Of course, thanks!
Towbar bike rack that allows tailgate to open fully
- Thread starter Orangedub99
- Start date
I put a Witter fixed flange commercial tow bar on my T6, partly because I'm a skinflint and partly because I want to fit a flange mounted motorcycle carrier. They fitted at home in about 3 hours, did the the necessary wiring, software and coding updates, and fitted an OEM bumper support (£30 and needed if your van isn't trailer prepped). It causes no problems whatsoever with the reversing sensors and I don't have a camera so that's not an issue.
Fitting the Atera rack to the van and loading bikes takes me no more than 10mins and disables the sensors so the reversing screen shows you have a trailer attached. It's as easy as falling off a bike - wait scrub that bit...
Fitting the Atera rack to the van and loading bikes takes me no more than 10mins and disables the sensors so the reversing screen shows you have a trailer attached. It's as easy as falling off a bike - wait scrub that bit...
Ah, so coding the electrics correctly means the reversing screen is basically disabled, key bit of info, thanks!
: I need to add this to the list of questions I have for my convertor.Indeed. the coding/software update makes the van recognise there's something plugged into the rear socket, disables the reversing sensors and tells you it thinks there's a trailer attached when you select reverse. It should also let you know if any of the bulbs have blown in the rack/trailer. The Witter wiring also has it's own fuses and is presented near the van's battery so may not look as "integral" as the VW OEM fitment. However, I believe some other 3rd party tow bars put a separate fuse box under the drivers seat which struck me as a pain in the posterior
If your van isn't VW trailer prepped then it will probably need a VW bumper support. When they fit the tow bar they may have to take out the existing support which would leave the top of the bumper quite flexible, so, for example, it won't like being stood on (like I do to clean the roof)
Thanks once again @Wholigan, the towbar fitters I've been in touch with mentioned the bumper support too, so that gives me a little extra confidence in their abilities
This little modification has saved us a huge headache. 10 minute job and now I can open the tailgate fully with the bike rack on. Thanks for pointing this out!
Some pics of my swing out bike rack i made. slides into the square reciver on the towbar and can be bolted in.
made with 2 pieces of 50mm square box, 16mm bolt at end for pivot.
Maxtrax holder as well and also has shelf brackets on back so i can sit the barbie.
made with 2 pieces of 50mm square box, 16mm bolt at end for pivot.
Maxtrax holder as well and also has shelf brackets on back so i can sit the barbie.
So as the threads a bit old, I’d just see if there’s a more up to date solution.
Just had a trust removable tow bar fitted on t6 tailgate bus, put our Thule velocompact 927 on and the tail gate won’t open…
Is the mod to the bungs worth doing the r better to sell it and by one that allows tailgate to open??
If so, is the alters the one to go for?
TIA
Just had a trust removable tow bar fitted on t6 tailgate bus, put our Thule velocompact 927 on and the tail gate won’t open…
Is the mod to the bungs worth doing the r better to sell it and by one that allows tailgate to open??
If so, is the alters the one to go for?
TIA
@huxwar. Photos as promised. The two important ones are 1st and 2nd. The 1st shows the small amount of clearance (about 8mm!) allowing the tailgate to open (you didn't say what van or towbar you had but mine's a T6 with Westfalia Detachable). The 2nd picture shows the bolts (marked 1 - on each side) which need to be taken out to get the top section of the rack off which then allows you to take the thick plastic bungs / stops out to cut the ends off of them (marked 2 - on each side). When I did it, I first cut them in half but it wasn't enough - there's about 9mm left now. I first got the idea from some YouTubers (California Time, I think) but they just removed them completely. I didn't do that as I thought they played a part in stopping the bolts from being over-tightened and crushing the tubes. Hope this helps but If you want anything else, just shout.
Thanks for taking the time to reply @Ayjay however the pics don’t seem to have attached correctly. I don’t think it’s just on my devices. Can anyone else confirm these pictures have not downloaded correctly?@huxwar. Photos as promised. The two important ones are 1st and 2nd. The 1st shows the small amount of clearance (about 8mm!) allowing the tailgate to open (you didn't say what van or towbar you had but mine's a T6 with Westfalia Detachable). The 2nd picture shows the bolts (marked 1 - on each side) which need to be taken out to get the top section of the rack off which then allows you to take the thick plastic bungs / stops out to cut the ends off of them (marked 2 - on each side). When I did it, I first cut them in half but it wasn't enough - there's about 9mm left now. I first got the idea from some YouTubers (California Time, I think) but they just removed them completely. I didn't do that as I thought they played a part in stopping the bolts from being over-tightened and crushing the tubes. Hope this helps but If you want anything else, just shout.
i have same setup as in, t6 tailgate with detachable westfalia
Correct - they're just broken links.
