Golf Mk7 Towing/Towbar Thread

[doc_777]

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.

Those are the rules of vehicle compliance.

[gregozedobe]

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.

Some possible reasons:

VW couldn't be bothered doing the calibration required for the ESP of the R (because of it's increased performance over a regular Golf)

Tyre load limitations

There is an undesired interaction with the R rear wheel drive

Didn't want owners to get in trouble with the extra power of the R and a trailer.

[genebaby]

Has anyone seen an Ecohitch in action in Australia?

Torklift Central | Select Your EcoHitch Style

I'm most interested in the Stealth model, otherwise the Hidden will probably do. This will be for the bike rack on the GTI, no real towing to do so will not get a harness.

They don't ship overseas, but you can use a service to buy it and ship it over.

[DV52]

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.

might have something to do with the route of the OEM exhausts

[Guest001]

If you are going to buy a towbar at least get a euro one which has some cross certification here. Buy one of those something goes wrong and trailer disconnects and causes damage you could possible be sued for millions
Westfalia bars are the best for VW and while they are hard to get here at present they can be imported and used LEGALLY

Australia Tow Bars & Performance - CAN bus module wiring LED OEM kits - Brake controllers - Accessories - ECU remaps - Performance upgrades - Australia Tow Bars & Performance store

https://etowbars.com/au/au/index.php?route=product/manufacturer/info&manufacturer_id=11

[genebaby]

Euro style towbars are fine if you are just towing a small trailer. I have a very good four bike rack and it needs a hitch.

If I was happy with just a ball I'd get an original even.

[Guest001]

Euro style towbars are fine if you are just towing a small trailer. I have a very good four bike rack and it needs a hitch.

If I was happy with just a ball I'd get an original even.

Seems some are rated to 2500kg and 250kg on the ball Nothing wrong with that and will tow a 19 ft caravan at that limit

[genebaby]

How will they go with the 2" receiver on my bike rack?

[Guest001]

How will they go with the 2" receiver on my bike rack?

Was referring to your comment about only small trailers Obviously if you have a bike rack like that you need the ugly 50mm hitch.

Remembering also that hitting a bump with 4 bikes on an extended hitch will put up to 7 times or more with 4 bikes of the static weight on the towball area

Have seen a few bikes lying on the road after they have broken off bike racks on the rear of vans for that very reason

[genebaby]

I can only imagine what kind of setups they might have had.

A good rack won't have that problem.

[Guest001]

I can only imagine what kind of setups they might have had.

A good rack won't have that problem.

Maybe not but laws of physics cant be denied

[pyrced]

Yes you can, different bar to hatch and wiring need to be done to your dash as no preparation on these.

Is this only in regards to R variant of the wagon because it hasn't been rated for towing? Does additional wiring like this need to be done for a highline mk7.5 variant wagon? I'm very interested in one of these westfalia bars.

[yorky]

Is this only in regards to R variant of the wagon because it hasn't been rated for towing? Does additional wiring like this need to be done for a highline mk7.5 variant wagon? I'm very interested in one of these westfalia bars.

I've had my Mk7.5 Highline done with a Hayman Reese via a local dealer in Perth (PM for name). They mentioned they had to do the behind the dash wiring. They pulled the steering column surround apart, then put it back together incorrectly bending the plastic clips yay. Means the steering wheel rubs on the plastic now. Among other unfortunate events with this company, however, the bar and electrics work fine.

Other random notes on my install while the thread is dug up:
-Additional electronics were placed in the boot on the left, behind the panel that the jack is in just a bit further down.
-Reverse sensors, rear assist and blind spot detection automatically disable with a trailer attached, which is all good. Has an icon on the media center when in reverse as well. Note, you need to manually re-enable rear assist and blind spot detection after unplugging.
-There is reduced clearance at the rear, as the wiring plug hangs low, watch those kerbs when reverse parking!
-The towball download rating as mentioned in this thread is only 75kg, pretty low, unfortunately, when the car is rated to tow 1600kg, that download rating is a bit low if you wanted to tow that much.
-The hitch sticks out a bit, not an issue just uuuggggglllly.
-Pics of the setup is the same as this: Attention Required! | Cloudflare



Coding changes were done (which also produced a heap of errors, although I cleared them ok). Two errors are persistent:
U1121 00 [009] - Missing Message
[TSG_HFS_01 Datenbus fehlende Botschaft]

526359 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded
U1014 00 [009] - -
[Steuergerät falsch codiert->Keine Anzeige]

[DV52]

Coding changes were done (which also produced a heap of errors, although I cleared them ok). Two errors are persistent:
U1121 00 [009] - Missing Message
[TSG_HFS_01 Datenbus fehlende Botschaft]

526359 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded
U1014 00 [009] - -
[Steuergerät falsch codiert->Keine Anzeige]

hmm................

Clearly something amiss with your coding changes!! These are the "normal" changes required when retrofitting a trailer module:

• Gateway module installation list: add hex 69 module
• hex01 module: Byte 5, Bit 4=1
• hex10 module: Byte 3, Bit 0 = 0 Bit 1=1 (Pivoting trailer hitch), Bit 0=1 Bit 1=0 (manually removable trailer hitch)
• hex17 module: Byte 15, Bit 5=1 (trailer=yes)
• hex69 module: program long-code as desired
• wild cards:
  • hex03 module: IDE04774-Vehicle and trailer stabilization > activated
  • BCM: ENG122979-ENG141968-Networking-Anhaengeranschlussgeraet > installed (translation "Networking-Trailer connection device")

Given that your 526359 error is complaining about "Keine Anzeige" (no display) - maybe check the software switch on the Instrument cluster module ?

Don