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T6.1 Towbar Fitting (due to factory delays!)

KatyCherry

KatyCherry

Messages
60
Location
Sussex
Vehicle
T6 Beach 150
Due to factory delays on tow bars thinking of fitting one myself as it will probably push our build date to after august(currently it’s June!)
I’m an engineer and have fitted bars loads of times just not on a Cali
So has anyone fitted a towbar to a T6.1 yet and do you have to remove the kitchen unit to do it?
For me it will also be about half the price (not including my own labour)as I only need 7 pin electrics!
 
Due to factory delays on tow bars thinking of fitting one myself as it will probably push our build date to after august(currently it’s June!)
I’m an engineer and have fitted bars loads of times just not on a Cali
So has anyone fitted a towbar to a T6.1 yet and do you have to remove the kitchen unit to do it?
For me it will also be about half the price (not including my own labour)as I only need 7 pin electrics!
I fitted a Westfalia detachable towbar to our T5.1 van with wiring from PF Jones. The retrofit version wiring loom is run under the van on the nearside above the plastic splash guards to the front.

You will need to recode the Canbus system once it is fitted. This will disable the rear fogs and reversing sensors, adjust the rear brakes, and put up the trailer display on the radio when a trailer is plugged in.

Hope that helps.

Alan
 
I fitted a Westfalia detachable towbar to our T5.1 van with wiring from PF Jones. The retrofit version wiring loom is run under the van on the nearside above the plastic splash guards to the front.

You will need to recode the Canbus system once it is fitted. This will disable the rear fogs and reversing sensors, adjust the rear brakes, and put up the trailer display on the radio when a trailer is plugged in.

Hope that helps.

Alan
Excellent thanks for info Alan so hopefully should be fairly straight forward , it’s taken me a whole day before to fit bars to my old passat and Touran to remove all the interior panels for the wiring runs! Will be fitting a westfalia one and already have VCDS
 
It helps if you can put the nearside up on ramps to give you more space underneath.

On my 2010 Cali the wiring loom has a control box which is located near the engine battery and a couple of cables had to be routed across the bulkhead and in behind the dashboard on the driver's side. Locating the right grommet and pushing the cables through it was very difficult. But once through, connecting to the Canbus system was easy. A couple of cables had to pop up under the passenger seat to be connected to some wiring there too.

All of this may now be different on the T6 of course.

My local garage had the computing software to update the Canbus for me.

Good luck.

Alan
 
So I’m having the same dilemma. One thing you do lose is the anti sway and trailer stabilisation you get if you spec the towbar. I think I’m going to keep my factory order for that reason. I will be towing near to the max if it’s limit so want the added protection of the additional software
 
It's simple enough, another westfalia kit from PF Jones here. Just takes courage to start disassembling the shiny new bumper from the wheel arches back. The rest is just big boy's meccano.

Routing the loom from the engine bay through the dashboard bulkhead is a pita too. Lots of headscratching trying to find the existing holes and grommets as the engine bay is a tad crowded.

It's about 3 hours or so all in.
 
So I’m having the same dilemma. One thing you do lose is the anti sway and trailer stabilisation you get if you spec the towbar. I think I’m going to keep my factory order for that reason. I will be towing near to the max if it’s limit so want the added protection of the additional software
Incorrect I'm afraid. If you use the genuine Westfalia electrics or the PF. Jones Westfalia electrics and code correctly then all those functions are active.
Only if you use the simpler/cheaper systems that don't use coding do you lose those functions.
 
It's simple enough, another westfalia kit from PF Jones here. Just takes courage to start disassembling the shiny new bumper from the wheel arches back. The rest is just big boy's meccano.

Routing the loom from the engine bay through the dashboard bulkhead is a pita too. Lots of headscratching trying to find the existing holes and grommets as the engine bay is a tad crowded.

It's about 3 hours or so all in.
Is that 3 hrs for both tow bar and electrics? Sounds easy peasy like you said most time consuming part is usually trying to remove / reinstall bumper and panels so they line up properly afterwards!
was connecting the wiring at dash fairly easy, ie removing pins from sockets and did you need any specific release tools? I once fitted reverse cam to a golf and had a nightmare trying to remove /gain access to the rear of a connector to release a cable, ended up cutting it off and splicing /re soldering it together!

0084CA88-E305-43CD-B37E-F510DF78DFBB.png
 
So I’m having the same dilemma. One thing you do lose is the anti sway and trailer stabilisation you get if you spec the towbar. I think I’m going to keep my factory order for that reason. I will be towing near to the max if it’s limit so want the added protection of the additional software
Hi and yes to confirm trailer stabilisation is “just” a matter of re programming software but needs someone / garage etc and prob £200 for an hour! to re code it like this below CB5F8422-44CB-4E7B-9FA1-8C504419F520.png
 
Excellent stuff and thanks for all the replies, sounds fairly straight forward so think I’m gonna canx the Towbar option as I don’t immediately need it (will fit tailgate bike rack for now) and fit a bar when I get chance so I can tow old rusty vws around! :) Just need to check with mat + SMG to see if vw have confirmed wether it’s the actual tow bar or the tow bar prep that’s causing the delays!
 
Is that 3 hrs for both tow bar and electrics? Sounds easy peasy like you said most time consuming part is usually trying to remove / reinstall bumper and panels so they line up properly afterwards!
The bumper is straightforward, just feels wrong ripping it off. Alignment afterwards wasn't an issue, just a case of being careful I guess. 3 hours is realistic if you crack on and have everything to hand. It was the second time I'd fitted one, I did the same to a T5 before.

As for the connections at the dash end. Ours was a MY 2018 T6 the connections in the instructions differed a bit and didn't need individual pins adapting. The instructions you copied seem to have optional stages based on model/year Im guessing so things may have changed a bit and some sections may be irrelevant.

You mention possible towbar prep in a later post, mine was a standard van so the prep may change things a bit too.

Good luck, especially if it means you can avoid the build delays
was connecting the wiring at dash fairly easy, ie removing pins from sockets and did you need any specific release tools? I once fitted reverse cam to a golf and had a nightmare trying to remove /gain access to the rear of a connector to release a cable, ended up cutting it off and splicing /re soldering it together!
 
Does anybody who’s recently ordered a California know if there are still delays due to towbar shortages? I’m asking because one of my sons has just placed an order for a LWB Transporter with a removable towbar through CamperKing. They estimate delivery in March 2023 and will then do the conversion. CamperKing didn’t mention any towbar delays.

OK it’s not a Cali but looks very nice :) CamperKing Santorini 6 seater. About £62k.
 
Having recently fitted a full westfalia kit to my t5.1 the bars quick to fit, allow half day as you need to carefull route the parking sensor wiring into cutouts in the bracket, and you dont want to scratch your paint. Running the cables under van to passenger seat takes another half day of easy methodical work. Pass seat, its base, leisure battery need removing. Once in the cabin you need to take out drivers seat, drivers side step, lower dash trim drivers side, light switch, diagnostic socket and lift carpet. Say amother half day. Now youve the fun task of backing out tiny connectors from light switch, diagnostic socket and the BCM. Get any of this wrong and your imobile. Allow half day to do this step. Then 30mins to recode park sensors and can gateway and your done. Its not a quick job, if a fitter can do within a day id doubt theyve been too carefull with routing wires, securing or were worried about not breaking trim etc. Oh forgot to get step out you need to get the entire b pillar trim out 1st. Take your time its ok but nerve wracking.
 
Having recently fitted a full westfalia kit to my t5.1 the bars quick to fit, allow half day as you need to carefull route the parking sensor wiring into cutouts in the bracket, and you dont want to scratch your paint. Running the cables under van to passenger seat takes another half day of easy methodical work. Pass seat, its base, leisure battery need removing. Once in the cabin you need to take out drivers seat, drivers side step, lower dash trim drivers side, light switch, diagnostic socket and lift carpet. Say amother half day. Now youve the fun task of backing out tiny connectors from light switch, diagnostic socket and the BCM. Get any of this wrong and your imobile. Allow half day to do this step. Then 30mins to recode park sensors and can gateway and your done. Its not a quick job, if a fitter can do within a day id doubt theyve been too carefull with routing wires, securing or were worried about not breaking trim etc. Oh forgot to get step out you need to get the entire b pillar trim out 1st. Take your time its ok but nerve wracking.

Just had my westfalia removable towbar, electrics & T6.1 coding fitted today by PF Jones
Mobile fitting on my drive and took about 5hrs.
It would have took me a hell of a lot longer than that!
£750 inc Vat, not too bad I thought.

Especially when VW Ventu Hereford quoted £1397 + Vat for basicly the same bar and delays in getting wiring harnesses!

One thing to note, the fitter said he hasn't seen a T6.1 yet that did not have trailer prep fitted, whether you paid extra for it or not (i didn't) sneaky VW, very sneaky.
 
Just had my westfalia removable towbar, electrics & T6.1 coding fitted today by PF Jones
Mobile fitting on my drive and took about 5hrs.
It would have took me a hell of a lot longer than that!
£750 inc Vat, not too bad I thought.

Especially when VW Ventu Hereford quoted £1397 + Vat for basicly the same bar and delays in getting wiring harnesses!

One thing to note, the fitter said he hasn't seen a T6.1 yet that did not have trailer prep fitted, whether you paid extra for it or not (i didn't) sneaky VW, very sneaky.
Hi Shaun,
I have Cali Ocean T6 with 'trailer prep'.
When you had the towbar fitted to your T6.1, did the fitter use the fitted trailer prep?
If so can I assume that all the connections were made at the rear of the vehicle?
TIA
Best regards,
Graham (aka Doorbundle).
 
Hi Shaun,
I have Cali Ocean T6 with 'trailer prep'.
When you had the towbar fitted to your T6.1, did the fitter use the fitted trailer prep?
If so can I assume that all the connections were made at the rear of the vehicle?
TIA
Best regards,
Graham (aka Doorbundle).
Sorry Graham I don't know how he connected it up but theres definately some extra fuses added under the bonnet. If it helps all the trailer functions and dash warnings work the same as a factory fitted bar.
 
Sorry Graham I don't know how he connected it up but theres definately some extra fuses added under the bonnet. If it helps all the trailer functions and dash warnings work the same as a factory fitted bar.
Shaun, Thank you, G.
 
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