Install of Curt 13105 Class 3 Receiver – 2012 LE AWD

[TonyVir]

Here are some photos of the Curt 13105 Class 3 Receiver installed on my 2012 LE AWD. The clearance is OK and I do not scrape as I pull in my drive way but I wish there was a little more clearance. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about that.

hitch1.jpg

It took me and a helper less than an hour to install and the instructions were very good. Here is a video of an install on a 2011.

It was not necessary to drop the exhaust pipe as the instructions suggest and the under-panel was easily cut with a utility knife. The plastic under-panel on my 2012 has a lip that drops down and was in the way of the hitch (See Photo). I did not see this lip in the 2011 video and there is no mention of it in the instructions. I decided to simply let the hitch push the plastic lip up and out of the way as I tightened it. I did make a relief cut on either side to prevent it from crushing the whole thing, but removing a piece of plastic there may have made for a neater installation.

hitch2.jpg

Here is my install of a Curt 56106 T-Connector for the trailer lights.

[gimshim]

Hi!
This C13105 is suitable for Sienna 2012 as per eTrailer.com and there is no mentioning of the lip.
They also state that they measured 11 inches from the top of the receiver tube to the ground.
I have an LE FWD model and looking into buying a hitch and was looking on this one as well.
Will you still recommend it? How is your experience after installing it?
Thanks!

[TonyVir]

Hello gimshim. I would highly recommend the Curt Hitch for your 2012. As I stated in my post the install took me and a helper less then an hour to complete and the instructions, except for the lip thing were spot on. I think if I were to do it again I would cut the plastic lip horizontally behind it as well and cutting the two relief cuts on either side. This way as I tightened the hitch the lip would kind of slide back into itself instead of crushing. However this would be for purely cosmetic reasons.

Regarding the 11" vs. 10.5" height. Maybe it has something to do with the fact my Sienna is an AWD. Not sure, however it doesn't seem to be an issue.

Good luck!

[gimshim]

Thanks!
Just checked with eTrailer and even though they have an option to deliver it from Ontario warehouse the UPS shipment cost is ridiculous vs. the free shipping in US.
They want $90 to ship it within Ontario.
Will have to look for it elsewhere..

[TonyVir]

I got mine on Amazon. Do they free ship to Canada?

[gimshim]

Looks like they are!!!
Ordered mine from Auto Trends (via Amazon) and they do ship to Canada as opposed to if bought from Amazon themselves.
Shipment appeared to be $0 - hope there will be no surprises on the way here...
Thank you so much for the advise.
BTW - found a good review there as well - Review on Amazon

[jmpellet]

I just bought a 2012 LE AWD and I need help. I understand that I need the actual receiver (Amazon about $150) and the wiring harness (about $50 on Amazon) but I'm not clear on whether I need the additional braking mechanism to tow a small 18' bowrider boat in an out of the water about a 1/2 mile from our lake to my lot just up the road. It seems like many people here plan on towing RVs so I wonder how they compare. The boat will be about 2,000 lbs I believe. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

[TonyVir]

I'm not clear on whether I need the additional braking mechanism to tow a small 18' bowrider boat

Does your trailer have brakes? I would think that if you're towing 2000 lbs for ONLY short hauls, trailer braking would not be necessary but I'm no expert. I tow a small sailboat with a total weight of probably less then 1200 lbs. I've never had trailer brakes.

I have seen other posts on this board regarding trailer brakes and I suggest you seek out someone more knowledgeable on this subject

[jmpellet]

Does your trailer have brakes? I'm would think that if you're towing 2000 lbs for ONLY for short hauls, trailer braking would not be necessary but I'm no expert. I tow a small sailboat with a total weight of probably less then 1200 lbs. I've never had trailer brakes.

I have seen other posts on this board regarding trailer brakes and I suggest you seek out someone more knowledgeable on this subject

Thanks for your quick reply! Thing is we have yet to buy a boat (and have never had one in the past) so I'm pretty clueless. I feel like I'm in a catch 22 -- I can't really search for a boat until I have a way to get it home and I won't know what type of trailer it has until I find one I guess I should (1) install the wiring and tow receiver and then if the trailer has brakes, (2) add them later. BTW, your detailed posting on how you did both parts was excellent and much-appreciated!

[gimshim]

Hi, just wanted to update that it took only 2 days to receive the hitch and the total price was $136.85 with TrendsAuto via Amazon.
I was surprised that the shipment was free but it looks as if it was shipped from Ontario, not US.
Almost bought it from eTrailer - the price was higher by ~$30 and what really stopped me was $90 they've wanted for shipment...
Anyway, now I can go ahead and install it.
I'm wondering if it's really necessary to remove the under-body trim panel just to trim it,
isn't it something that can be done without removing it?
In the video it's shown that it's being installed back right after cutting it, although they reinstall the rest of the fasteners for the under-body trim panel only after they put all 6 bolts in the hitch.
Looks like I will give it a try. Will update on how it went.

[brian_bp]

I just bought a 2012 LE AWD and I need help. I understand that I need the actual receiver (Amazon about $150) and the wiring harness (about $50 on Amazon) but I'm not clear on whether I need the additional braking mechanism to tow a small 18' bowrider boat in an out of the water about a 1/2 mile from our lake to my lot just up the road. It seems like many people here plan on towing RVs so I wonder how they compare. The boat will be about 2,000 lbs I believe. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

This really should be a separate topic, so please start one if the these few replies don't completely address your questions.

The Sienna requires brakes for a loaded trailer weight over 1000 lb. You can try going over double that limit, and I must admit that I did it the day I picked up my travel trailer, but in hindsight that was a bad idea, and potentially deadly. On the other hand, if you are really just driving for 1/2 mile, I can't see a problem with hitting the hazard flashers and taking it slow... pretend the Sienna's a farm tractor!

Boats are often sold with matched trailers. Those trailers usually only have brakes if the combination weighs over 3000 lb, which is criminally irresponsible of the manufacturers, in my opinion (that's way too heavy for many vehicles, and too heavy to be legal in some provinces and states). Even when they do have brakes, boat trailers often have hydraulic surge brakes, which operate themselves and don't require any wiring or equipment on the trailer.

In this situation, I would pick the boat, then ensure that the trailer has suitable brakes for the day I might want to take it somewhere else, and finally equip the Sienna as appropriate depending on what the trailer turned out to need. If the trailer ends up with electric brakes (which is actually unlikely for a boat trailer) and you can't wait to equip the Sienna before picking it up, you could get someone else to tow it that one time.

If necessary, brakes can usually be added to a trailer later, although not nearly as cheaply as including them when the trailer is made.

[TonyVir]

I'm wondering if it's really necessary to remove the under-body trim panel just to trim it,
isn't it something that can be done without removing it?

I wondered the same thing. And while I guess you could cut it while it is still installed, it's pretty ease to remove and re-install, and I think you'll get a neater and more accurate cut if you remove it from the van.

[gimshim]

Just got it installed in the evening - it was a bit more than promised 40 minutes (alone and it's harder than doing it in the garage pit), so overall it took around 1hour and 15 minutes.
Used a jack on the driver side to have a little bit more space in there.
Did the cut without removing the plastic panel with utility knife and it went very since this panel is much thinner than I were expecting.
I'm starting to think that the lip that is mentioned in some cases is only in AWD models.
Next I installed the passenger side (finger tightening the bolts) and then the driver side and then tightening all the way till the end.
Didn't have to lower the exhaust assembly - it all can be done without it.
The hitch fits very nice into it's place and looks good when installed.
Will take some pictures in day light to illustrate.
I don't believe I were looking on OEM class II hitch, which cost will be ~$350 more than I've paid...

[glenn]

Hi, just wanted to update that it took only 2 days to receive the hitch and the total price was $136.85 with TrendsAuto via Amazon.
I was surprised that the shipment was free but it looks as if it was shipped from Ontario, not US.
Almost bought it from eTrailer - the price was higher by ~$30 and what really stopped me was $90 they've wanted for shipment...
Anyway, now I can go ahead and install it.
I'm wondering if it's really necessary to remove the under-body trim panel just to trim it,
isn't it something that can be done without removing it?
In the video it's shown that it's being installed back right after cutting it, although they reinstall the rest of the fasteners for the under-body trim panel only after they put all 6 bolts in the hitch.
Looks like I will give it a try. Will update on how it went.

I am located in Alberta, Canada, and I was almost to order from thehitchstore.com as they ship from Ontario for Canadian orders, but, thanks to your post, I ordered one from Trends-Auto via Amazon.com. Their shipping policy noted that it included free shipping to lower 48 states, but during checkout shipping was not charged at all. I ordered the hitch, a hitch receiver cover and a Husky cargo liner, and shipping was not charged for anything. Their status are all 'Shipping Soon.'

Did they ship by UPS or by USPS? Any brokerage fees or anything like that when you received it? I really hope they arrive without any hiccups.

[Swagger-Wagon]

I have the Curt 13105 installed on my AWD as well but my Curt from the receiver tongue to the ground is a tiny bit over 9.5" clearance. I also have the Airlift 1000 bags installed. The garage pics with 10.25" is because the driveway may not be flat enough...

Here are some pics:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us










The Curt 13105 fits the 2012 AWD sienna like a glove. In fact, the quality of this receiver is so good, I'm VERY impressed with how well it was made. It comes in a glossy black finished well protected and best of all, it looks fantastic on the 2012 Sienna. I cut a slit on the driver side plastic diffuser under the van then slid the driver side of the receiver end thru the plastic diffuser slit then bolted it while also sliding the entire diffuser back in it's original space (sliding the panel from the back to front). Before I even slid it, i made sure to cut the AWD's "overhang" part (which is only on the AWD models) - so that it won't crumple the "overhang" area.

I did this install by myself with 3 jack stands and it took some patience but the install was a 3 out of 10 (being most difficult) install job ever. The receiver is just very well made and the entire tube is ROUND and the edges barely taper down at the corners of the van.

If you are ever wondering if you should buy this receiver, do not hesitate. It's an extremely well made receiver hitch and will fit the 2012 sienna's like a glove! The bolts that come with the receiver are really strong stainless steel like bolts - with some convex type washers and once bolted and torqued to 64ft/lbs, this thing is not going to come off.

The Airlift 1000 bags are great - zero bottoming out even with van tested with 7 passengers and some luggage in the back. It rides so solid and without a doubt, it makes the van that much better and safer.