Hi, i've just purchased a 2008 VW Touran 2.0tdi and have had a few quotes for tow bars.
If i opt for the VW specific wiring harness it'll be £398, for the universal it'll be £253.
The car is not under warranty so i don't need to worry about it affecting that, but I was wondering if i'll really see the benefit of spending the extra £145?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
hi i no its a bit to far for you to travel to get fitted try hedleys at co durham .they supply and fit or just supply . i had my 64 astra tow bar fitted there cost me £165 fitted . i also had 61 seat leon fitted at anorther company near me no seat specific wiring harness for £225 fitted and i have a 3 year warranty with both cars .
Hi thanks for the reply, i have had cheaper quotes but i specifically want a swan-neck with twin electrics.
I know that if i go for the VW specific option they will recode the ESP to include the trailer stability program too.
I believe the rear parking sensors will automatically be disabled when towing too - but that's not really a problem anyway.
Just wondering what other people would do in my situation, pay the extra or just go for the universal wiring?
Your choice really, how long do you intend to keep the car? The cheaper method will rely on spliced in wiring perhaps but specific wiring is all plugged into existing sockets I think, so might be better for long term reliability?
Quote: Originally posted by Greendemon315 on 25/2/2015
I always pay the dealer price. These things are too complicated now, and you can easily find out, too late, that things are not right.
Jim
The issue with that is some dealers farm the work out to the local mobile fitters anyway.
But charge you the posh box prices for the towbar rather than the same towbar but basic box price.
If you have trailer stability then getting a dealer to activate it or do their witchcraft maybe wise.
You need to find out whether either price includes updating the car's software. If not a dealership might charge around £90 for the privilege and if it's not 'plug-in' wiring it may be possible at all. Bit more research perhaps?
Yep, having a towbar fitted is not the simple job it once was, Flange or Swan Neck etc, Single 7 Pin or Twin 7 Pin sockets, or the much neater and more secure 13 Pin socket solution, the choice is yours.
The Electrics is were the biggest cost is nowadays, the Dedicated Electrics will interface with the Car's Engine Management System, so Trailer Assist is activated when you plug in.
Stuff like Stop-Start if applicable gets deactivated along with Rear Parking sensors etc.
Depending on the car, some come with "Preparation For Tow Bar" so the electrics are mostly already done, which can save around £150 on the fitting cost, your fitter if honorable will tell you what the situation is.
Hi, you need to ensure that the electronics in your vehicle can "see" the the towbar. Most modern vehicles management systems adjust the brakes/ lights and engine management settings when the tow bar can be seen. If its not manufacturer approved your insurance could be invalidated. I had a friend who turned a caravan over on the M5 , though no fault of their own they found the degree of scrutiny from the police horrendous and were glad that everything was in order.
Hi, thanks for all the replies.
The £395 i've been quoted is for the VW 'vehicle specific' wiring harnesss and includes recoding.
With the same fitter, the price is £295 for a generic wiring harness.
Both of these quotes are from trailersandtowbars.co.uk - a reputable local firm.
The cheapest quote was from advanced towing at £253 with generic electrics.
I've also been quoted £334 by towbarexpress but they want an additional £200 for the vw wiring harness!!
I'm thinking that the £395 VW wiring option is the best.
Yep, good work, and still less than half the price of a factory fit towbar, VW quoted almost £1000 for the new Mk7 Golf firms car that I am waiting for, due April, and I am not even sure if that was the fancy boot operated drop down version.
So will be going to my local fitter, and will expect to pay around £400, at least I don't have to buy the car as well!
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Topic: VW Touran Towbar
