Tow bar questions

[Harrythecat]

I'm thinking of fitting a towbar to a 2012 California 140 SE. I have a couple of questions I'd appreciate an answer to:

1. How do I know if my van has got the wiring kit already installed?

2. What effect does a towbar have on the reversing sensor operation?

Thanks in anticipation :?:

 

[18hunts]

I bought a 2013 140SE demo vehicle and had a tow bar fitted by the dealer. I believe that they fitted a wiring loom but others are more probably qualified to talk about that.
I had the dealer fit it because I wanted to make sure that it was compatible to the vehicle electrics/systems.
The tow bar itself makes no difference to the reversing sensors and in reality physically protrudes no more than the bike rack folded. The difference is when you connect a trailer electrics, caravan in my case, and the screen shows a diagram of the vehicle with a trailer attached. The sensors are deactivated.

 

[18hunts]

As an aside the other thing that happens when trailer electrics are connected is that the Blue Motion stop/start is deactivated. Don't know why and I'm sure somebody will tell me.

 

[teeboy]

If you look on the metal base on the drivers seat. You should see a white sticker.

If you are lucky then you will see a code 1D7 somewhere on that sticker. That means that you just have to get a simple loom to install the towbar electrics and it is quite a simple install.

If you are unlucky then you will have a 1D0 somewhere which means you don't have any towbar prep - in which case you have to have a full towbar wiring install carried out which means running wires from rear bumper, under the van, into the van under the passenger seat - under the drivers seat and into the dash.

I have made a post somewhere on here about a DIY install and it is doable for a keen DIYer

Which ever route you go the functionality will be the same.

- The official VW towbar is removable and fits in the tool kit (with the jack)
- When fitted (and towing nothing) the towbar doesn't appear to register on the parking sensors
- When fitted and with the electrics hitches to a trailer then the rear sensors are disabled and when you reverse a picture of a trailer appears on your stereo screen.

Do not be tempted to use cheapo electrics installed with a relay, as the VW electrics also do some stuff to the stability control and ABS.

T

 

[NZCol]

^ and stop start is disabled as well.

 

[18hunts]

My official VW tow ball is not removable, didn't want one and is more expensive, and therefore doesn't fit in the jack box!
You pays your money and make your choice but in over 25 years caravan towing I know that having a fixed tow ball has saved me damage on numerous occasions from other people parking badly.

 

[teeboy]

^ and stop start is disabled as well.

I don't have any of that new fangled stuff...

 

[Cody]

I have the remove able Towbar which I leave on all the time as tow the caravan with it. Anyhow, the rear sensors do sometimes get in a tiz when reversing as I think they can 'see' the Towbar.

 

[18hunts]

Reversing sensors don't see my tow bar/ball, I think you must have another issue resulting in your tiz.

 

[Harrythecat]

If you look on the metal base on the drivers seat. You should see a white sticker.

If you are lucky then you will see a code 1D7 somewhere on that sticker. That means that you just have to get a simple loom to install the towbar electrics and it is quite a simple install.

If you are unlucky then you will have a 1D0 somewhere which means you don't have any towbar prep - in which case you have to have a full towbar wiring install carried out which means running wires from rear bumper, under the van, into the van under the passenger seat - under the drivers seat and into the dash.

I have made a post somewhere on here about a DIY install and it is doable for a keen DIYer

Which ever route you go the functionality will be the same.

- The official VW towbar is removable and fits in the tool kit (with the jack)
- When fitted (and towing nothing) the towbar doesn't appear to register on the parking sensors
- When fitted and with the electrics hitches to a trailer then the rear sensors are disabled and when you reverse a picture of a trailer appears on your stereo screen.

Do not be tempted to use cheapo electrics installed with a relay, as the VW electrics also do some stuff to the stability control and ABS.

T

Thanks for all the responses. Thanks particularly for this one Teeboy. Very comprehensive and just what I was looking for. I'm off to look for 1D numbers

 

[Harrythecat]

Sadly I have the 1DO code so I need to also fit VW electrics. ~I've been recommended to a local Tow bar Manufacturer and Fitter, the 'Towbar Depot 'in Sheffield. They make their own tow bars on site to VCA standards.

They tell me they work with VW/Audi and borrow their vehicles when they design tow bars for new models.

They are also quoting £440 for a removable tow bar and £330 for a fixed bar including VW electrics which seems a good price.

So I have 2 further questions:

1. Is there any problem with fitting a non Westfalia tow bar providing they use the proper electrics?

2. Insurance. How do you go about insuring trailers and if necessary contents :?:

 

[teeboy]

For resale value alone and peace of mind I would go with westfallia.

The electrics are 155. The towbar is 159.

If they are using genuine electrics, then I am not sure how much cheaper than 159 they can make a tow bar for. The westfallia is lockable and fits nicely in the VW toolkit behind the seat.

Double and triple check that they are using westfallia electrics, even some towbar fitted by vw dealers are subcontracted out to people who fit just relay electrics.

There are some horror stories on the forum

If you are happy that your local fitter is using genuine parts then it looks like a good price.

I paid 310 for the bits and spent most of a weekend fitting it. I guess it would take me a full day now that I know what I am doing.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[johnv]

my westfalia towbar would fit in the vw toolkit if the key came out when it was detached, but it doesn't !

 

[Carrg]

I had the same dilema..

Take teeboys advice and go OEM Westfalia. Quality kit that you can trust.

I followed his and Stu's diy guide but did get some very good prices for fitting.

Various Bank Farm Trailer depots do work for VW and quoted circa £440 supply and fit. When you consider it takes 4-5hrs easy after the cost of the bar and electrics that's not bad. I even found a local company "Kits and Bits" who would have fitted a supplied bar for £100!

Whatever you do make sure you have faith in the fitter and that they have done a California before. Getting the passanger seat out, with airbags disconnected and real access issues is no mean feat! :crazy

Good luck!

 

[shambly]

my westfalia towbar would fit in the vw toolkit if the key came out when it was detached, but it doesn't !

It does

To achieve this, I tend to offer the towbar back up to the vehicle after it has been removed and you can get it into a state where the key will release and the towbar isn't locked into the Cali.

Simon

 

[soulstyledevon]

Another thumbs up for the removeable Westfalia with proper dedicated electrics. Had mine retro-fitted by these guys and they did a great job

http://www.motabars.co.uk

 

[Harrythecat]

Thanks again people for the responses.

I have struggled locally to find anyone to fit the Westfalia tow bar. Of the two reliable local companies one doesn't do T5's at all and the other wanted to fit non VW relay electrics. When I insisted I wanted VW's wiring they got quite huffy and added £250 to the quote.

 

[Andy]

Try PF Jones, is where most of us on here have bought for diy fit. They have a network of approved fitters all over country.

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/vw-t5-tran...hable-towbar.html?selected_section=wg_inquiry

You NEED VW wiring & not 3rd party as the VW wiring goes into ecu & it alters the braking % to axels. Without would likely burn out rear brakes if towing any weight.

Westfalia bar will also set alarm off if someone unplugs elcectronics when vehicle locked & alarm set. Also switches van fog light off when in use. Shows picture of trailer on radio screen when reversing insted of parking sensors, which are switched off.

 

[Harrythecat]

Try PF Jones, is where most of us on here have bought for diy fit. They have a network of approved fitters all over country.

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/vw-t5-tran...hable-towbar.html?selected_section=wg_inquiry

You NEED VW wiring & not 3rd party as the VW wiring goes into ecu & it alters the braking % to axels. Without would likely burn out rear brakes if towing any weight.

Tried these. they don't fit Vw electrics. They tell me they use electrics from 'right connections'.

 

[teeboy]

This is what I ordered from PF Jones:

Products:
1 x VW T5 Transporter 2003-Sep 2009 Westfalia Detachable towbar
1 x VW T5 Van 10/2009 on 13 Pin Dedicated Wiring Kit 321454300143


Here is a link to the wiring loom on their site:

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/?subcats=N&sta ... cts.search

The person you spoke to doesn't know what they are on about. The parts are not VW branded, they are Westfalia branded, but this is what VW fit.

Tony

P.S. Ignore the years in the description 2003-2009 - it fitted fine on my 2012.

 

[Harrythecat]

This is what I ordered from PF Jones:

Products:
1 x VW T5 Transporter 2003-Sep 2009 Westfalia Detachable towbar
1 x VW T5 Van 10/2009 on 13 Pin Dedicated Wiring Kit 321454300143


Here is a link to the wiring loom on their site:

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/?subcats=N&sta ... cts.search

The person you spoke to doesn't know what they are on about. The parts are not VW branded, they are Westfalia branded, but this is what VW fit.

Tony

P.S. Ignore the years in the description 2003-2009 - it fitted fine on my 2012.

Thanks. I'll perhaps give them another try

 

[greatnortherncamper]

I ordered a Westfalia removable and Westfalia electrics from PF Jones. However I have received the RC coded electrics.

On eqnuiring they are saying that the Westfalia wiring kit needs an extension kit if the fuse box isn't under the drivers seat (which it is isn't in my 62plate 4 motion DSG SE)

They say this is the reason they didn't send the Westfalia kit because of the extra costs / hassle compared with the RC kit?

Is this good advice or should I insist (as I'm strongly inclined to) that I get the Westfalia kit and if required the extension kit too?

Your advice would be much appreciated - the bar was meant to be fitted this morning but has now been stalled because of the wiring!!

Thanks in anticipation

 

[teeboy]

The Westphalia electrics are the genuine one, so for absolute piece of mind then I would go that way.

However you have to be pragmatic, if you are intending on towing a caravan or a car trailer, then I would want the pukka Westphalia electrics.

If you are just using the towbar for a bike rack then real cheapo relay electrics will probably do.

If you are going for a small camping trailer then the middle ground of RC electrics are probably fine.

Having said all that I only tow a tiny trailer and a bike rack and I went for the Westphalia wires - it is just down to preference and piece of mind...

I only have experience of installing Westphalia in the default position, so I can't comment on how much harder it is to install in your van - out of interest where is the fuse box in your van (bearing in mind that the one under my passenger seat is one of 3 in my van :crazy

 

[greatnortherncamper]

Many thanks for the reply "teeboy"

PJ jones are being very reasonable and we will get the full Wesfalia kit plus extension in place of the RC kit.

This will give me peace of mind that its as near to OEM as it can be as a retrofit. Furthermore I'm sure I've read that the westfalia kit is an easier fit too.

Haven't actually looked for the fuse box other than noting its absence from under the drivers seat!

Certainly a bundle of wires under the passenger seat but will need to get the manual and some more time to find the other/s.

Thanks again

 

[Califorian]

Hi, I've searched the forum looking for some info on fitting tow bar to a 2015 180 SE that is tow bar ready e.g. has ID7 code. I understand how to fit the towbar and read the guidelines on the harness fitting but have I really got to remove the wardrobe cupboard from the left hand side to access the wiring or have VW had he sense to fit the connections on the right hand side??

Thanks