Detachable Towbar

[Golf7]

Hi all,

On my current A3 Sportback I have some Thule roof bars and a bike holder. Not only can I no longer put up with the wind-noise and the high-pitched whistling when it's raining, but during the 3 years I have had it the rubber feet that sit on the paintwork have slowly rubbed the paint. (it is not very convenient to remove and reattach the bars every time as it is a 10-15 minute task every time).

I have a Golf 7 GT due for delivery in a few weeks (providing it isn't delayed...again) and am considering having a detachable tow bar fitted and getting a tow-bar mounted bike rack.

On the VW website it is £365 for supply and fitting of detachable tow bar, and a further £440 for the 13 pin electrics (which I will probably need to get as these types of rack cover the rear lights and plate, but have lights and a plate on the back of the rack).

The VW price is mega bucks, even though I could probably screw a bit of discount out of the dealership we are in the process of selling our place and buying a bigger place, so am unlikely to get this one past the 'Leader of the Opposition'.

Can anybody recommend somewhere else that may be able to help???

Thanks.

[Jimble]

If i needed a towbar i would def go for the VW factory fit one as it's awesome!! Not cheap but.....


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zdjyirbaQP0


Awesome!

[Golf7]

That is impressive, too late now though, the car is in build as we speak (i hope!). thanks anyway!

Any more takers?

[Running Man]

If i needed a towbar i would def go for the VW factory fit one as it's awesome!! Not cheap but.....


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zdjyirbaQP0


Awesome!

We had one on our (now gone) Tiguan, agree with Jimbo go with VW original 

[DougL]

I have a Mk6 Match and I put a towbar on myself. It took about two hours. The towbar came from PF Jones and was made by Bosal, a German company. The electrics were a cheap relay type device, which required a +ve feed and tapping into the rear lights. All worked perfectly for less than £200 including a new rear diffuser for the rear bumper. VW electrics actually have some sort of device that does something to the ESP, but I really wasn't bothered by that as I am only towing a garden trailer and it shouldn't matter for you either with just a bike rack. If you can't fit it yourself, fitting should only be around £100. You need a sinlge electrics bypass kit.

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/volkswagen-golf-7-2012-onwards-bosal-detachable-towbar.html

[Golf7]

I probably would have had the factory fitted one if I had known about it in time, before my car went into build. I love the way that one retracts using the lever in the boot.

But... I think the price of the dealer fitted one is excessive, as it is just a run of the mill detachable tow-bar, there's no black magic involved!!

Thanks DougL, I'll have a chat with p f jones and see what they suggest.

Any other recommendations from anybody else?

[DougL]

If you look on that website they offer three detachable towbars. I just chose the German one, which also happens to be a bit cheaper in this case...

[DougL]

Literallly, this is how easy it is. About four screws in the boot and another four under the bumper to remove (the lights needed to come out, but the instructions for this were in the handbook for changing bulbs), then the bumper just pulls off. There is a reinforced bar under the bumper which is removed and replaced by the towbar. Change the diffuser on the bumper and reverse. Job done.

For the electrics, the leads to the lights are easily accessible. If you are close to London, I'm sure I could help...

[dubber36]

I bought a Westfalia one with full 13 pin vehicle specific wiring from PF Jones in Manchester. It is exactly the same as the factory one, but half the price. This included it been fitted and the electrics coded by the local VW dealer.

I wanted the folding bar, but everywhere was out of stock and the next production batch would have been too late for when I needed to tow the caravan. I bought the detactable bar instead and have to say,  it's all you'd need. The folding one seems cool, but in my opinion is unnecessary.

[Golf7]

How much did that knock you Dubber? (if you don't mind me asking!)