shown. Use the supplied adhesive strips and 14” cable ties to secure the control module.

  3. Locate the tail of the 4-way connector wire and the output side wires of the control module. Attach each similar color wire to each other using a red butt connector and crimping tool. NOTICE (OPTIONAL): The butt connectors are heat shrink connectors. Apply heat to waterproof the connectors after crimping.

  4. Secure harness to Stealth hitch frame with cable ties.
    Maintain an 18” loop from the cable tie to the 4-way plug. Add the magnetic cable holder and secure to the harness close to the 4-way plug, with a cable tie.

  5. The wires on the input side of the module need to be attached to the vehicle wiring. Route the green wire into the passenger side of the vehicle through the hole behind the taillight. Locate the indicated part of the taillight wiring harness. Use clamp-on connectors to connect the green wire to taillight wiring harness. (As shown in reference table below.)
    NOTICE: Verify wire signals with multimeter. Manufacturer may use different colors.

  6. Route the yellow and brown input wires into the driver side of the vehicle through the hole behind the taillight. Locate the indicated part of the taillight wiring harness.
    Use clamp-on connectors to connect the yellow and brown wires to the taillight wiring harness. (As shown in reference table below.) CLAMP-ON CONNECTOR COLOR REFERENCE TABLE

    SIGNAL INPUT WIRES| POWER & GROUND WIRES
    FUNCTION| HARNESS| VEHICLE
    LEFT TURN| YELLOW| BLACK/WHITE| 12V+ (POWER)| BLACK| BATTERY (+)
    RIGHT TURN| GREEN| BLACK/GREEN| GROUND| WHITE| GROUND SCREW
    MARKER| BROWN| BLACK/RED|
    BRAKE| RED| NOT USED

NOTICE: Do not connect the red brake wire. This vehicle does not utilize a separate brake circuit. The brake signal is sent down the left and right turn circuits simultaneously.
NOTE: If two colors are listed, the first color is the dominant color.’

  1. Crimp supplied fork terminal to ground wire with a crimping tool. Use a 5/16” nut driver bit to drill the supplied self-tapping screw on the driver side under body channel, to secure ground fork terminal.

  2. The power wire will need to be routed to the engine compartment where it will connect to the battery. Route the wire under the vehicle on the driver side. Pass the wire up into the engine compartment.

  3. Route the power wire from the rear of firewall to the positive side of battery. Locate the fuse holder supplied in the wiring kit box. Remove the fuse from the fuse holder.
    Crimp the fuse holder lead to the black power wire. Connect the ring terminal to the positive battery terminal (+).

  4. Determine the amount of power wire needed to reach the control module. Trim the control module power wire to remove excess length. Use the included blue butt connector to crimp the power wire leading from the battery to the control module power  wire. Reinstall the 20 Amp fuse in the harness fuse holder located near the battery. Test the 4-way plug using a multimeter or connect the plug to a trailer and verify that the lights and brakes work correctly.
    NOTE: Taillights will need to be temporarily plugged in during testing.
    NOTICE (OPTIONAL): The butt splice connector is a heat shrink connector. Apply heat to waterproof the connector after crimping.

  5. Secure all wires and wiring components. Use the remaining cable ties to secure wiring so that it is not loose and will not interfere with replacement of the fascia. Wiring should not be visible once the vehicle is reassembled.
    REINSTALL VEHICLE COMPONENTS

  6. Reattach and secure the fascia, taillights, and other vehicle components in reverseorder. Refer to Steps 1-9. FINAL VEHICLE EXAMINATION

  7. Examine the body panels to ensure that they are in a pre-installation condition. Test the electronic functions of the vehicle. Correct any inconsistencies.

  8. Ensure that hitch components work properly.
    • Verify that the lock works correctly. Push in the safety lock on the latch block then unlock with key. The lock should slide back out with the key when unlocked.
    • Verify that each accessory can be installed correctly. Use the following steps to install and remove each accessory that will be used with the hitch. (Rack Receiver and Ball Mount if purchased.)
    1. Prepare latching mechanism. Turn handle clockwise if needed.
    2. Firmly insert “post” of accessory into latch block until handle releases indicating that the accessory is latched.
    3. Push in the safety locking pin until it fully engages. The locking pin prevents the handle from turning when pushed in, and confirms that the block is securely latched onto the accessory. The safety locking pin will not depress if the accessory is not fully latched.
    4. Use key to release safety locking pin.
    5. While holding on to the accessory, rotate handle clockwise to release and remove the accessory.
    • Verify that no part of the accessories come into contact with the body of the vehicle.STEALTH SHR34004 Volkswagen Tiguan Hitch - WIRING
10

PRODUCT USE AND MAINTENANCE

NOTICE: If the hitch is being installed by a professional, the installer is responsible for training the end user in the use and maintenance of the product.

  • Accessory installation procedure:
    1. Prepare latching mechanism. Turn handle clockwise if needed.
    2. Firmly insert “post” of accessory into latch block until handle spins counter- clockwise indicating that the accessory is latched.
    3. Always depress the safety locking pin and check that it has fully engaged.

  • Never use any accessory with the safety lock disengaged. Until the safety locking pin is engaged, the handle is able to turn. A fully engaged safety locking pin is confirmation that the accessory is properly latched into the latch block.

  • Never use the rack receiver for towing. The rack receiver accessory is only to be used with payload carrying products, such as bike racks or luggage racks.

  • Before each use, give the post of the accessory a light coating of lithium based grease.

  • Before each use, inspect the hitch to ensure that all bolted connections are secure and that no cracks or damage are present. Do not tow with the hitch if cracks or damage outside of normal wear is found.

  • Remove the Stealth accessories from the latch block after each use. Do not leave accessories plugged in for extended periods of time.

Copyright 2023, B&W Custo m Truck Beds, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
SHR34004_(pn 2120-34004 -2) 04 12 2023

References

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