Tow Bar for the Tiguan

[drsmithy]

We do have nice beaches up here though.

If you decide to go for the original one, if you find one at the wrecker they can give you the box as well. I got one for about $500, and installed myself.

Nice ! But I'm not sure I have the skills (or, to be honest, the time) to do it myself.

The 13 - 7 converter is completely removable, but I think you need the bumper off. Look at the image in step 11 here; https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kxY...0g2Ds3bI6/view It's completely hidden inside the bumper.

Yeah. But looking under my car the hole in the bottom of the bumper that the hitch and wiring comes through is quite large, so I feel like it should be possible - if awkward - to get at it.

I might try DMing a couple of the people earlier in the thread who got VW ones installed.

[drivesafe]

Hi folks and has anybody got a recommendation for a Tiguan tow bar installer on the Gold Coast?

[marcuskmt]

The Westfalia quote I have is about $2,500, and while it's nicer and neater engineering, I'm still undecided whether it's worth the extra, especially since I'll need to drive up to Maroochydore for the day.

I've had the Westfalia on my R-Line for 18 months now and it's the one to get for the following reasons:

1. No cut in the bumper is needed.
2. When you are not using it, you can remove the goose neck and it looks so neat - no one would even know you had a tow bar.
3. It's the OEM! I'm not sure why VW Australia didnt use this OEM tow bar? It doesnt make sense?!?

[jack in oz]

Looks like the Westfalia importer for Oz went bust. I've sent a message to Westfalia in Germany to see if they have a new importer.

[marcuskmt]

Looks like the Westfalia importer for Oz went bust. I've sent a message to Westfalia in Germany to see if they have a new importer.

Didnt that happen two years ago?

Ring around. Installers often have 'old' stock.

[jack in oz]

Didnt that happen two years ago?.

I don’t know, but Westfalia got back to me. Their “partner” in Oz is Home - AUTOPACIFIC Group
I’ll call them tomorrow.

[jack in oz]

Autopacific Group will only supply Westfalia towbars to dealers. I will get a quote from VW and report back.

[Guest001]

You can buy Westfalia towbars from here and they have agents country wide

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

Have been able to get them there for at least 4 years

[jack in oz]

Thanks Hillbilly. I actually have a Passat. I posted here because it seemed like the most comprehensive towbar thread on the forum. Those guys sell the Brink brand towbar for my model car:

Volkswagen CC Passat Detachable Towbar kit BRINK - Australia Tow Bars & Performance store

I got a quote of $1550 fitted.
Cheers.

[Victrix]

From reading through this, and talking to a couple of dealers, it seems the standard VW towbar kit includes a flat 7-pin adapter.

Looking at the installation instructions, it's clear that this is just converting from a standard 13-pin euro plug coming out of the car that's mounted up behind the towbar.

Is it therefore safe for me to assume that this 7-pin flat plug could be replaced with a 12-pin flat plug if required, converting directly from the 13-pin plug hidden behind the bar? Ie: replacing the existing 13 -> 7 converter, not going 13 -> 7 -> 12 ?

Has anyone done this ? Or is the 13-pin socket mounted behind the bar reasonable accessible (without removing the bumper) ?


As an aside, if anyone wants a recent price for the VW towbar kit, I was originally quoted $3,000 from my local VW dealer (Indooroopilly), but then only about $1,800 from two other dealers (Norris & Mt Gravatt) when I cross-checked. After querying the original quote from Indro they have subsequently also quoted about $1,800. (All prices installed.)

The Westfalia quote I have is about $2,500, and while it's nicer and neater engineering, I'm still undecided whether it's worth the extra, especially since I'll need to drive up to Maroochydore for the day.

Did you by any chance get a written quote sent to you? I have been getting quotes around $3000 and when I tell them it's around $1800 they say show me the quote and won't budge.

Thanks

[Victrix]

Did the dealers who quoted $1800 provide written quotes? I'm struggling to get dealers here to get anywhere near that price. Started at $3000, and lowest is $2310.

[Victrix]

From reading through this, and talking to a couple of dealers, it seems the standard VW towbar kit includes a flat 7-pin adapter.

Looking at the installation instructions, it's clear that this is just converting from a standard 13-pin euro plug coming out of the car that's mounted up behind the towbar.

Is it therefore safe for me to assume that this 7-pin flat plug could be replaced with a 12-pin flat plug if required, converting directly from the 13-pin plug hidden behind the bar? Ie: replacing the existing 13 -> 7 converter, not going 13 -> 7 -> 12 ?

Has anyone done this ? Or is the 13-pin socket mounted behind the bar reasonable accessible (without removing the bumper) ?


As an aside, if anyone wants a recent price for the VW towbar kit, I was originally quoted $3,000 from my local VW dealer (Indooroopilly), but then only about $1,800 from two other dealers (Norris & Mt Gravatt) when I cross-checked. After querying the original quote from Indro they have subsequently also quoted about $1,800. (All prices installed.)

The Westfalia quote I have is about $2,500, and while it's nicer and neater engineering, I'm still undecided whether it's worth the extra, especially since I'll need to drive up to Maroochydore for the day.

Did the dealers who quoted $1800 provide written quotes? I'm struggling to get dealers here to get anywhere near that price. Started at $3000, and lowest is $2310.

[jack in oz]

I'm struggling to get dealers here to get anywhere near that price. Started at $3000…

The Westfalia towbar kit is $1135 with the 7 pin wiring harness. They want $1865 to fit it?!

[Guest001]

The Westfalia towbar kit is $1135 with the 7 pin wiring harness. They want $1865 to fit it?!

Eurocarupgrades say it takes 4 1/2 hour to fit one so depends on hourly rate but no where near that.

[Victrix]

Eurocarupgrades say it takes 4 1/2 hour to fit one so depends on hourly rate but no where near that.

Well exactly why I think the prices are excessive and thinking I'll do it myself.

The Westfalia kit I'm seeing is $995 for the towbar and $495 for the wiring harness/tow module.

What is the $1135? Including generic wiring kit I assume?

Thanks