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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Ashtons99 on 16 March 2020, 19:42

Title: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Ashtons99 on 16 March 2020, 19:42
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)
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: fredgroves 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.
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Ashtons99 on 16 March 2020, 20:16
I know, I’m confounded. In fact it’s putting me off the car
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: fredgroves 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:
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: SRGTD 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.
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Vwjap on 16 March 2020, 20:30
What undue stress? Cars designed to pull otherwise they wouldn’t spec it, plus mine came with one
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: SRGTD 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.
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Phil245 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....!
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: mcmaddy 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 👍
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Ashtons99 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 😀
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Ashtons99 on 16 March 2020, 22:07
On a golf it would be ideal for a mountain bike carrier, would save the interior from getting muddy 👍

Crikey yes.....you’ve turned this on it’s head for me
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: fredgroves on 16 March 2020, 22:48
Yes the folding tow bar is a factory option.

What you tow with it is up to you. To be fair though most modern caravans are too heavy for a golf to tow legally. Caravans like cars have become much more heavy over the years. There could be one light enough but almost certainly someone was using it for lighter duties.
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: jf111 on 16 March 2020, 23:43
I personally would quite like one to have a bike rack. However I'd imagine that the TCR rear diffuser would pose some problems with that
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: mcmaddy on 17 March 2020, 06:31
Roof mounted would be the option on a TCR I would imagine.
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: CookieMonsterGTi on 17 March 2020, 11:40
I actually would have specced this for the TCR if it has been invisible when not in use but the diffuser didn't allow it I was told by the dealer (although the configurator allowed it).

Didn't want to risk it coming with a section cut out :)

This would have been for taking the bike out.  Can drop the back sears as they are in use and don't like the idea of having it on the roof.  Feels like an accident waiting to happen (plus no roof bars so would be concerned about the issues of mounting leaving marks etc).
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: mike roberts on 17 March 2020, 11:44
I'd much rather have the bikes hanging off the back than having to lift them on the roof.

Don't worry, it won't have been the shed draggers. Wheelbase too short, towing capacity too small, horrible fuel bills - at worst it's been a small trailer.
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Al1040 on 17 March 2020, 11:45
I spec'd one on my GTD, mainly for the odd occasion when I tow my motorbike :drool:
Title: Re: Who specs a tow bar and what are your thoughts 😱
Post by: Dre1973 on 21 March 2020, 19:40
Can I ask you where you was looking? I've just handed one back with a towbar that is now up for sale.