I think you will find that the battery in the back is in parallel with the front one thus being 12 volts. This then doubles the amp hour output(assuming 2 batteries of similar output) but the voltage remains at 12 volts.I imagine VW would have a relay between the 2 batteries so that if 1 drains down to a certain point the system will isolate one from t'other so that you will still have sufficient cranking power to start the engine.

 

But the second back battery is 24W. Can 12V Batteries be connected to 24V batteries? If you are correct then we don't need to add another battery.

 

I've never heard of a Touareg with a 24 volt battery in the boot before.

The V10 had two 12 volt batteries, one up front and one in the boot, and it was possible to spec the same set- up for other Touaregs in some markets such as Scandinavia but they would both be 12 volts.

Did you buy the car new?

What options were specified?

Can you post a picture of this battery?

 

Agree didn't know there was a 24v battery however I found the following item in my VW Build sheet, not sure if that is relevant?

135 D43 VWGROUP MOT 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine 3.0 l/180 kW (24V) V6, TDI common rail base
engine is TF1/TH1/T41/T43

 

That stands for 24 valves. 6 cylinders x 4 valves per cylinder.

Nothing to do with batteries

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

 

A photo would be helpful......

 

From reading the literature on the CR Touareg, which I'm assuming you have, I think you'll find it's actually a 48V battery, consisting of high capacity capacitors. It is charged by a 12-48V DC-DC converter running off the main 12V system. I understand it can run in reverse and supply power to the 12V system should that battery have insufficient charge to start the engine. Be careful if you do any work on the 48V system as that voltage is starting to get serious for DC and there's a lot of energy stored in the 48V system.

 

Now we REALLY need a picture....!

Originally no one at a VW dealer was allowed to work on the earlier Hybrid Touaregs without undergoing a 2 day training course due to the high voltage system so, as has already been said, don't mess with the 48 volt system!

 

This is not a hybrid. The hybrid is not released in Australia. The 2019/20 Series 3 has incorporated advanced technology that has implemented the 48V system to meet continuing energy saving requirements and to wiring requirements practical. See the article linked above.

My disappointment is that a German company cannot make more detailed manuals/website that can help users make informed decisions. It should not be this hard to get hard (rather than opinionated) information. It is easier to get information about a gas BBQ.

I am not trying to do the wiring job myself. I am trying to make an informed decision so that I can prepare the car to tow a trailer to Australian standards and spend my money wisely when choosing what I need and who can do it. VW dealerships and service divisions struggle to know their own vehicle. For example, adding a tow bar disables the rear sensor that allows users to open the back hatch with a sweep of a foot. Is there a fix. Surely this could have been avoided. I also note that the prices of using VW service is over-the-top. Add to that the fact that our local dealer was complaining that he could not get mechanics to stay long enough to become qualified -not to mention that he was not prepared to option the car the way we wanted it. Informed, we made the decision to go elsewhere.

However, the car is great. The decision to go the R-line was really worth it. The handling and performance is amazing.

 

I know it's not a Hybrid!

But the same caution applies: 48 volts can give you a very nasty belt.

You could always try spending 10 euros and spend an hour downloading everything you will need to know about your specific car from here:

erWin Log in < Volkswagen AG erWin Online

erwin.volkswagen.de

You will need your VIN before you start.

I can't guarantee you will find the towing info you seek but at least you will have a clear picture of the electrical set-up on your car which might set you on the right - and safe - track.

 

Hi Renaldostheold, as Tommi T mentioned, go to the site he sent the link to and you can access the manuals and, if you don't need quite that detail, the Self Study Programmes for the various systems in the new Touareg, which at least give you an over view of the systems in the car.

The fitting of the factory tow bar doesn't affect the operation of the rear hatch by swiping your foot. It still works.

There is no heavy gauge wiring to the rear of the car from the battery under the drivers' floor, other than to the fuse panel on the left hand side, which will be for other systems. The wiring to the power socket in the rear is only for 10 amps to that socket, and wouldn't be sufficient for what you need if you're planning on using an anderson socket.

There is a socket in the battery box which has power, ground and the brake 'trigger' wire in it for the trailer brakes, but you'll need to run your own additional wire to the rear spare plug (which connects to the flat 7 pin trailer socket) for the actual trailer brakes.

 

I had a genuine vw towbar fitted in February on my Launch edition and it has disabled the kick to open on the tail gate, my local vw Kinghorn VW say that it can not be made to work?
Do you have any idea on how it can be made to work again as I only tow 1% of the time.

 

The 48v battery in the back is for suspension only, leave that alone 😀👍
Same as the q7.
Hookup any aux power needed to the battery under the floor or connect a second battery.
V10 has two from factory but for the V8 I have an AGM battery in a battery box which has all sorts of connectors and gets charged when the engine is running, easy

 

Thanks Singh, Do you have recommendations for the Battery Box? That is certainly one of the options. I need Anderson Plugs to charge a dual battery Redarc system in an Ultimate Off-Road Camper. I have room in the spare tyre under the boot to fit a second 12V battery. However the portable option will allow solar blanket charging via Anderson Plugs. We will have a freezer/fridge in the car (on and off camping trailer). So wanting wiring to stop main 12V drain and maximize off-grid camping.

Often VW dealerships use auto-electricians for some of their work - at least in my area. We have had several VW vehicles and have learnt as the VW service have moved to up-selling tactics. While new to adding auxiliary batteries to Touaregs, the process of buying this car revealed lies and deception from the local dealer. Ended up with a better deal through brokers. Service centre servicing of GTI Golf got ridiculous when when they pressured to change wiper blades and charged for rotating wheels of GTI. Then it got to months wait for normal service with excuses. Finally forced to go to another mechanic who was authorised to work on VW and simply did the services and rotated the wheels. Registration was straight forward and they even changed a blown indicator light at no charge. Why? We were loyal customers. Local guy building trust vs multinational who saw us as an opportunity. To be fair, we serviced other VWs in VW service centre close to our former home and they were excellent. However, even there, things changed when they were forced into VW service models. I also know that mechanics were rewarded for successfully recommending repairs. When we stopped using our local dealership/service, two months later I was called and they said they they realised they had a problem and admitted they had lost a lot customers.

Don't get me wrong. I agree that where possible get all your servicing down through VW and make sure you do it. However, let's not waste money and trust the up-selling. It is not about service, it about making money. Also I have no intention of doing my own electrical work. An informed decisions means I am making the choice. You get what you pay for. Better to pay more for quality and satisfying outcomes. Hi quality brands like Redarc matched with high quality batteries might lead to better outcomes in the bush. That certainly the case when we lived in NW Australia. At that time a flat battery, bad wiring and ill-maintained vehicle could lead to death. Sadly that is what happened to some people who ventured into the Pilbara during our time there.

 

You have spent a decent amount of money on the car, I would strongly suggest you spend a fraction more and get the dealer to fit an Anderson plug so you can safely tap into the electrical system for your fridge.... These (most modern) cars are very complex and the slightest mistake could brick the car and cost you $1,000's in repairs not to mention seriously risking your warranty.

 

Pulled the trigger on a genuine OEM tow bar, wiring harness, Trailer module & module bracket for the MY19 CR.
Comes with comprehensive fitting instructions and unique activation coding.
p/n are 760092135A, 760055202A & 760907179

 

Would live to hear how it goes as I’ve been wanting to fit an oem towbar and wondering if it’s easy to fit yourself.

 

Hi evaddirb, is there any chance you could either post a copy of the fitting instructions, or if preferred pm them to me please?

 

 

Towbat!

Cause I am driving a black touareg that I call the batmobile. Because, I'm BatMan!

 

Renaldo I'd second Singh's advice on the overall approach. Take it to reputable auto electrician to get the work done. A friend had his done at a dealership and they used substandard wiring (too thin from the battery) that ended up needing to be replaced before it all burned down. I have my anderson plugs running from the main battery, via a relay that is switched from the cigarette lighter sockets in the back compartment. In my 2014 these only operate with the engine running (potentially still the case in later models but you'd need to check). This ensures you don't drain your battery inadvertently when parked up for a cuppa or something. I'd also get 2 plugs fitted as at some point you may need one for fridge and one for any sway control system that might be fitted to your van/trailer. May as well future proof it.

You will love towing with this car.

Edit: Redarc brake controller is what I use and happy to recommend it too.

 

Steve at Volkteck just set my Touareg up with towbar ,Anderson plug and Redarc controller knows it backwards high attention to detail 0439 602 543
Call him he’s out Penrith way

 

Try kicking to the right hand side of the towbar. I was doing it initially in the centre or LHS with no success. I called the dealer/salesrep about it initially and he said in that case the guys who installed the towbar didn't recalibrate the sensor. That suggests it can work. Mine will work about 95% of the time, and it was only by chance I discovered it works just to the right!

 

48v also powers Audi's supercharger.

48v is harmless all telephones used to run on it. However, that's a discrete cct. with limited capacity, and charge management so not good to tapit. Mind I have 48v instant daylight LED floodlight 30,000 lumen array, I could mount it to the towbar as a tailgater deterrent.

There are swing-away towbar setups that can be used with comfort open, but I've only seen aftermarket for sale in UK.

While on the secret squirrel VW policy. Any one got a 7P circa 2015 V8 R-Line fuse box layout or description table please?

 

While on the secret squirrel VW policy. Any one got a 7P circa 2015 V8 R-Line fuse box layout or description table please?

try this...It's the drivers side panel, and pretty sure it corresponds with the 2015 R Line

 

We have a 2016 V6 towing a 3.2T van. We have a factory towbar, Redarc Tow Pro Elite and the AdvanceICE that displays the van camera on the infotainment system, which is fantastic.
Check out your van electrical requirements before you wire it. We have 4 connectors that need to be right (fused, isolated, etc) - standard 7 pin flat, grey Anderson for van fridge, red Anderson for van ESC and camera.

 

Many thanks evaddirb!

 

Thank you everyone for your engagement and suggestions.

I have a good idea on where I am going with this. Tending towards a portable auxiliary lithium battery. Car will be wired from 12V battery and fitted with an isolating switch to protect from accidental battery drain. Anderson Plugs will connect to trailer and also allow solar charging to trailer and auxilliary battery. May also fit a DC-DC charger that will fast charge the battery at 25Ah to 42Ah depending on model and need. Makes sense to look at adding extra output options to future proof. Electrician said that doing the job at once will save time and money. While the portable brake controller option is a practical solution, I have found consistently positive reviews of the Redarc Pro Elite Brake Controller. The car is a long term investment and someone told me many moons ago never to share your wife or car!!! I'm extending that to off-road camper!

My tow hitch was installed by the dealer and also blocked the sweeping foot sensor. I will wait for my first service and get them to fix it then. It is not a deal breaker, but would be bloody handy when loaded grocery bags or boxes and needing to open the rear door.

My research also revealed that lithium batteries can be used to draw 80% of their power compared to 50% in traditional batteries. They can tolerate quick charging and have significantly higher number of recharging cycles. The cheaper lithium batteries seem to have inferior monitoring and protection systems. It is better to go for more expensive options - you get what you pay for.

I will still research the portable options as the quality of inputs and outputs need investigation. If people have pointers to the best portable boxes please share your experience and insight.

The trailer will be also equipped with a Sine Wave Inverter. Some days I think 1000W is sufficient while on others I wonder about 1500W or 2000W to future proof again. We don't need a toaster, microwave, coffee machine or hairdryer which require a large power draw. However camera batteries, notebook computers and phone charging will be required. Fridge, Water pump, radio and led lights seem well catered for with the 12V system. We might invest in a compressor as rough Australian track and sandy places will require letting down the tyre pressure. The camper comes with a 190W Redarc Solar Blanket and reports from others suggest that with mindful attention that is enough to keep the batteries full on long stays off grid.

I would also be interested in your experiences with fridge slides and storage draws that will fit into the Touareg.

Cape York is on the agenda as are some bits of Australia we have not seen. Looking at being safely self-efficient. Might even need to use it to keep safe from the pandemic ;>

 

Thank you everyone for your engagement and suggestions.

I have a good idea on where I am going with this. Tending towards a portable auxiliary lithium battery. Car will be wired from 12V battery and fitted with an isolating switch to protect from accidental battery drain. Anderson Plugs will connect to trailer and also allow solar charging to trailer and auxilliary battery. May also fit a DC-DC charger that will fast charge the battery at 25Ah to 42Ah depending on model and need. Makes sense to look at adding extra output options to future proof. Electrician said that doing the job at once will save time and money. While the portable brake controller option is a practical solution, I have found consistently positive reviews of the Redarc Pro Elite Brake Controller. The car is a long term investment and someone told me many moons ago never to share your wife or car!!! I'm extending that to off-road camper!

My tow hitch was installed by the dealer and also blocked the sweeping foot sensor. I will wait for my first service and get them to fix it then. It is not a deal breaker, but would be bloody handy when loaded grocery bags or boxes and needing to open the rear door.

My research also revealed that lithium batteries can be used to draw 80% of their power compared to 50% in traditional batteries. They can tolerate quick charging and have significantly higher number of recharging cycles. The cheaper lithium batteries seem to have inferior monitoring and protection systems. It is better to go for more expensive options - you get what you pay for.

I will still research the portable options as the quality of inputs and outputs need investigation. If people have pointers to the best portable boxes please share your experience and insight.

The trailer will be also equipped with a Sine Wave Inverter. Some days I think 1000W is sufficient while on others I wonder about 1500W or 2000W to future proof again. We don't need a toaster, microwave, coffee machine or hairdryer which require a large power draw. However camera batteries, notebook computers and phone charging will be required. Fridge, Water pump, radio and led lights seem well catered for with the 12V system. We might invest in a compressor as rough Australian track and sandy places will require letting down the tyre pressure. The camper comes with a 190W Redarc Solar Blanket and reports from others suggest that with mindful attention that is enough to keep the batteries full on long stays off grid.

I would also be interested in your experiences with fridge slides and storage draws that will fit into the Touareg.

Cape York is on the agenda as are some bits of Australia we have not seen. Looking at being safely self-efficient. Might even need to use it to keep safe from the pandemic ;>

Do you have a full size spare? Towing a trailer with a space saver is illegal.We recently sold our Touareg and had a full size spare in the rear area of the car just in case of a puncture Something to consider if you are out in the back of no where.

 

Sounds great.
Yes to the compressor. You’ll need to let your tyres down on corrugated roads.
On the inverter, decide what you want it for and do your numbers. 600w is more than enough for laptops, charging cordless appliances, even an electric blanket - none of it over 150w. But it would draw 50A at full power. Yes to the pure sine wave and a quality brand like Projecta or Redarc. Remember that at 2400w you would draw 200A at 12v - that’s serious battery capacity (eg 2 Lithiums) and solar panels (eg 500w).

 

Is it just two of you travelling or do you need the rear seat?

The previous administrator of www.mytreg.com set his car up for desert travel by fitting a second battery in the footwell behind the driver's seat, removing the rear seat and boarding out the load space to take fridges, boxes and a full-sized spare.

But his accommodation was a tent on the roof!

 

Easy open is disabled when tow bar is fitted, to prevent the door opening onto the trailer, etc. Similar to remote opening when trailer is connected.
Surely this can be managed via vcds.
Don't have a cr around so can't help figure it out for now

 

@Singh there is a separate issue with Easy Open, that is the function ceases to work after fitting the towbar.
The safety aspect of preventing it from working when the trailer connection is active is something else.
This I believe is due to the sensors/antennae behind the bumper needing to be adjusted/tuned/moved, probably to allow for the large amount of steel now sitting close to the antennae.

 

I think all the questions are going to be answered when @evaddirb gets his towbar installed onto his CR Launch Edition. Then the great unkown will/should be revealed to all

 

VW OEM Tow-bar now installed and can confirm some cutting of the bumper is required albeit underneath in the lower back section close up to the kick sensor.
I have not activated the tow module yet and the kick sensor still works !!
Watch this space because if it stops working after module activation then I am confident coding is the issue not sensor installation position.
(need to complete other retrofits first )

 

Agree about your spare tyres.
If you do a sidewall you can’t repair it, so you’ll need a new tyre. Good luck with that outside the cities.
When we travelled outback with a Pajero and Kamper, we took 3 full size spare wheels with tyres, 2 were on a roof rack. We did about 5 tyres in 40,000km, 2 in 2 days in Limmen NP. They can be very temperamental- some are fine on some terrain and fragile on other roads, while other tyres can be the opposite.