towbar question

[Tigga1]

I would like a towbar for my Tig, but am not prepared to pay $1400 or so coz I will really only be using it for towing a trailer on the property and some rear protection while on the road.

From what others have told me, it looks like a standard Hayman Reese bar, and so I am wondering if you can just get the bar without the expensive wiring loom.

anyone?

[mulga1]

Hello Tigga1
The wiring hooks up with the car's ESP so the genuine would be very desirable on the road but around the property it wouldn't be a problem I don't think.
Regards
mulga1

[NZTiguan]

I would like a towbar for my Tig, but am not prepared to pay $1400 or so coz I will really only be using it for towing a trailer on the property and some rear protection while on the road.

From what others have told me, it looks like a standard Hayman Reese bar, and so I am wondering if you can just get the bar without the expensive wiring loom.

anyone?

You certainly can in NZ BUT whatever you do don't try and wire it up through tap-ons to the taillight wiring cos it will throw all sorts of faults and warnings. The ONLY effective way of wiring up is via the correct loom which as mulga says also activates the esp's trailer settings, anti-theft alarm etc. Personally I think that correct unit, correctly wired is the sensible option in the long run even though it appears to be expensive.

Cheers

[Umai Naa!!]

If you've got a Tiguan that is pre-wired from the factory, it should work out cheaper (Providing the dealer can get it to work. I keep hearing that dealers are having issues with the pre-wired cars).

The reason it's so expensive, is that the wiring needs to be run from the LHR to the LHF, and then to the RHF, as well as into the engine bay. It's quite a mammoth job, but once it's up and running, it's well worth the hassel.

[DieselTig]

Has anyone in Melbourne have a non VW genuine towbar fitted yet. Does Hayman Reese have one for the Tig yet?
I rang a couple of towbar fitters in Melbourne and didnt even recognise the model of car.

[tiggy888]

Has anyone in Melbourne have a non VW genuine towbar fitted yet. Does Hayman Reese have one for the Tig yet?
I rang a couple of towbar fitters in Melbourne and didnt even recognise the model of car.

I sole to Hayman Reese today and they tell me that the bar is now complete but are still working on the wiring loom. Hopefully only couple of weeks away

cheers

Tiggy888

[DieselTig]

I sole to Hayman Reese today and they tell me that the bar is now complete but are still working on the wiring loom. Hopefully only couple of weeks away

cheers

Tiggy888

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully we only have to pay at least half of what the VW charge.

[Maverick]

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully we only have to pay at least half of what the VW charge.

I assume though you won't get any of the benefits of the VW setup which is ESP modifications, reverse sensor disablement, alarm integration and so forth?

The ESP one would be the big one IMO as a trailer would confuse the system to the point where it would be dangerous if you swerved. It would be interesting to see if there are any insurance issues that arise from fitting an aftermarket unit that reduces the safety of the car as the insurance companies work out their pricing on the basis that ESP is fitted and this reduces crashes by x%.

[ploz58]

tow bar questions

hi,
i too baulked at the price of the oem bar, i then did some research,
there were bars available in the USA for $175USD, but then you didnt get the "black box" compatitabibilty. The "black box" in the US was valued at $350USD, at the time the USD was still its normal value.

I then ordered the VW unit and had it dealer fitted, although dealer told me that it was a huge job, but this forum mentioned the cars being prewired, so i
got the bar fitted for $1250. which i was originally quoted.

The VW bar is made in New Zealand according to the decals on the bar

I recently towed a large commercial trailer of nearly 1800kgs, up through the blue mountains and was amazed at the ease the Tig pulled this thing.
Previously it was towed with a Falcon 6, and it had to work hard.

My passenger who owns a jeep 4.7lt, as we were passing trucks etc up a steep sections, said, "what size motor is in this thing?'
I commented a 2 litre TDI, he was amazed and is now seriously looking at replacing his jeep!!

a bit of the subject but i had to bow to using the OEM product and im happy

regards
Phil

[NZTiguan]

I absolutely agree with ploz58. To me, when you've paid relatively big money for a Tiguan in the first place it's counterintuitive to then put a cheap towing system on it, particularly if it doesn't then work in with all the great safety features that the Tiguan has "on board" for towing. I've already read of a GB tiguan where the owner believes his towing "electronics" saved him from disaster when the trailer started to tail wag in the slip-steam off a truck on the motorway. He felt that the esp system simply straightened the problem out in the length of time he took to recognise the "problem" and start to consider his options.

So, personally I've got no problem with lower cost options on the bar itself but feel that "proper" wiring package is well worth its money. I was surprised at the cost too (NZ$1900 at the time I got my Tig over a year ago) BUT I'm pleased I paid it and have the peace of mind it provides.

Cheers

[DieselTig]

I assume though you won't get any of the benefits of the VW setup which is ESP modifications, reverse sensor disablement, alarm integration and so forth?

The ESP one would be the big one IMO as a trailer would confuse the system to the point where it would be dangerous if you swerved. It would be interesting to see if there are any insurance issues that arise from fitting an aftermarket unit that reduces the safety of the car as the insurance companies work out their pricing on the basis that ESP is fitted and this reduces crashes by x%.

Derek, never thought about ESP, it is a very valid point.
I remember the dealer telling me the reasons why it is expensive and he was talking about electronics of the car.
Well it is worth looking at the genuine then.

[Transporter]

Now, all needs to be done is someone find that box that connect tow bar with the car, open it and see if there is any electronics inside other than relays and diodes. Because I've got 2 wiring kits from the time I had Vito vans and I opened one and all I can see inside is relays and diodes only.
Tow bar wiring box.
If the inside electronics were only a few diodes and relays, than it wouldn't have to be that expensive to DIY as it was mentioned on Autospeed website.

Just my 2c.

[DieselTig]

Now, all needs to be done is someone find that box that connect tow bar with the car, open it and see if there is any electronics inside other than relays and diodes. Because I've got 2 wiring kits from the time I had Vito vans and I opened one and all I can see inside is relays and diodes only.
Tow bar wiring box.
If the inside electronics were only a few diodes and relays, than it wouldn't have to be that expensive to DIY as it was mentioned on Autospeed website.

Just my 2c.

Well, the diodes are there to avoid reverse polarity and current going the wrong way and the relays are there simply to switch the lights on the trailer without blowing anything with high switching currents. I an not sure if this has anything to do with ESP?

[Arctra]

Explanation of what Trailer Stability Program is

Hi guys.

I have been in the dark when it comes to understanding what this special "wiring loom" that you need to integrate with the Tig's ESP, and just what it does when towing a trailer. So I consulted my friend Google and found this very informative explanation of what TSP (Trailer Stability Program) is, what it does, and what the difference between it and a standard "read only" relay box

http://www.towbarexpress.co.uk/esp.html

Choice quotes:

TSP’s are really an extended software application for the existing ESP system. <snip> This feature has be borne out of the truck industry where manufacturers had been trying to combat the ‘Jack knifing’ effect of trailers. With additional yaw sensors and software applications, they were able to create a trailer stability program using the existing ESP.

Example of caravan jack-knifing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MQEYe4_0Y

To enable the system to function or activate, the car MUST know when it is towing. This information is through the towing socket. Therefore, the use of by-pass electrical installations will NOT under any circumstances, allow this system to operate. The use of *vehicle specific CANbus wiring kits will allow this feature to be active provided the towing module is a module which the car can communicate with and recognises. There are a number of CANbus towing modules which are termed ‘read’ only and in this case, they are not visible to the car.

How do these work?
When the vehicle is determined to be towing, then the yaw sensors that would normally operate with the ESP system, allow for an additional movement which is detected when ‘fishtailing’ occurs. <snip> In the case of the VW systems, when the T-Esp system activates, it is applied for maximum 30 seconds or until the vehicle/caravan combination is back under control. If it still remains out of control, then the system re-energises for another 30 seconds.

Video of Land Rovers Trailer Stability Assist (which is different to VW's as Land Rover's does not seem to need to know when a trailer is attached or not): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gyc4Dmgbew

Video of Volvo XC60 Trailer stability assist (demonstrates how it works): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIMxVzUnBSA

So that's answered a few questions for me. In my case, I actually don't want the tow hitch for towing a trailer, I want it for a dirt bike carrier (http://www.ezimotow.com.au/gallery.htm), so by the sounds of things I don't need the VW wiring loom... a "dumb" relay just so the lights work would be fine. However, if the cost difference between a Hayman Reece with dumb relay box and a VW OEM hitch isn't that much, I would opt for the OEM. If you are towing a trailer, it seems pretty clear to me that getting the VW wiring loom is the only smart thing to do.

I hope this helps you guys as much as it helped me.

[Sharkie]

I guess it comes down to what you want to use the towbar for.....

If you regularly tow a big boat or a caravan, I'd probably go for the factory fitted (or dealer fitted) system that fully integrates with the ESP for peace of mind.

If you are going to be towing a small trailer or use it for a bike rack or added rear protection I see no benefit in going for the factory fitted kit.

I regularly tow all kinds of stuff behind a RAV4 and a DualCab ute (both without ESP) and have never needed anything other than a bit of common sense and some road sense. (These are both obviously lacking in those that will vocalise disdain for anything not factory/dealer fitted )