tow bar problems

[matticaddy]

Hi,

I've been trying to get a couple of issues with my factory (dealer?) fitted tow bar on my Caddy Maxi MY11 sorted out through VW customer service and the dealer with no success. I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered these problems and solved them.

The first is that the tow bar electrical socket has been installed on the underside of the rear bumper so that when you connected the VW supplied 13pin to 7 pin adapter cable there is only about 160mm ground clearance unloaded and when I have had the Caddy loaded with camping gear, surfboards, kids and a couple of bikes on a rack on the tow bar, the tip of the connector has hit the ground when I've gone up a driveway or over a dip in the road.

VW say that the socket is installed correctly but "not installed appropriately for my particular use of the vehicle". The dealer (McGraths Sutherland) say they just install it the way VW tells them to. Neither will help in sorting it out even though I've pointed out to them that it probably violates the Australian Design Rules for vehicle ground clearance (Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/04 - Vehicle Configuration and Dimensions) 2006 section 6.4).

Here is a picture of it. Has anyone else got one installed like this?



The second problem is that when I have the bike rack/trailer hooked up the reverse sensors beep stay on when reversing when I have read in the manual that they shouldn't. VW customer service say that this is normal. I don't believe them and from what I've read elsewhere they shouldn't make a sound.

The third problem is that the bulb warning light stays on when I have the tow bar hooked up even though I have manually checked all the lights and they are working fine. Is this something the dealer has done wrong when installing the tow bar?

thanks

Matthew

[buzuki]

your second and third issue sound like the towbar isnt coded correctly to the car.

[Umai Naa!!]

The first issue is not the way I've installed them.

Due to the nature of the adaptor harness, etc, I'm more inclined to tie the whole lot up under the towbar out of sight and harm's way, with just the 7-pin flat plug attached to the bumper. No customer I've ever dealt with has ever complained about it being that way.

Also, given the way your 13-pin plug is installed, I dare say your electrical issues may be related to water ingress at the plug itself.

[Transporter]

The third problem is that the bulb warning light stays on when I have the tow bar hooked up even though I have manually checked all the lights and they are working fine. Is this something the dealer has done wrong when installing the tow bar?

thanks

Matthew

Do you have LED lights on your trailer?

[matticaddy]

Do you have LED lights on your trailer?

No, I do not have LED lights.

[Two Dogs]

That plug installation is bull****, any backyard mechanic would/should be embarrased.

As to the reversing sensor issues, if your any good at doing searches on this forum, you will find reference to this problem. From what I recall it happens if an incorrect part is used. That is there is apparently a different harness/system for cars with reverse sensors.

Good luck with your search, alternately have a search of some other forums like Mk3 Caddy Forum Home Page or somewhere here !http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...n-32658-5.html

Two Dogs

[fmflex]

Hi

I had a very similar problem with my towbar installation on my maxi van. The towbar was installed extremely low and the plug was installed on a bracket off the towbar and located lower than the lowest part of the towbar. I loaded up my van with tools and then found I couldn't reverse into my driveway without bottoming out on the plug. After plenty of arguing and not really getting anywhere, I had a boilermaker cut and weld the hitch 65mm higher. This required a trim out of the bottom of the bumper. I also rewired the plug and fixed it on to the rear bumper next to where the towbar tongue is located. 2 1/2 years later not a problem.



hth

fmflex

[GTD Dubber]

I can't help with problem 1 or 2 but see my link to the same problem I had with trailer lights even though mine were LEDs.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f78/seeking-help-trailer-light-issues-70852.html

Good luck.

[Preen59]

That's a disgraceful fitment. I have only the simple flat socket screwed to the underside of the bumper, next to the towbar. If the dealer won't help you, go to VW Australia directly.

[pimp_caddy]

That install is BAD! Def would of tucked it up under the bumper or tapped it into the tow bar frame so it was out of sight.

As for the beeping, it could be a coding issue if they used the CanBUS method. I have spoken to a few people that say the Hayman Reece bars come with a set of relays that tap into the signal cables at the rear of the van and then a positive feed is run directly from the battery to avoid any CanBUS issues.

I don't know a heap about trailer wiring but check out the top of this link Flat - Products - Narva may provide some insight. It talks about the trailer plug assembly contained a reed switch that disconnects the reversing sensors when it detects a trailer plug has been inserted in to the trailer socket. Im guessing these bozos didn't see your reversing sensors and installed the wrong type of trailer socket.