Which Tow Bar

[Micael]

I'm buying a new VW Tiguan 1.5 Active 5 door, SUV. Can anyone please recommend a universal 13 pin tow bar. I'm being told I need vehicle specific electrics which are twice the price of a swan neck. They say my vehicle rear parking sensors could 'pick up' the tow bar and prevent me reversing. As I am rubbish at reversing with caravan I usually detach the caravan anyway and use the motor mover!

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

 

[RogerL]

The problem with reversing sensors isn't that you're prevented from reversing, it's that the beep when you engage reverse gear if the caravan is hooked up - not a bad reminder and only ever for a short period.

By getting vehicle specific electrics you'll activate the trailer Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), the bulb detection circuits will extend to the caravan and the alarm system will include the caravan when connected.

 

[Woodentop]

Find a decent installer (unfortunately PC forum does not show your location so we can't give guidance) and get a price to fit a Westfalia detachable complete with fridge wiring. It should be around £600 all in - whereas at a dealer it will be north of a grand. We have had this type on our present and last Passat estate (which is the same chassis) and it works perfectly. The ball sits far enough from the bumper for an Al-Ko hitch stabiliser to work correctly.
The reversing sensors should not be a problem as they need to see moderately quick relative movement which if it happens between car and van means you are unhitched! I was of the belief that the ECU reprogramming also cancelled the BMT if your vehicle has it, but found out - only once - on our last excursion that it doesn't.
Only major advice - make sure the vehicle is capable of towing your caravan else you it will hit you hard in the pocket with fuel consumption given the petrol has about 25% less torque than the equivalently powered 2L TDi and likely about the same in greater fuel consumption.

 

[Dustydog]

Mike , who told you that rubbish?
My VWTouareg was fitted up by an independent qualified tow bar guy I have known for years. By choice I have a removable swan neck. It’s been in place two years now! He has all the software computer stuff which ensures everything works correctly when hitched. The reversing bleepers cut off yet the camera works . See a real professional . Don’t listen to main dealers. They don’t fit them themselves!

 

[audiorob]

If you google 'mobile towbar fitters near me' you should come up with some independent fitters who should be able to advise on price and options, especially with regard to rear sensors. Mainly your choice is fixed or detachable, flange or swan neck, and unless you specifically want detachable you might find a fixed swan to be acceptable. You will need dedicated 13 pin wiring (make sure full wiring is listed for fridge etc) and the car may or may not need the ECU amended. The dedicated kit is likely to plug directly into the loom of the car rather than a generic kit (you would expect a vast difference as there s a vast price difference as you have found!) If you look on e.g. Witter or pfjones website you will also find illustrated options and fitting advice.
On my Tuscon I chose a Tow-Trust manufactured fixed swan bar as the neck is a 'u' shape and all the fixings therefore invisible behind the bumper - and i don't find the permanence of the bar to be obtrusive - a matter of choice of course!

 

[otherclive]

Most of the major towbar makers have their approved installation fitters so when you search on a makes website you should see the fitters in your area. Also dealers rarely fit towbars they too use the local fitter. I’ve never had a towbar installed by the dealership and haven’t ever had a problem.

Re dedicated versus generic electrics; go dedicated on a modern electronic laden car. Towbar makers websites will also show if you need a rear bumper cut out. Some maybe will, some maybe not.

 

[Woodentop]

If you google 'mobile towbar fitters near me' you should come up with some independent fitters who should be able to advise on price and options, especially with regard to rear sensors. Mainly your choice is fixed or detachable, flange or swan neck, and unless you specifically want detachable you might find a fixed swan to be acceptable. You will need dedicated 13 pin wiring (make sure full wiring is listed for fridge etc) and the car may or may not need the ECU amended. The dedicated kit is likely to plug directly into the loom of the car rather than a generic kit (you would expect a vast difference as there s a vast price difference as you have found!) If you look on e.g. Witter or pfjones website you will also find illustrated options and fitting advice.
On my Tuscon I chose a Tow-Trust manufactured fixed swan bar as the neck is a 'u' shape and all the fixings therefore invisible behind the bumper - and i don't find the permanence of the bar to be obtrusive - a matter of choice of course!

Note that Witter and Westphalia are now owned by the same organisation.
The permanence of the fitted towball is not an issue - until you walk into it and then it HURTS!

 

[Beachball]

We put a detachable swan neck towbar Westfalia on my Tiguan we had a mobile fitter who put a 13pin socket coded into the car he took the bumper off a very neat job so far not had a problem with the rear parking sensors it came with a lifetime warranty . We ask the Volkswagen dealer they quoted over a grand so glad we went our way .on this item .

 

[audiorob]

There may be aesthetic differences on the design of the bars but the underpinnings will all be almost identical as required to fit to the points specified by the car manufacturer. Definitely worth shopping around as Beachball describes - as the cost of the complete job for the same make will vary hugely.

 

[Jcloughie]

I'm buying a new VW Tiguan 1.5 Active 5 door, SUV. Can anyone please recommend a universal 13 pin tow bar. I'm being told I need vehicle specific electrics which are twice the price of a swan neck. They say my vehicle rear parking sensors could 'pick up' the tow bar and prevent me reversing. As I am rubbish at reversing with caravan I usually detach the caravan anyway and use the motor mover!

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Some cars (a few) can have tow bars in which the socket is neatly incorporated in the bar. Mercedes’ and Volvo for example. But for most of us the bar and the wiring are two separate things even though they may be fitted together. Therefore, you are free to choose a fixed or detachable ball.

Regarding the wiring. This can be done the ‘old fashioned way’ getting relays, wire and sockets separately and putting them all together. This was the cheapest option. However, dedicated kits have come down in price and simplify the process of buying and fitting so is the way to go.

But dedicated kits can vary depending on the car. But the essence is they simply plug into the cars loom without the need to splice into it. Some cars require re-coding. others don’t.

This company have been trading for a long time and will sell a kit, or will also supply a price for fitting. Note that there is a tab to click on for an estimate.

You are being redirected...

John

 

[Raywood]

VW are not easy to deal with where towing is concerned and in most cases you have to specify that it is suitable for towing as otherwise you might not get one that is. Fitting a non VW relay would probably breach the warranty conditions, and while they cost far more I do still fit a manufacturers one.
The parking sensors should not be a problem as the fitters can sort that.
VW do try to make you buy the whole kit but you will save money by going to a specialist and they often fit the same Westfalia tow bar that VW use. The advantage of a VW fit one though is that it becomes part of the car sold to you and gets the VW guarantee but you have to decide if it is worth that. If you go for the VW fitting you should specify it comes fitted with the extra wiring for a caravan as it will not come as standard.

 

[Dustydog]

Ray can you clarify one point please . Do VW fit their own oem or is it a dealer only fit?
I ask this because the Specialist I use regularly fits tow bars and cameras to brand new Audi VW cars at the main dealer

 

[RogerL]

Ray can you clarify one point please . Do VW fit their own oem or is it a dealer only fit?
I ask this because the Specialist I use regularly fits tow bars and cameras to brand new Audi VW cars at the main dealer

VW also offer factory-fit on factory ordered cars, which since about 2015 has automatically included fridge circuitry.