Towbars

[tristar1]

Hi All,

Although new to caravans, I am not new to towing in various formats. We have just ordered a new Bailey Senator Vermont for delivery in the new year and I have just started looking for tow bars.

As my 06 Reg Jetta diesel is just over a year old, I went to the VW Dealer and nearly fainted. £800 fitted, twin electric removable bar.

Its got to be removable because of the reversing sensors, and there could be warranty issues if anyone else attached their wiring to the car?? (so they say).

Does anyone have any experience of other tow bars and VW's and has anyone experienced problems that could lead to wiring problems with the car.

Finally, the obvious question, which make of tow bar is considered the best way to go, and where to get one fitted.

I live in Downham Market, Norfolk.

Any help and and advice appreciated.

Many Thanks in advance.

Charlie

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Charlie,

I have a detachable bar too - but you could also fit the Westfalia made swing-out model (that's fitted to many MB, BMW and Volvo vehicles) which stores under the bumper when not needed.

You may want to investigate how a 12N/12S system fits on the detachable tow bar - many are designed for the single socket 13 pin ISO 11446 socket - which the UK adopts in 2008/2009

As regards possible warranty issues with the wiring - many modern cars use canBUS distributed systems and if the job is not done correctly, it could be expensive to fix...

But there are two ways to do the job satisfactorily:

1. Dedicated wiring harness that plugs into the socket already in the car boot area. An example of this car specific wiring can be found on the TowEquipe web-site:

http://www.towequipe.co.uk/?gclid=CKShpfql5I8CFQ5OQgodYzL-DQ
2. A multi-way relay isolation kit - this uses a minute amount of the power going to the bulbs to switch relays - and a separate power supply.

These are cheaper, but take longer to fit

Suggestion:

Talk with a good, independent tow-bar fitter in your area - maybe if you ask nicely at the VW garage they'll tell you who they use.

And don't forget if you have ESP+ (or if you know that your car has TSP), the VW dealership may need to switch that feature on... and they may charge.

Robert

 

[tristar1]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for that. I have just started looking around on the net. The van suppliers have recommended someone.

Out of interest what the bit below mean. Not heard of those features.

Thanks again.

Charlie

and don't forget if you have ESP+ (or if you know that your car has TSP), the VW dealership may need to switch that feature on... and they may charge.

 

[rob_jax]

Charlie,

ESP - electronic stabilisation program - originally developed for the MB A-class - now pretty much a standard on family cars and modulates the car ABS brake system to bring a wayward car back into line.

ESP+ - latest generation ESP - more wheel sensors and has higher capabilities - one of these is TSP (Trailer Stabilisation Program) to correct trailer sway by applying selectively applying the car's brakes.

VW have implemented TSP on certain models, but I'm not sure about the Jetta - if the manual says ESP - then no and it's been an academic exercise. If yes, then it's worth having switched on.

Robert

 

[matthew_374303743]

You could try giving prolek cragmay a call in Kings Lynn. Never used them myself but they are well established auto electricians and specialise in tow bar fitting. They may also be able to advise on voiding the warranty, dealers seem to like telling porkies when it comes to warranties just to get their hands on your money.

 

[tristar1]

You could try giving prolek cragmay a call in Kings Lynn. Never used them myself but they are well established auto electricians and specialise in tow bar fitting. They may also be able to advise on voiding the warranty, dealers seem to like telling porkies when it comes to warranties just to get their hands on your money.

Thanks Matthew

I spoke to Cragmay the other day. I am going to pay them a visit after the Christmas break. They want to see the car before giving me a quote and advice.

Charlie

 

[Woody3]

I am puzzled why the need to have a removeable ball because of the reversing sensors? We have an Octavia with a fixed-ball Towsure bar and the reversing sensors work perfectly.

 

[MalcolmL]

"I am puzzled why the need to have a removeable ball because of the reversing sensors?"

I, too, am puzzled by the many references to a problem with sensors and towbars. There are less sensors at the rear of the car to avoid unnecessary bleeping. The only time mine bleep is when I am reversing to the hitch. When they go off, I have about two inches further to reverse. and I have to be nearly touching.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

If its 4 sensors then you should be Ok

3 sensors would be a problem

 

[SBS]

What's the kerb weight of the Jetta?

 

[Lutz]

If you want the kerbweight accurately, the only way is to go down to the nearest weighbridge and have the car weighed. None of the databases are more than a guideline. The same goes for a figure that anyone might quote for their car. Differences from car to car can amount to over 100kg.

 

[Robert_374242026]

I am puzzled why the need to have a removeable ball because of the reversing sensors? We have an Octavia with a fixed-ball Towsure bar and the reversing sensors work perfectly.

I also have a Skoda Octavia Elegance and if i have a cover on the ball it makes the sensor on all the time. When i remove the cover it works ok for a while then goes potty again.Have tried to get Skoda involved but they say as it is not one of theirs nothing can be done. On the other hand i heard that Skoda sell a special electronic gizmo which enables it to work properly ,but the item i understand is very costley

 

[Ogre]

Another very good reason for buying an older car simply for towing. Then you don't have all this nonsense with dealerships quoting ludicrous prices for fitting what is essentially, a few bits of angle iron.

Most QUALIFIED auto-electricians are perfectly capable of sorting out the electrics. The 'fright-line' is typical of what ALL main dealers will say.

Personally, I wouldn't be conned into spending even half of what you've been quoted. Let's face it, main dealers have always been the most expensive route when it comes to anything to do with cars.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The main Nissan agent in Crewe had a towbar fitted for me on to the new XTrail and it cost me less than I could have bought the same Witter towbar for .

Witter list price for bar minus electrics

 

[Icemaker]

our alhambra had 4 reversing sensors on it and it was a pain in the a**e to say the least, we had a detachable tow bar fitted purely becouse of them constantly going off when reversing with the fixed bar, even then the sensors where a pain as when reversing the van they constantly went off which was very off putting especially if using the hazard lights allso.

In the end i pulled the plug on them and when i had the tow bar fitted to the new S max i had the reversing sensors disconected on this car too.

 

[Ogre]

I actually find that a towbar is a wonderful deterrent to having people 'nudge' your car from behind when they don't have the ability or decency to park properly.

Friends of mine witnessed a lady bash the rear of my car quite hard back in August whilst parking. She then drove off, but not before they had taken her registration. I checked my own car, but found no damage. Just plastic fragments around the towbar.

I have to say that it was quite refreshing, the following day to see the same lady (who worked on the same business park), and talk to her about it.

Apart from being very shamefaced when confronted, I had the great satisfaction of seeing her nice front bumper with a dirty great hole right through it, and cracks everywhere.

I think they call it rough justice!!

 

[Lutz]

So long as the lady was going slowly, she got the worse end of the stick but had she run into your car at much more than walking pace, the picture could have been a lot different. The damage to her car would obviously have been greater but your car would have suffered even more because there was nothing there to absorb the energy of the crash.

 

[tristar1]

Sorry all, I have been away for a while.

My Jetta has 4 reversing sensors, and, depending on who you ask , I get different answers. the VW dealer insists that I need a detachable tow bar so as not to set them off every time i select reverse, and a couple of independents refute this. I have already decided I am going the independent route and will play around this week to determine the need for removable or fixed. (I prefer the fixed option do dissuade peoples parking habits!!)

As to the kerbweight, its very confusing, but the suppliers of the van ran a computer simulation check , though I don't know the make of the programme and the towing ration came out at 90% of the kerbweight. I am happy with that. I am aware of the 85% guidance but this van has all the electronic assistance that there is and I am experienced at towing, just not caravans, yet.

All help and comment gratefully received.

Thanks

Charlie

 

[anotherDavid]

Hi there

I had some experiance of towbar fitting last year. On my new merc I was quoted about 250 by the main dealers to fit a standard 2 pin bar with twin electics. I opted for this because I wanted to fit a bike rack on it without thinking about the reversing aspect. When I did, the spec had to be changed to a detachable. Cutting a long story short a Westfalia bar with bespoke wiring loom for a merc fitted in my drive by the same mobile fitter that would have fitted the origional bar at the dealers, cost about 850 plus a trip to the dealer for some codes to be entered to activate the TSP programe mentioned before,

 

[tristar1]

Strange what comes around.

I found out that the dealer subs out any tow bar fitting to a specialist who is 1/2 mile from my house!!!

One quick trip later I found out that we know each other and the upshot is a fitted, twin electric detachable tow bar is going to be