Passat 2006 tow bar fitment

[Apoc]

Very helpful thread all round, this very day I closed the deal for a new Passat Highline Estate (DSG), trading in my Touran DSG as it approaches its 3rd birthday. Very happy with this change.

Never jumped into the tow bar debate before as it all looked too complicated and/or expensive, but now have a need to have my new Passat fitted with a towbar so at the very least I can opt for a small trailer and bikes on roof, or bikes on tow bar and stick with my roof box.

It looks as though the prevailing opinion is to be very careful about ensuring you use dont disable the lovely new technology that have been fitted to cars in recent years....but does anyone know of someone in the South East who does VW standard work but below VW labour prices?

[Apoc]

.......

It looks as though the prevailing opinion is to be very careful about ensuring you use dont disable the lovely new technology that have been fitted to cars in recent years....but does anyone know of someone in the South East who does VW standard work but below VW labour prices?

OK...got a call from the dealer today regarding my request for a quote to have VW fit a towbar to my Passat, not even in the UK yet.....and it came in at around £900-1000....

This seems even more ridiculous than even some of the other quotes in this thread...just mad

The explanation being that not many Passat owners want towbars and when more do then they are sure prices will come down.

Sheesh, chicken and egg guys, when your prices are realistic for a lump of metal on the back of your car, more people might want one...

[PNS2007]

Hi Apoc, if you see one of my earlier postings it has a break down of the parts and the price my dealer charged me. Be cheeky and ask for a discount! Your spending allot of money on the car the least they could do is fit a tow bar cheaply for you. I managed 20%.

Good Luck

[Apoc]

Thanks, your price breakdown is very useful to beat them about the head with.

My car is currently awaiting shipping in Holland, so still time to go for a bit of cheek.

[jazzert100]

This forum has raised a number of issues for me I currently have an 05 Passat B6 with a towbar and my new car is arriving soon and thought I would just remove it and refit it to my new car.
I have access to a ramp and have done my sharan in the past, and due to a dodgy repair by a Norwich Union approved repair centre(if anyone gets their car back from repair I suggest you check the towing electrics at the time) I am familiar with the control box wiring as I had to fit a new control box faithfully copying the old wiring only to discover the repairers had rewired it incorrectly in the first place and I didnt need a new controller at all!
However I had no idea about the ESP for the trailer I am probably only going to be towing small lightweight trailers and my 5 meter speedboat none of which have ever given me any snaking problems previously.
Has anyone done a DIY bar yet?
I am now seriously thinking twice about doing it!
I would welcome any hints or tips.

thx

J

[Rightconnection]

Hi J,

Having read a number of replies in respect to towbars, it would be really good to clarify why towbar installation should be left to specialists. since 2000. a number of vehicle manufacturer's, in particular, the German producers, have massively altered and improved the electrical systems in vehicles. Broadly termed CANbus which simply means ALL data from turning on your overhead reading light to complex engine management, is controlled through a series of digital signals. Most people who drive cars simply put the key in the ignition and as long as the engine starts, that's all they are generally concerned about. The interesting fact of modern technology is what is actually happening in the vehicle, by way of signalling, just when the key is placed in the ignition let alone actually starting the car! What does this mean for towbar installation... well, the towbar is the most important accessory that can be fitted to a modern motor vehicle. The essential part of this installation is the electrics. No other accessory fitted will intervene and alter the whole architecture of the vehicle ranging from braking system through to the factory fitted alarm! A number of systems need to re-coded diagnostically in order for the systems to activate or de-activate a number of trailer related safety systems. I notice on reply earlier in the forum states the towbar to be 'just a lump of metal' mounted on the rear! Sadly, this lack of understanding about towbar installation prevails amongst towing drivers as in fact, all they see is a lump of metal on the back but do not understand the complex way this lump of metal has on the car! Now, I have to emphasise the electrical system is the crucial part and unless the correct electrical wiring is installed, ALL the safety systems will not be activated! Many towbar installers are fitting what is known as a 'By-Pass' relay. This is a cheap, rather crude device which is not recognised by VW as a suitable installation. Unfortunately, there is no legislation to prevent such installations BUT this is dramatically changing. The correct installation has to be a specific kit which is installed either at dealerships or by Quality towbar installers. You will need to specify this when asking for quotes. If you decide to fit yourself, you will need around 2 hours at least and be pretty dextrous! I most certainly would advise going to a specialist for your installation. This is why dealerships now charge high costs as they put a high value on this accessory. if you need to know more about trailer related safety systems, why not visit this website. www.rightconnections.co.uk

I hope this has been informative for you and good luck
J

[stringman]

I too am contemplating fitting a towbar
https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=62096

Its not essential that i have one and certainly does not warrant the sums i have seen posted here.

I have seen a diy kit on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A1-Towbar-VW-P...2%7C240%3A1318

anyone heard of /used A1 towbars.
Have to say i am not bothered with the cut aspect and not bothered about the "fancy electrics" as it will just have a bike carrier on it so i am presuming i can can just tapinto the wiring - do i still need the relay thingy?

all seems a lot of faff but saves a fortune.

or maybe i should just buy a rear mounted bike rack!!!

cheers all

[forge197]

Having had a tow bar fitted by a specialist, it was reasonable value, I only use it for bikes, but the Passat does seem to rely on electronics heavily so felt it a worthy investment to have someone else whom has done it before install it more for a peace of mind.

It took a few hours to fit properly and required the removal of quite a lot of parts.

Fitting yourself my be cheap up front but if you damage the CANBUS or other internal electronics I reckon that would be more than the cost of a specialist installation of a tow bar.

[Rightconnection]

Having had a tow bar fitted by a specialist, it was reasonable value, I only use it for bikes, but the Passat does seem to rely on electronics heavily so felt it a worthy investment to have someone else whom has done it before install it more for a peace of mind.

It took a few hours to fit properly and required the removal of quite a lot of parts.

Fitting yourself my be cheap up front but if you damage the CANBUS or other internal electronics I reckon that would be more than the cost of a specialist installation of a tow bar.

As a specialist in vehicle towing electrics, Forge 197 has it right. CANbus is becoming a common feature now in vehicle electronics and the Germans have the most advanced developments. I would have to say.. never compromise with any fitting of inferior electrics regardles whether you carry a bike or tow. As a pointer.. electronics are so much advanced now that the NEW Audi Q5 with factory fitted roofbars is able to sense the load imposed on the roofbars and alters the vehicle ESP dynamics to compensate for the centre of gravity shift! I needn't say any more. Always opt for a vehicle specific solution in electrics and not for the common by-pass and scotchlocks.

regards..

[brismark]

Thanks rightconnection for your expalnation. Since reading it I have decided to use a proper wiring kit for my passat estate, so that parking sensors, alarm, TSP etc will function. I've gone for the Westfalia wiring kit 321 535 300 147
But a question - my car has ESP but does it definitely have a TSP function as it is 2006? I read in the fitting instructions for the recode of the ECU that it says
>MY07 - activate TS system, what does >MY07 mean? cars since 2007? In which case I haven't even got a TS system in my ESP?
Any light shed much appreciated
Cheers Mark