Golf Mk7 Towing/Towbar Thread

[zkaizen]

Has anyone fitted a towbar to their Mk7 yet? Saw this in youtube:

Volkswagen Golf Mk7 rear tow hook - YouTube (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zdjyirbaQP0) and wondered if this is available here in Australia.

Would love to have a towbar for a bike rack.

Cheers

[Theothercarisabike]

No - but I'm in the same position. The dealer stated that the specifications haven't been released as of yet. No ETA on when they would be.

[Guest001]

Has anyone fitted a towbar to their Mk7 yet? Saw this in youtube:

Volkswagen Golf Mk7 rear tow hook - YouTube (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zdjyirbaQP0) and wondered if this is available here in Australia.

Would love to have a towbar for a bike rack.
Cheers

Would have to be ADR compliant to be legal and havent seen one like that that qualifies.

[zkaizen]

thanks folks for the replies, guess I have to look at using roof racks as bike carriers...being new to golf and cars without roof rails, does the installation of golf roof racks cause water leaks between the mounting points and door seals?

[stickshift3000]

being new to golf and cars without roof rails, does the installation of golf roof racks cause water leaks between the mounting points and door seals?

I've never had leak issues on my mk5 (rola brand roof racks), I doubt the design is too far different on the 7.

[NBG81]

I've had roof racks on a Mk V and now on the Mk VII, no leaks around the door seals at all. I prefer my bike on the roof as opposed to the towbar mounted units.

[phil38555615]

Test drove a new Comfortline today, and we were nearly ready to seal the deal. But then the sales guy told us that tow-bars were 'not available yet.' We have a fun little tear-drop camper that we love taking on holidays and would hate to risk not being able to tow it. Does anyone know what the issue is with tow bar availability in Australia? Is it safe to assume they'll actually become available? (We're not planning a holiday til around April, so will happily buy the car and wait for the bar - as long as it's definitely coming!)

Advice?

[bru20vt]

I have been asking VW Aust for the last 3 months - I have been told they will become available but they cant give me a date. I know Hayman Reese have a setup for the Golf with the standard towbar class 2.

[DV52]

Test drove a new Comfortline today, and we were nearly ready to seal the deal. But then the sales guy told us that tow-bars were 'not available yet.' We have a fun little tear-drop camper that we love taking on holidays and would hate to risk not being able to tow it. Does anyone know what the issue is with tow bar availability in Australia? Is it safe to assume they'll actually become available? (We're not planning a holiday til around April, so will happily buy the car and wait for the bar - as long as it's definitely coming!)

Advice?

phil38555615: I purchased a Golf Mk7 Highline in June 2013 and the same problem arose then (i.e. no tow bar). After many months of waiting I eventually negotiated with my Dealer to fit a Hayman Reece towbar instead . The tow bar was fitted in October 2013 . It was designed for a Golf Mk6 and it fitted OK (both mechanically and electrically). I have been using it ever since without any problems (it also works with the LED lights on my bike carrier without the dreaded light failure indicator comming-on on the MFD). The other good thing about this fix is that the Hayman Reece towbar has a bolt-on tongue which means no rattling noises that occur with the slide-on tongue that is supplied with the VW towbar (for the mk6). Finally, the best feature of all about this fix is that I got back a bit of money from the dealer because the cost was much lower.

[b c]

phil38555615: I purchased a Golf Mk7 Highline in June 2013 and the same problem arose then (i.e. no tow bar). After many months of waiting I eventually negotiated with my Dealer to fit a Hayman Reece towbar instead . The tow bar was fitted in October 2013 . It was designed for a Golf Mk6 and it fitted OK (both mechanically and electrically). I have been using it ever since without any problems (it also works with the LED lights on my bike carrier without the dreaded light failure indicator comming-on on the MFD). The other good thing about this fix is that the Hayman Reece towbar has a bolt-on tongue which means no rattling noises that occur with the slide-on tongue that is supplied with the VW towbar (for the mk6). Finally, the best feature of all about this fix is that I got back a bit of money from the dealer because the cost was much lower.

Good to hear DV52, I've been waiting since late April - initially for the car, and still for the towbar - so this could be a good option for me. Does the Hayman Reece involve cutting the rear bumper?

[DV52]

Good to hear DV52, I've been waiting since late April - initially for the car, and still for the towbar - so this could be a good option for me. Does the Hayman Reece involve cutting the rear bumper?

bc: Yes, the Hayman Reece Towbar requires a square cut-out. I have included a pic showing this albeit you can't see that the bottom of the black part of the bumper (i.e. at the bottom of the toungue) is not cut-through. This means that the hole is a rectangle with the bottom of the black part of the rear bumper still intact (hope this makes sense) . I chose an in-line plug which you can't see in the pic. Don't take any notice of the black piece of metal that sits directly under the rusty old ball in the pic. This is an attachment that I made for my bike carrier.

[b c]

Thanks DV52, certainly looks workable. I'd like to know more about what VW are intending to offer - some of the european setups look good - before I commit, but if they take too long then its nice to know there is an alternative.

[Alex31]

Any more info on a genuine tow bar kit yet??

[Kevin_67]

I'm also in the 'waiting for the VW towbar' club. When I asked at my local parts dept last week they told me the MK7 tow bars have ADR approval but are still waiting on sign off from Germany (I assume VW HQ). I will call back in a few weeks to check again. Pricing will be around $1,000 for all required parts (inc wiring harness) plus labour.

Another alternative might be these guys:

Golf Hatchback (MK7) 3 and 5 doors | Towbars Australia (http://www.towbarsaustralia.com.au/towbar-kits/golf-hatchback-mk7-3-and-5-doors)

If VW take much longer then I might end up going down this route and enlisting the help of a friend or 2.

[warrick]

i am getting a towbars australia bar fitted to my v6 cc by them, weds next week.will report back once fitted.
cheers
warrick

see this post for report back

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f206/cost-fitting-towbar-passat-3cc-v6-4motion-95204.html

[b c]

My dealer tells me he can't get VW Aus to even say "yes" or "no" when asked if they will be providing a tow bar for the Golf .... :frown:

Love the car, but I have problems saying anything positive about VW Aus' approach to customers...

[DV52]

My dealer tells me he can't get VW Aus to even say "yes" or "no" when asked if they will be providing a tow bar for the Golf .... :frown:

Love the car, but I have problems saying anything positive about VW Aus' approach to customers...

b.c. : You have certainly been waiting for a tow bar for a very long time and I entirely agree with your sentiments about the inaptly named "Customer Car" folk at VW Australia. In the 21st century I would have thought that getting a model specific tow bar on the market wouldn't have been all that difficult - it ain't rocket science!

Your understandable annoyance at VW Australia's deplorable lack-of-action notwithstanding, the extended delay does raise an interesting question; If you have tolerated not having a tow-bar for this long period of time, do you really need one?

In my case, I went for the Hayman Reece tow bar in desperation, but this doesn't appear to be the case for you.

[b c]

b.c. : You have certainly been waiting for a tow bar for a very long time and I entirely agree with your sentiments about the inaptly named "Customer Car" folk at VW Australia. In the 21st century I would have thought that getting a model specific tow bar on the market wouldn't have been all that difficult - it ain't rocket science!

Your understandable annoyance at VW Australia's deplorable lack-of-action notwithstanding, the extended delay does raise an interesting question; If you have tolerated not having a tow-bar for this long period of time, do you really need one?

In my case, I went for the Hayman Reece tow bar in desperation, but this doesn't appear to be the case for you.

HI DV52. The operative word is "tolerated" - I've been able to work around a number of things I'd be using the towbar for:
- bike fits in the back of the car with the seats down, but not a great solution as the commuter bike has hydraulic disc brakes and I need to remove the front wheel. There will come a day when the brake lever is bumped and I can't just slot the wheel back in.
- rubbish bins are being walked out to the road, rather than towed (200m down/up a significant 30% slope hill)
- fire fuel reduction on my property done by burning the prunings, rather than towing to the tip

The show stopper for me is that I want a Hobie catamaran for next season, and I don't have a work around for that. Dealer manager I spoke to last week said he doesn't see a big demand for towbars for the Golf. I suspect in relative terms he's right, but I don't need to tow a heavy load, just a big one.

Good to know there are now alternatives. However, while I'm trying to get VW to come to the party over other issues, I'm leaving this outstanding. They have agreed to install the LED plate lights (I have bi-xenons), but the best they have offered on Voice Assist is a free install. Next step is to talk to Vic consumer affairs, and then I'm thinking about VCAT.

[lambertia]

phil38555615: I purchased a Golf Mk7 Highline in June 2013 and the same problem arose then (i.e. no tow bar). After many months of waiting I eventually negotiated with my Dealer to fit a Hayman Reece towbar instead . The tow bar was fitted in October 2013 . It was designed for a Golf Mk6 and it fitted OK (both mechanically and electrically).

Hi Phil,

Did the dealer use the genuine loom or did he use the electrics that came with the HR?

Cheers,
--
Greg.

[DV52]

Hi Phil,

Did the dealer use the genuine loom or did he use the electrics that came with the HR?

Cheers,
--
Greg.

Greg: My understanding is that the Hayman Reece towbar was installed with its own "black box" and loom. As I have said in a previous post, I have connected the tow bar to a trailer with standard incandescent lamps and I have also connected it to a bike rack with LED lamps. I've never had the bulb failure indicator appear on the MFD with either item attached to the towbar.

I've also checked the status of the "trailer" function on my car using a VCDS cable. As you can see in the picture below, and notwithstanding that I don't get a bulb failure indicator on the MFD, the "trailer installed" entry (i.e. bit 4 of byte 5 in the "engine" controller) is NOT ticked on my car. Yet the trailer electrics works wonderfully!

8896

[lambertia]

Greg: My understanding is that the Hayman Reece towbar was installed with its own "black box" and loom. As I have said in a previous post, I have connected the tow bar to a trailer with standard incandescent lamps and I have also connected it to a bike rack with LED lamps. I've never had the bulb failure indicator appear on the MFD with either item attached to the towbar.

I've also checked the status of the "trailer" function on my car using a VCDS cable. As you can see in the picture below, and notwithstanding that I don't get a bulb failure indicator on the MFD, the "trailer installed" entry (i.e. bit 4 of byte 5 in the "engine" controller) is NOT ticked on my car. Yet the trailer electrics works wonderfully!

8896

Thanks that makes me more comfortable to go down the HR path. I note that your car is not right hand drive ;)

Cheers,
--
Greg.

[DV52]

Thanks that makes me more comfortable to go down the HR path. I note that your car is not right hand drive ;)

Cheers,
--
Greg.

Greg: Very astute observation -that might explain why I have to keep getting into the passenger side to drive the car!

Seriously, whilst I consider myself to be somewhat of a "newby" where ODB2 protocols are concerned, my deeply held suspicion is that there is a hierachy of "tick" marks in the structure of the Golf's software. There are many folk on here that know a lot more about this stuff than do I, so it's entirely possible that I'm incorrect in my thinking.

Anyhow, in respect of your observation, I suspect that the entry for RH drive in the engine controller (my previous pic) is subserviant to the over-riding entry in the "Central Electronics controller". I've inclosed below a copy of the entry for the first byte of the "Elect.Cont" which clearly indicates where my steering wheel should be.
.
.

8902

I had a look at the towbar on Kevin_67 's post. It looks interesting in that it appears to have a detachable tongue (wouldn't it be great if we all had one of these?). A detachable tongue seems to be a good idea because there is no risk of inadvertantly knocking your leg on the tow bar. However, I'm not sure if the tongue will rattle when it is attached. The good thing about the HR towbar is that everything is screwed together, so no rattles. But it's easy to knock your leg into the tongue if you're not careful. The other great thing about the HR towbar (for me at least) is that it is a "standard" fitting tongue which meant that the modifications that I made to fit my bike rack were quite simple. But I acknowledge that these issues might not be so important to others.

[lambertia]

I'm having the HR towbar fitted as we speak. Need to tow a toilet this weekend!

[DV52]

I'm having the HR towbar fitted as we speak. Need to tow a toilet this weekend!

Lambertia: Let us know how it goes. As I said before, mine has worked OK for almost 12 months now.

PS: Please don't take this the wrong way, but there are probably better ways of dealing with the "call of the wild" (i.e. the occassional need to go to the toilet) than towing a tiolet around on the back of the car!!!! (only kidding)

[TDIjeff]

The HR bar is only rated at 1250kg. The TDI is good for 1600. I have asked HR if they are going to do a higher rated bar for the 7.
When I asked about the HR ecu they said its a dumb unit but does disable the reversing alarm and rear fog lights if fitted.
I would prefer to go HR bar with VW loom.

[lambertia]

Lambertia: Let us know how it goes. As I said before, mine has worked OK for almost 12 months now.

PS: Please don't take this the wrong way, but there are probably better ways of dealing with the "call of the wild" (i.e. the occassional need to go to the toilet) than towing a tiolet around on the back of the car!!!! (only kidding)

It didn't go very well at all :(

It seems that the HR bar advertised as fitting the MK7 wagon does not fit it. The installer realised this after taking things off the car and called HR for confirmation. They had just realised this themselves and expect to have a tow bar ready for the Wagon in a couple of months. I guess they got caught napping a bit as I think the previous wagon was based on the MK5?

The installer was very apologetic. It's not his fault he did everything right.

A bit disappointed as I needed it this weekend. I'll need to hire a ute instead.

Cheers!

[TDIjeff]

When I was looking at a 2014 A3 HR said they did not have a bar for it and offered a free bar and fitting if I let them have the car for two lots of two days.
If they didn't offer you the same deal then they must have already started a design.

[DV52]

It didn't go very well at all :(

It seems that the HR bar advertised as fitting the MK7 wagon does not fit it.
A bit disappointed as I needed it this weekend. I'll need to hire a ute instead.

Cheers!

Lambertia: Sorry to hear about the mix-up. In my case the mk6 Golf towbar fitted nicely to the mk7 Golf- without any problem.


The HR bar is only rated at 1250kg. The TDI is good for 1400. I have asked HR if they are going to do a higher rated bar for the 7.TDIJeff: I agree that the bigger rating is probably better, but the real question is :how much load would you be prepared to tow on a mkVII (any model)? I'm not sure that I would ever consider putting anything close to 1250Kgs on the back of my Golf. I suspect that the more important issue for those of us that have a tow-bar on a mk7 series VW (be it Golf, or Wagon) is the volumetric size of the trailer (rather than actual Kgs). But I acknowledge that other mk7 owners may have different needs.

[lambertia]

When I was looking at a 2014 A3 HR said they did not have a bar for it and offered a free bar and fitting if I let them have the car for two lots of two days.
If they didn't offer you the same deal then they must have already started a design.

Yes I think they have started. I didn't interact directly with HR. Maybe I should send them a message and offer them my car! I'll catch the bus for a couple of days!

[bru20vt]

Here is another option - WESTFALIA now have a presence in Aust. Looks like the A40V model has a no/minimal cut which from what I can gather is not visible.

Westfalia Automotive Australia Pty Ltd (http://www.westfalia-automotive.com/landingpage_aus/)

[TDIjeff]

Just remember that Lambertia has a WAGON whicg HR is working on a new bar for . The older 2050w still fits the MK7 HATCH.

New question, whats the hight of the cutout in comparrison to something we can measure. I have the R-Line body kit and want to know how the bars will affect the rear skirt ?

[jeep15cba]

I'm thinking of the Towbars Australia option however don't like the phallic look. Have emailed Best Bars in New Zealand as I believe they will only sell to VW Aust, however no response.

[lambertia]

I contacted westfalia to get a quote. I'm not sure of the rules so I won't put the price on here. Suffice to say it was almost double the cost of the HR. I think it is a premium solution so would expect it to cost more. But double is more than I expected.

Sent from my SGP311 using Tapatalk

[lambertia]

Jeep,

Sure it's phallic but it's removable so you wouldn't really need to worry would you?

Sent from my SGP311 using Tapatalk

[lambertia]

Hi All,

Some great news. After my previous attempt getting a towbar installed I sent a message to HR explaining what had happened and that I realised these things happen. And if you need a guinea pig contact me.

Well they have and I'm taking Gracie (that's my wagon's name) in on Monday for a free towbar. They'll use it for photography for installation instructions.

Pretty cool and awesome of them!

Cheers,
Greg.

[andrew7]

Interested to see the instal pic's Greg. I'm looking at a TDI wagon later this year (to go with my R) and would like a tow bar installed.

[lambertia]

Hi All.

Here are the photos of my towbar installation:

10725
10726
10727
10728
10729

The installation was performed by Hayman Reese free of charge (as part of their guinea pig program) at their R&D facility in Keysborough, VIC. The 7-pin connector is integrated into the vertical shaft. They made no cuts to install. It looks like the cut-out underneath is always there.

I haven't connected a trailer yet so I don't know how it integrates with the electronics but I assume its the same as described above for the hatch.

I think the installation was excellent. The only thing that could be improved is the distance that the tongue sticks out from the vehicle. HR is looking into this I believe and they said that they'd contact me if they have an improvement. Until then I'll remove it when I'm not using it.

They are currently estimating late August for general availability.

I'll try to hire a trailer soon and give some more information.

[lambertia]

Hi All,

I managed to tow over the weekend:

11144

There were no warning lights or anything. However as the wiring is not connected into the can the rear sensors were not disabled and the car did not switch out of E mode.

I would have preferred this magic to happen but for the few times I'll be towing it's not a big deal.

Cheers,
--
Greg.

[bergerboy]

I want to put a towbar onto either my wife's MK7 90TSI or my MK7 GTI, only thing I want it for is put a bike carrier onto it, not towing a trailer at the moment.

[Wagoneer]

I've just had a Westfalia removable towbar with its E-Kit loom fitted to my new Mk VII wagon. 13 pin socket and all.

I'll post the full story soon.

In the meantime, is there anyone who can confirm my understanding of the expected consequential changes in functionalities when a trailer is electrically connected to such an arrangement (which I would hope would replicate the 'factory fitted' version)?

From my manual, I've noted stop/start is made inoperative (p145), Eco mode is made inoperative (p145), rear sensors are made inoperative (p216), rear fog lights are made inoperative (p111), park assist is made inoperative (p223), warning occurs if trailer L/R indicator lights become inoperative (p108 ), alarm (if fitted) sounds if trailer is electrically disconnected (p149), ACC is dumbed down (p245), trailer stabilisation may be activated (p152). Anything else, or different?


All help appreciated.

[lambertia]

That's more than I thought it did! Let us know how it goes!

[DV52]

I've just had a Westfalia removable towbar with its E-Kit loom fitted to my new Mk VII wagon. 13 pin socket and all.

I'll post the full story soon.

In the meantime, is there anyone who can confirm my understanding of the expected consequential changes in functionalities when a trailer is electrically connected to such an arrangement (which I would hope would replicate the 'factory fitted' version)?

From my manual, I've noted stop/start is made inoperative (p145), Eco mode is made inoperative (p145), rear sensors are made inoperative (p216), rear fog lights are made inoperative (p111), park assist is made inoperative (p223), warning occurs if trailer L/R indicator lights become inoperative (p108 ), alarm (if fitted) sounds if trailer is electrically disconnected (p149), ACC is dumbed down (p245), trailer stabilisation may be activated (p152). Anything else, or different?


All help appreciated.

Wagoneer: I have a HR tow bar with their "proprietary" electrics-kit. The arrangement doesn't look as fancy as your unit, but it works real good on my car. Notwithstanding what the manual says about what gets disabled when the hitch is attached, does all the things that you mentioned in your post actually happen?

[Wagoneer]

In a nutshell, no, or at least not yet. The installer is following up with Westfalia, and I'll hold off giving the blow by blow until things are clearer.

[DV52]

In a nutshell, no, or at least not yet. The installer is following up with Westfalia, and I'll hold off giving the blow by blow until things are clearer.

Wagoneer: OK, then your Tow BAR is like mine in that respect. Just out of interest here are the two trailer-related-bytes in the mk7 on my car. Note that neither Byte 1 (bit 1) of 09-Cent Elect, or Byte 5 (bit 4) of 01-Engine were enable after the installation of the tow-bar on my car. In fact, I suspect that there were no coding changes done at all by HR. Might be the same for your car!!



1138411385

[golfboy2020]

a factory towbar wiring loom is available through VW part#5G0055202 $440 inc gst. This will solve all your coding issues

[limiteded]

Ive Installed a Towbar on my 110TDI wagon. Its made by CTB at Botany NSW, only rated for 1000kg though.

I installed the Genuine Wiring harness & control unit

Wiring harness Kit PN 5G0055202, Though Wiring harness Kit PN 5G9055202 is meant to be used for the estate. doesn't matter to much

You also need the retainer for the control unit PN 5G6971502. this holds it on the LHS underneath the Jack Kit

Coding can be done using VCDS, though the Golf doesn't overly like it. You may need to initiate the CAN Gateway before it accepts the Trailer Detector unit J345. Then Code 2 Things : The Engine, & the PDC from memory.

[Wagoneer]

From Post #36, I'm still working on sorting the coding.

Any chance of you describing just what functionalities are affected when you plug the trailer in?

And did the wiring harness kit come with worthwhile instructions that you might be able to share?
Ive Installed a Towbar on my 110TDI wagon. Its made by CTB at Botany NSW, only rated for 1000kg though.

I installed the Genuine Wiring harness & control unit

Wiring harness Kit PN 5G0055202, Though Wiring harness Kit PN 5G9055202 is meant to be used for the estate. doesn't matter to much

You also need the retainer for the control unit PN 5G6971502. this holds it on the LHS underneath the Jack Kit

Coding can be done using VCDS, though the Golf doesn't overly like it. You may need to initiate the CAN Gateway before it accepts the Trailer Detector unit J345. Then Code 2 Things : The Engine, & the PDC from memory.

[limiteded]

coding does the following:

Disables Bluemotion
turns of rear parking sensors when reversing
puts an illustration of a trailer on the PDC when its up
I assume the cooling system & gear changes are altered slightly.
Activates trailer stabilisation program

Cant attach pdf in this forum apparently. but yeas they're pretty good instructions

[IanD]

Wow, VW has made a mess of this. I was looking to buy a 110 TD wagon, but I don't think I can because of the conflicting reports on the tow bar. I need a tow bar for my sail boat, bike rack and general trailer.

VW's HQ would not comment when I asked for assistance. Terrible customer service.

One dealer said that Germany has just approved the tow bar, and it would be available soon, but couldn't say if soon was 1 month, 6 months or longer. The dealer said that after-party bars (HR) did not have the correct wiring loom and may void warranty and cause insurance problems.

An after-market installer said that the bar that fits the golf hatch doesn't fit the wagon. He knew of no bar that fits the wagon.

Another dealer offered to install an after-market bar which would have the full dealer warranty.

And then there is all the conflicting reports on this post.

i don't know where I stand. VW could make a statement to clear up the confusion and help their customers, but won't.

[b c]

I've been quoted $440 for the VW wiring harness, plus 2 to 3 hours installation at $165/hr, so $932 will get me VW wiring from a VW dealer, but no towbar.

On the other hand, I can get a Hayman Reese towbar and wiring harness for < $900.

Anyone having any issues with their non-VW towbar or wiring? It's looking pretty clear that I'm going to get an HR towbar.

[lambertia]

I've only towed once with my HR and it's fine so far. I don't have the VW loom so the sensors don't get turned off. There are no warnings.

I may consider getting the loom at a later time.

[lambertia]

If you have a wagon contact HR for a release date.

[b c]

Thanks Greg. What's the impact of the sensors not being turned off? Is it just that they detect the trailer when you're in reverse?

[lambertia]

Yes that's it. The better you are at reversing the less of an issue. Its a big issue for me ;-)

[b c]

have pulled the trigger on a full HR setup. Installer would put in the VW wiring if I wanted, but my VW dealer knows so little about it they were thinking it might cost ~$600 to install - over 3 hrs. HR installer allows 30 mins for the HR wiring. Would have liked to have the real deal, but not at that price.

[b c]

Hayman Reese towbar fitted. Involved a rear bumper cut (in the grey area at the bottom). Looks a good job, so now I just need to find a hobie cat to tow :-)

[DV52]

Hayman Reese towbar fitted. Involved a rear bumper cut (in the grey area at the bottom). Looks a good job, so now I just need to find a hobie cat to tow :-)


B c : does it look like the picture in my post #5?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

What do you think of this? genuine Tow Bar for Golf 7 (http://jku.com.au/westfalia-towbar-for-vw-golf-7-vii-detachable-tow-bar-a40v-0688-800-000s.html)
An option which is available in Australia now with genuine VW module so the tow bar works with the car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89KsMET0W5I

[lambertia]

It's in the region of 1500 fitted. HR is significantly cheaper but that's without the VW loom. Do you need the VW loom.

Check out the towbar thread for more.

[Kevin_67]

I had a Westfalia tow bar fitted in Adelaide last week and was told unofficially that the German made wiring loom is the same as the VW item but with a different name on it. Cost was a little under $1,400 and the ECU programmed as required. I need to find out if the reverse beepers should be disabled when a trailer is hooked up (mine still beep), otherwise it works as intended.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

You get what you pay for normally.
Kevin, the OPS should not beep. If it beeps someone did not code it properly for you.
HR agricultural technology was made obsolete in Europe about 25-20 years ago and none of the towbars get tested in the same way Westfalia does. That's why their towbars get highest safety ratings and come with ISO 14001 certifications.
There is a couple of companies on the market like Auto Hak from Poland which is cheaper than Westfalia but still much better than anything from HR. It does not rattle as well and its virtually invisible.
If I get a tractor one day, Hayman is the go ;) Other than that, stick to Hayman Island ;)

[b c]

B c : does it look like the picture in my post #5?

Sorry, been busy. Yes it does (without having it in front of me to look at). Tested the bike carrier lights (after changing to a 7pin flat connector), and all good. Haven't towed anything but the rubbish bin so far.

[shtgn]

You get what you pay for normally.
Hey liquidforce, do you guys stock the Westfalia for the MK7 Wagon? It's not listed on your webpage. If you do, how much do they go for?

Cheers

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Hey liquidforce, do you guys stock the Westfalia for the MK7 Wagon? It's not listed on your webpage. If you do, how much do they go for?

Cheers

Hey mate,
We do $699 + $299 electrics.

[donweather]

Hey mate,
We do $699 + $299 electrics.
Is that supply only?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Yes correct,
Install on a golf is $599 and it takes all day

Is that supply only?

[Dull_Man]

Anybody had success with the DIY options?

Shop | Towbars Australia (http://www.towbarsaustralia.com.au/shop?type_1=towbar_kit&field_make_tid_selective=22&field_model_tid_selective_1=160&field_type_tid_selective=26&field_year_tid_selective=1577&=Apply)

[lambertia]

You get what you pay for normally.
If I get a tractor one day, Hayman is the go ;) Other than that, stick to Hayman Island ;)

Yep that's true. I'm sure the westfalia is a better product. But when you consider the cost of mine (free) then you can't beat my value for money!

[Alex31]

Any news on a genuine towbar yet????


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Euro Car Upgrades]

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/10/02bb279cc26af2ed967d811c01c632b1-2.jpghttp://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/10/b2769cbc8a6ecb0d0baca40f6d803dd7-2.jpghttp://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/10/1674ba6089accf6d4229eaf0d7470b9a-2.jpg
This is as close as it gets for a genuine towbar with module you can diagnose & code with VCDS

[bru20vt]

Anyone had a Westfalia A40V installed in Sydney. Keen to find out who did the install.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

We probably can help with the installer if you like.

[Nudist]

Greg: Very astute observation -that might explain why I have to keep getting into the passenger side to drive the car!

Seriously, whilst I consider myself to be somewhat of a "newby" where ODB2 protocols are concerned, my deeply held suspicion is that there is a hierachy of "tick" marks in the structure of the Golf's software. There are many folk on here that know a lot more about this stuff than do I, so it's entirely possible that I'm incorrect in my thinking.

Anyhow, in respect of your observation, I suspect that the entry for RH drive in the engine controller (my previous pic) is subserviant to the over-riding entry in the "Central Electronics controller". I've inclosed below a copy of the entry for the first byte of the "Elect.Cont" which clearly indicates where my steering wheel should be.
.
.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/attachments/f197/8902-tow-bar-trepidation-rhd_ce-jpg

I had a look at the towbar on Kevin_67 's post. It looks interesting in that it appears to have a detachable tongue (wouldn't it be great if we all had one of these?). A detachable tongue seems to be a good idea because there is no risk of inadvertantly knocking your leg on the tow bar. However, I'm not sure if the tongue will rattle when it is attached. The good thing about the HR towbar is that everything is screwed together, so no rattles. But it's easy to knock your leg into the tongue if you're not careful. The other great thing about the HR towbar (for me at least) is that it is a "standard" fitting tongue which meant that the modifications that I made to fit my bike rack were quite simple. But I acknowledge that these issues might not be so important to others.


Hi hi ive just come across this thread. I'm getting one of HR towbars fitted in the coming week. Does the towbar come with any smarts to tell the car to adjust its braking behaviour? Which is what an ECU does if I'm not mistaken

[Euro Car Upgrades]

As far as we know, not.
HR connect positive negative and the lights, module is not a feature you can code on these.

Hi hi ive just come across this thread. I'm getting one of HR towbars fitted in the coming week. Does the towbar come with any smarts to tell the car to adjust its braking behaviour? Which is what an ECU does if I'm not mistaken

[Paul_R]

Hi hi ive just come across this thread. I'm getting one of HR towbars fitted in the coming week. Does the towbar come with any smarts to tell the car to adjust its braking behaviour? Which is what an ECU does if I'm not mistaken

Can't say about the Golf but I had a HR class 4 bar put on the Passat yesterday - I wanted the 50mm hitch. Local Pedders place did it and they sent the car off to the auto electricians to "have the optional ECU fitted". Now I don't know exactly what that means but Pedders said 'you can't just fit a bar onto these cars, the electrics are real tricky'. It was $200 on top of the bar for the ECU. I haven't hooked the trailer up yet so can't say if it does anything special.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Tow Bar to work correctly requires a VW module. This is responsible for CAN communication with other modules:
- engine - when towing it works differently to cope with extra load - sometimes switches additional fan to cool
- ABS / ESP module - these work differently when trailer is hooked to avoid jack knifing.
- CECM - This power module distributes power in another way when trailer is hooked - also visually aids the driver when trailer is hooked on dashboard
- OPS - This is coded so when trailer is hooked up sensors do not beep
- CAN gateway - trailer module is coded into the gateway (main comms hub) so the car and other modules know what to do
- RVC - reversing camera - similar thing to parking sensors - recognises the trailer on the screen switches off dynamic lines
- 5F Information Electronics - ensures entertainment system displays all the trailer info correctly.

There is probably a couple of other which we are not aware of.
Overall when the proper VW / Westfalia module is fitted it is safer & easier for the car & driver to deal with the trailer. Many vehicles activate additional fan so the engine does not overheat (A5 cabrio is a great example).

[fastmk7]

try the Westfalia dist in ustralia , they have a tow bar and wiring kit avail.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Westfalia is the go. For anyone in Qld we can help with supply & install as we are their distributor

[Paul_R]

I've hooked up the trailer to see what HRs ECU does. Remember I went with the HR class 4 to get the 50mm square hitch for a specific bike rack that will not use trailer wiring anyway. I might hook up my trailer to take some rubbish to the tip a couple of kms away once or twice a year? Whole job was $1300 fitted.

Good news is that it works. By that I mean the lights work, the car drives and no funny warning lights come on. There has been something wired in that requires a power feed from the battery. Other than that I can't see any other new electrics. From what I can gather the HR ECU just stops the car going nuts when the trailer lights come on which would cause voltage drop and trip bulb out warnings. The description is of the trailer being 'invisible' to the car ECU.

Bad news is there is no indication that the car realises it has a trailer hooked up as the rear parking sensors go mad when you put it in reverse. I assume from this that no coding of the VW ECU has been done. I also imagine that if the trailer is indeed 'invisible' then there is no point in hooking up VCDS to recode as there would be no trigger to tell the ECU when the trailer is hooked up.

I may be wrong on this last point and will email HR and ask them. I doubt I'll get the answer I want.

So, if you want a 50mm hitch for occasional short trips go ahead with the HR option. If you plan on doing lots of towing, particularly out of town, then watch this space. Can a genuine VW loom be used and coded up via VCDS? Probably, but at what cost?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Genuine VW / Westfalia module with wiring kit which works with all the bits is $245+GST for Golf 7
You are looking at around 2.8 hours labour to fit and code it properly.
Pretty cheap for what it does to your safety

[Paul_R]

Should have mentioned I have a Passat. Sorry for posting in Golf section but no one ever goes to Passat section.

I am interested liquidforce. Know anyone Albury direction who would fit it up if I bought one from you?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Paul what year and shape Passat as there 2 different kits. Vw should be able to fit it in in Albury or you can DIY as instructions come with it

[Paul_R]

Run out special. 2014 130 TDI wagon.
Cheers

[Euro Car Upgrades]

New passat Wiring loom is $269 and the towbar is $739
This is a VW genuine solution with proper CAN module.

Run out special. 2014 130 TDI wagon.
Cheers

[lambertia]

Should have mentioned I have a Passat. Sorry for posting in Golf section but no one ever goes to Passat section.

I am interested liquidforce. Know anyone Albury direction who would fit it up if I bought one from you?
It behaves the same in the Golf. I would prefer the sexy ECU but for the limited towing I do its not worth the cost.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Module in a Golf is different to Passat. Same price but different setup.
VW Australia sells them at about $500 for these. $269 is a like sexy and cheap ;) like a startup hooker haha

[b c]

Module in a Golf is different to Passat. Same price but different setup.
VW Australia sells them at about $500 for these. $269 is a like sexy and cheap ;) like a startup hooker haha

VW dealership had VW wiring, but didn't know how much it would cost to install as they had never done it. I was looking at $1000+ just for the wiring, so didn't as I have relatively simple needs of the towbar.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

They must have quoted you some crazy price coz they did not want to fit and they wanted you to walk away.
Its surprising what dealers can do to loose a client.
$1000 for a simple module and a few cable surely is a joke of 2014.

VW dealership had VW wiring, but didn't know how much it would cost to install as they had never done it. I was looking at $1000+ just for the wiring, so didn't as I have relatively simple needs of the towbar.

[b c]

They must have quoted you some crazy price coz they did not want to fit and they wanted you to walk away.
Its surprising what dealers can do to loose a client.
$1000 for a simple module and a few cable surely is a joke of 2014.

$440 for wiring harness, $495 for 3 hrs fitting, but likely to run over as they hadn't done it before - so I turned around and went elsewhere. Love my Golf as a car, but not even a little bit impressed with VW Aus and the dealers

[lambertia]

$440 for wiring harness, $495 for 3 hrs fitting, but likely to run over as they hadn't done it before - so I turned around and went elsewhere. Love my Golf as a car, but not even a little bit impressed with VW Aus and the dealers
Yes that's crazy. Punish the customer because we refuse to train our staff. They should cap the installation cost and treat it as a training experience.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

It is a 3 hour job for someone who has done a few before. 6-8 hours for a rookie who has to search ELSA where to connect but still almost a $1000 for something you can have for half of this money its a daylight robbery.

[Nudist]

bc: Yes, the Hayman Reece Towbar requires a square cut-out. I have included a pic showing this albeit you can't see that the bottom of the black part of the bumper (i.e. at the bottom of the toungue) is not cut-through. This means that the hole is a rectangle with the bottom of the black part of the rear bumper still intact (hope this makes sense) . I chose an in-line plug which you can't see in the pic. Don't take any notice of the black piece of metal that sits directly under the rusty old ball in the pic. This is an attachment that I made for my bike carrier.


hi Pedders is fitting one of these for me today. They having trouble with wiring the stop light. They have been onto Hayman reece because the wiring diagram supplied wasn't very clear. All of the wires required for the trailer electrics are black/w white strip. Update HR have contacted me to say they have resolved things with Pedders

[GolfVII]

Spotted this mk7 wagon on the way to work this week and was not able to snap a shot of the tow bar but as fate has it I seen him another day and was able to snap a shot when stopped.

Looks like a good job but could not see any names on the tow bar like some after market ones have.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/12/GolfMk7WagonTowbar-1.jpg

[pjtsr30]

Tow Bar to work correctly requires a VW module. This is responsible for CAN communication with other modules:
- engine - when towing it works differently to cope with extra load - sometimes switches additional fan to cool
- ABS / ESP module - these work differently when trailer is hooked to avoid jack knifing.
- CECM - This power module distributes power in another way when trailer is hooked - also visually aids the driver when trailer is hooked on dashboard
- OPS - This is coded so when trailer is hooked up sensors do not beep
- CAN gateway - trailer module is coded into the gateway (main comms hub) so the car and other modules know what to do
- RVC - reversing camera - similar thing to parking sensors - recognises the trailer on the screen switches off dynamic lines
- 5F Information Electronics - ensures entertainment system displays all the trailer info correctly.

There is probably a couple of other which we are not aware of.
Overall when the proper VW / Westfalia module is fitted it is safer & easier for the car & driver to deal with the trailer. Many vehicles activate additional fan so the engine does not overheat (A5 cabrio is a great example).

Hi Liquidforce,

I have come to this thread late but found it very interesting. I'm close to ordering a MK7 wagon and will be needing a towbar, but mostly to mount a bike rack, same as 2 other earlier posters. I almost definitely won't be towing a trailer more than the(very) occasional dump trip.

I'm no techo but I'm guessing the ECU knows the towbar is in use by virtue of the trailer plug being inserted. On that basis, I presume that all (or at least some) of the features you've listed are activated even though the tow bar is only being used to carry a bike.

Can you please confirm this for me... or am I on the wrong track altogether?

Regards,

pj

[Euro Car Upgrades]

You are correct PJ

[zapsplat]

Has anyone had any luck with the new 'official' VW towbar (released a couple of months back)? I ordered one for my new car (expected next week) and am very curious to see what it looks like, and if its visibly removable. I'm guessing if it's officially supported now that the changes listed above are automatically made to the ECU when towing.

[knightsy]

Has anyone had any luck with the new 'official' VW towbar (released a couple of months back)? I ordered one for my new car (expected next week) and am very curious to see what it looks like, and if its visibly removable. I'm guessing if it's officially supported now that the changes listed above are automatically made to the ECU when towing.

I am getting a tow bar on my 110Tdi. My dealer sent me a pick of a tow bar fitted to one of his client's deliveries last week. See pic. It looks like the tongue can come out of the box-like socket. Hope so.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/attachments/f197/15193-tow-bar-trepidation-20150304_154010-2-jpg

[knightsy]

Picked up my car today. The "tongue" does come off and they even give you a bag to put it in!

[Euro Car Upgrades]

That's good comparison to a genuine VW German Towbar OEM Golf 7 which is completely invisible and does not require cut in the middle of your bumper:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/03/N9ZJhZ-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/eyN9ZJhZj)
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/03/JYKJc6-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/idJYKJc6j)
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/03/8LreqD-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/p18LreqDj)
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/03/XHqitd-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0XHqitdj)
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/03/LpWeqK-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/eyLpWeqKj)

[knightsy]

Yes there is a cut made. But they have trimmed it up nicely I think. See pic. Personally I didn't want the Euro style one (50mm ball only) as I want to be able to change the ball.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15370&stc=1

[SIRIoz]

Looking at the spec sheet (Aug 2015) for the 2016 golf wagon (and trying to extrapolate for the Golf Alltrack) it mentions that the genuine towball option is not available but is for the hatch. Any one have any ideas what could be the cause for them to not provide the towball option on the wagon?
Is it just me that is after a wagon to also tow a box trailer or a bike rack or a small boat tiny?

[agentthumb]

It's actually quite strange what VW Australia is doing. In Europe, you can get OEM towbar for both the hatch and wagon (happy to be corrected). The VW OEM system is quite brilliant.

The tow ball pivots about a point hidden in the rear bumper. When the owner pulls a leaver in the boot, the towball swings out from under the bumper through a hole that's factory cut in the bumper (it's under the bumper, can't see it). It's packed away the same way in reverse order.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdjyirbaQP0

My Australian spec Golf wagon has the hole in the bumper, but VWA doesn't offer the towball option. Yet they offer to fit an aftermarket towbar for the hatch that requires a hole to be cut in the rear bumper (visible hole), and looks like ****. Really don't know what they are thinking / doing in the towing department...

[Idle]

The OEM bar may not comply with ADR's.

[agentthumb]

I just gave it some thought.
Given the way the lever has been integrated into the car, and will have to be factory ordered as such, and given all the other options VWA have cut out from our order list, it's more likely that VWA have decided to also remove factory towball from that list to streamline their offering and source aftermarket solutions instead...

Which unfortunately means long delays while Germany certifies these towbars as fit for dealer offered accessories. :(


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SIRIoz]

They seem to have updated the PDF and now just list the towing capacities.

[ftaffy]

Hey All,

I am about to replace my Passat CC (love this car but sadly lease has ended!) and looking at possibly a Mk6 (TDI - which i dont doubt will tow fine) or a Mk7 90TSI in order to cut back some costs.
Car will be 2nd hand, on a novated lease so limits options else i would have picked a Mk6 GTD instantly.

My question is, how does the 90TSI go pulling a trailer?
A braked car trailer with a light (600kg) car on it is the max i have in mind on occasions but mostly some runs around the country side (2-3hrs each way on a freeway + 30min in the city) with a 4x6 to pick up engines, etc etc but not planning loads of concrete!

Has anyone used there 90TSI to tow similar to the above, thoughts on how it went?
My concerns are around the power available with a 90TSI (Always has large cars before this downsize).

Thanks,
Taffy

[The_Hawk]

This thread talks to it a little bit (assuming that wasn't you asking a couple of month back there :) )


I have a 6x4 box trailer that I tow with my VW Golf. Based on that, yes it will legally tow a braked trailer weighing 900 kg,but 2 things to watch out for:

1. Towball load will be your biggest limitation. The Golf allows 75 kg, most are less. This is marginal for a 900 kg trailer

2. Anything with a friction clutch, be it manual or auto will have a shorter life if used daily for towing.

I would think it would cope pretty well with an engine or small loads but I don't know what would happen when you start putting more than 50% of it's weight behind it on a trailer.

I've often considered getting a tow bar installed in the Mk6 Cab just for the kids bikes and light duty stuff... but I have the multivan with tow bar so haven't had the need.

[ftaffy]

Thanks for the reply, 75kg tow ball weight was not something i had considered... will look into what i would be seeing with my car trailer scenario above.
A golf only weighs in at 1.2-1.4T... that is less then i thought, which is a good and bad thing i guess.

Hmm wonder if the dealer would let me try it out :facepalm:

No, didnt ask the question. Only posted on here looking for a sump for a project car.

Thanks,
Taffy

[jimmyjamesred]

Does anyone have the genuine VW mark 7 towbar? Just wondering if you could let me know the type of plug it has. Is it the round or rectangular type?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DV52]

Jimmy: Not sure if I'm understanding your question, but the "official" VW OEM trailer plug is the European 13 x PIN Round plug that connected to the trailer detect control module - J345 (I think)

Don

[Umai Naa!!]

Kit comes with a 13-pin round to 7-pin flat adaptor though.

[jimmyjamesred]

Thanks for that. Shame they don't offer the standard Aussie rectangular plug.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LibraR]

I had a tow bar fitted to my 92tsi which was mainly for bicycle rack attachment. I kept the cable curled up in the spare wheel well so it was not too much trouble to use the adapter when needed

[DV52]

Thanks for that. Shame they don't offer the standard Aussie rectangular plug.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jimmy - It's not difficult to retrofit an "Aussie" rectangular plug- just some rewiring work!!

[Umai Naa!!]

It does, once you fit the adapter harness which is all of 5 seconds work.

If there's room behind the bumper, you can mount the adaptor harness semi-permenantly.

[jimmyjamesred]

So picked up my new MY17 Golf GTI yesterday with OEM towbar fitted. Lo and behold, the plug is the rectangular type. I asked the dealer about it and they said that is the standard plug and the round plug is on the bigger vehicles for caravans with electric brakes. Not sure on the last bit but it is the OEM tow bar and a rectangular plug they have installed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SonnyDiscs]

Anyone know a good price for a tow bar fitted to a Golf 7.5 wagon?

VW dealer quote was $2,200 fitted. Hayman Reese dealer quote was $795 fitted (without official wiring harness).

I’d prefer the VW official version, but at nearly triple the price if HR, not sure if it’s worth it.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Anyone know a good price for a tow bar fitted to a Golf 7.5 wagon?

VW dealer quote was $2,200 fitted. Hayman Reese dealer quote was $795 fitted (without official wiring harness).

I’d prefer the VW official version, but at nearly triple the price if HR, not sure if it’s worth it.

What about this (https://australiatowbars.com.au/volkswagen-golf-7-detachable-tow-bar-a40v.html)one

Westfalia detachable with proper Volkswagen wiring compatible with LED trailer. This is a factory option if you bought your dub in EU

[SonnyDiscs]

Thanks, called an installer but they said Westfalia no longer being sold in Australia. In better news, called another VW dealer and they can do it for under $1700.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Thanks, called an installer but they said Westfalia no longer being sold in Australia. In better news, called another VW dealer and they can do it for under $1700.

That's not necessarily correct with Westfalia, they were bought our by Horizon for Australian branch. Their stock of over 800 tow bars was purchased and we are their distributor.
With VW you need to cut your bumper whereas with Westfalia, it attaches from underneath the car.

[doc_777]

If I had my time again, I would have installed a westfalia on my Passat Alltrack Wolfsburg rather than the VW Aus towbar. The westfalia are are much neater installation IMO.

[Euro Car Upgrades]

33604
33605

[FarQ]

33604
33605

wonder what the tow ball weight limit is on those types.The VW & HR ones for my passat alltrack state 90kg tow ball weight limit.

[Paul_R]

The tow ball weight should still be 90 kg. It’s set by the car, not the ball if you get my meaning. We had a 300+ kg capable HR ball on the Passat but it was limited to 90 kg because that’s what VW said it should be. I suppose it’s theoretically possible to put a ball rated less than 90 kg on the car but it would need to be made out of pipe cleaners or attached to the number plate fittings.

[Guest001]

Yep the ADR rules on towing are

The rated towing limit of the towbar or the vehicle as set by the manufacturer

Whichever is the LESSER

EG
Towbar 2500kg Car 2000kg =2000kg

Towbar 1500kg car 2000kg =1500kg

The towball limit is whats in your cars manual and is the limit set by the manufacturer

So if the towbars ball limit is 150kg and cars limit is 90kg =90kg No way around it.

[FarQ]

Yep the ADR rules on towing are

The rated towing limit of the towbar or the vehicle as set by the manufacturer

Whichever is the LESSER

EG
Towbar 2500kg Car 2000kg =2000kg

Towbar 1500kg car 2000kg =1500kg

The towball limit is whats in your cars manual and is the limit set by the manufacturer

So if the towbars ball limit is 150kg and cars limit is 90kg =90kg No way around it.

Yep, i understand the rules. Just those ones look "flimsier" than the square removable VW or HR ones that are on my passat. So i wondered if they had a lower weight limit.

[Guest001]

Yep, i understand the rules. Just those ones look "flimsier" than the square removable VW or HR ones that are on my passat. So i wondered if they had a lower weight limit.


Fair enough but wasnt aimed at you or anyone Is just a general heads up as lots dont know or dont understand


The Westfalia ones will do the job they are rated for HR are embedded in heavy towbars for towing vans and havent worked out that a light one will do for small cars

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Westfalia gooseneck attachments on its own are rated at 6 Tonnes on its own.
Its the car which limits you.
There is also a difference in calculations between ADR and other design rules.
Quality of HR tow bars which are made in Thailand and China nowadays is questionable from the install perspective.
Last one ATP did on HSV Commo - instructions says drill 13mm holes - nowhere near fits. The rep said - just drill 24mm - she'll be allright.

[donweather]

Anyone know if you can fit a towbar to a Mk 7.5 Golf R wagon?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Anyone know if you can fit a towbar to a Mk 7.5 Golf R wagon?

Yes you can, different bar to hatch and wiring need to be done to your dash as no preparation on these.

[donweather]

Yes you can, different bar to hatch and wiring need to be done to your dash as no preparation on these.Westfalia? And fully legal compliant with ADR?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Westfalia? And fully legal compliant with ADR?

Yes it is

[donweather]

Yes it isgreat thanks. Any reason then why the dealers say there’s no towbar for the Golf r mk 7.5 then?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

great thanks. Any reason then why the dealers say there’s no towbar for the Golf r mk 7.5 then?

Unsure

[donweather]

Unsure
Got any pics of one installed on a Mk 7.5 R Wagon please?

[Euro Car Upgrades]

Got any pics of one installed on a Mk 7.5 R Wagon please?

Will make some when we do one next.

[gregozedobe]

great thanks. Any reason then why the dealers say there’s no towbar for the Golf r mk 7.5 then?

Possibly because the manufacturer (VW Germany) say that the Golf R is not designed to have any towbar ? ie zero load is legal.

[GolfRWag]

Possibly because the manufacturer (VW Germany) say that the Golf R is not designed to have any towbar ? ie zero load is legal.
Yes, as I understand it VW did not homologate/assess/rate the R for tow capacity.

Im sure the car is quite capable of towing a moderate load eg: sub 1000kg. Chassis- wise it’s the same as the Golf Alltrack, though the tyres load limit maybe a potential issue if the car is also loaded, and the springs/ride height may not have sufficient travel for potential loads.

Which is not to say you cannot fit one, for say a bike rack. There’s some UK Golf R sedans and wagons running about with tow bars for just that purpose.

[gregozedobe]

Yes, as I understand it VW did not homologate/assess/rate the R for tow capacity.

Im sure the car is quite capable of towing a moderate load eg: sub 1000kg. Chassis- wise it’s the same as the Golf Alltrack, though the tyres load limit maybe a potential issue if the car is also loaded, and the springs/ride height may not have sufficient travel for potential loads.

Which is not to say you cannot fit one, for say a bike rack. There’s some UK Golf R sedans and wagons running about with tow bars for just that purpose.

I agree, there is almost certainly no mechanical reason for not homologlating a trailer, and carting bikes around on a hitch would probably be legal (as long as the obscured rego plate issue is dealt with), but have a prang with a trailer connected (no matter how light) and you could be in a world of hurt legally & financially (so just don't hook up a trailer - ever).

I'm not sure what would happen if you sell the car and a subsequent owner (who doesn't know about the legal restriction on trailers) hooks up a trailer and loses control and ploughs into a school bus full of kids and injures them.

[donweather]

Possibly because the manufacturer (VW Germany) say that the Golf R is not designed to have any towbar ? ie zero load is legal.

VW Brisbane don't know anything about this as they haven't told me I can't fit an aftermarket towbar.

[donweather]

Yes, as I understand it VW did not homologate/assess/rate the R for tow capacity.

Im sure the car is quite capable of towing a moderate load eg: sub 1000kg. Chassis- wise it’s the same as the Golf Alltrack, though the tyres load limit maybe a potential issue if the car is also loaded, and the springs/ride height may not have sufficient travel for potential loads.

Which is not to say you cannot fit one, for say a bike rack. There’s some UK Golf R sedans and wagons running about with tow bars for just that purpose. I'm wanting to tow a jetski.

[gregozedobe]

[QUOTE=donweather;1309206 I'm wanting to tow a jetski.[/QUOTE]

Simply put - can't be done legally unless you get an engineer's certificate valid for your state.

[doc_777]

Simply put - can't be done legally unless you get an engineer's certificate valid for your state.

for towing, an engineers certificate can not override the manufacturers zero towing allowance.

[gregozedobe]

for towing, an engineers certificate can not override the manufacturers zero towing allowance.

That's interesting, sounds like you will be unable to get a valid certificate.

I thought it would be similar to GVM, some years ago I had a Landcruiser ute that I put a camper body on and had to upgrade the suspension for the extra load and get an engineer's certificate for the increased GVM (in the ACT).

[Guest001]

That's interesting, sounds like you will be unable to get a valid certificate.

I thought it would be similar to GVM, some years ago I had a Landcruiser ute that I put a camper body on and had to upgrade the suspension for the extra load and get an engineer's certificate for the increased GVM (in the ACT). Yes because that was allowed as it had a GVM rating which under certain conditions it could be increased legally.

The GOLF has a zero limit and therefore cant be.

[GolfRWag]

Some UK types have done towbars on hatches and wagon R’s, here’s one: Estate Towbar - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club (https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/22852-estate-towbar/)

and on a hatch:Towbar on a mk7 R - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club (https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/3903-towbar-on-a-mk7-r/)

There is some cutting of the rear valence required.

[GolfRWag]

Some UK types have done towbars on hatches and wagon R’s, here’s one: Estate Towbar - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club (https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/22852-estate-towbar/)

and on a hatch:Towbar on a mk7 R - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club (https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/3903-towbar-on-a-mk7-r/)

There is some cutting of the rear valence required.

[Guest001]

Some UK types have done towbars on hatches and wagon R’s, here’s one: Estate Towbar - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club (https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/22852-estate-towbar/)

and on a hatch:Towbar on a mk7 R - VW Golf R MK7 Chat - VWROC - VW R Owners Club (https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/3903-towbar-on-a-mk7-r/)

There is some cutting of the rear valence required.

Unfortunately what they may be able to do in other countries is apparently not legal to do here

[GolfRWag]

It’s perfectly legal to add a towbar as long as you don’t tow with it. Bike racks is what they have done it for in the UK.
I was giving this some thought before I got my car so I could add a bike rack, but I can stick 3 on the roof so that was enough for most occasions when I needed to.
Personally I would remove the towbar prior to disposal if I did.

[donweather]

Yes because that was allowed as it had a GVM rating which under certain conditions it could be increased legally.

The GOLF has a zero limit and therefore cant be.

What I don’t understand is why can you get a towbar legally and VW approved on a normal golf but not on a golf R? They’re essentially the same car (body/structurally) apart from suspension and engine upgrades.

[doc_777]

What I don’t understand is why can you get a towbar legally and VW approved on a normal golf but not on a golf R? They’re essentially the same car (body/structurally) apart from suspension and engine upgrades.

Those are the rules of vehicle compliance.

[gregozedobe]

What I don’t understand is why can you get a towbar legally and VW approved on a normal golf but not on a golf R? They’re essentially the same car (body/structurally) apart from suspension and engine upgrades.

Some possible reasons:

VW couldn't be bothered doing the calibration required for the ESP of the R (because of it's increased performance over a regular Golf)

Tyre load limitations

There is an undesired interaction with the R rear wheel drive

Didn't want owners to get in trouble with the extra power of the R and a trailer.

[genebaby]

Has anyone seen an Ecohitch in action in Australia?

Torklift Central | Select Your EcoHitch Style (https://torkliftcentral.com/select-ecohitch-style?vid=5604)

I'm most interested in the Stealth model, otherwise the Hidden will probably do. This will be for the bike rack on the GTI, no real towing to do so will not get a harness.

They don't ship overseas, but you can use a service to buy it and ship it over.

[DV52]

What I don’t understand is why can you get a towbar legally and VW approved on a normal golf but not on a golf R? They’re essentially the same car (body/structurally) apart from suspension and engine upgrades.

might have something to do with the route of the OEM exhausts

[Guest001]

If you are going to buy a towbar at least get a euro one which has some cross certification here. Buy one of those something goes wrong and trailer disconnects and causes damage you could possible be sued for millions
Westfalia bars are the best for VW and while they are hard to get here at present they can be imported and used LEGALLY

Australia Tow Bars & Performance - CAN bus module wiring LED OEM kits - Brake controllers - Accessories - ECU remaps - Performance upgrades - Australia Tow Bars & Performance store (https://australiatowbars.com.au/)


https://etowbars.com/au/au/index.php?route=product/manufacturer/info&manufacturer_id=11

[genebaby]

Euro style towbars are fine if you are just towing a small trailer. I have a very good four bike rack and it needs a hitch.

If I was happy with just a ball I'd get an original even.

[Guest001]

Euro style towbars are fine if you are just towing a small trailer. I have a very good four bike rack and it needs a hitch.

If I was happy with just a ball I'd get an original even.


Seems some are rated to 2500kg and 250kg on the ball Nothing wrong with that and will tow a 19 ft caravan at that limit

[genebaby]

How will they go with the 2" receiver on my bike rack?

[Guest001]

How will they go with the 2" receiver on my bike rack?

Was referring to your comment about only small trailers Obviously if you have a bike rack like that you need the ugly 50mm hitch.

Remembering also that hitting a bump with 4 bikes on an extended hitch will put up to 7 times or more with 4 bikes of the static weight on the towball area

Have seen a few bikes lying on the road after they have broken off bike racks on the rear of vans for that very reason

[genebaby]

I can only imagine what kind of setups they might have had.

A good rack won't have that problem.

[Guest001]

I can only imagine what kind of setups they might have had.

A good rack won't have that problem.

Maybe not but laws of physics cant be denied

[pyrced]

Yes you can, different bar to hatch and wiring need to be done to your dash as no preparation on these.

Is this only in regards to R variant of the wagon because it hasn't been rated for towing? Does additional wiring like this need to be done for a highline mk7.5 variant wagon? I'm very interested in one of these westfalia bars.

[yorky]

Is this only in regards to R variant of the wagon because it hasn't been rated for towing? Does additional wiring like this need to be done for a highline mk7.5 variant wagon? I'm very interested in one of these westfalia bars.

I've had my Mk7.5 Highline done with a Hayman Reese via a local dealer in Perth (PM for name). They mentioned they had to do the behind the dash wiring. They pulled the steering column surround apart, then put it back together incorrectly bending the plastic clips yay. Means the steering wheel rubs on the plastic now. Among other unfortunate events with this company, however, the bar and electrics work fine.

Other random notes on my install while the thread is dug up:
-Additional electronics were placed in the boot on the left, behind the panel that the jack is in just a bit further down.
-Reverse sensors, rear assist and blind spot detection automatically disable with a trailer attached, which is all good. Has an icon on the media center when in reverse as well. Note, you need to manually re-enable rear assist and blind spot detection after unplugging.
-There is reduced clearance at the rear, as the wiring plug hangs low, watch those kerbs when reverse parking!
-The towball download rating as mentioned in this thread is only 75kg, pretty low, unfortunately, when the car is rated to tow 1600kg, that download rating is a bit low if you wanted to tow that much.
-The hitch sticks out a bit, not an issue just uuuggggglllly.
-Pics of the setup is the same as this: Attention Required! | Cloudflare (https://parksidetowbars.com.au/TOWBAR-SUIT-GOLF-75-WGN-0217ON/8510-cee81c20-92d2-48a3-9a03-ba0b60d894f3/)



Coding changes were done (which also produced a heap of errors, although I cleared them ok). Two errors are persistent:
U1121 00 [009] - Missing Message
[TSG_HFS_01 Datenbus fehlende Botschaft]

526359 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded
U1014 00 [009] - -
[Steuergerät falsch codiert->Keine Anzeige]

[DV52]

Coding changes were done (which also produced a heap of errors, although I cleared them ok). Two errors are persistent:
U1121 00 [009] - Missing Message
[TSG_HFS_01 Datenbus fehlende Botschaft]

526359 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded
U1014 00 [009] - -
[Steuergerät falsch codiert->Keine Anzeige]

hmm................

Clearly something amiss with your coding changes!! These are the "normal" changes required when retrofitting a trailer module:


Gateway module installation list: add hex 69 module
hex01 module: Byte 5, Bit 4=1
hex10 module: Byte 3, Bit 0 = 0 Bit 1=1 (Pivoting trailer hitch), Bit 0=1 Bit 1=0 (manually removable trailer hitch)
hex17 module: Byte 15, Bit 5=1 (trailer=yes)
hex69 module: program long-code as desired
wild cards:

hex03 module: IDE04774-Vehicle and trailer stabilization > activated
BCM: ENG122979-ENG141968-Networking-Anhaengeranschlussgeraet > installed (translation "Networking-Trailer connection device")



Given that your 526359 error is complaining about "Keine Anzeige" (no display) - maybe check the software switch on the Instrument cluster module ?

Don