Towbar and dedicated wiring loom advice ( copied from towi...

[Parksy]

I copied this post from Towing Driving & Safety for Mikeyboy 44

Yes, me AGAIN!

Hello,

I am new to the world of caravanning and the advice on this forum which I have recieved has been fantastic, so heere is another question for you all....

I am needing some specific advice surrounding the fitting of a towbar to my car.

Car details:

Audi A6 Saloon, 2.0 TDi , 2008 '58 reg. It is a company car (car is on a 3 year lease) my employers and the leasing company have authorised me getting a towbar fitted to tow a van.

I have requested quotes from various companies and they are coming in at around £260- £280 for a standard 'swan neck' type and £390 for a detatchable type. These prices included standard 'aftermarket 'electrics.

They have then given me the option to 'upgrade' the electrics to what they have called 'vehicle specific wiring loom' at a cost of an additional £210.

My question is whether the dedicated wiring loom justifies the rather significant additional expense. I am a newbie, so this may be a daft question, but in my shoes would you go for this option.

Any advice/thoughts appreciated as always

Mikeyboy44

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately, without more specifics it is impossible to advise, unless someone with a similar vehicle can oblige.

There are 2 types of wiring system available on the market. Usually the manufacturer's one installs all the elctrics but also adjusts any computer systems to ensure everything works as before. Non- manufacturer's systems can be just as effective but often do not give all the 'bells and whistles' you may get with the former. There is usually a cost differential between the 2 systems of course.

The other possibility is the extra cost quoted is for a relay ssytem to allow the fridge etc to work.

Again, without more details this is a ll supposition

 

[Michael_374390745]

Unfortunately, without more specifics it is impossible to advise, unless someone with a similar vehicle can oblige.

There are 2 types of wiring system available on the market. Usually the manufacturer's one installs all the elctrics but also adjusts any computer systems to ensure everything works as before. Non- manufacturer's systems can be just as effective but often do not give all the 'bells and whistles' you may get with the former. There is usually a cost differential between the 2 systems of course.

The other possibility is the extra cost quoted is for a relay ssytem to allow the fridge etc to work.

Again, without more details this is a ll supposition

Hello,

The cheapear option is for the non-manufacturer type of wiring, ie: standard twin electrics, not specific to Audi.

The more expensive (

 

[Michael_374390745]

Hello,

The cheapear option is for the non-manufacturer type of wiring, ie: standard twin electrics, not specific to Audi.

The more expensive (

 

[Glenn_5132962]

I paid

 

[xtrailman]

On my A4 i had the cheaper option fitted, this still allowed the bulb failure system to work, but gave no dash board indication.

i found the audible indication in the boot satisfactory.

if i was replacing my car, then i would consider a one socket arrangment(13 pin), if my caravan was fitted with one.

however if the company is paying, have the dedicated loom

 

[anotherDavid]

Hi there

The "bells and whistles" refered to will may include some or all of the following, adjusting you car stability program to take account of towing, prevent your reversing aids being set off by the proximity of the van, cut out the fog lamps so that you dont get the glare from them and give you indication of bulb failure on the van. Still

 

[John_374361410]

Try doing it yourself. There are couple of companies on the net that will sell you all the kit and the instructions to do it. I have done three Mondeos (old and new shape)and they both work fine. Reckon I've saved