Towbar Advice

[666arc]

Hi all

Been lurking for awhile now and decided to post....must say, great site though, full of good words of wisdom!!

I get my new 2.0Tdi Avant SE on 2nd Feb - was a cancelled order so got it quick but didn't get to choose exact spec - its a company lease though.

Anyhow, looked at Audi.co.uk and to add towbar option is £650 - expensive. However, my local Audi garage are quoting double that to retrofit

Now, will be for towing caravan, they've advised that unless its Audi make and fitted that they won't honour warranty for any "related" claims......

Has anyone found themselves in similar situation ? Is an aftermarket towbar thats fitted by approved towbar specialist (won't think of doing myself ) okay and am I likely to experience any problems.

Not bought caravan yet so not sure of towing weights etc

Thanks

Andy

[Geordie Amanda]

I had exactly the same problem with my 123D BMW. it took them 2 days to do the full fitting too

[The Polisher]

This is a major problem. I had the same issue, company car and need a towbar. In the end I settled for the factory fit removable one at £650.

The problem is whether or not your car has towbar prep on it. (ask the dealer to check the codes) My car didn't have it as standard, but newer ones should.

To fit a towbar, they also have to change the cooling fans, oil coolers and rear wiring loom......... cost is huge but it can cause problems if its not done. Having the factory fit bar also made sure that these changes were done.

If you do have towbar prep, then an approved towbar place should be able to retro fit for about £300, but they must be able to using the correct wiring as the towbar has to be coded to the car so that the car knows it is towing to allow the cooling systems to change attitude, inidicators, lights etc...... not a simple job.

Even though I had the factory fit unit, it was not all plain sailing, as the charging circuits for the battery and fridge were not fitted as standard (they don't tell you that!) and it had to go back to audi for a retro fit of this part. They wanted another £200 to do this, but I argued and got it done FOC.

I would;

1)ask the supplying dealer to confirm if it has towbar prep on as standard (depends on the build date)

2)If not, you are a world of pain!

3)If yes, then contact a quality towbar centre and ask them what they do about Audi electrics. If they say, its easy... walk away. If they say its very complicated but we can do and have done one recently, then you stand a chance.

Sorry!!

[PFJones]

Hi all

Been lurking for awhile now and decided to post....must say, great site though, full of good words of wisdom!!

I get my new 2.0Tdi Avant SE on 2nd Feb - was a cancelled order so got it quick but didn't get to choose exact spec - its a company lease though.

Anyhow, looked at Audi.co.uk and to add towbar option is £650 - expensive. However, my local Audi garage are quoting double that to retrofit

Now, will be for towing caravan, they've advised that unless its Audi make and fitted that they won't honour warranty for any "related" claims......

Has anyone found themselves in similar situation ? Is an aftermarket towbar thats fitted by approved towbar specialist (won't think of doing myself ) okay and am I likely to experience any problems.

Not bought caravan yet so not sure of towing weights etc

Thanks

Andy

Hi Andy,

It sounds to me like you have been quoted rediculously high.

PFJones are towbar fitters for Audi in Manchester. We would be able to do this for you for approximately £450(this depends on the model as you have not specified in your post). We have fitting depots around the sheffied area.

This would include Dedicated plug-in wiring kit, Westfalia Detachable Tow Bar, the download would need to be done in our manchester banch or in stoke. I must stress again the £450.00 is an estimate the final price would depend on wether it is an A4 or an A6.

This would all be OEM, the dedicated kit would not void any warranty with Audi. The towbar comes with a lifetime guarantee and we guarantee the electrics for 2 years.

You can visit our website: www.pfjones.co.uk
or give is a call using the free phone number in my signature asking for Brian.

Hope this help you.

Scott
P.F.Jones

[666arc]

Scott

Many thanks for your response. Have done a bit more digging and been quoted £1448.15 by Audi in Doncaster but thats because the labour is charged at £95 / hr

Local towbar "specialist" is quoting £500-£600 and going to use bypass relays - "as thats all the wiring kit does anyway". I walked away.

Its an A4 Avant 2.0 TDI SE, MY2010 and has the towbar prep (changes to the fan ?).

Would the Westfalia towbar need to have the bumper cut ? As i'm in discussions with VW Leasing at the moment as to whether they will allow this!! If they will (or you don't need to cut bumper) then I'm definitely interested!!

Thanks again

Andy

[The Polisher]

No cutting will be needed for the detachable bar...... its exactly the same as the Audi factory fit like I have,....... and its a stunning piece of engineering.

My car is leased and the attitude is as long as the bar is left on the car when returned there is no issue........ but this will be neat.

If you have towbar prep, then go to PF Jones and have it done....... sounds like a winner.

If you need any help on caravans or weights, more than happy to help, been a 'vanner for over 20 years!

[PFJones]

Scott

Many thanks for your response. Have done a bit more digging and been quoted £1448.15 by Audi in Doncaster but thats because the labour is charged at £95 / hr

Local towbar "specialist" is quoting £500-£600 and going to use bypass relays - "as thats all the wiring kit does anyway". I walked away.

Its an A4 Avant 2.0 TDI SE, MY2010 and has the towbar prep (changes to the fan ?).

Would the Westfalia towbar need to have the bumper cut ? As i'm in discussions with VW Leasing at the moment as to whether they will allow this!! If they will (or you don't need to cut bumper) then I'm definitely interested!!

Thanks again

Andy

Hi Andy,

I have been informed this morning that Yes there would be a bumper cut, it is a non visible cut along the skirting. to see it you would have to get right under the vehicle. As I said in my previous post it would be done to exactly the same standards that audi would expect because we do it for Audi.

I can't see whether or not you want single or twin Electrics but here goes.

Suplied and fitted

Audi A4 Avant 2010

Single(7pin) £410.00
twin(13pin) £440.00

As I said earlier, this would all be OEM westfalia detachable bar, dedicated plug in kit.

The dealer download would be £47 added to either of those prices. as I said, we guarantee Electrics for 2 years and the Tow Bar for life.

If you are intrested, contact Brian on 0800 5200 478.

Tell Brian you were speaking to Scott on VW Audi Forums he will know what your call is about.

We are open
8am-5pm Mon to Fri
8am-12pm Sat

Or you can go to www.pfjones.co.uk

Scott
P.F.Jones

[The Polisher]

Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!

WISH I had know you (PF Jones) before I spent £650 on the factory fit towbar then all the associated hassle to get the charging circuits sorted!!......... would have definately come to you at that price!!!

Never mind, your details are stored for the next time!

[PFJones]

Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!

WISH I had know you (PF Jones) before I spent £650 on the factory fit towbar then all the associated hassle to get the charging circuits sorted!!......... would have definately come to you at that price!!!

Never mind, your details are stored for the next time!

Hi Polisher,

we are not just towbar specialists we are certified Bosch, Denzo, Delphi and Siemens Diesel Specialists bear that in mind too. Our Diesel pump and Diesel Injector pricing structures are just as competative as the towbar pricing.

www.pfjones.co.uk (Towbars)
www.dieseljones.co.uk (Diesel)

(Sorry for the Hi-Jack back on topic now though )

Scott
P.F.Jones