Author Topic: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱  (Read 2226 times)

Offline Ashtons99

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I’ve been for a test drive at dealers today, a 7.5 PP.  Looking round it “what’s that little green LED” I ask while checking out the boot space.....l..  “must have a tow bar” replies the sales guy. Off he goes to pull up a lever thing and down comes the tow hitch.  It had clearly never been used but I’m not sure how I felt about it......well that and the lack of DCC ( another thread)

Offline fredgroves

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #1 on: 16 March 2020, 20:04 »
Who spec's a tow bar?

Someone with one of those (usually) white box things that fill up the motorways over the summer.
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline Ashtons99

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #2 on: 16 March 2020, 20:16 »
I know, I’m confounded. In fact it’s putting me off the car

Offline fredgroves

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #3 on: 16 March 2020, 20:20 »
I know, I’m confounded. In fact it’s putting me off the car

You have a button to hide your shame... its not permanently on display  :grin: :grin: :grin:
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline SRGTD

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #4 on: 16 March 2020, 20:23 »
If it’s hidden from view unless it’s in use, I’m wondering why it’s putting you off the car?

If the tow bar has never been used, then the car won’t have been subjected to pulling a heavy trailer or caravan, so it won’t have suffered any undue mechanical stresses.
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline Vwjap

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #5 on: 16 March 2020, 20:30 »
What undue stress? Cars designed to pull otherwise they wouldn’t spec it, plus mine came with one

Offline SRGTD

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #6 on: 16 March 2020, 20:43 »
What undue stress? Cars designed to pull otherwise they wouldn’t spec it, plus mine came with one

Maybe poor choice of words on my part.

What I was implying was that if some potential purchasers might have concerns if they knew a car had regularly towed a heavy trailer. However, I certainly don’t see the fitment of a tow bar that’s never been used as an issue when considering whether or not to buy a car.
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline Phil245

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #7 on: 16 March 2020, 20:49 »
Not everybody with a towbar tows a caravan......!

Over the years I have towed caravans, although not with anything as "small" as a Golf, but Jet skis, speedboats and motorbike trailers, all lighter than a caravan.

i've never had to replace a clutch in 40 years driving.  You can tow and be totally sympathetic to a car....!
2019 Golf GTI 245 Performance, 2020 Skoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI
Sadly sold, Octavia VRS245 Estate, Audi A3 1.5TFSI S Line Black Edition, Polo GTi 1.8, Audi TT Roadster, Golf Mk7 GTD etc.
Daughter has 2019 Polo 2.0GTi DSG. We love VAG !

Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #8 on: 16 March 2020, 22:04 »
On a golf it would be ideal for a mountain bike carrier, would save the interior from getting muddy 👍
TCR, Pure Grey, DCC, Dynaudio and Climate Screen.

Offline Ashtons99

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Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
« Reply #9 on: 16 March 2020, 22:06 »
Well I’ve derived a bit more comfort knowing there are other tow bar owners out there! Strangely when you go on das welt, the option of searching for a tow bar inclusion is blanked out.

So you could spec a tow bar as an option on one of these car? What does one tow....one of these fancy mobile barista trailers 😀