A1 towbar fitting

[newbuild100]

Hi folks

Im new to the forum and this enquiry is on behalf of my partner who has just bought a 64 plate A1.
She wants to carry a cycle on the car and a rear bike rack wont fit (it has a spoiler). We are therefore thinking of going down the towbar route !

She has had quotes from Audi for £1000 for a towbar to be fitted.
Audi are saying that the electrics "must be right" when getting a towbar fitted as the reversing sensors will be "triggered" even when driving forward, hence the price.. (I can understand the sensors being triggered when reversing, but forward !?!?!?!?!?!?!)
First of all, I/we dont want to get ripped off (A £1000 ??????!!!) and another reputable firm has quoted almost half of the above cost.



We arent sure what to do, has anyone on here got any opinions or advice about where we can go to get a good job done.
We travel between Lincoln and Cumbria most weeks so if there any decent garages/specialists we can go to in between those areas ?

Thanks in advance folks

[josedebardi]

The sensors going forward is rubbish.

Just go for the half the cost quote. They will be able to code the car just as Audi would.


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[Lukenkarl]

Hi folks

Im new to the forum and this enquiry is on behalf of my partner who has just bought a 64 plate A1.
She wants to carry a cycle on the car and a rear bike rack wont fit (it has a spoiler). We are therefore thinking of going down the towbar route !

She has had quotes from Audi for £1000 for a towbar to be fitted.
Audi are saying that the electrics "must be right" when getting a towbar fitted as the reversing sensors will be "triggered" even when driving forward, hence the price.. (I can understand the sensors being triggered when reversing, but forward !?!?!?!?!?!?!)
First of all, I/we dont want to get ripped off (A £1000 ??????!!!) and another reputable firm has quoted almost half of the above cost.



We arent sure what to do, has anyone on here got any opinions or advice about where we can go to get a good job done.
We travel between Lincoln and Cumbria most weeks so if there any decent garages/specialists we can go to in between those areas ?

Thanks in advance folks

put the bikes on a good roof carrier

[newbuild100]

The sensors going forward is rubbish.

Just go for the half the cost quote. They will be able to code the car just as Audi would.

What exactly is the above please . . . . Coding the car in ???

[josedebardi]

The sensors going forward is rubbish.

Just go for the half the cost quote. They will be able to code the car just as Audi would.

What exactly is the above please . . . . Coding the car in ???

You have to change the ECU coding to tell it the tow bar electrics exist- and don't enable the rear sensors if a lightbar/trailer is plugged in.


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[Rob69]

I use a tow bar rack and roof carrier, i prefer the roof carrier as the bikes get minging dirty on the back of the car, esp in winter with salt on the roads. An A1 isnt too high to lift bikes up onto either, i've used roof carriers on a polo and it was fine. Only thing against roof carriers IMO is car park barriers, some wind noise and lower mpg. Thule pro ride 951 has lasted me years and suits most bike types and sizes.

[newbuild100]

Thanks guys. I/we appreciate your input

[Scott K]

PF Jones is one of the site sponsors and respond quickly to any questions. You could always call them. They can fully fit them as well.

[newbuild100]

Morning folks
Further to my enquiries above, my partner now has her new towbar fitted (At last)

As she didnt go for Dedicated electrics, she realised the reversing sensors would be triggered when she has a bike on the rack etc.
However, does anyone know if its possible to temporarily switch off the sensors, or at least reduce the noise within the car at all ??? (Maybe a button in the car somewhere )

Thanks all

[josedebardi]

If the tow bar electrics are properly fitted, and you plug in a light bar that is hanging on the back of the bike rack the sensors will automatically be disabled.

I would suggest you would need a light bar with the Reg and lights to be legal?

It sounds like you've cut a corner and now will have to have a headache when reversing...
As per my advice above, if the electrics were fitted properly all of this would work perfectly with a light bar.

You've ended up with exactly what the dealer warned you about! I suggest you go and get the electrics fitted and coded.


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