Golf Mk7 Towing/Towbar Thread

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Got any pics of one installed on a Mk 7.5 R Wagon please?

Will make some when we do one next.

[gregozedobe]

great thanks. Any reason then why the dealers say there’s no towbar for the Golf r mk 7.5 then?

Possibly because the manufacturer (VW Germany) say that the Golf R is not designed to have any towbar ? ie zero load is legal.

[GolfRWag]

Possibly because the manufacturer (VW Germany) say that the Golf R is not designed to have any towbar ? ie zero load is legal.

Yes, as I understand it VW did not homologate/assess/rate the R for tow capacity.

Im sure the car is quite capable of towing a moderate load eg: sub 1000kg. Chassis- wise it’s the same as the Golf Alltrack, though the tyres load limit maybe a potential issue if the car is also loaded, and the springs/ride height may not have sufficient travel for potential loads.

Which is not to say you cannot fit one, for say a bike rack. There’s some UK Golf R sedans and wagons running about with tow bars for just that purpose.

[gregozedobe]

Yes, as I understand it VW did not homologate/assess/rate the R for tow capacity.

Im sure the car is quite capable of towing a moderate load eg: sub 1000kg. Chassis- wise it’s the same as the Golf Alltrack, though the tyres load limit maybe a potential issue if the car is also loaded, and the springs/ride height may not have sufficient travel for potential loads.

Which is not to say you cannot fit one, for say a bike rack. There’s some UK Golf R sedans and wagons running about with tow bars for just that purpose.

I agree, there is almost certainly no mechanical reason for not homologlating a trailer, and carting bikes around on a hitch would probably be legal (as long as the obscured rego plate issue is dealt with), but have a prang with a trailer connected (no matter how light) and you could be in a world of hurt legally & financially (so just don't hook up a trailer - ever).

I'm not sure what would happen if you sell the car and a subsequent owner (who doesn't know about the legal restriction on trailers) hooks up a trailer and loses control and ploughs into a school bus full of kids and injures them.

[donweather]

Possibly because the manufacturer (VW Germany) say that the Golf R is not designed to have any towbar ? ie zero load is legal.

VW Brisbane don't know anything about this as they haven't told me I can't fit an aftermarket towbar.

[donweather]

Yes, as I understand it VW did not homologate/assess/rate the R for tow capacity.

Im sure the car is quite capable of towing a moderate load eg: sub 1000kg. Chassis- wise it’s the same as the Golf Alltrack, though the tyres load limit maybe a potential issue if the car is also loaded, and the springs/ride height may not have sufficient travel for potential loads.

Which is not to say you cannot fit one, for say a bike rack. There’s some UK Golf R sedans and wagons running about with tow bars for just that purpose.

I'm wanting to tow a jetski.

[gregozedobe]

[QUOTE=donweather;1309206 I'm wanting to tow a jetski.[/QUOTE]

Simply put - can't be done legally unless you get an engineer's certificate valid for your state.

[doc_777]

Simply put - can't be done legally unless you get an engineer's certificate valid for your state.

for towing, an engineers certificate can not override the manufacturers zero towing allowance.

[gregozedobe]

for towing, an engineers certificate can not override the manufacturers zero towing allowance.

That's interesting, sounds like you will be unable to get a valid certificate.

I thought it would be similar to GVM, some years ago I had a Landcruiser ute that I put a camper body on and had to upgrade the suspension for the extra load and get an engineer's certificate for the increased GVM (in the ACT).

[Guest001]

That's interesting, sounds like you will be unable to get a valid certificate.

I thought it would be similar to GVM, some years ago I had a Landcruiser ute that I put a camper body on and had to upgrade the suspension for the extra load and get an engineer's certificate for the increased GVM (in the ACT).

Yes because that was allowed as it had a GVM rating which under certain conditions it could be increased legally.

The GOLF has a zero limit and therefore cant be.

[GolfRWag]

Some UK types have done towbars on hatches and wagon R’s, here’s one: Estate Towbar - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club

and on a hatch:Towbar on a mk7 R - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club

There is some cutting of the rear valence required.

[GolfRWag]

Some UK types have done towbars on hatches and wagon R’s, here’s one: Estate Towbar - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club

and on a hatch:Towbar on a mk7 R - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club

There is some cutting of the rear valence required.

[Guest001]

Some UK types have done towbars on hatches and wagon R’s, here’s one: Estate Towbar - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club

and on a hatch:Towbar on a mk7 R - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club

There is some cutting of the rear valence required.

Unfortunately what they may be able to do in other countries is apparently not legal to do here

[GolfRWag]

It’s perfectly legal to add a towbar as long as you don’t tow with it. Bike racks is what they have done it for in the UK.
I was giving this some thought before I got my car so I could add a bike rack, but I can stick 3 on the roof so that was enough for most occasions when I needed to.
Personally I would remove the towbar prior to disposal if I did.

[donweather]

Yes because that was allowed as it had a GVM rating which under certain conditions it could be increased legally.

The GOLF has a zero limit and therefore cant be.

What I don’t understand is why can you get a towbar legally and VW approved on a normal golf but not on a golf R? They’re essentially the same car (body/structurally) apart from suspension and engine upgrades.