Passat 2006 tow bar fitment

**PNS2007** · 25-04-2007,09:56 PM

Hi, I pick up my new (6 mnth old) Passat 2.0 Sport TDI (170) DPF on monday and my excitement is dulling. I need to have a Tow bar fitted and have been quoted £595, this is apparently because I need a specific wiring kit for trailer stability etc. Do I need this? or is it simply easier to turn off the ESP. Also a new valence is required with a pre-cut hole and cover. Is this required, or can a cut simply be made into the existing valence and the separate 'flap' part be fitted afterwards. The reason I ask is that whilst the valence itself is about £50, my new car has a vw body kit fitted as an optional extra and I have been told I need to buy the complete rear valance (with built in spoiler) at £350. Any help or other info would be great thanks

**carl s** · 26-04-2007,11:03 PM

When I asked about getting a towbar fitted to my new B6 estate the sales person admitted that they didn't recommend the VW £590-odd route, but told me they send most most people to the local towing centre to fit one for £175 plus vat.
They may have to cut the rear valance but these people do this sort of thing every day, it's only plastic after all !

**PNS2007** · 27-04-2007,08:46 PM

Thanks Carl. I find it hard to believe that it was only £175. The electrics cost more than this so i've been told so that the car has trailer stability programme. My main concern is the bumper cut. The car has the VW boby kit on it and I don't want the tow bar showing so am going for a detachable one and need it to look tidy afterwards. Just considering my options at the moment, where to buy a new valence or accept a tidy cut and cover.

**carl s** · 28-04-2007,12:11 AM

Berkshire towing & leisure (from memory) mind you it wasn't a detatchable one. I'm waiting until I need one to get it installed (still recovering from the money I spent buying the car!) The £175 sounded about right as they fitted one to my last car for around £200 inc. vat.

**macdoc** · 14-05-2007,01:25 PM

Does anyone know if the towbar wiring can be connected direct to tail light wiring harness, or is that area part of CANbus system, hence expensive wiring electrics from VW?

**PNS2007** · 14-05-2007,06:41 PM

Hi, had my towbar done now. Decided to use VW dealer as this was the most practical. The Passat has Trailer Stability Programming built into its on board computer and needs activating by a VW tech once the towbar has been fitted. I'm told this is a must when towing.
As far as the wiring is concerned it has to be a vehical specific wiring system and cannot just come off the lighting circuit.
I've had the Westfali detachable towbar fitted and it was arounf £550. I managed 10% discount on the parts after a bit of grovelling.
Good luck and I hope your as pleased as I now am.

**schoey1** · 24-05-2007,12:33 PM

You said the towbar was £550 .Was that including fitting or did the VW garage charge on top of thar price ?

Just looking at fitting a towbar to my estate too !

**PNS2007** · 24-05-2007,09:02 PM

Hi, it was in the region of £550+vat. The parts were as follows:-
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.

This in my opinion is a better bet than somewhere like Towsure which is only about £40 cheaper as it doesn't include the bumper valence etc. See the following link:-

http://www.towsure.com/product/13464...Saloon_July_05-

The VW detachable bar fits nicely in the polystyrene boot holder (where the jack is) and don't forget the warrenty. Although a towbar fitter will give you a warrenty the passat's electrics are quite complex and its worth the piece of mind. Also you will need a VW technician to re program the cars computer to give you trailer stability program which works with the cars ESP so I believe. This programming alone is about £50 - £60.

The new valence finishes off the car nicely and you can't tell you have a tow bar fitted.

Regards

Neil