Missing cover/fascia plate?

[petebalf]

Having just purchased our Tiguan 2018 I have been having a close look around it and also have updated the Navigation software and applied a 3M paint protection film product to the door sills and boot sill. It's a lovely drive and we are very pleased so far.
While doing the boot sill film, I noticed that underneath the bumper centrally there is a rectangular hole facing downwards to road, that exposes the inside of the bumper. This hole is maybe 300mm long roughly from memory. A couple of small tabs each end of the hole indicate to me that may have been a cover plate or fascia of some sort was there.
Can anyone enlighten me?
cheers
pb

[ope126]

Towbar?

[Guest001]

This has been mentioned in past years with the same answer

They have never had them and that is where a factory towbar would pop out from.

They save $2 by not fitting something you cant see unless as you and I did look for it. $2 by 1 million or so is a big saving.

Ask Ford about the saving they made in the PINTO LOL

Did my sills and rear bumper right down to the chrome strip with 3M film and also did the bright bits in the sills with the LEDs in them. Just put it over all of them and cut around the edges to fit also fitted an Alloy protector on the top of the rear bumper which also folded down over the edge a bit to protect the edge from people bumping crap and chipping it and inside on the piece that the lock is in the centre of as it gets stuff dragged across it the most Cost me about $80 AU plus the film

This one https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...martRedirect=y

[petebalf]

That makes sense. Thank you. Just about to get a towbar fitted so hey there's a use for it.

I did look for metal protector strips but couldn't find this one you have linked to.
If the interior boot one was available on its own, I could be interested. Personally not too keen on the exterior sill metal look.
pb

[Guest001]

[QUOTE=petebalf;1348883]That makes sense. Thank you. Just about to get a towbar fitted so hey there's a use for it.

I did look for metal protector strips but couldn't find this one you have linked to.
If the interior boot one was available on its own, I could be interested. Personally not too keen on the exterior sill metal look.


Here are pics of mine and the undertray I bought to replace the pissy little factory one after reading of someone who ripped the oil sender connection out of the sump look around in ALI EXPRESS you might get the one u want Also bought LED boot light as shown Gives 10 times more light for about $12

[petebalf]

Neat idea about the undertray.
thanks
pb

[Guest001]

Neat idea about the undertray.
thanks
pb

Undertray Was $165 but think its no longer available Is really hard plastic about 5mm thick and had to cut it with a grinder

[petebalf]

Well, there ain't much of a hole there now. Just had a towbar fitted by Hayman Reese. With coding to have automatic sensors off on connection the bill was $2097. Smart code ecu and smart code charge were $400 of that.

[Guest001]

Well, there ain't much of a hole there now. Just had a towbar fitted by Hayman Reese. With coding to have automatic sensors off on connection the bill was $2097. Smart code ecu and smart code charge were $400 of that.

Sounds about right and now you will have an ugly 50mm hitch sticking out. I was going to get one of these much neater Did they hack the bumper at all as they often do even though hole is there.

VW Tiguan Towbar - Detachable OEM Westfalia - Australia Tow Bars & Performance store

[petebalf]

There was no hacking. Neat job. I'm happy with it.
I'm not concerned with ugly 50 mm hitches. Always had towbars showing, no biggie for me.
That one on the link you have does look neat though.

[Guest001]

There was no hacking. Neat job. I'm happy with it.
I'm not concerned with ugly 50 mm hitches. Always had towbars showing, no biggie for me.
That one on the link you have does look neat though.

Good you are happy. Only downside to towbars on a Tiguan is that the ballweight limit is so low you cant tow anything worthwhile No good having a towbar with a 200kg towball limit if car can only allow a lot less like isnt it 85kg????or 100kg.

[BeigeJet]

Good you are happy. Only downside to towbars on a Tiguan is that the ballweight limit is so low you cant tow anything worthwhile No good having a towbar with a 200kg towball limit if car can only allow a lot less like isnt it 85kg????or 100kg.

Strangely enough that from MY21 onwards, the brochure indicates an maximum down ball weight of 200kg and the diesel variants with a max braked two capacity of 2,500kg.

This info is also in the handbook of both our Elegance 147's, hers being a MY21 and mine an MY23

[Guest001]

Strangely enough that from MY21 onwards, the brochure indicates an maximum down ball weight of 200kg and the diesel variants with a max braked two capacity of 2,500kg.

This info is also in the handbook of both our Elegance 147's, hers being a MY21 and mine an MY23

But does it , like the Nissan have a reducing ballweight similar to the Nissan that if you load the car up with 5 pax and all your gear the ballweight allowance drops like a stone. A Landcruiser can have the full weight even at its full capacity as long as it doesnt exceed its GVM

Also the subject is about a 2018 model before any reviews of limits

[zouhair200]

Noticed the hole under the bumper, could be a missing cover. Maybe check with a VW expert or dealership to be sure.

[Guest001]

Noticed the hole under the bumper, could be a missing cover. Maybe check with a VW expert or dealership to be sure.

We gave the CORRECT answer so save your self the trouble You cant see it unless you stick your head under so why worry about something that even if it was there you couldnt see it They are ALL LIKE THAT according to previous answers to the same question