Towbars

[stormshark]

Hi Peoples,

Am after a towbar for the Gt TDI, Autobahn etc seem can for $280-$350 but are stymied for wiring loom,computer set up etc.Vw quote $1600 odd to do whole job, then $1100 odd for wiring loom etc if someone else fits towbar.There must be some way round this cartel situation i would've thought $700-$800 all up is fair? Anyone got an angle? I have perused the commonly asked questions section but still at a loss.

[Maverick]

Hi Peoples,

Am after a towbar for the Gt TDI, Autobahn etc seem can for $280-$350 but are stymied for wiring loom,computer set up etc.Vw quote $1600 odd to do whole job, then $1100 odd for wiring loom etc if someone else fits towbar.There must be some way round this cartel situation i would've thought $700-$800 all up is fair? Anyone got an angle? I have perused the commonly asked questions section but still at a loss.

Try search, here are a few that come up with a search.

Golf V Towbar

From the Mark V FAQ
Researching Towbar options for Golf MK5


Holy smoken Tow bars - are these things Gold Plated?


Got a $400 towbar together with faulty rear lght and hole for free.

[Grover]

Yeh, the towbar option on my new Mk6 was $1800!. The thing is that $1200 of that was the wiring harness (wired into the CAN bus).

B l o o d y H e l l !

[85turbo]

mine was $1500 installed. (that's what the receipts in the paperwork for my car say)


Jason

[stormshark]

Thanks peoples and particularly Maverick, looks like unless i'm in Sydney its Dealer fitted only!

[Pablo64]

i did towbar on my mkv gti very neatly for $400

$250 for hayman reese towbar and $120 electronic relay box. balance on odds and sods.

tricks were as follows:

relay box is essential, otherwise you'll get error messages on your dashboard (relay boxes are called "black boxes" at towbar stores).


wire taps must be as follows:
(reads car to trailer):

left blinker to left blinker
right blinker to right blinker
high mounted brake light to brake light
cigarette lighter power (in boot) to 12v power
tail light illuminator to lights

if you have particular queries i am happy to respond. be mindful i am not an auto electrician nor do i have any mechanical qualifications.

[Greg Roles]

Here's how to make a relay box for $50 odd from Autospeed. I just stumbled across it on the weekend. Beats giving the dealer an extra grand like I did!

http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_111415/article.html

[Swallowtail]

Just as a note, the VW-dealer wired towbar is wired into the CAN bus on the car, so that the car knows when you have a trailer on. It's not just $1000 for a black box. So if you have reverse sensors it will disable them. Not sure what else it does though.... LOL

[stormshark]

i did towbar on my mkv gti very neatly for $400

$250 for hayman reese towbar and $120 electronic relay box. balance on odds and sods.

tricks were as follows:

relay box is essential, otherwise you'll get error messages on your dashboard (relay boxes are called "black boxes" at towbar stores).


wire taps must be as follows:
(reads car to trailer):

left blinker to left blinker
right blinker to right blinker
high mounted brake light to brake light
cigarette lighter power (in boot) to 12v power
tail light illuminator to lights

if you have particular queries i am happy to respond. be mindful i am not an auto electrician nor do i have any mechanical qualifications.

Thanks Pablo- you've cheered me up, above my enterprise but i will print and take your suggestions to the local towbar fitter!!

[DionM]

Just as a note, the VW-dealer wired towbar is wired into the CAN bus on the car, so that the car knows when you have a trailer on. It's not just $1000 for a black box. So if you have reverse sensors it will disable them. Not sure what else it does though.... LOL

I thought it also interfaces to the stability control.

[Swallowtail]

I thought it also interfaces to the stability control.

That would make sense...

[Umai Naa!!]

Considering a fair amount of the interior needs to come out to run the wiring through with the genuine kit, $1100 is a fair deal.