vw passat estate towbars

[cal1664]

hello, i drive an auto passat petrol 2.0 estate 56 and require a towbar fitted to tow a caravan. has anyone got any good info on this subject i.e. who to fit it, cost, retro fit suggestion, do's and don't, contacts etc, do i need to fix new electrics and panels. please help

regards

cal

[bora(ing) nick]

Ben (golfmk5gttdi (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/member.php?find=lastposter&t=25512)) is your man for tow bars, however he has a golf.

When i fitted a towbar to the bora, it was quite simple really...

Back bumper off, screw in wheel arch and underneath, remove impact bar, (4 bolts under back bumper) Slide the tobar into the chassis, and bolt up.

Tow bar acts as the impact bar, and then just refix bumper. My bumper needed a smaller 1" sq hole cutting out of it (right underneath, invisable to the eye). The electrics came in a pre wired kit, that just plugged in behind the existing light clusters. and then took a feed from the battery with an in-line fuse.

Whole job took around 3 hours.

Nick

[Ben]

Hi:D


The link you need is in my sig.;)

What's your location?

EDIT: was in m,y sig untill i removed it.

[mctowbars]

hello, i drive an auto passat petrol 2.0 estate 56 and require a towbar fitted to tow a caravan. has anyone got any good info on this subject i.e. who to fit it, cost, retro fit suggestion, do's and don't, contacts etc, do i need to fix new electrics and panels. please help

regards

cal

have you got yourself sorted

[thebambers]

Hi, new member to this gang as due to pick up my 2.0 TDi Passat Estate tomorrow. Am really excited but also confused about the towbars and TSP. My local towbar fitter is really clued up and mentioned that after he has fitted it that he needs a code to enable all the features to work correctly such as parking sensors etc. He also mentioned about the vehicle "sensing" when the towbar is connected to something and this can affect the traction and handling etc. I spoke to the dealership in Leeds where I am buying it from and they seemd to have no idea, even contacting VW uk and they would not give info on non VW products even though i am spending the best part of 15k on a vehicle!!

Any ideas chaps?

Many thanks,

Paul PS its an 06 model!

[angus]

Hi, new member to this gang as due to pick up my 2.0 TDi Passat Estate tomorrow. Am really excited but also confused about the towbars and TSP. My local towbar fitter is really clued up and mentioned that after he has fitted it that he needs a code to enable all the features to work correctly such as parking sensors etc. He also mentioned about the vehicle "sensing" when the towbar is connected to something and this can affect the traction and handling etc. I spoke to the dealership in Leeds where I am buying it from and they seemd to have no idea, even contacting VW uk and they would not give info on non VW products even though i am spending the best part of 15k on a vehicle!!

Any ideas chaps?

Many thanks,

Paul PS its an 06 model!

I had exactly the same response from another dealer in West Yorks (part of the same group), consequently I have had a bar fitted locally (and i`m very happy with) and even without the additional aids have no problems towing a 1350kg van - not that i would have expected any anyway.
It just saved the Company 600 quid.

If you want any info or other towing comments, let me know.

[Quatrelle]

There's been at least a couple of threads on towbars in this (B6) forum, so it might be worth doing a search....

[LeFrog]

Hi Paul
I've done a lot of research on the Tow bar and electrics and the Trailer stability Programme. TSP will only work if the OEM(original equipment manufacturer) trailer wiring looms plus trailer control module are fitted and the car is then coded. I went down this route buying both the detachable towbar and wiring looms via westfalia at about 2/3 the cost of VW dealer. The Towbar was easy to fit in about 2 hours but the OEM wiring looms took about 2 days!!! they are quite complex and not for the faint hearted involving the dismantling of a fuse panel and terminating in the back of same. Followed by dismantling 2 existing wiring loom plugs and removing/replacing individual wires in same and that is apart from removing most of the trim from front to back of car on both sides as the fuse panel is on the near side but the 2 plugs are behind the dash on the off side. There is also a seperate loom to take to the Battery in the engine compartment for caravan battery charging / Fridge.
Having done all the hard work my VW dealer then wanted to charge me £242 plus vat to change the 4/5 codes needed to activate all the facilities (Trailer function / TSP / parking brake / ABS / Alarm ). I tried local independant VW experts but unfortunately the car is too new so I bought the VAG-COM software/lead and coded it myself (with some help from westfalia).
If you fit a detachable towbar I would highly recommend buying the VW lower bumper (the black bit) that has an access cover built in.
I forgot to mention all this only gives you the continental 13 pin socket so you either have to use an adaptor or rewire the caravan.
I am extremely pleased with the end result but I now know why my VW dealer wanted to charge £1200-00 to fit it. I have also told my wife that if I ever say I'm going to fit a towbar to another new car she should hit me round the head with something heavy!
If you still want to go ahead and need any other info either email or PM me
Paul (lefrog)

[PNS2007]

Hi Cal,

For my two penneth, please see my earlier posting which has some pictues of the Westfali Tow Bar I had fitted:-

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8148

I agree with Lefrog, go for the Westfali, you won't be disappointed. It can also be packed away in its dedicated holder which is designed for it along side the jack.

I can't believe all the quotes people are saying their VW garages have given them. Mine was less than £600. A copy of the costs are broken down below which are copied from the receipt last year:-

Detachable bar - Part no. A3C0 092 155 @ £194.55
13 Pin electrics - Part no. A3C0 055 204 G @ £195.32
Combi relay - Part no. ZTF1170 @ £9.85
The bottom bumper valence and flap which was about £50
a few clamps washers and pins @ £3
and labour @£87.50
This is about £535 + vat.

(perhaps they charged me wrong :approve:)

I did haggle for a 20% reduction as I had just spent the best part of 20K with them. I also haggled a 15% discount on roof bars a couple of months ago, so it proves if you ask then you can get discount.

As i've said before, I looked at doing this myself (or at least fitting the bar), it is sort of plug and play but by the time you have removed all the panels etc, let the professionals do it. You don't want to void the warrenty which I'm sure VW would do if something went wrong!!

I did afterall have the new valence with the integrated spoiler fitted. Looks great (enough if I do say so myself!) I polished it yesterday and have taken a photo of the back, you can just see the removable flap in the valence:-

http://www.esnips.com/web/SwiftLights

[thebambers]

Thanks for your reply guys. Firstly I have no intention of fitting the towbar myself because I am clueless at such things so I am using a local guy who is very knowledgeable and honest about such things. He is charging me £375 for a fixed unit (as wife wont let me part with £600 after all we have spent buying the car!).
I am assuming that everything that is required except the programming from VW will be provided so I suppose the only other option I have is to go ahead and have it fitted and then try an get the coding done at VW. To be fair to the salesman he has contacted VW UK and was appalled at their response that they cannot help with non VW towbars. In otherwords either buy one of ours for an extortionate £1000 plus or tough!
The salesman did say to get it fitted, take it to his garage (albeit a 60 mile trip for me each way) and they will try and sort it. The other thing I have heard is that VW will program it for you bit will cost in the region of £80 which could be a non too expensive option!

Will keep everyone updated and thanks all for your help. Never been on a car forum before but will certainly use this one again. Thanks ;)

[LeFrog]

Paul
please re-read my reply above, You will not be able to code the car for trailer functions UNLESS the VW wiring loom and trailer control unit are fitted. This is currently priced at £250.00 in the Passat accessories brochure so I don't think this is what your guy is going to fit. He will almost certainly be fitting an after market accessory which will do the job but will not and cannot be coded into the car to enable all of the trailer functions ( TSP, Trailer indicator bulb failure on the dash-rather than annoying buzzer in boot, some bulb checking on trailer, car alarm extended to trailer. )

[thebambers]

Thanks LeFrog and that certainly gives me some food for thought. Looking at the options I will be without (the ones you referred to) I suppose I have to work out whether its worth £250 for the dash to tell me a trailer bulb is not working though I check these prior to every journey anyway. I know they could blow during the journey.
I will certainly have a chat with the guy sorting my trailer as he is very knowledgeable and put your thoughts across to him. Who thought that putting a bloomin towbar onto a car would be so technical!! :aargh4:

Thanks for your help,

Paul

[Rightconnection]

Hello to all members,

I have just become a new member of the VW forums really in an attempt to inform VW owners much more about car technology in their relation to towing. I have read with great interest your experiences in obtaining and installing a towbar to your vehicle. In most cases, without much fun :aargh4:. Car technology has changed dramatically over the last few years which has meant greater implications to the accessories which are to be fitted into or onto the vehicle. In the case of VW, an operating system called CANbus (Controlled Area Network) has become highly developed and now commonplace. CANbus, in simple terms, is a system which transfers information around the car in a digital format. So, where one time your car operated on 12v DC with earth, operating functions with switches and relays, this has now been replaced by a network using control modules which process signals at very high speeds. It is very difficult to explain this in simple terms, but this technology has allowed manufacturers to produce more and more innovative safety and passive systems within a single vehicle. You will see now a greater use of the braking system for example as again, at one time ABS was a breakthrough in safety technology, this has been enhanced somewhat now to include TC (Traction Control) EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and the important, almost standard fitted system known as ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
ESP has gathered huge momentum over the last few years with organisations such as Thatcham campaining in Europe to have every car produced in and imported into EC countries to have ESP fitted as standard. How does this affect towing? Well, with virtually every brake control units in vehicles being driven by software, VW as one manufacturer have realized that a high percentage of their vehicles will be equipped with a towbar. With this knowledge, they spent thousands of Euro's in creating a system which aids the car's stability and corrects the affects of a 'snaking' trailer. This system is known in VW terminology as T-Esp or Trailer Stability Program. The system uses the existing ESP system but when the car 'detects' a trailer (more on this later), the vehicle's sensors start looking for any 'snaking' action in the trailer and correct accordingly. Should this occur, the VW system will activate the ESP system for a period of around 30 seconds or until the car has stabilized the trailer. During this time, the ESP lamp will flash on the dash and in some cases, a 'pinging' sound will be heard. T-Esp systems will correct the snaking by automatically changing the brake and accelerator sequence in turn. This is where the trailer detection is vital. This will mean that a vehicle specific towbar wiring kit must be fitted. This is either ordered at the factory when buying a new car, purchased from VW dealer parts department or purchased from an independent towbar installer. The wiring kit absolutely needs to be vehicle specific and NOT a by-pass kit. Be very careful when seeking to have a towbar fitted as most independent towbar fitters will fit a by-pass option unless you state otherwise. Having a specific installation will have a kit which takes it's signals over the databus of the car and not from the lighting harness as with a by-pass system! I know one member has asked his local dealer about TSP and they gave a blank look! This is not so unusual because their information is also rather limited. However, as with a number of car manufacturers, the inclusion of a specific towing module does need the car to be 'coded' by a diagnostic tool. The 'coding' is really an adaption of a particular system to inform the car that a towing module is present. this then will activate or de-activate a system when a trailer is attached and recognized. for example, on the Passat, a simple code is added to the dashboard module which will now give a text information as well as a bulb failure symbol to highlight a fault should a trailer flasher fail. Also, if factory fitted parking sensors are installed, they will de-activate automatically when a trailer is attached. Also importantly, the brake control module has a re-code to allow the TSP to function. NOTE: This is not necessary now for late 2007 vehicles on as this is preset at factory.
I hope this information has helped any member who is contemplating towing with his VW. I look forward to hearing your comments and happy to reply to any specific information you may need.. certainly in relation to towing as this is an area I specialize in.

[Geoff Oldfield]

Hello to all members,

I hope this information has helped any member who is contemplating towing with his VW. I look forward to hearing your comments and happy to reply to any specific information you may need.. certainly in relation to towing as this is an area I specialize in.

Thanks for your information rightconnection. I am taking delivery of my new 140 passat in September and need a basic tow bar and electrics to tow a medium sized RIB (boat). I don't need all the whistles and bells that would be needed for a caravan, so I am looking to fit myself. I've fitted towing brackets and electrics before but the electronic side is starting to worry me, with the advent of CANbus, TSP and ESP in modern cars. Had a bracket fitted on my last Passat by the dealer I bought it from new, but it didn't have any buzzers, dash lights or anything fancy like that. I'm not particularly bothered about TSP either. what would you recommend?

Geoff

[Rightconnection]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the inquiry.. The main essential aspect of any wiring for towbars is for them to be specific for the vehicle. The real issue is that VWAudi have put a huge amount of investment in vehicle safety systems which are also specific to towing. In other words, it is very sensible to choose a specific kit that communicates on the data-bus of the vehicle rather than a 'by-pass' system which can be detrimental to the functioning of the vehicle. You mention that you are not concerned about TSP. I think you have to look at the potential of what you will tow and not what you are towing. in other words, it could be that you decide to tow something bigger than a boat trailer or maybe a friend asks if you will tow his caravan for him/her. With towbar electrical systems you should always look to what is the best solution for the vehicle rather than limit the towing capability. i am often told things like 'oh, I only need a cheap installation as I use my trailer to go to the tip once a month'. I understand this thinking but the it is the vehicle that is the crucial element and not what is being towed. What is happening much more now on the modern vehicle are many related features when towing. On the latest Passat coupe', there is an option to have a parallel park system. This is the self-steering system which will park into a space between parked cars. here is a fascinating feature is what happens when towing? Well, the system is de-activated for obvious reasons and a text message is displayed that says 'System not active - Trailer connected' This will only display if the correct electrical installation is fitted. This is just one of a few options which the driver has now when ordering the car. I have to say in conclusion, have the towbar fitted by a specialist rather than DIY. If you give me the town you are located in, I will try to recommend a towbar specialist. Sorry the answer is a bit long winded! :o regards,
Jon, Right Connection

[adamss24]

" On the latest Passat coupe', there is an option to have a parallel park system" I think that people who dont know/not able to do a parallel park should not have a driving licence !

[Ben]

" On the latest Passat coupe', there is an option to have a parallel park system" I think that people who dont know/not able to do a parallel park should not have a driving licence !

good point.

and if you forget you are towing a trailer and then at the same time go for a space that is too small......

[Geoff Oldfield]

Yes, I'm based in Merseyside, on the Wirral (other side of the river Mersey to Liverpool)

Thanks

Geoff

[dunkley201]

I have a 07 Passat SE estate TDI DSG. I read all the posts in this thread and checked out my local VW dealer (Heron, Newark). LeFrog and Rightconnection are exactly right.
I eventually went for a full VW fit (Westfalia detachable) plus rear PDC at the same time. Haggled on prices. Ended up with £621 for parts, £250 labour plus VAT.
At first the trailer lghts only worked with ignition on! Took it back, apparently the wiring instructions were wrong. Now sorted. Noted there is no visible indication (or buzzer) of trailer lights working - as this car has bulb failure warning, not required as it is coded for trailer. PDC did not isolate with trailer fitted - allegedly you only get this with factory fit kit. They offered to fit an isolate switch, quoted £93!! I refused, they then did it FOC! :D
One unresolved problem: On the Westfalia there is no lug for brake pull off cable - any ideas? (does not seem sensible to loop it round the (detachable) tow hook!) :confused:
Car pulls the caravan great BTW. DSG no problem :approve:

[Rightconnection]

Hi Dunkley, Glad you got sorted out. :Blush: The Westfalia towbar is a good one and I am wondering... did the dealer fit this themselves or did they outsource the work? In respect of the breakaway loop... there is no hard and fast law in respect of breakaway cable preperation on towbars. If a position is provided, then it is to be used with the cable hook fastened to itself through the prep. this is often rather difficult as a number of towbar producers only give a small hole or welded ring, so how is the hook supposed to be passed through this and snapped back onto itself!! :confused: If this prep is not provided, then it is acceptable to loop it around the ball. if you check out bailey caravan website, www.bailey-caravans.co.uk you can download an operators handbook which gives the requirements for breakaway fixings. All the leading caravan producers say the same so bailey is not biased.

In answer to adamss 24 & golfmk5gttdi on parallel park system for the Passat Coupe'.. the great thing about having the right electrics when towing, is that the PP system de-activates when towing and a message appears to say this in the message centre. Just in case owners are towing and forget the trailer is hooked... it does happen.

best regards...

[Rightconnection]

Hi Geoff,

sorry about the delay in replying...

The closest to you who would fit the right equipment would be Witter towbars in Deeside. they have a fitting service there and can re-code your car without problems. if you give them a call, and ask for a towbar fitting, they will oblige I am sure. The contact No is 01244 284500. if you ask for Andrew Everett and say you would like a bar fitted, the girls will be able to help.
Let me know how you get on..

regards,
Jon

[dunkley201]

In answer to your question, Rightconnection, the bar was dealer fitted (p/n 3C0092155) with full harness (p/n 3C9055204GA) plus 13pin/12N,12S adapter, spoiler kit etc (all VW, all discounted) The full Monty!. They took 0830 to 1730 on the Friday plus an hour or so Saturday morning. (glad I negotiated a fixed price - loan car too).
At least with this kit I get full ESP, ABS, T-ESP, alarm link, alternator output, etc all recoded when the caravan is hooked up.:approve:
Agree with you re brake cable - it must loop back on to itself to work correctly. Just seems daft to have to fit it to a detachable swan neck!. I will look to see if I can fit a pig tail somewhere. Not a lot of space tho'.
regards....

[Rightconnection]

Hello Dunkley,

sounds like you have the best of the best which is great :Blush: Just one small issue though... with a lot of original equipment electrics, the fridge function wires are either missing or not even present at the socket. i am not sure what year your caravan is, but post 1999 models you may find the fridge is not operating on 12volts. If you dont mind this when travelling, then no problem.

Enjoy..

Rightconnection

[dunkley201]

Hello Rightconnection

Oh! ye of little faith! The fridge works! - I checked it all when the original lighting problem arose! The 'van is an '06 Sterling Eccles Onyx, by the way

Kind regards, dunkley

[Rightconnection]

Hi Dunkley,

Wonderful! You know I can sleep well now at night knowing all is well with your car. ;):approve: