Golf Mk5 Tow Bars - Q&A - All you need to know Guide!! Advice, Tips...

[peter cresswell]

Pickles is a really handsome pig and what a nice change from cars!

Happy new year

Peter

[sollenelle]

Great thread thanks. This is an update on prices as at January 2009.
After deciding I needed a towbar on my Golf Mk5 on Sunday 11th Jan 2009, I found this thread on Sunday, decided I would take the same route as Pickles, ordered the pre-cut bumper from Nottingham VW on Monday morning, ordered the Westfalia towbar and electrics from Towbars Direct on Monday afternoon, received the bumper at 9.00a.m. Wednesday and the towbar at 11.00 Wednesday. Went to my trusted local car mechanic on Wednesday p.m. and he booked me in to fit the towbar next Monday morning. One week from decision to buy, to towbar being fitted. The bumper bit cost £52.38 from VW and the towbar and electrics was a total of £206.45 from towbars Direct. Excellent!

[frankie#1]

The VW genuine removeable towbar is the best opption, you can also buy a new lower bumper section with a removeable cover. both are quite reasonbly priced.

[PFJones]

VW Touareg Towbar Westfalia towbars

[PFJones]

Audi Q7 Towbar Audi Towbars

[richard@thebrae]

My post is to obtain details on the towbar electrics as the towbars and fitting is very well covered and my thanks to all who have contributed.
It is clear that the VW retrofit electrics are a nightmare, but no details are given other than the cursing of the difficulties.
My 1st question can anyone expand and perhaps give a howto on what is involved.
My 2nd question is if I use the multiplex relay route again can anyone provide a howto fit this in a proffesional manner, and does this run along side the vehicle canbus sytem with no ill effects
I only will have a bike carrier and perhaps the thule box with the very occasional use of a small trailer.
I am nervous and uncomfortable of hacking into wiring looms especialy on a new car, hence my requests. Your help and advice will be appreciated.

[martin1810]

If you are worried about the electrics, buy the vw kit. That just plugs in. If you go the bypass relay route it is very simple especially as you won't be fitting the extra caravan wiring I assume. The bypass relay gets all its power from a new 12v feed and has nothing to do with the can-bus system. You then use the post can-bus wires for indicators, lights etc to energise the individual relays. This places no real strain on the can-bus system. It's not easy to give you exact fitting instructions as it depends on who supplies your relay.

[benny303]

Guys I installed a removeable tow bar to my 1999 GT TDI golf and have now bought a 2005 GT TDI golf. Can I use this tow bar on my new golf or do I just sell it on my the 99 one.

[PFJones]

HI there

just done a very quick check

the MK4 GTI towbar by Witter towbars is the VW43L

The MK5 Witter towbar is the VW49 is the correct tow bar

there are many other types of towbar of course than the 2 mentioned above, but it appears you will not be able to fit your towbar to your new vehicle.

do you know what make and model number is on your tow bar?

for a instant answer call 0800 5200 478 and ask for Brian please mention vwaudiforum

VW towbars

[Kevster140]

Hi guys, My Dad has just had a towbar fitted to his MK5 GT Sport today. Took VW nearly all day to do it but apparently it looks good. Will post some piccys and details once i see it for myself.

Edit: As promised here are the pictures below.

- This is the VW genuine kit fitted by uk dealer (made by Westfalia).
- It has the new bumper with cover and European single 13pin socket, hence a converter for (in this case) twin UK electrics. (all new caravans have this new single 13pin set up we're told)
- Heat shield also added
- New wiring loom was run up the near side to near fuse box in bonnet (to get power and add two fues and reply) via fuse box in dash board (3 new fuses)
- Also this loam disables the parking sensors when the electrics are plugged in (not that you'd need them when you have a caravan on the back!)

Fitted:



Removed with cover:



The electric converter wire:



And the electrics viable in the engine bay:



If I can be of any help please ask...

Kev.