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View Full Version : I want to fit a towbar......



Niall76
29-04-2008, 07:41 AM
I want to fit a towbar to my A6 (97/98 2.8 quattro model).

Is it worth getting a reputable company to do this? I'm pretty handy with the tools so don't mind doing it myself.

Also, is there an electrical socket tucked away somewhere in the boot that I can find or do I need to break into the electrics?

Is it better to go for a detachable ball, swan neck or something else?

Can anyone tell me roughly how much it will all cost?

It's to pull a small trailer for our bikes.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?.....

Cheers

true
29-04-2008, 09:10 AM
As far as I know you need to spur off the electrics, there's no prep for a tow-bar. If you have reversing sensors you're best getting it done properly otherwise the car will think there is permanently something in the way. The detachable type is best in my opinion. Witter do an exact copy of the original Audi one ~£400 fitted (I think)

Flying Scot
29-04-2008, 12:19 PM
I recently had a detachable tow-ball fitted to my 05 plate A6. Local Audi quoted me £700-800 for a detachable ball to be fitted including all electrics etc. Indespension fitted a detachable ball and all electrics for £440. I went for the detachable so that I could remove it when not in use, but it’s still on after my last use of it in January!! I would not honestly bother about paying the extra for a detachable as it gives the rear of the car a bit more protection.

I’ve not had any issues with the parking sensors apart from when I have my Thule bike rack fitted which would be expected.

true
29-04-2008, 12:32 PM
Is your detachable ball lockable? I've heard of a few being stolen in the past.

Flying Scot
29-04-2008, 01:01 PM
Is your detachable ball lockable? I've heard of a few being stolen in the past.

Yes.

It has a locking mechanism which locks it into the main support bar behind the bumper. It can be a bit tight getting it on and off, but it certainly does lock on. The socket for the electrics also slides up inside the bumper, so there is nothing in view when it's fitted

Niall76
29-04-2008, 01:02 PM
Just been quoted £270 for towbar, single electrics and fitting.

Seems okay - although others I have spoken too claim to have had the same for £160. Bloody Audi....

evil_skint
29-04-2008, 03:47 PM
Oh glad to see this topic as I have been hoping to fit a towbar to my 2.4 Auto too. I only really want to fit a Bike rack ( mountain bikes ) though to it as I havent found any decent mounts yet.

Luckily I know a local mechanic who has offered to fit me one for free when I decide to get the tow bar.

Niall76
29-04-2008, 05:29 PM
I have since found a place who can supply and fit a swan neck type (fixed) for £250.

However, I have noticed on ebay the likes of Towequipe who can supply all the kit for around £150.

That seems like a pretty good saving to me? Is there any reason why I should avoid doing this?....

Hey evil - ours is to take all the bikes around too, we have 5 but I'm thinking a rack would be cool too as we don't always all go. Where do you ride?

true
29-04-2008, 05:34 PM
I have since found a place who can supply and fit a swan neck type (fixed) for £250.

However, I have noticed on ebay the likes of Towequipe who can supply all the kit for around £150.

That seems like a pretty good saving to me? Is there any reason why I should avoid doing this?....

Hey evil - ours is to take all the bikes around too, we have 5 but I'm thinking a rack would be cool too as we don't always all go. Where do you ride?

Depends how handy/confident you are fitting it yourself!

Niall76
29-04-2008, 05:57 PM
The fitting I have no problem. I once fitted an electrical socket to an old Cavalier for a numberplate board - I'm assuming this may be similar?...

Niall76
29-04-2008, 06:23 PM
I was talking about the wiring there, the mechanical I have no problem with at all.

evil_skint
29-04-2008, 07:32 PM
Hey evil - ours is to take all the bikes around too, we have 5 but I'm thinking a rack would be cool too as we don't always all go. Where do you ride?

Hey mate, well bit of a long story..but last year ( i think ) I bought a Carrera Fury on sale at halfords.. think I paid £350 down from £599...all with good intentions ofcourse to start doing some serious biking. But...its been stood collecting dust ever since, had the odd canal ride etc but nothing major. Biggest run I have done is about 20 mile round trip, small hills n stuff.

So.. this summer I intend to start biking a bit more and get stuck in, hence the interest towbar threads.

I live in the Midlands ( Tamworth - now famous for its castle or its snowdome lol ). Cannok Chase may have some good runs to try out.

What about yourself. Is it serious stuff or family stuff ( considering youhave 5 bikes lol )

lonky
29-04-2008, 11:36 PM
recently fitted tow bar to back of my A6 saloon. Mechanically could have been done by your average DIYer. Holes were already formed in the body work.

Would not buy a detachable, as when fitting the unit you removed the bumper cross brace, so bumper is weaker if you get nudged in car parks etc. Leaving tow ball in place ensures drivers give you a bit of space.

Electrics is a bit of a pain. Car has bulb sensing, so you cannot just crimp onto the rear lights. You need an interface box, which requires a feed all the way from the battery, unless you have a boot 12v supply. While not difficult, it took about 2 hours for the mechanical part, and 3 - 4 for the electrics. Sure it could have been done quicker, but I like to do a neat job, and even routed the supply via the fuse board, so it was protected.

Happier to do it myself, as you cannot rush a good job, and to the guys fitting every day, time is money

Niall76
30-04-2008, 08:04 AM
I haven't been to Cannock Chase but plenty of my mates have and they say it's brilliant! I take the family with me when I can to everywhere from barron mountains to mountain bike trail centres to cycle paths. Brilliant fun.

Lonky, I take it no driiling was required then? Also, could you provide me with how you did the electrics? That's the part I thought might be a pain in the bum...

evil_skint
30-04-2008, 08:09 AM
Niall, if I ever see a 98 2.8 in Cannock i`ll be sure to leave a message under your wipers, probably " Ive stolen your new tow bar " lol.

Yeah lonky ..and electrical walkthrough would be excellent if you have time.

Flying Scot
30-04-2008, 08:23 AM
The reason that I have initially fitted the tow-ball was for a bike rack (waiting for my ISA to hit target for a speedboat eventually). I bought a Thule (9403 I think?) rack for the car which I have now done about 1500 miles with without a single worry. I would recommend these types of racks to anyone as they keep all of the bikes away from the car completely and are fitted with a light board etc. they do options up to 4 bikes.

davej
01-05-2008, 01:14 PM
I used these guys Ryder towing for advice on the electrics - look here for there reference guide -
http://www.rydertowing.co.uk/pdf_checklists/Practical%20Guide.pdf
I fitted the Bosal 033181 model for my avant quattro (2001) £123.84 plus £6.95 carriage. Fittting instructions and quality are good. Took me a good day but if you're like me, once the bumper is off you find things that need cleaning that a fitter wouldn't look twice at.
You will need to add TF2218 smart bypass relay board (from the folks above and the towing electrics socket and bracket.
The nice thing about this bar is that although swan neck, the neck removes with two bolts that are easy accessable. I have parking sensors and with the bar fitted (nothing hooked up) the sensors work fine.
Let me know if you need wiring details.

Dave
You also need to know wiring details for plumbing in if you are doing it yourself.

davej
01-05-2008, 01:16 PM
re supplier for above - 0116 2688009 - Brian

Niall76
01-05-2008, 02:01 PM
Many thanks Dave - wiring details would be much appreciatted.

davej
01-05-2008, 10:28 PM
.

davej
01-05-2008, 10:30 PM
Went and repeated myself Doh! What model and year ?

Niall76
02-05-2008, 07:23 AM
It's a 2.8 quattro 97/98 model (right on the change)

davej
04-05-2008, 09:48 AM
No problem - PM sent if you still want the wiring for this. Pity the upload capacity is not a more useful size.

Niall76
05-05-2008, 08:23 PM
Thanks Dave - I've sent you a message,

Cheers

fisgard792
24-09-2008, 05:36 PM
I recently had a detachable tow-ball fitted to my 05 plate A6. Local Audi quoted me £700-800 for a detachable ball to be fitted including all electrics etc. Indespension fitted a detachable ball and all electrics for £440. I went for the detachable so that I could remove it when not in use, but it’s still on after my last use of it in January!! I would not honestly bother about paying the extra for a detachable as it gives the rear of the car a bit more protection.

I’ve not had any issues with the parking sensors apart from when I have my Thule bike rack fitted which would be expected.

Hi Guys
first post on this forum
i am just about to purchase a 10 month old A6 quattro, and am in a bit of quandary on the towbar issue.
i too have a thule bike carrier for the back, and yes i agree its great. problem is that it sent the rear parking sensors on my old 98 avant scatty, so now even when the carrier is off and the rear is clear the sensor alarm goes on, as soon as i am in reverse.
what i am worried about is having a 3rd party install a towbar and if i get a subsequent problem that audi could relate to the towbar electrics, i will lose out on my warranty which has over 2 years to run
i have enquired about the audi towbar (detachable only i beleive) and like later on this thread have been quoted a £1000 to fit
if audi fit the towbar then any problems are audi's is my current line of thinking

true
24-09-2008, 05:58 PM
Is the new A6 you're looking at an Avant? We've had an Audi retractable towbar fitted to our Allroad (06) and although it is expensive (almost £1000 all in) it is very very good - twist a lever in the cubby hole in the boot and it just drops down through a discreet hole in the bumper, quick tug and it locks in place. When Audi fit it they also make the necessary adjustments to the MMI etc so the car knows when the towbar is in place and can therefore ignore it (the reversing sensors don't just go off constantly when in reverse) and the car also knows when a trailer is actually attached putting the car into towing mode automatically. My worry with a third party towbar was with these chances to the onboard computer systems but through Audi it is all covered by their warranty.

fisgard792
24-09-2008, 06:52 PM
true
thanks for your reply.
i think an audi fit is the way to go.
just have to 'bite the bullet' with to regard to cost

flippineckers
13-03-2009, 11:24 AM
A3 'Y' reg, 3-door, 1.9 Tdi
I would like to add to this thread that I bought a towequipe swan neck (removable- westfalia) towbar which cost about £200 including the universal electric pack
It went on easily enough -had to take off the rear bumper, and forunately no cutting involved.

Electrically, I'm disappointed in Audi for not running a fused live to the back of the car, it would have been bloody easy - and for what extra cost? 20pence!!
The alternatative was to run a separate live because I didn't want to take the live from a tail light feed. Thats just irresponsible.

Anyway, I can recomend towequipe, they were really helpful.

Thats all

PFJones
14-04-2009, 02:02 PM
I have since found a place who can supply and fit a swan neck type (fixed) for £250.

However, I have noticed on ebay the likes of Towequipe who can supply all the kit for around £150.

Hmm what can I say without getting into trouble. Like most things in life you get what you pay for.

Audi VW BMW as a companies choose Westfalia as there towbar manufacturer,

WE wont be beaten on ANY

Audi Towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/audi-towbars.html) VW Towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/towbars-volkswagen.html) Skoda Towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/tow-bars-for-skoda.html) Seat Towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/tow-bars-for-seat.html)

feel free to send us a quote on any like for like towbar, If we arent already cheaper.

With regards Towbar fitting (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/national-towbar-fitting-locations.html) we have around 25 fitting depots located throughout the UK

tidybutt
14-04-2009, 09:57 PM
With regards Towbar fitting (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/national-towbar-fitting-locations.html) we have around 25 fitting depots located throughout the UK

Can you tell me where your fitting centre is in Cardiff please.

PFJones
14-04-2009, 11:33 PM
HI there

towbars/fittings can only be arranged by calling 0800 5200 478 or visiting the site, See it Cheaper we will Beat it

towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk)


Address UNIT 2 CARDIFF TRADE PARK WHITTLE ROAD OFF HADFIELD ROAD CARDIFF Postcode CF11 8AT

lindylou
18-04-2009, 09:18 PM
[QUOTE=PFJones;343745]Hmm what can I say without getting into trouble. Like most things in life you get what you pay for.

Audi VW BMW as a companies choose Westfalia as there towbar manufacturer,



Thats what i was told!! but when i ordered my towbar from pfjones i got a Bosal!!!!:confused:

PFJones
19-04-2009, 11:23 PM
Thats what i was told!! but when i ordered my towbar from pfjones i got a Bosal!!!!:confused:


Nothing wrong with Bosal Towbars

Did you (a) ask for a Bosal towbar or
(b) get offered a Bosal towbar as the Westfalia model was out of stock

If none of this was the case, and you ordered a Westfalia towbar (http://www.pfjones.co.uk), but a Bosal towbar (http://www.pfjones.co.uk) turned up, did you call the customer service number when your towbar arrived ?

If I order a pair of Nike trainers, and Addias one turn up I tend to make contact with the company I purchased from.

Have you done this ???

When was the towbar purchased??

Who did you speak to when contacting the company to report the error ?

Look forward to your reply

Audi towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk)

lindylou
20-04-2009, 10:05 AM
Thats what i was told!! but when i ordered my towbar from pfjones i got a Bosal!!!!:confused:


Nothing wrong with Bosal Towbars

Did you (a) ask for a Bosal towbar or
(b) get offered a Bosal towbar as the Westfalia model was out of stock

If none of this was the case, and you ordered a Westfalia towbar (http://www.pfjones.co.uk), but a Bosal towbar (http://www.pfjones.co.uk) turned up, did you call the customer service number when your towbar arrived ?

If I order a pair of Nike trainers, and Addias one turn up I tend to make contact with the company I purchased from.

Have you done this ???

When was the towbar purchased??

Who did you speak to when contacting the company to report the error ?

Look forward to your reply

Audi towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk)

Why the attitude!!? To me, a towbar is a towbar!! it fits ,it does the job.
I wouldnt know a "wetfalia" from a "bosal" When i ordered the bar i was told that i would be getting a wastfalia, instead a bosal turned up, it got fitted, it tows, end of!! jeeez

PFJones
20-04-2009, 01:05 PM
HI

Sorry if you feel I was being funny with you this was not my intention

I am a little confused as to what it is that has happened

so I was just asking for a little more detail

Did you call the customer service team when the towbar (http://www.pfjones.co.uk) arrived ??

Bosal are dam good towbars ,

May I take this opportunity to offer you 2 apologies ,

firstly if the wrong bar was delivered then a big sorry however we needed you to let us know on delivery about this.

and secondly if you felt offended or that I was being a little harsh with you Please accept my sincere apologies

Should you wish to disscuss this isue further please free to call on 0161 886 5798



Westfalia towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk) and Witter Towbars (http://www.pfjones.co.uk)