Towbars

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Towbars

mortonman

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Topic # 242512 1-Nov-2018 10:52

I am looking at changing the family car ( considering the VW tiguan allspace) but will need a towbar fitted to it for occasional trailer use for holidays and for the bike rack etc.

The dealership cost for a new tow bar is $2500 but going to a local company is only about $800. Massive difference.

Seems like the dealership has a massive mark up. Anything I should be wary of when considering the local option?

BlueShift

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Reply # 2117746 1-Nov-2018 10:56

Tell the dealer to throw the towbar in as part of the deal, or you'll get a Santa Fe instead.

I got a towbar and roof rack on my Hyundai for asking.

wellygary

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Reply # 2117747 1-Nov-2018 10:56

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Just ensure that the tow bar wiring connection is also interfaced to disable the reversing sensors when it is connected,

Otherwise they will beep continually every time you try to back the trailer...

esawers

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Reply # 2117758 1-Nov-2018 11:10

We got free on road costs ($1800?!) , and half of a towbar included when we bought our Kia Sorento

Inphinity

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Reply # 2117772 1-Nov-2018 11:47

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wellygary:

Just ensure that the tow bar wiring connection is also interfaced to disable the reversing sensors when it is connected,

Otherwise they will beep continually every time you try to back the trailer...

Hhahahahah so much this, our Elantra has this problem - even though it's a Hyundai dealer-fitted towbar!

jonathan18

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Reply # 2117838 1-Nov-2018 13:38

Inphinity:

wellygary:

Just ensure that the tow bar wiring connection is also interfaced to disable the reversing sensors when it is connected,

Otherwise they will beep continually every time you try to back the trailer...

Hhahahahah so much this, our Elantra has this problem - even though it's a Hyundai dealer-fitted towbar!

Ditto on my car, but it's not really an issue - I'm such an atrocious reverser when the trailer's attached I do anything to avoid being in that position!

jonathan18

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Reply # 2117842 1-Nov-2018 13:44

I was in a similar boat to the OP, debating paying the full price from the dealer vs a much cheaper price from a tow bar company. I recall reading somewhere that Mazda wouldn't honour the car's warranty in certain circumstances if the issue was able to be tracked back to a non-official tow bar. That wasn't enough to scare me off, and based on the advice received on GZ I went with the cheaper option (travelling to another city to get it done, as that saved heaps over the local option).

The thread on this is here - https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=181401, which raises good points re ensuring the firm uses the proper harness.

Towbars also discussed in this more recent thread https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=237494

networkn

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Reply # 2117848 1-Nov-2018 14:08

The wiring is the biggest thing. It's $2500 for me to put a towbar on my Audi, but it's integrated to the electronics, and sensors, cameras and other stuff.

Also affects things like City Pre-sense etc which needs to be recalibrated etc

Geektastic

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Reply # 2117852 1-Nov-2018 14:27

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networkn:
The wiring is the biggest thing. It's $2500 for me to put a towbar on my Audi, but it's integrated to the electronics, and sensors, cameras and other stuff.

Also affects things like City Pre-sense etc which needs to be recalibrated etc

Land Rover install the wiring on the vehicles when they build them, regardless of whether you ordered one.

Personally I prefer OEM systems as they are usually more sophisticated. Also if you're buying new, what does a third party part do to your warranty of it causes damage?

colinsw

5 posts

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Reply # 2117855 1-Nov-2018 14:28

Whereabouts in the country are you?

Quite often I see the vouchers sites, Grabone, Groupon, Treatme etc., advertising towbars for quite reasonable rates.

Also Ive seen these people giving good service and good price:

http://aucklandtowbars.co.nz

Coil

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Reply # 2117862 1-Nov-2018 14:35

I believe best bars does them in AKL and also makes them for the dealers. With all the technology as others said it is good to go genuine. They also do quality work.
Just be careful with your Tiguan as the DSG gearbox with too much weight will shear an output shaft or burn out a clutchpack.
Make sure you get the R line TDI 2.0, should have a wet clutch 6 speed DSG which is a lot more robust. Do not tow without a wet clutch gearbox.
The base models are not really worth it, get the diesel turbo with the styling kit, much better resale too.

Other than that, if you can't meet that criteria the VW is honestly not for you and I feel you'd be better off with a Hyundai or something automatic.

pctek

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Reply # 2118040 1-Nov-2018 18:48

https://www.trademe.co.nz/services/trades/automotive/auction-617963396.htm?rsqid=a50852741a8540719cb6dd93a3e88909

Cost me $420. At my place. Professional job, fully wired, and you can stand there and watch if you want....

Aredwood

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Reply # 2118144 1-Nov-2018 22:03

Guessing that the VW will have electronic stability control fitted. It is important that the towbar wiring is integrated into the ESC. So it can detect when a trailer is connected, and adjust its control program to suit.

jaymz

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Reply # 2118363 2-Nov-2018 10:21

Not sure how relevant it is these days with modern cooling systems, but additional automatic transmission cooling may be included in the cost of the towbar installation.

I know when my SS Commodore (1996) was fitted with a factory towbar, it also had an external transmission cooler added to help cover the extra heat generated by towing.

mortonman

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Reply # 2118664 2-Nov-2018 16:40

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I only use my trailer very occasionally. Summer camping holiday and an annual trip to the tip. Took the 1.4L turbo home last night. Great car with just me in it but don't think the gearbox it would survive fully laden with a trailer on the back. Now having to reassess budget and look at the 2.0L 4x4. This has the better wet 7spd DSG.

The dealer towbars installed here are fabricated and installed locally so dont thing there would be a big difference going elsewhere.

Re korean cars. Have looked at them but they just dont look or feel as nice inside. I spend more time inside looking out than outside looking in. The tiguan allspace interior is pretty nice ( I have a similar skoda and everything just feels in the right place. The korean interiors look a bit dated and I cant afford a new Santa fe