I know the answer to my question according to the VW rep, yes, the real question is what is involved in that. I have a 2018 Atlas SE, VR6 with 4 motion. I attempted to get a dealer installed 5,000 lbs hitch and was told that the rep talked to someone at the factory and that the cars coming with the 5,000 lbs hitch have additional strengthening of the chassis to accommodate the factory 5,000 hitch. Does anyone know just what they do under there that can't be retrofitted ? I am amazed that they have an optional 5,000 lb hitch that is only optional at the factory level, who would buy an SUV that size that can only tow a 4x8 garden trailer or something similar. I guess I would because I did thinking I could add a hitch later. But back to the question just what do they do under there to strengthen it ?