Towbar - still undecided

[PhilR]

Had our Ocean on order for a while now, so plenty of time to ponder stuff. The towbar is the only thing slightly bugging me still.....We don't intend on towing anything and never have, but this will be a keeper so you never know. I am a cyclist and like taking my bike abroad to cycle up some proper mountains, so I guess it could be useful then, although I'm still not keen on sticking my bike on the back of a van! (I'm never that happy cycling up said mountains either, the idea just sounds great but the reality ain't!!)

Anyway, if the dealer is ok with changing my order, which hopefully they will be as I'm just adding something and I haven't got a build date yet....what do I need? I've looked on the configurator and "Trailer Assist" is £576, "Towbar Preparation including Trailer Stabilisation" is £264, and "Towbar removable and lockable including Trailer Stabilisation" is £768

Any advice for a towbar newbie much appreciated thanks

 

[OGII]

The towbar prep would make a future change of mind simple as the wiring looms are fitted where they need to be. It's almost plug and play to add the rest of the hardware.

Without it it's a much bigger job to retrofit. We use our towbar to tow and carry a bike rack. For longer trips the bike rack is really handy when the interior is full.

The trailer assist sounds irrelevant to your needs.

I fitted retrofitted the Westaflia towbar myself to our Beach (and T5 before it). Given the choice the towbar prep saves a lot of hassle ( Bumper off, routing cables externally etc)

 

[johna]

My 2p, definitely go for towbar prep - I believe it's more difficult and expensive later. I got the removable towbar too, since I prefer a towbar carrier to the one that hangs on the door. Spend the money now and it's no longer an issue.

I also went for trailer assist but for all I use a wheeled trailer that was probably a mistake. I got confused and wrongly believed that this also gave you back reversing sensors even with a trailer / bike rack. That was not correct.

 

[Sad]

Agree with @OGII and @johna get the tow bar prep, then make the decision later...

 

[66tim99]

I regretted not adding a towbar too, so when my provisional build date was cancelled, I took the opportunity to add a removeable one. I intend to often have 3 cycles with us, and if you mount them on the towbar (with the correct carrier) you can open the tailgate. You can also see more out of the back window than if you have your bikes on the tailgate.
Suggest it would be at least be worth you adding the prep.

 

[PhilR]

Excellent stuff, thanks all. I'll email my dealer now (I've just been on the VW chat and still no build date).

Once I've had the Towbar Prep, how much would the actual towbar cost - £768? Seems pricey!

 

[ArunAlec]

Tow bar prep is a good compromise and I recommend a tow bar bike carrier if you do decide to haul bikes.
There's an added bonus with the tow bar (apart from added rear end protection) it makes checking the roof for acorns and twigs easy.

 

[66tim99]

£768 includes the prep.
I'm sure VW adding the towbar to the prep would be more expensive than spec'ing both now. Heres a clue: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/have-towbar-prep-where-to-go.23601/post-272192

 

[andyinluton]

I would bite the bullet & go for the removable at £768

Its not just bike racks that can go on it. We use a westfalia back box for extra carrying capacity, its great to be able to carry a dirty BBQ, gas bottles, wet suits or even wet awnings outside the van.

 

[PhilR]

£768 includes the prep.
I'm sure VW adding the towbar to the prep would be more expensive than spec'ing both now. Heres a clue: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/have-towbar-prep-where-to-go.23601/post-272192

Of course, sorry I didn't realise that at first. So £678 is the total cost. That's not bad and with my Brexit Tariff guarantee it's even better!

 

[PhilR]

I would bite the bullet & go for the removable at £768

Its not just bike racks that can go on it. We use a westfalia back box for extra carrying capacity, its great to be able to carry a dirty BBQ, gas bottles, wet suits or even wet awnings outside the van.

Yeah I think you're right Andy. Like I said, I'm happier spending extra money on accessories than to the taxman!!

 

[Camperfamily]

Tow bar prep is a good compromise and I recommend a tow bar bike carrier if you do decide to haul bikes.
There's an added bonus with the tow bar (apart from added rear end protection) it makes checking the roof for acorns and twigs easy.

FYI - the removable towbar apparently has a nose weight limit of 80kg, so technically should only stand on it if you are under 80kg.

 

[Camperfamily]

Actually, from a quick search on this forum, I may be wrong with the nose weight limit - another user has quoted 100kg nose weight limit for a 2012 SE. In which case, I’ve been very prudent.

 

[andyinluton]

Thats 100kg of static load, imagine what that becomes when its actually a 2tnne trailer / caravan going over a bump at speed.

The 100kg limit is to stop the front wheels of the van leaving the ground, not to stop the towbar falling off.

 

[PhilR]

Actually, from a quick search on this forum, I may be wrong with the nose weight limit - another user has quoted 100kg nose weight limit for a 2012 SE. In which case, I’ve been very prudent.

No probs, cheers - cycling up all those mountains means I'm only 70kg

 

[66tim99]

Yeah I think you're right Andy. Like I said, I'm happier spending extra money on accessories than to the taxman!!

Win/Win

New T6.1 order delays

I think we might need a week 49 club... It will be fascinating to see the variety of delivery dates this week yields!

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Velma's Dad]

As an alternative perspective - I wouldn't sweat it if you don't go for the VW option at this point. I had an aftermarket company fit a Westfalia removable towbar to my van for £400 all-in and that was including doing all the electrics.

 

[Alan Andrews]

I have fixed towbar.

You'll be surprised how other cars react to having the towbar fitted when they are parking.....they give you more room.

Is also handy for the Cali driver knowing that the lump of metal towbar will take any impact rather than the painted bumpers should you get yourself in to a tight spot.

Also, provides options for fitting of bike carrier. Personally we have VW fixed rack, but many owners prefer the towbar fitted racks.

The VW fixed bike rack protects the rear window from nosey persons and anyone inclined to break in.

The UK MOT now requires that the towbar electrics be checked as fully functional if fitted. If you are not using them regularly and/or you do not have a trailer etc to test, then it could bite at MOT time.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Had our Ocean on order for a while now, so plenty of time to ponder stuff. The towbar is the only thing slightly bugging me still.....We don't intend on towing anything and never have, but this will be a keeper so you never know. I am a cyclist and like taking my bike abroad to cycle up some proper mountains, so I guess it could be useful then, although I'm still not keen on sticking my bike on the back of a van! (I'm never that happy cycling up said mountains either, the idea just sounds great but the reality ain't!!)

Anyway, if the dealer is ok with changing my order, which hopefully they will be as I'm just adding something and I haven't got a build date yet....what do I need? I've looked on the configurator and "Trailer Assist" is £576, "Towbar Preparation including Trailer Stabilisation" is £264, and "Towbar removable and lockable including Trailer Stabilisation" is £768

Any advice for a towbar newbie much appreciated thanks

I went with the factory fitted removable towbar. Main use is for mounting a bike rack but occasional trailer towing. No regrets.

 

[johna]

There’s other threads on types of tow bar bike rack. You need to be careful that the one you go for will work with your tow bar so that the door can still open when the rack is folded. Not all do. Sometimes, particularly if the ground rises behind where you’re parked, you might need to turn the handlebars on the rearmost bike. I got one which I’ve not seen much mentioned. Uebler i21 - the 2 bike 90 degree version. The rear door clears it with my VW fitted removable tow bar and it folds really compactly - it can go under the parcel shelf or inside the van when you’re parked and away with the bikes. Also dead easy on / off. Not cheap, but when I got it Ford (seem to be the only UK importer) were giving 25% discount.

 

[B J G]

Recently saw mention of a Brink Towbar fitment having the advantage of not replacing the rear metal section behind the plastic bumper and being simpler to engage/disengage the detachable tow ball.
I can second that as I've got a Brink on our Citroen and it's much easier to put on or off than the Westfalia one on the Cali. Doesn't need the key in either..

Fitted on the Drive by Towbar Express.

 

[Sad]

Tow bar prep is a good compromise and I recommend a tow bar bike carrier if you do decide to haul bikes.
There's an added bonus with the tow bar (apart from added rear end protection) it makes checking the roof for acorns and twigs easy.

Also keeps the vehicle height lower! And avoids, like the thread a couple of years ago, when a handle bar caught and bent the roof when lowering...

 

[Wildcamper]

PF Jones fitted our Westfailer removable towbar. We had no wiring pre-prep. Total cost was about £500.

 

[Sad]

Also keeps the vehicle height lower! And avoids, like the thread a couple of years ago, when a handle bar caught and bent the roof when lowering...

Thread 'Roof Damage' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/roof-damage.20286/

 

[AndyWT]

We don’t tow anything, but a tow bar is very useful to fend off supermarket parking idiots and dimly lit multistory parks it’s flush with the folded bike rack so bumping the retaining wall is not costly.
Although our van is fully loaded and at empty ride height, is very useful as a rear skid for roadside drop offs, I need to relocate the trailer light socked as its mashed into the bumper.