Golf Mk7 Towing/Towbar Thread

[DV52]

In a nutshell, no, or at least not yet. The installer is following up with Westfalia, and I'll hold off giving the blow by blow until things are clearer.

Wagoneer: OK, then your Tow BAR is like mine in that respect. Just out of interest here are the two trailer-related-bytes in the mk7 on my car. Note that neither Byte 1 (bit 1) of 09-Cent Elect, or Byte 5 (bit 4) of 01-Engine were enable after the installation of the tow-bar on my car. In fact, I suspect that there were no coding changes done at all by HR. Might be the same for your car!!

[Wagoneer]

In a nutshell, no, or at least not yet. The installer is following up with Westfalia, and I'll hold off giving the blow by blow until things are clearer.

[DV52]

I've just had a Westfalia removable towbar with its E-Kit loom fitted to my new Mk VII wagon. 13 pin socket and all.

I'll post the full story soon.

In the meantime, is there anyone who can confirm my understanding of the expected consequential changes in functionalities when a trailer is electrically connected to such an arrangement (which I would hope would replicate the 'factory fitted' version)?

From my manual, I've noted stop/start is made inoperative (p145), Eco mode is made inoperative (p145), rear sensors are made inoperative (p216), rear fog lights are made inoperative (p111), park assist is made inoperative (p223), warning occurs if trailer L/R indicator lights become inoperative (p108 ), alarm (if fitted) sounds if trailer is electrically disconnected (p149), ACC is dumbed down (p245), trailer stabilisation may be activated (p152). Anything else, or different?


All help appreciated.

Wagoneer: I have a HR tow bar with their "proprietary" electrics-kit. The arrangement doesn't look as fancy as your unit, but it works real good on my car. Notwithstanding what the manual says about what gets disabled when the hitch is attached, does all the things that you mentioned in your post actually happen?

[lambertia]

That's more than I thought it did! Let us know how it goes!

[Wagoneer]

I've just had a Westfalia removable towbar with its E-Kit loom fitted to my new Mk VII wagon. 13 pin socket and all.

I'll post the full story soon.

In the meantime, is there anyone who can confirm my understanding of the expected consequential changes in functionalities when a trailer is electrically connected to such an arrangement (which I would hope would replicate the 'factory fitted' version)?

From my manual, I've noted stop/start is made inoperative (p145), Eco mode is made inoperative (p145), rear sensors are made inoperative (p216), rear fog lights are made inoperative (p111), park assist is made inoperative (p223), warning occurs if trailer L/R indicator lights become inoperative (p108 ), alarm (if fitted) sounds if trailer is electrically disconnected (p149), ACC is dumbed down (p245), trailer stabilisation may be activated (p152). Anything else, or different?


All help appreciated.

[bergerboy]

I want to put a towbar onto either my wife's MK7 90TSI or my MK7 GTI, only thing I want it for is put a bike carrier onto it, not towing a trailer at the moment.

[lambertia]

Hi All,

I managed to tow over the weekend:



There were no warning lights or anything. However as the wiring is not connected into the can the rear sensors were not disabled and the car did not switch out of E mode.

I would have preferred this magic to happen but for the few times I'll be towing it's not a big deal.

Cheers,
--
Greg.

[lambertia]

Hi All.

Here are the photos of my towbar installation:







The installation was performed by Hayman Reese free of charge (as part of their guinea pig program) at their R&D facility in Keysborough, VIC. The 7-pin connector is integrated into the vertical shaft. They made no cuts to install. It looks like the cut-out underneath is always there.

I haven't connected a trailer yet so I don't know how it integrates with the electronics but I assume its the same as described above for the hatch.

I think the installation was excellent. The only thing that could be improved is the distance that the tongue sticks out from the vehicle. HR is looking into this I believe and they said that they'd contact me if they have an improvement. Until then I'll remove it when I'm not using it.

They are currently estimating late August for general availability.

I'll try to hire a trailer soon and give some more information.

[andrew7]

Interested to see the instal pic's Greg. I'm looking at a TDI wagon later this year (to go with my R) and would like a tow bar installed.

[lambertia]

Hi All,

Some great news. After my previous attempt getting a towbar installed I sent a message to HR explaining what had happened and that I realised these things happen. And if you need a guinea pig contact me.

Well they have and I'm taking Gracie (that's my wagon's name) in on Monday for a free towbar. They'll use it for photography for installation instructions.

Pretty cool and awesome of them!

Cheers,
Greg.

[lambertia]

Jeep,

Sure it's phallic but it's removable so you wouldn't really need to worry would you?

Sent from my SGP311 using Tapatalk

[lambertia]

I contacted westfalia to get a quote. I'm not sure of the rules so I won't put the price on here. Suffice to say it was almost double the cost of the HR. I think it is a premium solution so would expect it to cost more. But double is more than I expected.

Sent from my SGP311 using Tapatalk

[jeep15cba]

I'm thinking of the Towbars Australia option however don't like the phallic look. Have emailed Best Bars in New Zealand as I believe they will only sell to VW Aust, however no response.

[TDIjeff]

Just remember that Lambertia has a WAGON whicg HR is working on a new bar for . The older 2050w still fits the MK7 HATCH.

New question, whats the hight of the cutout in comparrison to something we can measure. I have the R-Line body kit and want to know how the bars will affect the rear skirt ?

[bru20vt]

Here is another option - WESTFALIA now have a presence in Aust. Looks like the A40V model has a no/minimal cut which from what I can gather is not visible.

Westfalia Automotive Australia Pty Ltd