Hayman Reese now make towbars for Tiguan's.

[T&M]

Thanks jcubed,

First up, as you can see I am very interested in this topic, so am willing to understand a little more about the Tig's in built genius vs getting a Hayman Reece "aftermarket" tow package that will allow me to tow a box trailer (unbraked) or a small camper trailer (braked) to our favourite camp spot.

The braking system you mentioned above is a hydraulic overrun system, but what if I had an electric brake controller eg. one of the Tekonsha models that work completely different to an overrun system. Tekonsha Website - Electric Trailer Brake Controllers and Trailer Breakaway Brake Systems

As long as it's 1. legal and 2. safe, I would be more than happy with the outcome.

VW Tow package - $1600++
Other options such as the Hayman Reece $900+ (I already have a controller) Hmmm so I don't get the fancy wheel braking. I'm OK with that.

Cheers.

PS I still can't find any reference to accelorometer or sinusoidal output in the damn manual!! Gee I'm hopeless at reading them!

[Sanman]

The Tiguan braking and stability control is tuned for a vehicle about 1600kg and 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. Once it is told there is a trailer connected, it would use a second map that is tuned for maybe 2500kg and 30/70 weight. It knows nothing of the detail of the trailer weight, braking type etc. Its Audi sibling also has the same setup for when a roof box is installed. Not rocket science, but a nice addition that can be done for almost free by the manufacturer.

[jcubed]

Hi T&M,

Regarding your PS, you won't find anything about accelerometers or sinusoidal in the VW manual. They only tell you the "need to know" stuff.

My background knowledge of these systems come mainly from inertial navigation sensors as applied in airborne observation systems. As useless information - I do not know if they still have/use them - but years ago I demonstrated and then installed and trained the operators in the use of these observation systems on the Victoria Police Airwing Dauphine helicopters - still the tail-draggers - at Essendon Airport, off the Tullamarine Freeway, I think. They were known as the LEO Airborne Observation systems, but these were pre-INS days. Here's what it looked liked in 1998.



It is also the technology around which active suspension systems are built. Funny thing is, as recently as last week, I was actually doing measurements on exactly such a device, this time used on a gun turret providing tilt orientation of the armoured infantry vehicle so that this can be corrected for when firing.

[T&M]

Thanks Sanman,
So please correct me if I am wrong... if I have a genuine VW towbar, the only extra "smarts" I get is a slight remapping that tells the car there is more weight on the back and splits it approx 30/70. There is no alteration to anything else?
For the sort of towing that I will be doing, I can live without the remapping.
Regardless of trailer type or setup, if the trailer has electric brakes, you will still need a brake controller anyway.
If I'm taking the box trailer to the tip, it won't matter at all.
Cheers.

[Sanman]

Thanks Sanman,
So please correct me if I am wrong... if I have a genuine VW towbar, the only extra "smarts" I get is a slight remapping that tells the car there is more weight on the back and splits it approx 30/70. There is no alteration to anything else?
For the sort of towing that I will be doing, I can live without the remapping.
Regardless of trailer type or setup, if the trailer has electric brakes, you will still need a brake controller anyway.
If I'm taking the box trailer to the tip, it won't matter at all.
Cheers.

My thoughts too - I confirmed with Hayman Reece:
Our wiring solution does not have any interaction with the ABS or stability control system, it is simply a way of correctly controlling the lights on the trailer without affecting or causing damage to the sensitive electronics on the vehicle.

[Tigga1]

Keen...

I've been wanting a towbar for my Tig, so with the Hayman Reese solution I thought, YES!

.... rang local TJM distributor to get a quote...

after checking with his distributor, he came back with N/A. After I gave him the part no's he went back to distributor and rang back with the following info:

• Towbar $640
• Wiring $210.50
• fitting $300 (cause there's a lot of work involved, from front to back of vehicle

But then he added that there's been a recall on the product, due to a fitting problem, and he couldn't tell me if it would take a week or a month...

So, for a total of $1150, with no connection to the Tig's other features, I'm starting to lean towards OEM...

your thoughts...?

[team_v]

Hey Tigga,
It really depends on what you would be using it for.

If it's just to take the jet-ski down to the bay or a small trailer to the tip etc then i would go Hayman recce.

If you are looking at doing some serious towing i suggest (apart from getting a better vehicle to tow with) that you go OEM for the more integrated system.
This would be for a big camper trailer etc though imho.

[Transporter]

So, how much is it fitted then? If it's only a couple hundred of $ than I'd rather pay for proper tow bar kit. IMO, Haymen Reece makes from Tiguan less safe vehicle if someone would use it for towing caravan or heavy trailer.

[NZTiguan]

So, how much is it fitted then? If it's only a couple hundred of $ than I'd rather pay for proper tow bar kit. IMO, Haymen Reece makes from Tiguan less safe vehicle if someone would use it for towing caravan or heavy trailer.

Absolutely true, why compromise your safety for a few bucks, isn't safety one of the reasons you paid more for a Tiguan ? it certainly was for me.

[*thad*]

I would be interested to see pic of the H/R bar fitted. I have yet to have a good look at the VW bar but from my previous experance with H/R I would go with the VW electrics and the H/R bar. Interested to see it vs the VW one.
Cheers
Ross

[NZTiguan]

I would be interested to see pic of the H/R bar fitted. I have yet to have a good look at the VW bar but from my previous experance with H/R I would go with the VW electrics and the H/R bar. Interested to see it vs the VW one.
Cheers
Ross

Sounds like a good compromise solution if it saves you any dosh. Here in NZ the bar is locally made anyway (BestBars Auckland) so that's what you get with a dealer fitting it.

Cheers

[Sanman]

Had a quote today for the Hayman Reece bar (rrp $799) $1050 fitted Melbourne

[Transporter]

Had a quote today for the Hayman Reece bar (rrp $799) $1050 fitted Melbourne

In that case anybody ordering a new Tiguan should negotiate with the dealer the cost of the tow bar since there is no saving if you would buy HR tow bar and VW wiring. In my case it would be more expensive. Of course for those who fit the tow bar after purchase it might be a bit different.

[Arctra]

I've had a burning question since I saw the design of the HR tow hitch. Why do HR feel they have to have a full support structure for the hitch when VW simply have a small bolt-on solution? See Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Motion 2.0T > Exterior > Trailer :



If VW rate the impact bar as strong enough, why do HR question that? Also, fitting the OEM one will cause less cosmetic damage than the HR one which I have to admit to finding desirable.

Any comments?

[Glennb]

hmm, 4 smallish bolts into the chassis for 2 Tonne towing capability?
doesn't actually look that strong to me.