Tow bar prep

[markh]

Hello all

Just put a deposit down on a new California (180 Manual, Natural Grey) which we pick up at the beginning of April.

I have just been looking into getting tow bar fitted locally by an independent fitter. The price seems to vary greatly according to whether it has "towing prep" or not. Does anyone know if the California has this? Apparently there is a plate on one of the door pillars with a product code 1D7 if it does have the prep. If noone knows I can probably ask the dealer but I would quite like a comparative price for when they try to sell me the official VW tow bar.

Many thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[MickyBlue]

Why not get the factory fitted tow bar added to your order?, it's not that expensive and is covered under the 3 year warranty.

 

[MickyBlue]

IIRC the Vw detachable bar is made for them by Westfalia, so it's like this one;

http://www.towequipe.co.uk/products...fits-vw-t5-van-03-on-kit-part-no:-321651.html

These guys are very competitive on price BTW, so by the time you factor in fitting, I personally don't think there's much point not getting the VW factory one.

Even if you go for a fixed flange bar, they are £100 for the bar £25 for the electrics plus fitting, & not covered by warranty. Whether the relay can cut the rear PDC sensors if you are having them is another possible issue.

I did not see anything in the VW accessories or factory order brochure to add 'Tow bar prep' as Skoda have it listed in theirs when we ordered ours. So I would take it that (short of talking to VwUK in MK + head office) you will end up getting the dealers advice to fit the factory one or let them do it, as most dealers do this. If you go aftermarket you will just have to let them 'suck it & see'. Although I bet they have done loads of transporters, so will most likely be able to tell you what's involved.

 

[markh]

Thanks for the reply.

The California is pre-reg so I can't get it factory fitted. I will perhaps go with the official VW one but I am just assuming that they will charge loads (still waiting for a price from them). The Westfalia bar was the one I was looking at getting fitted independently (although the fixed version rather than the removable one). It's just that the price they quoted varied hugely according to whether it had the "towing prep" or not.

Thanks
Mark

 

[MickyBlue]

Ah didn't realise it was already built. As to the tow bar prep I think you will have to speak to your dealer, or look at the factory build sticker yourself if there is such a factory option.

Welcome BTW!

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

 

[markh]

Thanks for the welcome.

I'll have to try to get the info out of the dealer. I just thought that someone may be able to have a quick look at the door pillar plate when they are next going in their Cali to see if that "1D7" number is present. I am assuming that all Californias of a similar age either have the towing prep or don't. Don't worry if not though.

 

[jamie]

Fitting the tow bar is very easy, remove the spare wheel take off the bumper, remove the metal bump strip and bolt on the new towbar replace the bumper. about an hours work.
The genuine VW electrics are more complicated. The wiring loom has to be run from the towbar, through the back of the cupboards to the b piller, the passanger seat removed and wired into the spare fuse holders under the seat, then up to the center console to the fuse box below the gear stick, then accross the steering wheel to the central electronics module where it is connected to the canbus.
The instructions that come with the kit are very good but give yourself 4-6 hours if you've not done aything like this before.
Plus you will need to get it coded with Vagcom.

 

[markh]

Sounds a pain! You'd think they could have got the wiring to the back of the vehicle at least. I'm guessing this almost certainly means that the California doesn't have "towing prep".

Thanks

 

[David Eccles]

had ours factory option at build. quite reasonably priced. bet dealerships charge a bomb..labour rates!
but now this thread has reminded me I have this stuff and a detachable towbar and fittings but deleted it from memory as looking to much hassle with so much else to take in. But now its a job I need to look at....grrrrrr....bet I cant suss out how to do it knowing my track record with jamming the allegedly removable single seat :boohoo :headwall
specialist towbar guys will do the job at a better price...I'd use Watling Street motors or similar established classy car specialist...

 

[sebking]

Dealer fit is best part of a grand and covers all the modules needed as well as programming. Got mine done when purchased for parts alone cost, dealer did labour. Was tricky too as have LCA and PDC. Theres no pre wiring so labour is huge.

 

[sebking]

Also dealer had to get VW Germany to log in and sort the programming!

 

[drmanhattan]

by sebking » 06 Mar 2012, 21:47

Dealer fit is best part of a grand and covers all the modules needed as well as programming. Got mine done when purchased for parts alone cost, dealer did labour. Was tricky too as have LCA and PDC. Theres no pre wiring so labour is huge.

Hi Sebking, was the trim refitted back properly after the towbar wiring was done? I ask because I'm thinking of having a VW detachable towbar with 13 pin electrics retro-fitted by a dealer but, I must admit, I'm a bit apprehensive about it messing up the interior fittings.

 

[sebking]

You wouldn't know it wasn't factory fit. Also the OEM/VW hook fits in the storage box with the jack etc which is nice.

Fitted at Lancashire VW who do know their Cali's.

 

[Calimark]

A VW Dealer fitted 13 pin tow bar will cost a lot in terms of labour. I looked into it and in the end went with a 7 pin detachable via VW (they used Towsure) with a total cost of about £500.

ps. The Atera tow bar bike rack is brilliant as you can fully open the tailgate.