T7 - Aftermarket (VW) Towbar

[Melyn]

Wondering if anyone has the knowledge around the new T7 Calis, and fitting a towbar to them.

I missed the deadline for the retractable towbar to be fitted at factory, due to lack of information from the dealer (no information) until it was too late, so was limited in the options for a bike rack (this question went unanswered three times...)

As such i asked VW to fit the removable towbar, as was my only option.

Was meant to pick up the new van yesterday, however there was "complications" in fitting the towbar, as "the kitchen area etc" had to be removed.

From previous vehicles getting a towbar fitted, this was usually the lighting loom + bumper removal, and wouldn't have involved having to take anything else apart, so has raised a further bit of concern on having a new vehicle that's effectively been stripped out already...

VW commercial have been unable to give me any answers at all, and due to the age of it not sure how many have had a tow bar fitted after

 

[WelshGas]

Wondering if anyone has the knowledge around the new T7 Calis, and fitting a towbar to them.

I missed the deadline for the retractable towbar to be fitted at factory, due to lack of information from the dealer (no information) until it was too late, so was limited in the options for a bike rack (this question went unanswered three times...)

As such i asked VW to fit the removable towbar, as was my only option.

Was meant to pick up the new van yesterday, however there was "complications" in fitting the towbar, as "the kitchen area etc" had to be removed.

From previous vehicles getting a towbar fitted, this was usually the lighting loom + bumper removal, and wouldn't have involved having to take anything else apart, so has raised a further bit of concern on having a new vehicle that's effectively been stripped out already...

VW commercial have been unable to give me any answers at all, and due to the age of it not sure how many have had a tow bar fitted after

On previous versions the Factory Fitted towbar wiring loom ran through the vehicle but on aftermarket installed equivalent towbar the wiring loom ran under the vehicle.

 

[Melyn]

On previous versions the Factory Fitted towbar wiring loom ran through the vehicle but on aftermarket installed equivalent towbar the wiring loom ran under the vehicle.

Finally got the to bottom of it.

The part that was ordered doesn’t actually work with the new vw California, and there is no after towbar currently available for it from VW other than the factory fitted.

There is no pre wired options for the new Cali at current either.

So it’s get a towbar on day 1, or erm good luck….

So currently cannot transport bikes until something is available

 

[vwcaliindobelgian]

Did you try using trunk based bike racks , they seem to work well unless you plan to attack a trailer ?

 

[Melyn]

Did you try using trunk based bike racks , they seem to work well unless you plan to attack a trailer ?

I used to have a Saris bones before - the problem with them is they chip the paint pretty badly where the hooks sit unless you've got a 100% clean car + bike rack at all times

But with the angle of the t7 spoiler, and the thermoplastic - not sure how safe this will be for 4 mtbs (quite a lot of weight)

 

[vwcaliindobelgian]

That is indeed side effects of having them attached to the trunk .I am still looking for a good bike + luggage rack .

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Finally got the to bottom of it.

The part that was ordered doesn’t actually work with the new vw California, and there is no after towbar currently available for it from VW other than the factory fitted.

There is no pre wired options for the new Cali at current either.

So it’s get a towbar on day 1, or erm good luck….

So currently cannot transport bikes until something is available

On the surface I'd say you have an argument that the vehicle isn't fit for purpose and they should take it back and provide a new one.

If there's a spoiler no chance of a door mounted rack.

I mean for me our vehicle would be useless if I couldn't take the bikes....

How long have you had it?

 

[WelshGas]

I used to have a Saris bones before - the problem with them is they chip the paint pretty badly where the hooks sit unless you've got a 100% clean car + bike rack at all times

But with the angle of the t7 spoiler, and the thermoplastic - not sure how safe this will be for 4 mtbs (quite a lot of weight)

PF Jones can fit the genuine VW towbar including electrics to the T7 Multivan at their Depots or mobile at house or workplace.
Click link below.

You are being redirected...

 

[Melyn]

PF Jones can fit the genuine VW towbar including electrics to the T7 Multivan at their Depots or mobile at house or workplace.
Click link below.

You are being redirected...

It was the Multivan t7 that the vw garage tried to fit, and then had to remove as isn’t compatible for some reason

 

[WelshGas]

It was the Multivan t7 that the vw garage tried to fit, and then had to remove as isn’t compatible for some reason

And you trust the VW garage?

I would contact P.F. Jones direct.

 

[Melyn]

On the surface I'd say you have an argument that the vehicle isn't fit for purpose and they should take it back and provide a new one.

If there's a spoiler no chance of a door mounted rack.

I mean for me our vehicle would be useless if I couldn't take the bikes....

How long have you had it?

I don't have it yet... Its been at the garage since Thursday last week, was meant to collect it Monday with a tow bar fitted (as they didn't advise the bike rack wouldn't work until a week after it was built) If i knew i couldn't get a towbar, would have got it factory fitted - but i mean, the california is known for going around with a bike rack on it....

Its now ready.. after being dismantled twice... for collection tomorrow - I'm now just 50/50 if i reject it or not

 

[Melyn]

And you trust the VW garage?

I would contact P.F. Jones direct.

Yeah going to give them a shout

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

I don't have it yet... Its been at the garage since Thursday last week, was meant to collect it Monday with a tow bar fitted (as they didn't advise the bike rack wouldn't work until a week after it was built) If i knew i couldn't get a towbar, would have got it factory fitted - but i mean, the california is known for going around with a bike rack on it....

Its now ready.. after being dismantled twice... for collection tomorrow - I'm now just 50/50 if i reject it or not

Well, you might need a day or two to work out if PF Jones can really pull it off. And once you take delivery rejecting becomes more difficult. Right now I presume you have the bulk of your money?

If you reject you can then order one which takes bikes....

I'm frankly a bit shocked you need a factory fit retractable towbar to take some bikes on your travels!!!

As you say, a bike rack on a California is kind of ubiquitous

 

[Melyn]

Well, you might need a day or two to work out if PF Jones can really pull it off. And once you take delivery rejecting becomes more difficult. Right now I presume you have the bulk of your money?

If you reject you can then order one which takes bikes....

I'm frankly a bit shocked you need a factory fit retractable towbar to take some bikes on your travels!!!

As you say, a bike rack on a California is kind of ubiquitous

Yup, have a complaint case with HQ
There is 0 plans for an official vw towbar at current
There is 0 plans for a bike rack
There is 0 plans for pre wiring of a Cali

I can fully reject it. But had already paid prior to collection (which was then magically not ready)…

I also kindof want the van… it’s a pain

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Yup, have a complaint case with HQ
There is 0 plans for an official vw towbar at current
There is 0 plans for a bike rack
There is 0 plans for pre wiring of a Cali

I can fully reject it. But had already paid prior to collection (which was then magically not ready)…

I also kindof want the van… it’s a pain

Remember rejecting within 30 days is much easier... That's presumably from the date you paid. It would also be less complicated if you didn't pick it up particularly since they have been trying to fit a towbar

Is there a long wait for a new one with towball?

 

[Melyn]

Remember rejecting within 30 days is much easier... That's presumably from the date you paid. It would also be less complicated if you didn't pick it up particularly since they have been trying to fit a towbar

Is there a long wait for a new one with towball?

Ordered this November, appeared march, so expect similar timeframes

I can fully reject but I believe il be blacklisted from vw for ordering from new again

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Ordered this November, appeared march, so expect similar timeframes

I can fully reject but I believe il be blacklisted from vw for ordering from new again

Well that didn't used to happen with the 6.1s. maybe tactics to pressure you into taking it.

I suggest you call up Breeze Poole and ask for Tom Davidson and explain the situation. Get his take as they are one of the largest and most respected Cali dealers

 

[Melyn]

P F Jones recommendations are the below ;
“The bars that I would suggest are,
Fixed: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswage...-2025-onwards-tow-trust-swan-neck-towbar.html (£243.50)
Detachable: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswage...2025-onwards-tow-trust-detachable-towbar.html (£357.07)”

 

[WelshGas]

P F Jones recommendations are the below ;
“The bars that I would suggest are,
Fixed: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswage...-2025-onwards-tow-trust-swan-neck-towbar.html (£243.50)
Detachable: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswage...2025-onwards-tow-trust-detachable-towbar.html (£357.07)”

Significantly cheaper than VW - who often use a 3rd party if retrofitting a towbar via a VW dealership

 

[Van Diesel VW]

P F Jones recommendations are the below ;
“The bars that I would suggest are,
Fixed: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswage...-2025-onwards-tow-trust-swan-neck-towbar.html (£243.50)
Detachable: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswage...2025-onwards-tow-trust-detachable-towbar.html (£357.07)”

These links are for T7 Transporter, don’t you need a Multi Van towbar.

You are being redirected...

 

[Melyn]

These links are for T7 Transporter, don’t you need a Multi Van towbar.

You are being redirected...

Good question..

Although based on the state of my van at current I may just be returning it… they punctured the water tank when trying to fit the tow bar

 

[WelshGas]

These links are for T7 Transporter, don’t you need a Multi Van towbar.

You are being redirected...

On PF Jones website you select VW, T7 and then Transporter T7 or Multivan T7.
The actual Towbar Ball is the same just the fittings and wiring looms differ + coding.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

These links are for T7 Transporter, don’t you need a Multi Van towbar.

You are being redirected...

I think I'd offer those links to the dealer and leave it their problem...

Good question..

Although based on the state of my van at current I may just be returning it… they punctured the water tank when trying to fit the tow bar

So they removed the kitchen, damaged the water tank and abandoned the installation of the towbar.

I think returning it would be a good call...

 

[lohr500]

Not what you want to hear, but if it was me, I think I would be rejecting it.
Start again and order one with the factory fit towbar if it is now available on the options list.


Several years ago I had one of the 1st Jeep Wrangler JL 2.2 diesels in the UK.
Getting a towbar and electrics was a nightmare as not even Jeep had the electronic wiring harness module available for over 12 months after launch. I wasn't prepared to bodge the job using a cheap universal bypass relay trailer loom as this would have meant losing the interface with the vehicle stability management system, gear shift mapping, etc.

The only towbar bracket I could locate was made by Umbra Rimorchi in Italy. They claimed that their earlier Jeep JK towbar was a direct fit on the JL, but it turned out not to be the case for the diesel JL.
The Adblue tank on the diesel Jeep JL obstructed and blocked some of the towbar bracket locations meaning a different set of brackets had to be produced.

After the Jeep experience I concluded that if I ever bought a new vehicle and wanted a tow bar on it, I would only go with a factory fit.

 

[Melyn]

I think I'd offer those links to the dealer and leave it their problem...

So they removed the kitchen, damaged the water tank and abandoned the installation of the towbar.

I think returning it would be a good call...

Didn’t damage the water tank in the end - just left the valve open from build - oh and the new water release for the cali looks like the attached - like someone’s put two drill holes in the bottom

Absolutely baffling

The manual is 100% pointless “the drain is behind the rear left wheel” which actually means under the shower point inside the boot…