Retro-fit detachable Tow bar

[Nick Harding]

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions (including the one about bashing the salesman over the head with it, this could well be my preferred option haha).
I've just sent a whopper of an email to them raising several questions about the wiring etc. I'll keep you posted on the outcome......

 

[VWROBERT]

Hi

My new T6 Kombi has just arrived at the dealership without the Factory fitted tow bar I ordered.

The dealership are saying they can retro-fit this for me... When ordering the van, I had a conversation with them about how I should opt for factory fitted as it'll be compatible with the Media Nav and sync with the parking sensors etc. They made a point of putting me off the retro-fit option, but now they're saying its fine. As you can imagine, I don't really want to sign for the Van until I know that I'm getting what I've paid for...

Does anyone have any knowledge/experience on retro-fit detachable tow bars working with Media Nav and Park Sensors etc?


Any advice is much appreciated!

Hi Nick, I hope you still use this forum. Anyway I ordered my t6 Kombi added everything I wanted but forgot to order a removable tow bar. When I came to collect the vehicle I asked the sales guy could I have this done after market with VW. He gave me a lot of negative comments about how big a job it is costs etc. Can I ask how you went on with your situation ?

 

[VWROBERT]

As long as they fit the correct kit with the vehicle specific wiring then its fine, if done properly it will behave exactly as if fitted at the factory.
I had an OE detachable westfalia unit fitted to my van and it integrates fully with the vehicle ie disables rear park sensors and rear foglight when it detects a trailer connected and shows the trailer symbol on the headunit etc etc and if the trailer is unplugged whilst the van is locked (alarmed) then the alarm goes off, this is exactly how it would perform factory fitted.
I suspect they just hyped it when ordering to get the extra on the order a few more quid in their pocket

Pauly, Just read various comments re after market tow bars. I ordered my t6 Kombi Aug and picked it up last week. In between ordering and picking it up we have seen a nice small caravan but of course we did not order a removable tow bar. When I collected my van I asked the salesman could I have one fitted ? . He was very negative about it saying it's a very big job and would cost around £1200. My worries are the wiring as he said they have to install wiring from the back of the van running to the front etc. What's your view on this please ?

 

[Pauly]

My view is don't let VW do it !
They always quote silly prices based on their high hourly rates, contact your local towbar centre or mobile fitter and you can half that quote for a proper detachable towbar with vehicle specific wiring
The only thing I would say is make sure they fit the bumper support inserts they are relatively cheap foam inserts that support the bumper after changing the rear section for the towbar mount, not a lot of people seem to fit them and they leave the bumper not supported properly with movement in it, easily eliminated with the proper kit but above all dont let anybody fit a bog basic bypass relay wiring kit defo spend the extra for the vehicle specific wiring

 

[VWROBERT]

My view is don't let VW do it !
They always quote silly prices based on their high hourly rates, contact your local towbar centre or mobile fitter and you can half that quote for a proper detachable towbar with vehicle specific wiring
The only thing I would say is make sure they fit the bumper support inserts they are relatively cheap foam inserts that support the bumper after changing the rear section for the towbar mount, not a lot of people seem to fit them and they leave the bumper not supported properly with movement in it, easily eliminated with the proper kit but above all dont let anybody fit a bog basic bypass relay wiring kit defo spend the extra for the vehicle specific wiring

Thanks very much for the information.

 

[Ed Webb]

I can say for certain that Hereford VW don't even fit them themselves. They use a local fitter to do it and still charge their outrages rates. Other dealerships maybe similar.

 

[Pauly]

Mine was the same, dealer quoted over a grand and they outsource it, spoke to fitter direct and under half price of dealer quote

 

[BognorMotors]

We fit them, correctly coded, with the proper wiring kit etc

 

[Nick Harding]

Hi Nick, I hope you still use this forum. Anyway I ordered my t6 Kombi added everything I wanted but forgot to order a removable tow bar. When I came to collect the vehicle I asked the sales guy could I have this done after market with VW. He gave me a lot of negative comments about how big a job it is costs etc. Can I ask how you went on with your situation ?

Hi. Mine works fine with the park sensors and the electrics. VW Eastbourne didn’t fit it themselves, they had a local specialist come out to them. From what I can remember, trade price to them was around £800 apparently. As you’re going to be paying for it, I’d suggest finding a specialist near you to install it as I’m sure VW will add their cut!

 

[DaveyB]

Got my westfalia detachable installed by a mobile fitter. All wired into van systems, and coded appropriately. Turns off the rear parking sensors when reversing but leaves the rear view camera on so you can see where the trailer is going. Cost under £600.

 

[VWROBERT]

Hi. Mine works fine with the park sensors and the electrics. VW Eastbourne didn’t fit it themselves, they had a local specialist come out to them. From what I can remember, trade price to them was around £800 apparently. As you’re going to be paying for it, I’d suggest finding a specialist near you to install it as I’m sure VW will add their cut!

Thanks for the reply Nick.

 

[VWROBERT]

Got my westfalia detachable installed by a mobile fitter. All wired into van systems, and coded appropriately. Turns off the rear parking sensors when reversing but leaves the rear view camera on so you can see where the trailer is going. Cost under £600.

DaveyB, Yeah I need to find a top installer and make sure he uses coded wiring as I have rear sensors & camera too.

 

[Stigofthedub]

My advice, buy the proper westfalia tow bars and wiring kits from pf Jones, and buy vcds then do it yourself. Will be cheeper than a main dealer, comparable in price to a mobile and you will have vcds then to do any other tweeks you might like to do after.

 

[VWROBERT]

I wished I had ordered the factory fit detachable tow bar but forgot. Now I am worried having a After market one fitting in case VW say this will void my warranty !

 

[BognorMotors]

Not if it’s done right you won’t.

 

[VWROBERT]

Not if it’s done right you won’t.

I spoke with a guy from PF Jones at the Caravan & Motorhome show last week, told him wanted removable Westfalia with proper wiring kit. He said they do a lot of Transporters and always use the correct wiring kits

 

[BognorMotors]

They are good kits from there. And as long as it’s coded in properly your warranty will be fine.

 

[DPS]

My MY18 Kombi is currently being converted into a campervan. The van came with factory electric prep for the towbar. During the conversion the bumper will be removed for other work. My query is this: My understanding is that the Westfalia towbar (PFJones £192) is attached by 6 bolts, the holes for which are already there, so how much should I be expecting to pay for fixing the towbar, and code the electrics into the onboard computer? The wiring loom that links from the towbar prep to the towbar 13pin electrics has already been installed but not codeded. So I am wondering what I should expect to pay to finish it off whilst the bumper has already been removed. I am supplying the towbar (ex PFJones). Hope this makes sense.

 

[Insert Coin]

I cocked my order up and missed off the factory towbar, apparently if you order the factory towbar on a 2018 van you get 'tow assist' system for free.

 

[Insert Coin]

Just a little update, my local towbar fitter (Dolphin Tow Bars and Trailers, Poole) fitted the proper removable Westfalia kit, including looms and bumper supports for £480 inc vat.

Works exactly as per the factory installation, all coded and wired perfectly.