[Chugga]

Hi, I purchased a 2015 7P V8 in Australia without a factory fitted tow bar. I have read it can be quite difficult getting one fitted as some custom coding required. I have 2 quotes, 1 for a Westfalia which includes all coding approx $2200. And, one for a generic heavy duty bar for around $1400 without coding. If anyone else has had one fitted aftermarket, appreciate your feedback. many thanks Martin

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

I think everything aftermarket has a lower tow capacity than OEM. All of the aftermarket hatches are small compared to the OEM. I would definitely and get the coding and the tow module installed

 

[Steve_L]

for the sake of $800....you will have a much better (safer) experience with the Westfalia setup and the tow control module (make sure thy are also including the module). The module itself is worth about $650 - $700. Allegedly, the coding can be quite difficult for the un-initiated.

My son has a great saying.....spend once cry once. Spend twice, cry often.

I have a non-Westfalia bar, and have had to source a tow control module. I now have to get it installed (not straight forward) and coded. But, that's the curse of buying a car with the non-OEM bar installed.

 

[Chugga]

I think everything aftermarket has a lower tow capacity than OEM. All of the aftermarket hatches are small compared to the OEM. I would definitely and get the coding and the tow module installed

thanks for the response, agree, tow module must be included. I spoke to one installer yesterday who said the controller only needs to be installed on the new cars..... obviously they are not across the requirements.

 

[Chugga]

for the sake of $800....you will have a much better (safer) experience with the Westfalia setup and the tow control module (make sure thy are also including the module). The module itself is worth about $650 - $700. Allegedly, the coding can be quite difficult for the un-initiated.

My son has a great saying.....spend once cry once. Spend twice, cry often.

I have a non-Westfalia bar, and have had to source a tow control module. I now have to get it installed (not straight forward) and coded. But, that's the curse of buying a car with the non-OEM bar installed.

Im thinking the same, the Westfalia setup is as close to factory as I can get and does include all the coding. note to self.... always buy a Touareg with factory tow bar fitted!

 

[rgh0]

Im thinking the same, the Westfalia setup is as close to factory as I can get and does include all the coding. note to self.... always buy a Touareg with factory tow bar fitted!

My understanding is that Westfalia makes the "Factory" fitted bars for European Tregs. In Australia the "Factory" fitted bars were made in NZ by Best Bars Ltd. Hayman Reese also make a local Australia bar to fit Tregs of the right load rating but the design. The Best Bars design with it vertical removable hitch requiring no bumper cut out compared to the Hayman Reese as I believe it requires some cutting of the rear bumper to fit. The issue is not so much the physical bar but the VW specific electronics module and its coding that makes the needed changes to the electronics systems when the trailer is connected. From VW it will be expensive and they may potentially refuse to sell or code it unless they also supply the physical bar. You're then forced to try to find and code a second have trailer module which can be done but will take some time to do.

When I research all of this prior to purchase I decide to find a Treg with a "factory" fitted towbar which I did for no real premium on its price as most people don't add this $2 to $3k onto a cars value for a factory bar by the look of it.

cheers
Rohan

 

[Chugga]

My understanding is that Westfalia makes the "Factory" fitted bars for European Tregs. In Australia the "Factory" fitted bars were made in NZ by Best Bars Ltd. Hayman Reese also make a local Australia bar to fit Tregs of the right load rating but the design. The Best Bars design with it vertical removable hitch requiring no bumper cut out compared to the Hayman Reese as I believe it requires some cutting of the rear bumper to fit. The issue is not so much the physical bar but the VW specific electronics module and its coding that makes the needed changes to the electronics systems when the trailer is connected. From VW it will be expensive and they may potentially refuse to sell or code it unless they also supply the physical bar. You're then forced to try to find and code a second have trailer module which can be done but will take some time to do.

When I research all of this prior to purchase I decide to find a Treg with a "factory" fitted towbar which I did for no real premium on its price as most people don't add this $2 to $3k onto a cars value for a factory bar by the look of it.

cheers
Rohan

Thanks for the detailed reply Rohan. When researching, nearly all the Tregs I looked at had a Tow Bar fitted, assumed it was standard. my mistake! Do you think a 7L bar would fit?. looks the same as the 7P, not sure if the controller is different though. One on EBAY AU for $800. other than that, I'm up for a $2400 for a Westfalia unit including module and and coding.

 

[Steve_L]

@Chugga

I'm pretty sure the 7L install specs will be different to the 7P (happy to be corrected).

I ordered a VW Touareg Tow Bar LED Wiring Kit OEM 321766300113 Westfalia Genuine 2014+ (SKU: 1726) from www.eurocarupgrades.com.au. Cost was just under $550 posted to Perth.

I have the Hayman Reese towbar which incorporates the obligatory bumper skirt cut-out.

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Thanks for the detailed reply Rohan. When researching, nearly all the Tregs I looked at had a Tow Bar fitted, assumed it was standard. my mistake! Do you think a 7L bar would fit?. looks the same as the 7P, not sure if the controller is different though. One on EBAY AU for $800. other than that, I'm up for a $2400 for a Westfalia unit including module and and coding.

most of the Touareg DO have a factory tow bar fitted that's pretty rare around here when they don't

 

[Steve_L]

most of the Touareg DO have a factory tow bar fitted that's pretty rare around here when they don't

not in Australia

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

not in Australia

That's pretty wild, I would almost expect it to be the exact opposite between our countries

 

[Steve_L]

Just seeking clarification with what you have posted

most of the Touareg DO have a factory tow bar fitted that's pretty rare around here when they don't

So.....you're saying that most USA Touaregs have a towbar installed. Fair enough

then, when I state that most 'regs sold in Australia don't have a towbar attached, you say

That's pretty wild, I would almost expect it to be the exact opposite between our countries

It is the exact opposite. Your "pretty wild" statement is not that wild at all. Australians don't know enough about the Touareg's capabilities, and defer to Landcruisers and Patrols. So, most Touaregs are just suburban tractors.

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Just seeking clarification with what you have posted

So.....you're saying that most USA Touaregs have a towbar installed. Fair enough

then, when I state that most 'regs sold in Australia don't have a towbar attached, you say

It is the exact opposite. Your "pretty wild" statement is not that wild at all. Australians don't know enough about the Touareg's capabilities, and defer to Landcruisers and Patrols. So, most Touaregs are just suburban tractors.

Fair point you guys get all the cool stuff that we aren't allowed to have. Lots of other, simpler options.

 

[Chugga]

@Chugga

I'm pretty sure the 7L install specs will be different to the 7P (happy to be corrected).

I ordered a VW Touareg Tow Bar LED Wiring Kit OEM 321766300113 Westfalia Genuine 2014+ (SKU: 1726) from www.eurocarupgrades.com.au. Cost was just under $550 posted to Perth.

I have the Hayman Reese towbar which incorporates the obligatory bumper skirt cut-out.

Thanks for the response Steve, I'll take a look at that site!

 

[Chugga]

@Chugga

I'm pretty sure the 7L install specs will be different to the 7P (happy to be corrected).

I ordered a VW Touareg Tow Bar LED Wiring Kit OEM 321766300113 Westfalia Genuine 2014+ (SKU: 1726) from www.eurocarupgrades.com.au. Cost was just under $550 posted to Perth.

I have the Hayman Reese towbar which incorporates the obligatory bumper skirt cut-out.

Thanks Steve, I'll take a look at that site!

 

[Crispy3]

Good to follow this thread on tow bars. On my 7L R50, when I bought it, it had a factory fitted tow bar - but some lightweight thing with forged hook would plug in by magnet. Book said it was limited to 140kg ball load. So I set about getting a local installer to fit me up with a Hayman Reese hitch and module. All fitted for $1600 (AUD) from memory. Though the local installers are quite agricultural when it comes to discretely mounting the plug connectors to the rear under panel. It was god awful to look at with poxy tek screws through the rear plastic panel for the main 7 pin connector and again for the Anderson plug point. I took a couple of hours of my own time to discretely mount the plugs behind the removable panel so for 98% of the time the plugs are invisible - the way it should be.

My advice to anyone getting a tow bar fitted - take lots of photos of the rear area - the installer will be removing your rear plastic bumper cover and they're sometimes a bit careless (not all places though). If you have photos then any cosmetic damage you have recourse with the installer with your "before" photos.

Pete.

 

[Chugga]

Good to follow this thread on tow bars. On my 7L R50, when I bought it, it had a factory fitted tow bar - but some lightweight thing with forged hook would plug in by magnet. Book said it was limited to 140kg ball load. So I set about getting a local installer to fit me up with a Hayman Reese hitch and module. All fitted for $1600 (AUD) from memory. Though the local installers are quite agricultural when it comes to discretely mounting the plug connectors to the rear under panel. It was god awful to look at with poxy tek screws through the rear plastic panel for the main 7 pin connector and again for the Anderson plug point. I took a couple of hours of my own time to discretely mount the plugs behind the removable panel so for 98% of the time the plugs are invisible - the way it should be.

My advice to anyone getting a tow bar fitted - take lots of photos of the rear area - the installer will be removing your rear plastic bumper cover and they're sometimes a bit careless (not all places though). If you have photos then any cosmetic damage you have recourse with the installer with your "before" photos.

Pete.

Good points there Pete! also, that's a lovely R50. I have the 2015 V8, love it but something about the older V10 version which is proper hardcore!

 

[Crispy3]

Yes, I love the V10 - at least under the veil of my extended warranty for many things covered for the moment. I went from a 2014 7P proper unicorn 4XMOTION back to the 7L R50. My wife still doesn't get it always saying it's old, "not like my newer 7P Touareg".